Pollock fishing is an experience that combines the thrill of offshore angling with the satisfaction of reeling in a powerful and abundant species. Having spent considerable time with Best Fish Care, I’ve come to appreciate the unique challenges and rewards that come with targeting pollock. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about pollock fishing, enriched with my personal insights and expertise.
The Appeal of Pollock Fishing
Pollock, often overshadowed by their more famous cousins like cod and haddock, are a prized catch for many anglers in the Northeast. These fish are known for their aggressive bites, strong fights, and, most importantly, their delicious, flaky white meat. My first experience with pollock Saltwater fishing was nothing short of exhilarating. I still remember the feeling of anticipation as we ventured out into the cold, open waters, the hum of the boat’s engine cutting through the crisp morning air.
Pollock is most commonly found in the North Atlantic, from the coastal waters of New England up to the icy expanses of the Canadian Maritimes. These fish are known to school in large numbers, making them an excellent target for those looking to fill their coolers with a substantial catch. They are often found near underwater structures like wrecks, ledges, and reefs, where they hunt for smaller fish such as herring and mackerel.
When and Where to Fish for Pollock
Timing is crucial when it comes to pollock fishing and Blue Fishing, Croaker fishing. In my experience, the best time to target these fish is during the colder months, from late fall through early spring. The winter months, in particular, offer the most consistent action, as pollock move closer to shore and gather in large numbers. I’ve had some of my most productive trips in January, braving the cold to take advantage of the peak pollock season.
When it comes to location, Jeffrey’s Ledge, a well-known fishing spot off the coast of New England, has been a go-to for me and many other anglers. This underwater plateau, which stretches from Massachusetts to Maine, is a hotspot for pollock, thanks to its deep waters and abundant food sources. Another excellent location is the Stellwagen Bank, where I’ve had numerous successful outings, often returning with a cooler full of sizable pollock.
Gear and Tackle for Pollock Fishing
Choosing the right gear is essential for a successful pollock fishing trip. Pollock are strong fighters, and you’ll need sturdy equipment to handle their power, especially when you’re reeling them up from the depths.
For rods, I recommend using a 7’6″ to 8′ medium-heavy action rod. My personal favorite is the Lamiglas BL 7640C, which offers the perfect balance of sensitivity and strength. This rod is versatile enough to handle a range of jig sizes, from 4-ounce jigs in calmer conditions to heavier 16-ounce jigs when the current is strong.
When it comes to reels, a quality conventional reel with a high line capacity is a must. I’ve had great success with the Maxel Ocean Max 10 lever-drag reel, which I spool with a 60-pound test braid. The braid’s thin diameter allows it to cut through the water with minimal resistance, which is crucial when fishing at depths of 200 feet or more. Additionally, I always use a long 80-pound-test leader to withstand the abrasion from rocks and the sharp gill plates of pollock.
Rigs and Baits
Pollock fishing typically involves jigging, a method where you drop a heavy lure to the bottom and work it through the water column to attract fish. The rig I use is simple yet effective—a large metal jig, such as the 11-ounce Point Jude Deep Force jig, paired with a couple of teasers tied above it.
The teasers I use are usually white or chartreuse, colors that mimic the small baitfish pollock prey on. My go-to teaser is the Jigging World Fluke Candy, which has a mylar skirt for added flash. These teasers are buoyant, so they hover in the water column, presenting themselves horizontally to the fish.
In terms of the jigging technique, I’ve found that a steady, methodical approach works best. When the pollock is close to the bottom, I use a standard lift-and-drop motion, letting the jig hit the seafloor before quickly snapping it back up. This action stirs up the sediment, creating a cloud that attracts curious pollock. On days when the fish are suspended higher in the water column, I switch to a “squidding” technique, which involves a slow, continuous retrieve to entice bites as the jig ascends.
Reading the Water and Finding Fish
One of the most critical aspects of successful pollock fishing is understanding where the fish are holding and what they’re feeding on. Pollocks are often found in areas with strong currents, which bring in a steady supply of food. Over the years, I’ve learned to rely on my electronics, particularly the fish finder, to locate schools of pollock.
