Fly Fishing for Pollack

Pollack, also known as coalfish, are a type of marine fish that can be found in cool waters throughout the world, including the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the North Sea.

Where can you fly fish for Pollack?

One of the best places to fish for pollack is along the rocky shores of the UK, Ireland, Norway and Iceland. These areas provide the perfect habitat for pollack, and the fish can often be found feeding near kelp beds and rocky outcrops.

In the UK, popular pollack fly fishing spots include the Cornish coast, the coast of Wales, and the northern coast of Scotland. In Ireland, the west coast is known for its abundance of pollack.

In Norway and Iceland fly fishing for Pollack primarily happens on in the South.

The difference between Pollack and Pollock

There is often confusion between pollock (with an o) and pollack (with an a). While both species are members of the cod family, they are actually quite different. Pollock (with an o) are a type of fish that are native to the North Atlantic, while pollack (with an a) are found in the North Sea and the eastern Atlantic. Pollock (with an o) are generally smaller and less flavorful than pollack (with an a), and are more commonly used in fish and chips. Good to know in case you want to turn your catch into dinner! 😉

Flies that work best

When it comes to fly fishing for pollack, there are a few different flies that are known to be effective. One of the best flies for pollack is the Clouser minnow, which imitates the small fish that pollack feed on. Other effective flies include the Bunny Leech and the Sand Eel. Lastly, shrimp and crab patterns can work really well, given pollack often feed close to the bottom.

Leader setup

As pollack have big eyes, they are quite often leader shy. Use a longer leader of between 2-3m of fluorocarbon of between 0.35 - 0.45mm. Whether you choose a tapered leader or one of one diameter (just tippet) is your choice, but a tapered leader often helps to turn over heavier flies in wind.

How to fly fish for Pollack

Pollack are powerful fish and can put up a strong fight, so it's important to use a sturdy rod and reel. A nine or ten weight rod is a good choice. It's important to get the fly as close to the bottom as possible, where pollack are often found feeding. So use a sinking line. When fishing with baitfish patterns, retrieve quickly!

Similar to Cod and Haddock

Fly fishing for pollack is very similar to fly fishing for cod and haddock. You'll very likely be targeting all three when going after one!