Fishing spots mapDiscover the best fishing spots in Balbriggan
Fishing in Balbriggan
What can I fish there ?Join our 398 fishermen and 1 cofisherman in Balbriggan in Leinster. The fishing forecast is currently 3.5. The most caught fishes here are the scamp fih, the lake trout, the sailfish and marlin. Come try the most famous fishing techniques like the trap fishing for lobster, fishing with traps, fishing sea bream with soft lures or support fishing for bass.

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The fishing forecast
Discover the scientific algorithm that gives you the best moment to go fishing at Balbriggan !
This is a score calculated according to about forty criteria: moon, weather conditions, atmospheric pressure, tides, swell ...
. Forecast calculated at 4 days

Most caught fish species in Balbriggan Top species caught by Club members
Top species caught by Club members
N°1 | Brown Trout
The Brown Trout belongs to the Salmonidae family. According to the location, the adult size varies from 25 cm to 80 cm for 300 to 800 g. It lives for 3 to 6 years. The spawning period starts in October and end in January. The female can lay up to 4000 eggs. The fishing period is open from the second Saturday of March until the third Sunday of September. This fish is not hard to catch but the fishing needs complex skills. Depending on its environment, the brown trout have a very variable color, but the brown trout, as its name shows, is rather brown with scattered black and red spots, depending on the spawners. It has a certain mimicry according to the bottom of its living spaces since the dominant brown will become a green dress if it lives close to the banks where yellow and even sometimes silvery white will mix. It has a "useless" adipose fin between the dorsal fin and the caudal fin. The head is tapered, strong and has a powerful jaw. Its back is a pretty black or night blue.
Fishing period : March to September
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°2 | Black Bream Fish
The Black breamfish, also known as Acanthopagrus butcheri, is a Sparidae. In general, its average size is 15 to 35 cm and its weight is 500 g to 2.5 kg. However, some individuals can reach up to 60 cm and 4 kg. The black bream has a lifespan of 27 years. Its spawning period is between August and January. It can have up to 300,000 spawn each season. It is not hard to catch and offer a little resistance. The Black bream has a high body and relatively compressed laterally, with symmetrically curved dorsal and ventral fins. The mouth is of moderate size compared to the body and has six incisors in the front of the lower and upper jaws. The body is covered with large scales that can be cycloid or slightly ctenoid. The head is essentially flake-free, except for the lids. A flake sheath covers the soft ray bases of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The Black Bream is silvery, from golden brown or bronze to grey-green on the back as well as on the sides with sometimes greenish reflections, depending on its habitat. The belly is white. The fins are all dark, with black borders. The caudal fin is often dark olive-brown.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : 25 cm
Difficulty :
N°3 | Dolphinfish or Mahi-mahi
Dorade coryphĂšne, dorado, dolphin, lampuga, rakingo, calitos, ti-rone, maverikos, mahi-mahi... There are so many ways to call the dolphinfish (coryphaena hippurus). This species is well known for its flesh and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Fishing period : June to September
Minimum size : 20 inches
Difficulty :
N°4 | Marlin
Marlin is a fish from a large family called Istiophoridae, which includes about 10 species. The most popular species include the blue marlin (makaira nigricans), the striped marlin (kajikia audax), the white marlin (kajikia albidus) and the black marlin (istiompax indica).
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 40 inches
Difficulty :
N°5 | Striped bass
Striped bass (morone saxatilis) is a fish of the Moronidae family found along the Atlantic coast of North America.
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 28 inches
Difficulty :
N°6 | Swordfish
Swordfish (xiphias gladius) is a highly migratory pelagic fish considered as one of the fastest sea animals. It tends to be large and its weight often exceeds 100 kg. It can be distinguished thanks to its long bill and its iridescent blue body. Most of sport fishermen feel really proud to catch swordfishes on their lines.
