Saithe (Pollachius virens)

Species #475

**The picture depicted here may not necessarily represent my first catch of this species. It is simply the clearest and most beautiful picture I've taken of this species. The picture of my first catch of some species may not exist.**

The Saithe (Pollachius virens) is commonly known as Pollock in North America or Coalfish in Europe. My first opportunity to encounter the was in 2011. Fishing on party boats off Gloucester, MA, anglers often catch this species jigging heavy banana or diamond jigs through the water column. During my two separate days of fishing from Gloucester, there were only a couple of Pollock caught (by anglers who were jigging). I did not have the appropriate gear to fish the 12-14oz jigs that were necessary to target this species, nor was I willing to jig all day for one species while (at the time) I still had yet to catch my Atlantic Cod or Haddock.

Ever since, I had hoped to return to Gloucester to target the Saithe in the fall, when spawning aggregations of these fish provided fast action for big fish. However, the inconsistent of marine conditions in the fall was much too risky to plan any trips in advance. Thus, this species remained at the bottom of my bucket list.

When my sister and I were planning our trip to Altantic Canada in June 2015, it was yet another opportunity presented before me to target the Saithe. Juvenile Saithe, known as Harbour Pollock in the Maritime provinces, remains in inshore waters for the first 2 years of its life. However, it seeks warmer and more consistent water temperature in deeper inshore water from late fall to summer. The arrival of Harbour Pollock in July often coincide with Atlantic Mackerel to provide inshore anglers with plenty of shore fishing action. In June, the inshore water temperature at the various wharfs and harbours of Cape Breton, Bay of Fundy and Halifax Harbour were simply much too cold. I certainly did try, unsuccessfully, everywhere we visited.

When my friend George and I were planning our road trip to Saint John, New Brunswick on our Shortnose Sturgeon hunt, we suddenly found a free afternoon in our itinerary. George has yet to catch some of the smaller inshore species from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, so I suggested that we should take the opportunity to explore a couple of wharves along our route.

Our expectations were kept in check since the water had already fallen to 50F. The Atlantic Mackerel had already migrated south. Even common inshore fish, such as Shorthorn Sculpin and Winter Flounder, may have retreated to deeper water.

Thus, George and I arrived at Blacks Harbour, NB with very little expectation. The brisk onshore wind combined with the incoming tide to stirred up the bottom. After trying for an hour, we concluded that the entire wharf was devoid of fish.

We decided to make a move to another protected wharf just 5 minutes away. This wharf was located in a shallower bay at Beaver Harbour. Perhaps the shallower water may heat up on this sunny day.

In the summer, Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) can be found immediate along any wharf piling. They tenacious ability to chew up baits, such as nightcrawler or shrimp chunks, made fishing for other species that reside under the wharf often difficult. However, the water was so cold that even the Cunner was absent. I was most certain that my hopeful target species, the Saithe, had already left for deeper inshore water that was out of casting range.

Completely disheartened by the lack of life, I simply fished for the sake of waiting for time to expire. I decided to fish a little nook between two wharves that George had yet fished. The area had big rocks immediately dropping from the shore to about 8 feet of water. Along the bottom were smaller scattered rocks and kelp growth. This area was ideal habitat for sculpin species, so I stepped up again with the intention to find George a Sculpin.

Slowly walking the dropper loop rig along the side of the wharf, I suddenly felt a little tap that broke the monotony. Anticipating a Sculpin that may run back into its rocky lair, I decided to set the hook quickly but found myself snagged.

There was a steady vibration on the line, as though kelp was brushing against the line. After a couple of failed tugs, I tried to slacken the line, perhaps it was, after all, a fish that had taken my bait and retreated into a rock.

I could now distinctly feel some headshakes on my line, but I could not pull to gain or free the line. It was possible that the fish bit the top hook while the bottom hook was snagged on the bottom. In a move of desperation, I simply pulled hard on the rod and felt the line gave.

Delightfully, my line tightened yet again as a fish struggled on the other end. As I finally see colour, the long body and silver flash could mean a new species for me. When the fish was finally flipped up the wharf, I could not believe my eyes. Lying before me was my first Saithe, a species that I had hoped to catch but pretty much lost hope to find them on this day.

George said he has never seen me more excited as I ran the fish to retrieve the camera for photographs.

Lesson #475 - Despite conditions that are completely unfavourable, and despite all signs that suggested a fool's errand, those who persist in pursue of their target may eventually be reward. Keep fishing if it was simply for the sake of waiting for time to expire!

The fish had a wound encircling its midsection, as if it had escaped from a gill net. Since this fish was around 11 inches long, I kept it for the following night's dinner. Pollock is a very popular food fish and I was curious if fresh Pollock can be even better than the frozen breaded fish sticks that are often served. The flavour of this Harbour Pollock was unremarkable, but the catch was certainly most memorable.

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