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Pollack Power
Sea Fishing Article
Article: Frazer Mellis
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Devon, Cornwall, Wales, west coast of Scotland and the Irish west coast produce some of the best pollack fishing around from the shore and a boat. These places are jagged cliffs falling almost vertical to the tide line, sea-scarred headlands defiantly forcing their way westwards over rough ground. The best places to fish are over rocks, uplifting peaks, weed beds and scattered sharp edged rocks that once stood proudly part of those cliffs behind you. This ground is rough which means you will lose gear, but fear not, quality fish will repay your losses.
To get the best from shore pollack fishing, you need to be mobile you need some good boots with plenty of grip and good ankle support. Start with sticking to the coastal paths and where safe ramble down onto the rocks. You have to be a opportunistic angler. Cast out a few times. Stop, try different methods lures. If not move on! Don't stay in the same place to long. Cover ground!
Rods need to be either a beefed up spinning rod with some backbone or a rod that is approx 11ft with and a medium fast action, slightly sensitive tip but with power coming quickly in the mid section and butt. This extra length serves two main purposes. Firstly, a longish rod gives you a good action to cushion the sudden dives that pollack typically use in their fight tactics, but with plenty of power in the butt end to put pressure on them when they head for the kelp or snags.
Fixed-spool reels are ideal for this type of fishing they allow long casts with the minimum of back swing when fishing awkward places tight up against a rock face or obstruction.
Line needs to be between 12lbs and 18lbs breaking strain. I use 15lb line as it casts far enough to work plenty of water, casts well with 2-3oz bombs.
Pollack will take a large variety of lures. Chrome silver lures like the Dexter Wedge and Toby's are excellent in 32gm - 50grams. The best are artificial Sandeel representations like Redgills and Eddystone eels, or Tempest Sidewinders and Firetail Jelly worms. Carry black, red, mackerel and white, but the black with fluro colours are killers. I've also had a lot of success with Calcutta Shads between 3-inches 7.5cm and 4inches 10cm long. Another good tactic is to deep spin a frozen Sandeel bound onto a 4/0 Aberdeen on a basic ledger rig, Cast out! Let it sink and retrieve it very slowly.
Pollack are very powerful fish you will normally get a light knock followed by the fish screaming away to the depths. It's this nature of Pollack that makes shore fishing for this species so worthwhile.
Never fish when there is a big swell coming directly on the rocks. Anglers are washed off in such conditions every year. Also be aware of slippy rocks and make sure you have easy access off during rain showers. In short, apply common sense.
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