Wreck Fishing for Pollack

Latin Name: Pollachius Pollachius

The Pollack Fishing season starts from Brighton as early as January when the larger fish congregate on the deepest offshore English Channel wrecks to feed and spawn and the fishing continues pretty much uninterrupted on the wrecks into the summer months, tailing off from the end of July. Without a doubt Pollack are our most prolific species and a very hard fighter too so you'll need to be fit and strong for a day's fishing when the shoals are feeding hard! Typically the Pollack caught are 8lb to 20lb in size. The British record boat caught Pollack is 29lb 4oz caught by W.S Mayes fishing off Dungerness in 1987.

Tackle - What to Use

To enjoy the fight of these sporting fish it's best to use light tackle. A rod in the 12-20lb or a light uptider is ideal paired with a 7000 size multiplier loaded with 15lb to 20lb mono. Better still, use braid in the region of 30lb or so to feel every pull of the fight and to get away with using less lead. If you are using braid a nylon rubbing leader around 40lb and about 2 rod lengths long should be used.  If the tide allows it can be good fun to go lighter still with a 6lb class rod or even a carp rod and fixed spool reel!

Pollack Lures and Artificials

Pollack Fishing is on the drift over the wrecks using artificials with Sidewinder Sandeels, Shads and Jellyworms being the most popular lures. Lead Heads can also be effective for getting down to the bigger fish which tend to patrol deeper below the main shoals of smaller fish.

With Jellyworms it pays to carry a selection of colours with black, red and orange the most consistent catchers in the 178mm size. For Sidewinders white and fish colours are best in the 4" and 6" size. The darker colours are generally best in clear water and the lighter ones when the sea is carrying some colour.

Pirks and Muppets or Feathers (the Killer Rig) can also be used and may be worth a try if the fishing is slower, but not so good from a sporting point of view.

Pollack Rigs

Pollack rigs could not be simpler - a standard Flying Collar Rig incorporating a plastic tube or wire French boom around 12" to 16" long is best. For Redgills attach a hooklength of at least 10ft for the slacker water and as much as 20ft when the tide is running hard. A small swivel should be incorporated half way along the hooklength to aid presentation and help prevent tangles. 20lb Amnesia is ideal for your hooklength.

If you are using the weighted Sidewinders or Lead Heads a variation of the Flying Collar Rig is used - known as the Hopper Rig. The only difference is the hooklength which should be much shorter - 2ft to 4ft depending on the run of tide and again 20lb Amnesia is ideal.

Pollack Fishing Methods

The method for Pollack Fishing is simple, but can be knackering! Lower your chosen lure over the side and allow the long trace to straighten out in the tide to avoid tangling and then lower it to the bottom. Work the lure up around 40 turns (or whatever the skipper advises) then lower back and repeat the process. When you get a bite DON'T STRIKE - just keep reeling and the fish will be on. You'll know when it is because the Pollack will dive for the bottom with you hanging on for dear life! Once you are catching remember how many turns up you are and share that with the crew so that everyone is catching at the feeding depth on the day.

The best times for Pollack Fishing are on the smaller tides in settled weather when the sea is clearer. Pollack can still be caught on the bigger tides but the peak feeding spell will be for a shorter period either side of slack water. Pollack can still be caught after a storm or blow when the sea is coloured but the sport will likely not be as prolific.