Fish

Pollock

Abadejo (carbonero)

Pollachius virens

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

4–15 lb.

Depth

Surface to 400 ft; big fish 100–300 ft.

Best time

Daylight.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Streamlined, olive-green cod relative with a pale straight lateral line, a lower jaw that sticks out past the upper, a forked tail and a tiny or missing chin barbel.
Typical size: 4–15 lb.
Maximum size: About 3½ ft and 50 lb or more.
Diet: Herring, sand eels, squid, crabs, shrimp and clams.
Behavior: Schools over rocky bottom, ledges, banks and wrecks in cold water.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Rhode Island & Massachusetts and New Hampshire & Maine. Rocky ledges, islands and wrecks from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Cod; young pollock swarm around Maine docks and rocky points.
Habitat: Rocky ledges, islands and wrecks from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Cod; young pollock swarm around Maine docks and rocky points.
Depth: Surface to 400 ft; big fish 100–300 ft.
Fishing depth: On or near the bottom in 80–300 ft.
Best season: Best in the cool months near shore and all year on the deep offshore banks; seasons and closures apply.
Best time: Daylight.
Best tides: A light current lets you hold bottom and keep the jig in the zone.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas — most of this fishing is far offshore in the Gulf of Maine.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Herring, mackerel and clams.
Best artificial lures: Diamond jigs, soft-plastic shads and teasers; small ones hit flies and spinners near shore.
Tackle setup: Medium-heavy jigging or bottom rod with a conventional reel.
Hook size: 6/0–8/0 hooks or 8–16 oz diamond jigs with a teaser.
Line: 50–65 lb braid.
Leader: 50–60 lb mono.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky ledges, islands and wrecks from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Cod; young pollock swarm around Maine docks and rocky points.
Rig up: Medium-heavy jigging or bottom rod with a conventional reel. 50–60 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Herring, mackerel and clams. Lures: Diamond jigs, soft-plastic shads and teasers; small ones hit flies and spinners near shore.
Fish it: Jig over ledges and wrecks, working the jig up through the water column — pollock often feed above the bottom.
Time it: Daylight. A light current lets you hold bottom and keep the jig in the zone.

Fishing techniques: Jig over ledges and wrecks, working the jig up through the water column — pollock often feed above the bottom.
BigJoe's tip: If the cod are closed, fish the jig higher off the bottom — that's where the pollock are.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm, slightly darker meat than cod; great fried, baked or in fish cakes.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Dress warm and wear a life jacket — the water is cold even in summer.
Regulations: Managed by NOAA Fisheries with a minimum size; check the current groundfish rules. Saltwater licenses and limits are set by each state (VMRC, NJ Fish & Wildlife, NYS DEC, CT DEEP, RI DEM, MA DMF, NH Fish & Game, Maine DMR) and by NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission — check the current rules for your state before you keep fish.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits