Pollack fishing

Pollachius pollachius

About Pollack

The predatory cod-relative of the west coast. Holds over reefs, wrecks and hard bottoms and hunts baitfish, often high in the water. Unlike cod it feeds upward rather than down, so a shad or a jig counted down and cranked steadily gets more takes than a bait on the bottom. The first run goes straight for the structure below, which is where most fish are lost. Summer and autumn over the shallower reefs give the best fishing from a small boat.

Typical size: Usually 40-70 cm, big fish over 80 cm. Record (approx.): ≈ 8 kg.

Season, time and habitat

Best season

Sep-Nov

Best time

Dawn, dusk

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

Crankbait Retrieve so the plug dives and wobbles. Add pauses and twitches to trigger strikes, or troll it behind the boat. Check price on Amazon

Spinner Reel just fast enough to keep the blade spinning from the off. Work it along weed edges, rocks and current seams, shallow or deep. Check price on Amazon

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Find waters where Pollack is biting now

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Common questions

When is the best time to catch Pollack?

Pollack fishing is usually best around Sep-Nov. The best windows in the day are usually dawn, dusk.

What lures and baits work for Pollack?

Effective methods for Pollack include Soft-plastic jig, Crankbait and Spinner.

Where can you catch Pollack?

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