Whiting

The Whiting is a common fish all around the Irish coast. There are really few places around our coast that this fish does not put in an appearance. That said there are areas where Whiting  are generally small fish and some where there are larger fish to be found. Over fished areas tend to throw up small 'pin' Whiting which can be a real pain as bait robbers. Cork Habour can throw up some good fish as do some of the offshore wrecks.

Distribution:

Whiting love sand. Not strong swimmers, Whiting like to seek out areas of calm water where they work the bottom for worms, and small fish. Muddy beds, mouths of rivers, and shingle beaches will all hold whiting. Main sand channels on beaches are good holding grounds for Whiting where they cruise along in shoals searching for scraps washed in.

Habitat:

Season:

Whiting start to show inshore around September in numbers and although the really small fish can be found through out the year it is this time that they seem to congregate for feeding. Whiting are a fast growing fish and it is at this time that the yearlings are at the right size to start shoaling. The shoals grow larger right through to spawning time around January-February when they will head out to sea. It is around this later stage of the season when the bigger fish are about. Off shore Whiting can be found in numbers along sand banks with the bigger fish among the Cod on the Wrecks

Whiting are true scavengers and will eat almost anything when they are shoaling. Much like The Mackeral this Kamacazi attitude will bring many to the boat. Mussel, Ragworm, Lugworm, Squid, Crab, Razorfish, Shrimp, Sandeels, Herring,  Mackeral and even other Whiting are all good baits for Whiting with Lug and Mussel both being among the best. Hook sizes should be about 3/0 in order to fend off the really small fish. Lug tipped with sandeel or mackeral often works well with pure fish baits being good for the bigger specimens.

Baits:

Tides and Weather:

The Whiting is a very sensitive fish and not noted for being a strong swimmer. Whiting do not like rough weather altough high tides seem to work well. Fishing with shellfish baits after a good rough spell works wonders. A breeze blowing in from the sea puts Whiting right off and is a bad time to fish. Cold weather and calm seas at night with the wind blowing in from the land are the perfect time.

Tactics:

Tactics are very simple. White feather rigs tipped with worm baits work great tapping your lead off the bottom to stir up the sand. Flattie tactics also work by dragging a bait along the bottom. The bigger fish on the wrecks and offshore sand banks will fall well to sandeels and mackeral flesh.

Note:

Just like the Mackeral, Whiting during their season are plentiful with over fishing them definately a danger. Whiting are a vital part of the food chain just like the Sandeel to other fish. This should be noted and taken very seriously. The Whiting, also like the Mackeral is a fabulous fish to eat but unlike the Mackeral it has to be the most sensitive fish in the sea. i.e. Whiting are very prone to dying on you while trying to take them off the hook and even greater care should be taken especially for the smaller specimens that you will definately be throwing back. Gulls just love to hang round you waiting to pick off stunned fish as you release them. A good tip when releasing Whiting is to push the fish through the water as to give it a kick start of oxygen through its gills as many of them just start to die as they have spent to long out of the water where other species would be fine.

Whiting Profile

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