How To Catch Pollock

Do you want to learn how to catch pollock? Pollock is a member of the cod family. It is found on both sides of the Atlantic. Pollock is more of a midwater and deep water fish than shallow waters even though you can find it there. Pollock is challenging to catch as it is a powerful fish that fights very hard when on the hook. In this article, we discuss how to catch pollock using different fishing methods, as well as give fishing tips and equipment information.

How To Catch Pollock

1. Spinning

Spinning is a fishing method to catch pollocks using lures. You can use artificial eels, jelly worms, scallywags, and bandits to catch pollocks. When spinning for pollock, a steady retrieve is important because pollock will stay away from a lure that is retrieved hastily like when you fish for bass. You can also use fresh or frozen sand eel to catch pollock.

2. Freelining

Freeling for pollock is one of the simplest ways to fish for pollock. It works well when the tide is gentle. You may have to use a swan shot or two to sink the rig. With freelining, you tie a hook to the leader and put on it the bait. Then let the tide take the bait as it drifts at the speed of the current and sinks.

3. Drifting

Drifting can also be used to catch pollocks. Move the boat slowly with the lure attached to the boat. As you move, the lure moving at a slow but steady speed will attract the attention of pollocks. If you don’t get bites with a certain lure, change to another type. Using the same lure will keep pollock away.

4. Float Fishing

Float fishing allows you to fish for very large pollocks from steep cliff marks over kelp tangles. Using a float prevents you from losing a lot of tackle. With float fishing, you don’t really need to cast. A large float is on the line with the hook and weight. This rod is lowered into the water and the pollock that took the bait is impeded from diving back to the kelp by the float.

5. Fly Fishing

Fly fishing can also be used to catch pollock. Sandeel imitations can be used when fly fishing. Since pollock fees right up to the surface and you don’t need to cast, fly fishing can be effective in catching pollocks.

How To Catch Pollock From Shore

During spring, pollocks move to shallow waters near the shore. When you are fishing for pollocks from the shore, look for structures like jetties, breakwaters, harbors, marinas, ports, piers, and wrecks. Pollocks like structures and your chances of catching them will increase when you fish for them around structures from the shoreline.

Additionally, study the water and look for troughs, deep holes, and pockets where pollocks may be holing out waiting to ambush baitfish that come with the currents. You can send your bait into the current and let it drift along the entrance of the structures to get a bite from pollocks.

Sand eels, herrings, mackerels, and squid can be used as bait when fishing for pollock from the shore. You can use a light 1 to 2-ounce spinning rod that is about 9 feet in length with a small 3000 fixed spool reel a 15-pound braided mainline and a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Pollock Fishing At Night

You can fish for pollock at night as they are active and feed during the night. Most fish are less wary during the night and drop their guard as the fishing pressure is reduced. They see better at night and the threat of being preyed upon by seals is not high. You can use ragworms or shrimps under the float or mackerel strips to catch pollock during the night.

How To Catch Pollock From A Boat

When fishing for pollock from a boat, look for deep water wrecks. Pollock can be found around deep water wrecks where schools of baitfish congregate. The key to catching pollock is to anchor up on the structure that they are seeking cover in. Anglers then drop their bait around the structure to get a bite from pollock.

Clams, mackerel, and herring work well as bait when fishing for pollock. Jigging work when fishing for pollock and when there is little current, the results can be impressive.

Pollock Fishing Setup

A medium-heavy to heavy power, fast action fishing rod with a 45 to 55-pound braided line. A long 55 to 65-pound fluorocarbon leader that is about 4 to 5 feet will work. If you will use live bait, a slow-action, heavy-powered fishing rod will get the job done.

Best Baits For Pollock

1. Sand Eels

The sand eel is a good bait for pollock. It is often very effective when used over wrecks and other structures when fishing for pollock. Pollock likes structures and floating your bait, like sand eels over structure increases your chances of catching pollock.

2. Herring

Herring is also a good bait for catching pollock. Most often anglers will use strips of herring as bait for pollock and other fish. It is more effective to use strips or parts of the herring as bait for catching pollock.

3. Squid

Squid is another fish that can be used as bait for catching pollock. It can be used whole or cut up to bait pollock. Most anglers find more success stripping it into parts as bait. Squid is often used for the bottom and floating rigs, as well as for trolling.

4. Mackerel

Mackerel is often cut into strips and used as bait for pollock. Mackerel can be used in strips, chunks, fillets, or whole as bait for pollock and many other fish. it is one of the few fish that can successfully be used as bait to catch much fish.

5. Shrimp

Shrimp is one of the popular bait used by anglers to catch pollock and many other fish. Shrimp is a popular bait that most fish will not refuse. Additionally, it is easy to find shrimp for bait. The live shrimp is more effective than the dead one most of the time.

6. Clams

Clams work well as saltwater bait for many fish including pollock although it is hard to find at times. You can find clams by digging in the sand on the beach. They are often found a few inches in the sand or as deep as a foot or more.

7. Crabs

Crabs can also be used as bait to catch pollock. Crab is used to catch almost all types of fish. Most anglers will cut it into parts to use as bait.

Best Pollock Lures From Shore Fishing

1. Artificial Eels

Artificial eel is one of the most effective lures to catch pollock. It can be used around structures to catch pollock.

2. Jelly worms

Jelly worms are very lifelike and have proven to be very effective in catching pollock and many other fish that are predatory. They are easily attracted to the lifelike behavior of jelly worms and will not resist the temptation to go for it.

3. Scallywags

Scallywags, like jelly worms, are very effective in getting the attention of pollock and many other fish. It is often used by anglers to catch pollock.

4. Bandits

Bandits are also in the same category as scallywags, jelly worms, and artificial eels. It is effective when used to catch pollock.

5. Minnow Imitation

Minnow imitation is also used by anglers as lures to catch pollock. It is a popular choice for anglers and attracts the attention of pollock and other fish.

6. Paddle Tails

Paddle tails that are semi-weedless are very effective as lures for catching pollock.

Pollock Fishing Tips

1. Spring and summer are the best times to catch pollock from the shore.

2. Pollock hunts at all water levels.

3. Immature pollocks can be found around harbors and pier walls early in their lives.

4. Pollock likes structures and can be found around structures like reef edges, pinnacles, wrecks in deep water and piers, and docks closer to the shore.

5. Spinning is one of the methods to catch pollock.

6. You want to do a steady retrieve of the lure because pollock will avoid a lure that is retrieved hastily like when you fish for bass.

7. Some of the best lures for catching pollock are artificial eels, jelly worms, scallywags, and bandits.

8. Pollock doesn’t closely inspect their prey like bass.

9. Pollock will not avoid a lure that is close to a lead weight.

10. Spinning a fresh or frozen sand eel is a very effective way to catch pollock.

11. Freelining is another effective method to catch pollock.

12. Float fishing is another method to catch pollock.

13. Give pollock time to take the bait since they usually bite the tail of a lure.

14. Pollock use the tide to find baitfish; therefore, moving your bait is important.

15. Vary the lure as pollock will avoid the same lure if it moved around it so many times.

16. Pollock is a delicate species. if you will return the fish, handle it with care in a landing net or wet cloth.

17. When fishing for pollock from piers at night, you will be more successful near or on the surface.

18. From piers, pollock will be at the level where the weed grows off the wall. If you find that level, your chances of catching pollock from the pier increase.

19. Pollock makes a powerful initial run after getting hooked. Therefore, make sure you can operate your reel’s drag.

20. Early mornings and evenings are the best time of the day to fish for pollock.

21. When using lures, calm weather conditions, like little wind or offshore wind, is best for pollock fishing.

22. Wear sturdy walking boots with enough ankle support and a good grip when fishing for pollock.

23. Always take with you a landing net when fishing for pollock.

24. If you don’t get bites for a period of time like 30 to 45 minutes, move to another area and try fishing for pollock there.

25. When sand eel stocks are low in an area, pollock will move to an area where there is abundant bait fish.

26. Pollocks hang out in schools. If you catch one, there may be many more nearby.

27. Pollocks use vegetation, broken ground, reefs, and shipwrecks as cover.

28. Pollocks can be found in all levels of the water column.

29. Pollocks are often caught at depths of 165 to 985 feet.

30. Jigging can also be used to catch pollocks.

The Bottom Line

Pollock is a powerful fish that fights very hard when it is hooked. It is a member of the cod family. Pollock can be found in all levels of the water column. Pollock likes structures and when fish for it around structures to increase your chances of catching it. In this article, we discussed fishing methods to catch pollock, its behavior, tips, and equipment to catch this good-eating fish.

If you are also interested in catching other fish like kingfish, grouper, and red snapper, then read how to catch kingfish, how to catch grouper, and how to catch red snapper.