Fishing period : June to October
Minimum size : 47 inches
Difficulty :
N°7 | The Alligator Gar
The Alligator Gar belongs to the Lepisosteidae family. In its adult form, it can measure up to three meters long and weigh up to 140 kilograms. It breeds in spring. It can be fished all year round. Alligator gar are elongated fish with a long, narrow snout. Their scales form a kind of armor, protecting them from other predators, the scales are similar in hardness to our nails, hard as keratin. They are also sharp, never brush a sharp-edged club fish. These fish have the swim bladder modified into a gas bladder, it allows them to breathe at the surface.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°8 | The Almaco Jack
The Almaco Jack belongs to the Carangidae family. Its adult size varies from 80 cm to 120 cm. They reproduce in spring. It can be fished all year round. It has two dorsal fins, the longer of the two is about twice as long as the longer of the dorsal spines. It has a pale blue-green color, with a lavender glow. The Almaco Jack has a short upper jaw, with a yellowish streak from the jaw to the first dorsal fin, but its color becomes less recognizable as the fish ages. Younger almaco jacks usually have six black bars on the sides. The mouth is protractile and allows it to swallow its entire prey.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°9 | The American Shad
The American Shad belongs to the Clupeidae family. With an average of 38 cm, adult specimens can measure up to 76 cm and weigh between 0.9 and 1.4 kg. It can live up to 13 years old. Egg laying takes place in May, June or July. On average, the female lays 140,000 eggs, but can reach 600,000 eggs. It is fished in the spring. The American shad is characterized by its slender, high and very flattened body. The species has a very forked caudal fin and a low, elongated anal fin. It has no lateral line or adipose fin. Its color is silvery with a blue or blue-green sheen on the back and bright silver flanks. When entering fresh water for reproduction, the pigmentation may become darker, taking on a tan or copper hue, turning red for the head and belly parts. A black spot is visible near the top edge of the lid, sometimes followed by smaller spots. Its lower jaw fits into a notch in its upper jaw. It can also be recognized by its large scales that are easily detached. The ventral surface of the American shad is thin with saw tooth scales. With regard to internal characteristics, it has teeth in the premaxillary and lower jaw, a silver peritoneum and, between 53 and 59 vertebrae.
Fishing period : spring
Minimum size : 30 cm
Difficulty :
N°10 | The Apache trout
The Apache trout belongs to the Salmonidae family. The Apache trout is 15 to 61 cm long and weighs 0.2 to 2.7 kg. It rarely exceeds 25 cm but can reach up to 40 cm in its natural headwaters. It breeds from May to June. Fishing for Apache trout is prohibited all year round. Apache trout are yellowish gold in color with a golden belly and have medium sized dark spots, uniformly spaced, which can extend below the lateral line and over the dorsal fins and tail. The top of the head and back are dark olive in color, and it appears to have a black stripe/mask through each of its eyes, thanks to two small black dots on each side of the pupil. There may be a throat mark under the lower jaw, ranging from yellow to gold.
Fishing period :
Minimum size :
Difficulty :
N°11 | The Arctic Grayling
The Arctic Grayling belongs to the Salmonidae Family. The Arctic shade can reach a length of about 24 cm long and weighs about 3 kg. He can live to be 18 years old. It breeds in the spring and lays thousands of eggs. It can be fished all year round. Coloring may vary depending on the location. The dorsal fin is usually bordered red and dotted with large iridescent red, turquoise, purple or purple spots and marks. Back marks are more evident on the large shadows. The back of the Arctic shadow is generally dark. The sides can be in black, silver, gold, or blue. Gold markings sometimes form a border between the hips and the belly, while pelvic fins can be orange, red or pink. The sides and head can be freckles with black spots. The eye of the iris is often the color of gold.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : 15 cm
Difficulty :
N°12 | The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark belongs to the Carcharhinidae family. The average size of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark is 90 to 99 cm. Their maximum size is 120 cm. In captivity it can live up to 4 years. The young are usually born in June. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark can be fished all year round. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark has a long snout and labial furrows that surround its mouth. The triangular teeth with smooth edges are identical on the upper and lower jaws. The livery of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark can be brown, olive grey or blue grey, turning white on its belly. Adults may have some white spots, and in smaller individuals the edges of the dorsal fins and caudal fin are often black.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°1 | Brown Trout
The Brown Trout belongs to the Salmonidae family. According to the location, the adult size varies from 25 cm to 80 cm for 300 to 800 g. It lives for 3 to 6 years. The spawning period starts in October and end in January. The female can lay up to 4000 eggs. The fishing period is open from the second Saturday of March until the third Sunday of September. This fish is not hard to catch but the fishing needs complex skills. Depending on its environment, the brown trout have a very variable color, but the brown trout, as its name shows, is rather brown with scattered black and red spots, depending on the spawners. It has a certain mimicry according to the bottom of its living spaces since the dominant brown will become a green dress if it lives close to the banks where yellow and even sometimes silvery white will mix. It has a "useless" adipose fin between the dorsal fin and the caudal fin. The head is tapered, strong and has a powerful jaw. Its back is a pretty black or night blue.
