Fishing Store Near Me: Top Ireland Tackle Shops Dublin

If you’ve ever spent twenty minutes in a Dublin tackle shop asking about pike lures, only to get three different answers, you already know the problem: finding a decent fishing store near you in Ireland takes more than typing it into Google. Dublin has roughly half a dozen specialist tackle shops worth knowing about—some are old-fashioned landmarks, others are click-and-collect operations with serious range. This guide puts names, addresses, and specialities in one place so you can spend less time searching and more time casting.

Top Dublin-area fishing tackle shops: 5 · Key fishing disciplines stocked: Sea, game, coarse, pike · Bait types available: Live and frozen · Ireland online fishing shops: Wildhunter.ie

This table maps Dublin’s main fishing shops by location, specialty, and contact details.

Best fishing store near me

Five Dublin-area shops stand out for their range and customer base. Each covers different ground: location, discipline focus, and whether they stock bait or sell permits.

Top picks in Dublin area

Dublin’s tackle shop scene clusters in three zones: the Temple Bar city-centre cluster, the south Dublin area around Cork Street, and the north Dublin strip around Swords and Lucan. The Fishing in Ireland directory lists shops across Co. Dublin and invites submissions for omissions, making it the most current local listing available.

• Swords Angling Centre — Unit 1 Bramley Row, Applewood, Swords, Dublin. Sea, game, coarse, pike tackle and live/frozen baits.
• Southside Angling — Unit D, South Gate, Cork St, Dublin 8 D08 A0E7, phone +353 1 4530266. Game, pike, coarse, sea, fly tying, gift vouchers.
• Rory’s Fishing Tackle — 17a Temple Bar, Dublin D02 K263. Freshwater/sea angling, permits, major brands. Open weekends.
• Wildhunter — Ireland-wide online shop. Fish finders, rods, motors, pike specialist.
• Near Lucan — Bow Wow Pets and Fishing, Finlays Angling Centre with real customer reviews.

Swords Angling Centre

Swords Angling Centre occupies Unit 1 Bramley Row, Applewood in Swords, Dublin — the most accessible north County Dublin option for anglers targeting pike, coarse fish, sea, or game species. The shop stocks sea, game, coarse, and pike tackle alongside live and frozen baits, covering the four key disciplines most Dublin anglers ask about. Anglers based in Balbriggan, Malahide, or Donabate who find Dublin city shops inconvenient will find Swords more practical. Find them at swordsanglingcentre.com.

Wildhunter

Wildhunter operates as an online fishing tackle outlet in Ireland, stocking fish finders, rods, and outboard motors alongside a full pike specialist range. The implication: if a suburban Dublin shop lacks the specific lure or gear you need, Wildhunter likely has it online — but you lose the ability to handle the product before buying.

Fishing tackle shop Dublin

Dublin city has a long-standing tackle shop tradition rooted in Temple Bar. The standout name — and the one most guidebooks mention — is Rory’s Fishing Tackle.

Rory’s Fishing Tackle

Rory’s Fishing Tackle opened in 1959, founded by Rory Harkin, and remains one of the oldest retail shops in Temple Bar today (Visit Dublin). The shop is now run by Rory Harkin’s daughter Mary, continuing the family operation. Rory’s stocks freshwater and sea angling gear with live and frozen bait available. Brands stocked include Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Greys, Guideline, Penn, Sage, Rio, Rapala, Shakespeare, Shimano, Savage Gear, and Westin. Beyond tackle, Rory’s carries boots, waders, clothing, and t-shirts.

The shop sits at 17a Temple Bar, Dublin D02 K263, a 2-minute walk from O’Connell Bridge near Ha’penny Bridge and Trinity College (Visit Dublin). Public transport access is strong: Luas green line stops at Westmoreland or Trinity, red line at Jervis. Temple Bar car park is 200 metres away. The phone is +353 1 6772351.

Rory’s Fishing Tackle aims to be a “university of fishing.”

— Visit Dublin (Official Tourism Site)

TripAdvisor reviewers consistently describe Rory’s as one of the best fishing shops in Dublin, noting that it stays open on weekends and that staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The shop’s small, old-fashioned character appeals to anglers who prefer hands-on advice over self-service. Find more at rorys.ie.

Southside Angling

Southside Angling occupies Unit D, South Gate, Cork St, Dublin 8 D08 A0E7. The shop covers game, pike, coarse and sea fishing, and offers fly tying materials alongside gift vouchers — useful for birthday gifts. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM. Contact +353 1 4530266 or fax 01 4737847. South Dublin anglers who want a shop south of the Liffey rather than city-centre Temple Bar will find this the more convenient option.

Shops near Blanchardstown

For anglers near Blanchardstown and Lucan, the Fishing in Ireland directory lists two shops within reach: the Angling and Shooting Centre at Lucan Road, Ballydowd, Lucan, Dublin K78 TV25 (phone +353 1 6281112), and Sportfins, a premier tackle shop in Lucan offering high-quality gear for all levels. The pattern: north-west Dublin anglers have fewer dedicated tackle shops than the city centre, making a phone call before travelling worthwhile.