When the screen lights up with dense clouds of fish, it’s time to drop your jig. However, not all marks are equal. In my experience, pollock tend to school tightly together, and their marks on the fish finder are often elongated blobs near the bottom or mid-water. Pay close attention to the depth at which you’re marking fish, as pollock can move up and down the water column throughout the day.
Another tip I’ve picked up is to watch for bird activity. Seabirds like gannets and gulls often follow schools of baitfish, which in turn attract pollock. If you see birds diving, it’s worth investigating the area, even if your fish finder isn’t showing much at first.
Techniques for Success
While pollock can be aggressive feeders, there are days when they’re more finicky, and getting them to bite requires some finesse. On these tougher days, I’ve found that downsizing your jigs and slowing down your retrieve can make a big difference. Switching to lighter jigs, around 6 to 8 ounces, and using a slower, more deliberate jigging motion can entice bites when the fish are being selective.
It’s also essential to stay patient and adaptable. Pollock schools can move quickly, and what worked an hour ago might not work now. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different jig colors, sizes, and retrieves until you find what the fish are responding to.
Conservation and Sustainability
As with any fishing activity, it’s crucial to practice conservation to ensure the future health of pollock populations. While there is currently no closed season or bag limit for recreational pollock fishing in Massachusetts, I always encourage responsible harvesting. Take only what you need, and release smaller fish to give them a chance to grow.
One of the practices I’ve adopted is bleeding my catch immediately after it’s brought aboard. This not only improves the quality of the meat but also ensures that the fish is treated with respect. Pollocks are a valuable resource, and it’s our responsibility as anglers to preserve this fishery for future generations.
Jigging for Pollock / A Winter Adventure
The morning was frigid, with the thermometer reading 22 degrees as I arrived at the marina in Rockport, Massachusetts. It was 5:30 a.m., and the biting cold was a stark reminder that it was early January. The past two days had brought heavy snowfall, more than in recent years, and as I sat in my idling car, staring at the piles of plowed snow, I couldn’t help but reconsider my decision to venture offshore. The idea of heading out to sea in a center console seemed almost foolhardy. However, the allure of jigging for pollock, something I had never done before, was too strong to resist. A winter offshore trip had been on my bucket list for a long time, and when Captain Cam Faria showed up, wearing gym shorts and brandishing a shovel to clear the boat deck, I felt a bit more confident—at least I wasn’t the only one braving the elements.
Cam, a 20-year-old full-time nursing student and commercial fisherman, runs recreational charters on his 24-foot 1996 Angler during the peak season. He was joined by his friends Michael and Albert. Michael, known online as Tackle2thePeople, shares his fishing adventures with a large following on social media. His engaging and informative videos have captivated an audience passionate about fishing in the Northeast and beyond. With Michael often behind the camera, Albert frequently takes center stage in their content.
As we loaded the boat with our gear, the chill in the air was palpable, and I quickly realized this was going to be a cold journey. We set off around 7 a.m. for the 25-mile trek to Jeffreys Ledge. In hindsight, I probably should have joined Albert in warming up the fishing muscles as he chipped and shoveled icy snow off the deck. “I’ve shoveled plenty of driveways before… never thought I’d have to shovel the bow of a boat,” Albert quipped as we left the marina.
After what felt like the coldest boat ride of my life, we arrived at our destination to find only one other boat in the area. The Humminbird Helix 10 display showed promising signs—big marks indicated that the pollock was right where Cam had expected. Without hesitation, we dropped our jigs and got to work.
The Basics of Pollock Rigs
A pollock rig is straightforward, similar to the diamond jig and teaser rig used for black sea bass. However, since pollock tends to suspend off the sea floor at depths between 100 and 300 feet, we used heavier, more robust jigs to reach the bottom quickly and keep our lures in the strike zone. That day, our jigs ranged from 4 to 16 ounces, depending on the current.