Fishing period : March to September
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°2 | Black Bream Fish
The Black breamfish, also known as Acanthopagrus butcheri, is a Sparidae. In general, its average size is 15 to 35 cm and its weight is 500 g to 2.5 kg. However, some individuals can reach up to 60 cm and 4 kg. The black bream has a lifespan of 27 years. Its spawning period is between August and January. It can have up to 300,000 spawn each season. It is not hard to catch and offer a little resistance. The Black bream has a high body and relatively compressed laterally, with symmetrically curved dorsal and ventral fins. The mouth is of moderate size compared to the body and has six incisors in the front of the lower and upper jaws. The body is covered with large scales that can be cycloid or slightly ctenoid. The head is essentially flake-free, except for the lids. A flake sheath covers the soft ray bases of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins. The Black Bream is silvery, from golden brown or bronze to grey-green on the back as well as on the sides with sometimes greenish reflections, depending on its habitat. The belly is white. The fins are all dark, with black borders. The caudal fin is often dark olive-brown.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : 25 cm
Difficulty :
N°3 | Dolphinfish or Mahi-mahi
Dorade coryphĂšne, dorado, dolphin, lampuga, rakingo, calitos, ti-rone, maverikos, mahi-mahi... There are so many ways to call the dolphinfish (coryphaena hippurus). This species is well known for its flesh and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Fishing period : June to September
Minimum size : 20 inches
Difficulty :
N°4 | Marlin
Marlin is a fish from a large family called Istiophoridae, which includes about 10 species. The most popular species include the blue marlin (makaira nigricans), the striped marlin (kajikia audax), the white marlin (kajikia albidus) and the black marlin (istiompax indica).
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 40 inches
Difficulty :
N°5 | Striped bass
Striped bass (morone saxatilis) is a fish of the Moronidae family found along the Atlantic coast of North America.
Fishing period : All the year
Minimum size : 28 inches
Difficulty :
N°6 | Swordfish
Swordfish (xiphias gladius) is a highly migratory pelagic fish considered as one of the fastest sea animals. It tends to be large and its weight often exceeds 100 kg. It can be distinguished thanks to its long bill and its iridescent blue body. Most of sport fishermen feel really proud to catch swordfishes on their lines.
Fishing period : June to October
Minimum size : 47 inches
Difficulty :
N°7 | The Alligator Gar
The Alligator Gar belongs to the Lepisosteidae family. In its adult form, it can measure up to three meters long and weigh up to 140 kilograms. It breeds in spring. It can be fished all year round. Alligator gar are elongated fish with a long, narrow snout. Their scales form a kind of armor, protecting them from other predators, the scales are similar in hardness to our nails, hard as keratin. They are also sharp, never brush a sharp-edged club fish. These fish have the swim bladder modified into a gas bladder, it allows them to breathe at the surface.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°8 | The Almaco Jack
The Almaco Jack belongs to the Carangidae family. Its adult size varies from 80 cm to 120 cm. They reproduce in spring. It can be fished all year round. It has two dorsal fins, the longer of the two is about twice as long as the longer of the dorsal spines. It has a pale blue-green color, with a lavender glow. The Almaco Jack has a short upper jaw, with a yellowish streak from the jaw to the first dorsal fin, but its color becomes less recognizable as the fish ages. Younger almaco jacks usually have six black bars on the sides. The mouth is protractile and allows it to swallow its entire prey.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :
N°9 | The American Shad
The American Shad belongs to the Clupeidae family. With an average of 38 cm, adult specimens can measure up to 76 cm and weigh between 0.9 and 1.4 kg. It can live up to 13 years old. Egg laying takes place in May, June or July. On average, the female lays 140,000 eggs, but can reach 600,000 eggs. It is fished in the spring. The American shad is characterized by its slender, high and very flattened body. The species has a very forked caudal fin and a low, elongated anal fin. It has no lateral line or adipose fin. Its color is silvery with a blue or blue-green sheen on the back and bright silver flanks. When entering fresh water for reproduction, the pigmentation may become darker, taking on a tan or copper hue, turning red for the head and belly parts. A black spot is visible near the top edge of the lid, sometimes followed by smaller spots. Its lower jaw fits into a notch in its upper jaw. It can also be recognized by its large scales that are easily detached. The ventral surface of the American shad is thin with saw tooth scales. With regard to internal characteristics, it has teeth in the premaxillary and lower jaw, a silver peritoneum and, between 53 and 59 vertebrae.
