Coalfish
(Pollachius virens)

Coalfish and Pollack to all intents and purposes can be considered to be very similar in sporting terms with the Coalfish have the edge in fighting ability. They both can be captured over wrecks and reefs both inshore and offshore with the Pollack being more common in terms of numbers.
Our picture shows a fine wreck caught Coalfish of about 20 lbs. As seen in the picture, the Coalfish can be distinguished easily by the white lateral line which runs the length of its body.

DISTRIBUTION
Coalfish are found in the Atlantic, the Bay of Biscay, around much of Britain, the North Sea, Iceland and Greenland.

SIZE
Around reefs small fish of 6 to 8lbs are common. On the deep water wrecks and offshore structures fish in the 20lb size are common. The British Road Caught Record is 37lbs 5ozs caught in 1986 by D Brown south of the Eddystone Light on a wreck.

FIGHTING QUALITIES
Coalfish are one of the best fighting fish size for size. They are also one of the most handsome looking fish with that glistening white lateral line on their black body. This feature can be seen in our photograph. Around reefs small fish of 6 to 8lbs are common. On the deep water wrecks and offshore structures fish in the 20lb size are common.

BAITS
The method of catching Coalfish is similar to that for Pollack and therefore the same baits and techniques are employed. They always seem to be more susceptible to a fast moving perk and it is my favourite method of catching them.

WRECK FISHING
The coalfish are often seen during the winter months clouding the screen of your echo sounder as they shoal over the wrecks just up tide. Coalfish are however different in the shoaling habits over wrecks. Quiet often they will be distinguished as echo marks very high up in the water over the main body of the shoaling fish.