I spent most of the day using a 7’6″ moderate-action Lamiglas BL 7640C, rated for 4 to 12 ounces of weight, paired with a Maxel Ocean Max 10 lever-drag reel. The reel was spooled with a 60-pound-test Seaguar Threadlock Hollow Core braid, with an 80-pound-test leader clipped to an 11-ounce Point Jude Deep Force jig. The hollow core braid lies flat against the spool, maximizing line capacity—a crucial feature when fishing in such deep waters.
Above the Point Jude jig, spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart, were two white Jigging World Fluke Candy teasers on dropper loops. These teasers, featuring a mylar skirt around a long shank hook, added a bit of action and flash. Their buoyancy allowed them to present horizontally in the water column, reducing the risk of tangles.
Our jigs closely resembled the herring that these pollock were feasting on, though they didn’t seem to be picky—lighter, slimmer AVA-style diamond jigs worked just as well. As long as we were marking fish, they were eager to bite, regardless of the color or size of our lures.
Techniques for Jigging Pollock
When the pollock bite is on, as it had been for most of this winter, anglers hardly need to do anything other than keep their rigs in front of the fish. At times, pollock would grab our teasers before the jig even reached the bottom. However, with the school constantly moving and feeding at varying depths, we used two main techniques to entice suspended pollock.
Standard Jigging is effective when pollock are close to the bottom, typically schooling 10 to 20 feet above the sea floor, which in this area was mostly mud and silt. When the jig hits the bottom, it stirs up the sediment, often attracting the fish to the teasers first. It wasn’t unusual to hook a second or third pollock as the jig ascended through the water column.
Squidding, on the other hand, is the preferred method when jigging for pollock. It’s also popular among anglers with diamond jigging for striped bass and bluefish in Long Island Sound. This technique involves a smooth, steady retrieve. Once the jig reaches the bottom, you begin a slow to moderate retrieve, cranking the jig up 20 to 100 feet, depending on where the pollock is marked. These aggressive fish frequently chase the jig as it swims upward, and if they don’t strike on the way up, they might hit it on the drop back down. This process is repeated until you get a bite.
Most of our catches came near the bottom as the jig was falling or about halfway up the water column when the school was on the move. With two teasers above the jig, it wasn’t uncommon to reel in double or triple hookups. However, using more than two teasers can be overkill—reeling in three 15- to 20-pound pollock from depths over 200 feet is no easy feat and could put your gear at risk.
The Pollock Experience
In Massachusetts, there’s no closed season or bag limit on Pollock for recreational anglers. With the abundance of sizable fish available from late November through January, finding pollock over 20 inches wasn’t a challenge, and the smaller ones were released.
A single 15-pound pollock yields two substantial fillets, and the firm, fatty white meat is versatile—delicious whether breaded and fried or baked with butter and breadcrumbs. With just a couple of mouths to feed, two large pollock provided plenty of fillets for my fridge and to share with coworkers back at the office.
Despite their deep-dwelling habits, pollock strikes are unmistakable. They hit the jigs and teasers with aggression, and you can feel a noticeable thump or a sudden lack of tension when a pollock takes the bait. At that point, all that’s left is to reel down and set the hook in their bass-like lips. Big, dramatic hooksets aren’t necessary with heavier gear.
Mature pollock are powerful fighters, and the initial part of the battle is the most thrilling. When first hooked, the rod bounces with their violent headshakes, earning Atlantic pollock the nickname “Boston bluefish” for their fierce appetite and historical reputation as surface feeders near Boston during the winter months.
The first half of the fight is exhilarating, but as the pollock spirals toward the surface, their headshakes stop, and they become more like dead weight. This makes it easier to haul them over the gunnel and get them on ice. To save space, we opted to skip the cooler and instead tossed the pollock directly onto the snowy deck.
Cam, Michael, and Albert had plenty of friends and family eager for some fresh fillets, so as soon as we started catching them, Michael got busy gutting the fish to preserve the meat. Pollock, like haddock, are groundfish, and once they die, their organs can spoil the flavor of the fillets. Fishing for pollock, especially in the winter, was a new experience for me, but fortunately, Michael knew exactly what to do.
