Donabate
Sea FishingThe Balcarrick and Donabate strands offer open surf-beach fishing over a clean sand bottom north of Portmarnock. Bass and flounder are the principal targets in the surf, with dab, plaice and codling adding variety and dogfish after dark. A flooding tide into a light onshore breeze fishes best.
Dublin
Leinster
Donabate
Access Information
Parking at Balcarrick beach with a short walk to the surf.
Permits
No permit or licence is required for general sea angling from the shore.
Species Found Here (7)
Regulations
National Regulations That Apply
Methods: Only rod and line permitted. Maximum 2 rods at any time. No live fish as bait. No transfer of live roach between waters. Must not kill foul-hooked fish.
Additional: You may not fish for eels and any eels caught must be returned to the water. On waters designated closed or catch and release for salmon, you may not use worms as bait and may only use single or double barbless hooks.
Season Notes: No open/closed season for most species (except salmon and sea trout at sea).
Bag Limit: Bag limits only for salmon, sea trout and sea bass.
Size Limit: Size limits only for salmon, sea trout and sea bass.
Methods: No trolling with gear capable of capturing bluefin tuna without special authorisation. Porbeagle shark, common skate, white skate, undulate ray, spurdog and angel shark are endangered and should be returned.
Additional: State Licence only required if fishing for sea trout or salmon at sea. Special authorisation required for bluefin tuna (catch & release only, awarded to limited charter operators).
Season Notes: Currently no closed season but changes year to year. Check before fishing.
Bag Limit: Varies year to year. Some periods may be catch and release only. Regulations set by EU and subject to change at short notice.
Size Limit: Minimum size 42cm (when keeping is permitted).
Methods: No restrictions on method currently.
Additional: EU regulations change frequently. Always check latest information before fishing. No licence or permit required.
Quick Facts
- Type Sea Fishing
- Fishing Free
- Species 7
- County Dublin
Location
Lat: 53.4870, Lon: -6.1330
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