Pollack

Distribution:

The pollack is a common fish all around the coast of Ireland. It is found in particularly large numbers on the west coast. Generally speaking it is the smaller fish that are found around coast with the really large double figure specimens being found out on the deep water wrecks. Hot spots are co. Mayo and Clare where the rocky coast provides the perfect ambush ground for this formidable predator. Another hot spot is Ballycotton where a record fish was taken way back in 1904 of 19lb 3oz. Many huge Pollack are taken off the wrecks in co. Cork each year.

Habitat:

Pollack love rocky ground. This is something most of our native fish have in common but for the pollack this is their domain where they reighn supreme. Rocky headlands and outcrops from islands will almost surely hold fish. This fast swimming predator dives in among boulders and kelp ambushing unsuspecting prey. Basicly anywhere that provides the Pollack with cover for its attack. Reefs and below steep cliffs are a sure bet. Offshore deep water wrecks can hold fish from 4lb right into double figures and fish of similar sze will shoal together in these locations. The wreck fish will often be found in shoals above the wreck. see the picture below

The smaller Pollack of 1-4 lbs will take Ragworm and Lug as well as peeler crab, Shrimp and Mussle. As the fish get bigger their diet changes to mainly fish based with Sandeels, Sprats and Launce becomeing the mainstay of their diet. Then as they reach a very good size they move onto mackeral, squat lobsters, small Codling, Pouting, Whiting, Coalfish and small Pollack.

Baits:

Tides and Weather:

Pollack do not like colored seas after storms. They like to hit their prey by sound and sight and therefore a coloured sea only hinders them. Pollack out on the wrecks will feed through all states of the tide but they do like a strong tide run and this is the time they feed hard. In shallower water over reefs etc. Pollack will feed two hours either side of high water. In deep water they will feed high in the water on the initial run but as it picks up they will head deeper to avoid the main run.

Pollack are suckers for lures. The Redgill was origionally designed as a lure for Pollack and Coalfish and will pick out the fish regaurdless of the depth they are feeding. Black and red lures usually work best . Various shads, and jelly worms will take fish but it's usually the Redgill that out fish the rest. Experiment with different size eels to find the size of the bait fish they are feeding on.  Over shallower reefs and rough ground it is often productive to jig black feather rigs. In strong tides an anchored boat using a long snood with ragworm or sandeel as bait can often be productive

Tactics:

Pollack are marked 'P'

Pollack Profile

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