Wrapping Up the Day
After five hours of fishing, my shoulders and lower back were ready for a break. I switched to Cam’s Dark Matter Psychedelic rod, paired with an Avet SX 5.3 G2 reel spooled with a 30-pound-test braid. This setup, which Albert had used earlier, allowed me to deploy a 3-ounce diamond jig with a green tube trailer. I captured a small cod and a smaller pollock using a typical skidding retrieve at a depth of about 100 feet.
The Dark Matter/Avet combo was light, and we decided not to push its limits by using teasers. We didn’t want to risk breaking Cam’s lightest setup.
From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., we moved around, jigging for pollock at different depths, catching fish up to 20 pounds and very few under 20 inches. It was a refreshing change from the rainbow trout fishing I had been doing in the kettle ponds back on Cape Cod.
Although I’m not in a hurry to head offshore in January in a center console again, if the pollock bite is as hot next winter, I might just reconsider. Otherwise, a headboat trip with Eastman’s Fleet or the American Classic might be on the horizon to tide me over until the stripers return in April.
Pollock Fishing | 5 Tips / 5 Problems, and Solutions
Pollock fishing is a rewarding experience for both novice and seasoned anglers. These fish are known for their voracious appetite and the thrilling fight they put up, making them a popular target in both recreational and commercial fishing. However, like any fishing adventure, it comes with its own set of challenges. In this article, I’ll share five essential tips to improve your pollock fishing experience, along with five common problems you might encounter and practical solutions to overcome them.
5 Essential Tips for Pollock Fishing
1. Use the Right Gear
Pollocks are strong, deep-dwelling fish, so using the right gear is crucial. A medium-heavy rod with a strong backbone will give you the power needed to reel in these powerful fish from the depths. Pair your rod with a high-capacity reel spooled with a braided line, which offers strength and minimal stretch, essential for feeling those deep bites and setting the hook effectively. A fluorocarbon leader can be beneficial for its abrasion resistance and low visibility underwater, giving you an edge when the fish are more cautious.
2. Focus on the Right Depth
Pollock are typically found in deeper waters, often between 100 and 300 feet, depending on the season and location. Using a fish finder can help you locate schools of pollock more efficiently. They tend to suspend off the sea floor, so once you’ve identified their depth, adjust your rig accordingly. In colder months, pollock may be found closer to the surface, especially if they’re chasing baitfish. Being adaptable and willing to change depths can make a big difference in your success rate.
3. Master the Jigging Technique
Jigging is one of the most effective methods for catching pollock. The key is to create an enticing movement that mimics a distressed baitfish. Start by dropping your jig to the bottom, then use a lift-and-drop motion to create a bouncing effect. Pollock often strike as the jig is falling, so stay alert and be ready to set the hook. For suspended fish, a technique called “skidding” works well. This involves a steady retrieve, allowing the jig to rise through the water column, which can trigger aggressive strikes from pollock chasing after the lure.
4. Match the Hatch
Pollock are opportunistic feeders, often preying on herring, mackerel, and other small fish. Using lures that closely resemble the local forage can increase your chances of success. Metal jigs, soft plastics, and even live bait can be effective, but it’s important to match the size and color of your lure to the baitfish present in the area. In murkier water, brighter or more reflective lures can help attract attention, while more natural colors may work better in clear conditions.
5. Time Your Trip Right
Timing is everything in fishing, and pollock are no exception. These fish are more active during certain times of the day and year. Early morning and late afternoon are often the best times to fish, as pollock are more likely to be feeding. Additionally, pollock fishing tends to be more productive in cooler months, particularly from late fall through early spring when they move closer to shore. Planning your trip around these peak times can significantly increase your catch rate.
5 Common Problems and Their Solutions
1. Problem: Difficulty Locating Pollock
One of the biggest challenges in pollock fishing is finding where they’re schooling. These fish can be elusive, especially in large bodies of water where they may be scattered.