Fishing period : spring
Minimum size : 30 cm
Difficulty :
N°10 | The Apache trout
The Apache trout belongs to the Salmonidae family. The Apache trout is 15 to 61 cm long and weighs 0.2 to 2.7 kg. It rarely exceeds 25 cm but can reach up to 40 cm in its natural headwaters. It breeds from May to June. Fishing for Apache trout is prohibited all year round. Apache trout are yellowish gold in color with a golden belly and have medium sized dark spots, uniformly spaced, which can extend below the lateral line and over the dorsal fins and tail. The top of the head and back are dark olive in color, and it appears to have a black stripe/mask through each of its eyes, thanks to two small black dots on each side of the pupil. There may be a throat mark under the lower jaw, ranging from yellow to gold.
Fishing period :
Minimum size :
Difficulty :
N°11 | The Arctic Grayling
The Arctic Grayling belongs to the Salmonidae Family. The Arctic shade can reach a length of about 24 cm long and weighs about 3 kg. He can live to be 18 years old. It breeds in the spring and lays thousands of eggs. It can be fished all year round. Coloring may vary depending on the location. The dorsal fin is usually bordered red and dotted with large iridescent red, turquoise, purple or purple spots and marks. Back marks are more evident on the large shadows. The back of the Arctic shadow is generally dark. The sides can be in black, silver, gold, or blue. Gold markings sometimes form a border between the hips and the belly, while pelvic fins can be orange, red or pink. The sides and head can be freckles with black spots. The eye of the iris is often the color of gold.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : 15 cm
Difficulty :
N°12 | The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark belongs to the Carcharhinidae family. The average size of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark is 90 to 99 cm. Their maximum size is 120 cm. In captivity it can live up to 4 years. The young are usually born in June. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark can be fished all year round. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark has a long snout and labial furrows that surround its mouth. The triangular teeth with smooth edges are identical on the upper and lower jaws. The livery of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark can be brown, olive grey or blue grey, turning white on its belly. Adults may have some white spots, and in smaller individuals the edges of the dorsal fins and caudal fin are often black.
Fishing period : All year
Minimum size : no restriction
Difficulty :

Balbriggan - Fishing techniques Top fishing techniques
Top fishing techniques
N°1 | Trap fishing for lobster
A crustacean whose reputation is well established; lobsters enjoy an incredible reputation thanks to their succulent flesh. Located in its claws and abdomen, its edible parts represent only 30% of its weight. Nevertheless, lobster is highly prized by all, and has long been the subject of great covetousness and an ancestral fishery: that of the trap.
N°2 | Fishing with traps
It is more often used by experts than by novices, because knowledge of currents, tidal coefficients and seabed is necessary for this technique.
N°3 | Fishing Sea Bream with Soft Lures
The sea bream feeds mainly on mollusks, crustaceans and annelids (worms). It is therefore advisable to use lures resembling mud worms such as lugworm or jumbo. Given the small size of these lures and the legendary mistrust of bream, it will be necessary to opt for ultra-light equipment in order to animate the lure to perfection. However, we must be careful not to lose the battle against a bream that will try to reach the rocks. In order to increase your chances of taking a sea bream, you should opt for an animation of the "scratchy" type. That is, the lure must be placed at the bottom, or as close as possible, and it must be animated with very small strokes of the scion to make it wriggle on the bottom of the water. You can fish for sea bream but also for old, yellow places or pout. This fishing is made for lovers of ultra-light fishing which makes fighting much more tedious and fun.
N°4 | Support fishing for Bass
The support fishing is a bottom fishing technique. It consists in putting a setting of a lead with one or more hooks that are let down. Once the assembly is at the bottom, the line is stretched and the touch is waited, keeping the rod in hand. You can fish with different baits depending on the morphology of the bottom. Like all bait fishing techniques, you have to find the right balance between discretion and robustness. The bar will have time to go around the setting before swallowing the bait, so maximum discretion is required.
