Saithe fishing

Pollachius virens

About Saithe

A fast, shoaling cod-relative that chases baitfish in open water. Moves inshore in summer and out to deep water in winter. Shoals move fast and often show as a dense mark on the sounder over a deep edge, so speed matters more than finesse. A light jig or a pirk dropped through the shoal and worked briskly gets hit on the way down as often as on the lift. Pound for pound it fights harder than cod, with a long first run. The meat is dark and best eaten fresh or smoked.

Typical size: Usually 40-75 cm, big fish over 90 cm. Record (approx.): ≈ 10 kg.

Season, time and habitat

Best season

Jun-Sep

Best time

Day

Habitat

Coast

Season by month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.

Lures and baits that work

Soft-plastic jig Let the jig sink to the bottom and work it with small lifts and pauses. Stay in contact with the line; takes usually come on the drop. Check price on Amazon

Sabiki rig Fish a string of small bright hooks below a weight. Jig it up and down through shoals of herring, mackerel or garfish. Check price on Amazon

Spoon Cast out and retrieve at a steady pace so the spoon flashes and wobbles. Vary the speed and let it flutter down between turns. Check price on Amazon

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Find waters where Saithe is biting now

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Common questions

When is the best time to catch Saithe?

Saithe fishing is usually best around Jun-Sep. The best windows in the day are usually day.

What lures and baits work for Saithe?

Effective methods for Saithe include Soft-plastic jig, Sabiki rig and Spoon.

Where can you catch Saithe?

Saithe is most often found in coast. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.