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Pollock
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Pollachius virens |
| Common Names: | pollock, pollack, coalfish, green cod, blisterback |
| Environment: | Nearshore, Offshore |
| Ideal Temp: | 51-68°F (11-20°C) |
About Pollock
Pollock (alternatively spelled pollack; pronounced /ˈpɒlək/) is the common name used for either of the two species of marine fish in the Pollachius ("P.") genus. Both P. pollachius and P. virens are commonly referred to as pollock. Other names for P. pollachius include the Atlantic pollock, European pollock, lieu jaune, and lythe; while P. virens is sometimes known as Boston blues (distinct from bluefish), coalfish (or coley), silver bills or saithe.
They can be distinguished from other members of the cod family by three features. Its lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw, its tail is forked, and its lateral line is quite straight, not arching above the pectoral fins. Young pollock have cod like barbels on the chin, but these are small and usually disappear with age. The back varies from olive green to greenish brown. The flanks are a lighter yellowish green or gray.
Both species can grow to 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) and can weigh up to 46 lb (21 kg). The fish has a strongly-defined, silvery lateral line running down the sides. Above the lateral line, the color is a greenish black. The belly is white. It can be found in water up to 100 fathoms (180 m) deep over rocks, and anywhere in the water column. Pollock are a "whitefish".
It is said to be the most active member of the cod family Gadidae. Though it occurs in shallower waters than either the cod or haddock, it is generally a deep or midwater fish occurring in depths of up to 600 feet. It will sometimes chase bait fish to the surface and smaller individuals are often seen milling about at the surface in large, tightly packed schools. In the western Atlantic south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, off the U.S. east coast, pollock can be taken from depths of 150' to as little as 24'. North of Cape Cod where most of the fish are taken, they have even been caught by surf fishermen.
Its diet consists of smaller pelagic fishes, sand eels and various crustaceans. Fishing methods include bait fishing or jigging with shrimp, herring, squid, clams, worms, or jigs, trolling or casting with spoons, tube lures, spinners, plugs, or flies. It makes strong, powerful runs and occasionally leaps and shakes. The flesh is of good quality and is commercially important.
Pollock Fishing
| World Record: | 22.7 kg (50 lb 0 oz) Salstraumen, Norway 30-Nov-1995 |
| # Fish Caught: | 9948556 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1836 12:00:00 AM and located at 62.00000, -20.00000. |
| Latest Record: | 6/21/2024 8:01:00 AM and located at 42.61193, -70.64855. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing, Jigging |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig, Jigs |
| Fishing Spots: | 86 Pollock fishing spots. |
Latest Pollock Fishing Reports and Spots
Captain JR reports a pretty good trip out to the wrecks onboard the Viking Starship. We had no problem hitting a few spots that had lots of big (
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Capt JR reports a very productive day onboard the Viking Star. We had no problem finding the jumbo Knothead Sea Bass with everyone easily gettin (
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Big pollock are coming over the rail on our jig trips. The bite so far turns on fast and cools off. Experienced anglers catch them quick and rea (
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The Yankee Clipper and Yankee Star have been producing good trips. Anglers have been seeing a good haddock bite and some people are getting clos (
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Anglers on the Yankee Clipper are hooking some big pollock and cod on the full day trips. The dogfish are hot and cold some days we have to fish (
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Fishing has been hot the past few weeks. The boats for the most part are avoiding the dogfish now; we see some but way more keepable fish. Exper (
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Anglers are getting some big cod and pollock on jigs. Experienced anglers are seeing 10+ haddock on good days. The dogfish thankfully have been (
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Capt Dave reports a tougher day than we have been seeing on the Viking Starship. We had mixed size Porgies with Sea Bass mixed in. There were li (
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Well Thursday we fished hard through some tough conditions with tide running strong and the north east wind cranking. The intrepid anglers caug (
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Opening day of Cod saw some nice slob Cod being caught. Also the usual nice big Haddock and 50 to 60 large Cusk! Just a handful of Pollock thi (
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