What is the best brand for fishing rods?

Brand recommendations shift depending on who you ask, but three names recur across Dublin shops and specialist reviews: Shimano, Daiwa, and Sage consistently surface in recommendations from major retailers and dedicated angling publications.

Top rods from major retailers

Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia dominate the mid-to-premium rod market in Dublin shops. Rory’s stocks all three, alongside Greys, Guideline, Penn, Sage, Rio, Rapala, Shakespeare, Savage Gear, and Westin. For a first rod purchase, Shimano or Daiwa offer the broadest dealer support in Ireland — if something breaks, finding a replacement part or warranty service is simpler. Sage leans toward fly fishing, making it the specialist choice for game anglers.

Factors for selection

Brand matters less than match to your target species. A well-matched budget rod from Shimano outperforms a prestige rod from a less appropriate category. Before choosing a brand, clarify: sea fishing or freshwater? Fly or baitcaster? The Visit Dublin guide notes that Rory’s staff can walk buyers through brand differences — a real advantage when the product range is this wide.

What this means: if you prioritise warranty support and broad availability, Shimano and Daiwa are the pragmatic choices. If you want fly-fishing precision, Sage sits above the field. Rory’s stocks all three, so in-store comparison is possible.

What is the best lure for pike in Ireland?

Pike fishing in Ireland has a dedicated following, and Dublin tackle shops respond accordingly. The shops stocking the widest pike range include Swords Angling Centre, Wildhunter, and Anglers World.

Top lures for pike fishing

Rapala, Savage Gear, and Westin — all stocked at Rory’s — are brands frequently recommended for pike in Irish waters. Rapala’s original floater plug remains a staple; Savage Gear’s softbaits have gained ground in recent seasons; Westin offers a dedicated pike range. Anglers World stocks these alongside pike-specific rods and reels. The Anglers World site lists a full pike equipment section including rods, reels, and apparel by Hotspot Design.

• Rapala Original Floater — classic surface plug, effective in weedy lakes and slow rivers
• Savage Gear 4Play — multi-section soft lure for active pike in deeper water
• Westin Twinpointe — jerkbait with close-gap hooking system

Where to buy locally

Swords Angling Centre stocks pike tackle alongside live and frozen baits — useful if you want to buy lures and bait in the same trip. Anglers World runs a full online web shop with pike-specific equipment. Wildhunter stocks a pike range including motors and fish finders alongside lures. The implication: for pike-specific lures, online shops offer broader stock, but a physical shop lets you inspect lure size and weight before buying. For pike-specific lures, online shops offer broader stock, but a physical shop lets you inspect lure size and weight before buying, though you can find a full pike equipment section including rods, reels, and apparel by Hotspot Design at britaindaily.uk.

What is the ideal length for a fishing rod?

Rod length is one of the most commonly asked questions in tackle shops, and the answer depends entirely on what you’re fishing for.

Choosing rod length

The practical range breaks down this way: a 7-foot rod handles most general freshwater situations well, covering canal fishing, river bream, and light pike. An 8-9 foot rod suits coarse fishing on larger rivers where longer casts help. A 9-10 foot rod is the standard for sea surf fishing from beaches. The further you need to cast, the longer and more specialised the rod.

7ft rod applications

A 7-foot rod is the entry-level all-rounder: it suits match fishing on canals and small rivers, light predator work for pike perch, and general coarse angling. It fits in a car boot without disassembly, making it practical for beginners who lack storage space. Dublin beginners buying their first rod at Rory’s or Southside Angling should start at 7 feet and move up only when a specific discipline demands it.

How to visit fishing stores: step-by-step

Here’s how to get the most out of a Dublin tackle shop visit, from preparation to purchase.

1. Clarify your target species and discipline before leaving home. Pike, sea bass, trout, and coarse fish each demand different tackle. Shop staff ask this question first — arriving with the answer speeds up everything.
2. Check opening hours by phone if you’re travelling across Dublin. Most shops outside Southside Angling don’t publish current hours online. Rory’s is known to open weekends; Southside operates Monday–Saturday from 9:30 AM.
3. Ring ahead to confirm stock if you need a specific brand or lure. Dublin shops carry wide ranges but shelf space is finite — a phone call prevents a wasted journey for a specific Rapala lure or Shimano reel.
4. Ask about fishing permits if you need a licence. Rory’s is an authorised permit distributor — you can buy your rod and your licence in the same stop.
5. Handle before buying. Grip comfort, rod balance, and reel drag feel are hard to judge from photos. The advantage of visiting in person is immediate sensory assessment — particularly important for a first rod purchase.
6. Note the phone number for re-stocking. Dublin shops vary in online presence. Rory’s has rorys.ie; Southside has southsideangling.ie; Wildhunter and Anglers World run full web shops. Bookmark the relevant site for bait and lure re-orders between visits.