N°5 | DIVE FISHING
Dive fishing is a recreational fishery that consists of capturing underwater with the use of a harpoon.
N°6 | Jig fishing or Cast fishing for mackerel
Mackerel evolve in schools. The challenge is to find the benches. A seagull bite may eventually help you, but the easiest way is to use a sonar. Mackerel move to a depth that varies with water temperature, weather conditions and water transparency. The sonar unit will therefore help you to identify how deep they are moving. In general, mackerel will be found on the surface in calm weather and when the water is clear enough. On the contrary, when the sea is rough, the latter will tend to descend between two waters, or even into deep waters. Once the bank is spotted, you should approach it as discreetly as possible and let yourself drift in such a way as to pass through it (you will turn off the engine, especially if the fish are on the surface). You will let your submachine gun down and animate it in a jigsaw. This means that you will make more or less wide movements with your rod in order to raise and lower your hooks erratically. If the ban moves a little further away, you can also throw your machine gun and bring it back with a little scion blows. Vary the recovery rates and depth to maximize your chances. If the ban is on the surface (you will spot it thanks to the seagulls who will take advantage of the opportunity), opt for a quick recovery and on the surface. It is also a very fun fishing to do in a kayak.
N°1 | Trap fishing for lobster
A crustacean whose reputation is well established; lobsters enjoy an incredible reputation thanks to their succulent flesh. Located in its claws and abdomen, its edible parts represent only 30% of its weight. Nevertheless, lobster is highly prized by all, and has long been the subject of great covetousness and an ancestral fishery: that of the trap.
N°2 | Fishing with traps
It is more often used by experts than by novices, because knowledge of currents, tidal coefficients and seabed is necessary for this technique.
N°3 | Fishing Sea Bream with Soft Lures
The sea bream feeds mainly on mollusks, crustaceans and annelids (worms). It is therefore advisable to use lures resembling mud worms such as lugworm or jumbo. Given the small size of these lures and the legendary mistrust of bream, it will be necessary to opt for ultra-light equipment in order to animate the lure to perfection. However, we must be careful not to lose the battle against a bream that will try to reach the rocks. In order to increase your chances of taking a sea bream, you should opt for an animation of the "scratchy" type. That is, the lure must be placed at the bottom, or as close as possible, and it must be animated with very small strokes of the scion to make it wriggle on the bottom of the water. You can fish for sea bream but also for old, yellow places or pout. This fishing is made for lovers of ultra-light fishing which makes fighting much more tedious and fun.
N°4 | Support fishing for Bass
The support fishing is a bottom fishing technique. It consists in putting a setting of a lead with one or more hooks that are let down. Once the assembly is at the bottom, the line is stretched and the touch is waited, keeping the rod in hand. You can fish with different baits depending on the morphology of the bottom. Like all bait fishing techniques, you have to find the right balance between discretion and robustness. The bar will have time to go around the setting before swallowing the bait, so maximum discretion is required.
N°5 | DIVE FISHING
Dive fishing is a recreational fishery that consists of capturing underwater with the use of a harpoon.
N°6 | Jig fishing or Cast fishing for mackerel
Mackerel evolve in schools. The challenge is to find the benches. A seagull bite may eventually help you, but the easiest way is to use a sonar. Mackerel move to a depth that varies with water temperature, weather conditions and water transparency. The sonar unit will therefore help you to identify how deep they are moving. In general, mackerel will be found on the surface in calm weather and when the water is clear enough. On the contrary, when the sea is rough, the latter will tend to descend between two waters, or even into deep waters. Once the bank is spotted, you should approach it as discreetly as possible and let yourself drift in such a way as to pass through it (you will turn off the engine, especially if the fish are on the surface). You will let your submachine gun down and animate it in a jigsaw. This means that you will make more or less wide movements with your rod in order to raise and lower your hooks erratically. If the ban moves a little further away, you can also throw your machine gun and bring it back with a little scion blows. Vary the recovery rates and depth to maximize your chances. If the ban is on the surface (you will spot it thanks to the seagulls who will take advantage of the opportunity), opt for a quick recovery and on the surface. It is also a very fun fishing to do in a kayak.
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