Pollack

Pollack


	A cold water species which is found on both sides of the Alantic. Usually encountered in small schoals inshore around rocks or offshore around wrecks and obstructions. They are predator species which live on small fish such as Sandeels, sprats, small hearing and Mackerel. they tend to live or as usually encountered in mid water or close to the bottom.

Smaller fish are normally found close to shore whilst the larger specimens are found in deeper water.

The average size of Pollack captured around the European coastline is between 8 to 15lbs. larger fish are found on the deep water reefs offshore and around the wrecks and obstructions. Most fish in these areas average between 18 to 25lbs. The current British Rod Caught record is 29lbs 4 ozs in 1987.

Pollack are fine fighting fish and can be exceptional fighters on light tackle and in shallow waters around reefs. In fact there is no greater sport than catching these species over wrecks and reefs along the coast.

Pollack can be taken on a wide variety of baits. over reefs, live Sandeel or strip baits are favoured. Small lures may be used or Rapala plugs either by trolling or slow retrieve in a tidal situation. On wrecks Pirks are favourite, especially the chrome Norwegian type.

The Pollack are often seen during the winter months clouding the screen of an echo sounder as they schoal over the wrecks, just up tide. The method of catching Pollack and Coalfish is essentially to go up tide of the wreck in the vessel, allowing sufficient time for your lures to be working at a sufficient depth before reaching the wreck. A slow retrieving method is employed. If no contact with fish occurs, drop down again and repeat the process. Typical lures are those like eels. People have their own favourite catching colours but the most favoured are those which are a red or orange colour.