Pollack Fishing UK: How and Where to Catch Pollack

How to identify a pollack

Pollack have a long, streamlined body with a bronze, olive or greenish-brown back and paler, golden flanks. The lower jaw clearly juts out beyond the upper jaw and there is no chin barbel. The lateral line is dark and curves up noticeably over the pectoral fin. Coalfish, also called saithe, are the main look-alike: they have a straight pale lateral line, jaws that are roughly level, a darker back and often a tiny barbel in small fish. Cod and pouting have prominent barbels and quite different colouring.

Where it lives

Pollack live around rocky reefs, kelp beds, wrecks and harbour walls, often in water with good clarity and plenty of cover. From the shore they are caught off rock marks with deep water close in, breakwaters, harbour walls and piers alongside rough ground. They are most common on the western side of the UK: the south-west of England, Wales, western Scotland and Ireland are especially good, while they are scarcer along much of the North Sea coast.

What it eats and the best baits

Pollack are ambush predators that feed on small fish such as sandeels, sprats, juvenile wrasse and pouting, plus prawns and squid. Lures work because they imitate fleeing baitfish and trigger the pollack's instinct to strike upwards. Live or freshly killed sandeel is a natural food, while ragworm, especially when float fished or trotted near weed, wriggles enticingly and attracts smaller pollack.

Soft plastic lures
Sandeel
Ragworm
Metal lures
Mackerel strip
Prawn

Best time of year

Jan – quieter
Feb – quieter
Mar – quieter
Apr – good
May – good
Jun – good
Jul – good
Aug – good
Sep – good
Oct – good
Nov – good
Dec – quieter

In season now. Typical best months for shore anglers in England and Wales. What's in season

How to catch pollack

Spinning and lure fishing are the most popular methods. A 9 to 10ft spinning rod rated around 10 to 40g with braid suits most rock marks; lighter LRF gear works for small harbour fish. Soft plastic shads and sandeel imitations on jig heads of 10 to 30g are hard to beat, counted down near the kelp and retrieved slowly with the odd pause. Metal lures and spoons cover more water in a tide race. Float fishing a live sandeel or ragworm on a size 2 to 1/0 hook just above the weed is deadly too. Dawn and dusk are prime times, as pollack move up in the water in low light, and the flood or a run of tide past a headland is often best. Takes on lures are a solid thump; then the fish dives hard for the weed, so keep the rod up and give little line at first.

Size and bag rules

Area	Rule	Source
Kent & Essex IFCA	Minimum size 30cm	Official page
North Western IFCA	Minimum size 30cm	Official page

Other areas (no confirmed number for this species yet): Northumberland IFCA, North Eastern IFCA, Eastern IFCA, Sussex IFCA, Southern IFCA, Devon & Severn IFCA, Cornwall IFCA, Isles of Scilly IFCA, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.

Rules last checked 23 October 2026. Rules change, especially for bass: always check the official source before keeping a fish. All sea fishing rules

Handling and release

Handle pollack with wet hands and support their body, avoiding holding them up by the jaw or gill cover. Unhook quickly with pliers or forceps; barbless hooks or single hooks on lures make release easier. Pollack caught from deep water can suffer from pressure changes, so return them promptly and head first. Only keep what you need.

Best shore marks for pollack

All UK sea fishing marks

Where to catch pollack in the UK

We don't have venues confirmed for pollack yet. Browse all venues.

Where to fish in the UK · Fishing conditions today

Tackle for pollack

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Pollack guides

Pollack fishing questions

How do I tell a pollack from a coalfish?

Look at the lateral line and jaws. Pollack have a dark lateral line that curves over the pectoral fin and a lower jaw that juts out. Coalfish have a straight, pale lateral line, jaws roughly level and a darker back. Small coalfish may also show a tiny chin barbel.

What is the best lure for pollack from the shore?

Soft plastic shads and sandeel imitations on jig heads are the most consistent, worked slowly near the kelp. Natural colours like silver, olive and brown are reliable, while dark lures can work at dusk. Metal jigs and spoons are useful for reaching fish in deeper or fast water.

Can you eat pollack?

Yes, pollack has firm white flesh that is good in fish cakes, curries and battered dishes. It is best eaten fresh as it can go soft if kept too long. Larger pollack are slow to grow, so many anglers return them. Check the size and bag rules for your area below.