Solution: Use Technology and Local Knowledge
Investing in a quality fish finder can make all the difference in locating pollock. These devices can help you identify depth changes, underwater structures, and schools of fish. Additionally, talking to local anglers or charter captains can provide valuable insights into where pollock has been biting recently. Local bait shops and online fishing forums can also be great resources for up-to-date information on pollock activity in your area.
2. Problem: Losing Fish During the Fight
Pollock are known for their strong, erratic runs once hooked, which can lead to lost fish if you’re not prepared. They often dive deep and can even wrap themselves around underwater structures.
Solution: Use Proper Drag Settings and Tackle
Ensure that your drag is set correctly before you start fishing. It should be tight enough to set the hook but loose enough to allow the fish to run without breaking your line. A high-grade reel with a smooth drag mechanism is necessary. When a pollock makes a strong run, avoid the temptation to muscle it in too quickly. Instead, let the fish tire itself out while maintaining steady pressure. Using a rod with a strong backbone will also help control the fish without overexerting yourself.
3. Problem: Snags and Break-Offs
Fishing in deeper waters or near structures can increase the likelihood of snags and break-offs. Losing your rig to the bottom is frustrating and can be costly if it happens frequently.
Solution: Use Heavier Tackle and Change Your Approach
Consider using heavier tackle when fishing in areas prone to snags. Heavier line and leader material can withstand more abrasion and are less likely to break if you get snagged. Additionally, try lifting your jig higher off the bottom during the retrieve to avoid getting caught on rocks or other debris. If you do get snagged, sometimes a sharp, quick pull can free your lure. Alternatively, moving the boat slightly to change the angle of the line might help dislodge the snag.
4. Problem: Fish Refusing to Bite
There are days when Pollock seems uninterested in anything you throw at them, even when you know they’re there. This can be especially frustrating when you’re marking fish on your finder but not getting any bites.
Solution: Experiment with Lures and Techniques
When the fish are finicky, it’s time to experiment. Try varying the speed and style of your retrieve. Sometimes a slower, more deliberate presentation can entice a bite, while other times, a fast, erratic action might trigger a reaction strike. Changing the size, color, or type of lure can also make a difference. If you’re using large jigs, switch to smaller ones or vice versa. Incorporating scent attractants or using live bait might also be the key to turning a slow day around.
5. Problem: Handling and Storing Your Catch
Pollocks are often caught in colder waters, and if not handled properly, the quality of the meat can deteriorate quickly. Mishandling your catch can result in spoiled or less flavorful fillets.
Solution: Proper Care and Storage Techniques
Immediately after catching a pollock, it’s important to bleed the fish to maintain the quality of the meat. This can be done by making a small cut near the gills and allowing the blood to drain. Keep the fish on ice as soon as possible to prevent spoilage. If you’re fishing in cold weather, the natural environment might help keep your catch fresh, but it’s still a good idea to have a cooler with plenty of ice on hand. Once you’re back onshore, fillet the fish as soon as possible and store the fillets in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Cooking and Enjoying Your Catch
Pollock is a versatile fish in the kitchen, with a mild flavor and firm texture that lends itself well to various cooking methods. After a successful day Best Fish Care, I love preparing pollock in a few different ways. One of my favorites is to pan-sear the fillets with a simple lemon butter sauce—quick, easy, and delicious.
For a more traditional New England dish, try making pollock chowder. The firm flesh holds up well in a creamy broth, making it a hearty and comforting meal on a cold winter day. Another option is to bread and fry the fillets for classic fish and chips, a dish that never fails to satisfy.
Final Thoughts
Pollock Fishing Baskets is a rewarding and exciting pursuit, offering both the thrill of the catch and the satisfaction of a fresh, home-cooked meal. Whether you’re a novice angler looking to try something new or a seasoned pro seeking a winter challenge, pollock fishing has something to offer.
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the nuances of this type of fishing, from selecting the right gear to perfecting my jigging technique. But more than anything, it’s the camaraderie and the connection to the ocean that keeps me coming back. So, grab your gear, bundle up, and hit the water—there’s a world of adventure waiting just beneath the surface.
