Cod may be a household name, but Haddock are far from second best. Firm and flaky, these fish have a similar taste, which makes them some of the world’s best-eating fish. Look closely at the packaging on those fish sticks in your freezer and you may see that Cod and Haddock are used in many of the same foods! In some places, such as Iceland, fresh Haddock is even preferred. So, before you turn your nose up at this “lesser Cod,” think of all the ways Haddock fishing will keep you fed.
How to Identify Haddock
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) inhabit the North Atlantic Ocean. They’re most common in Europe, particularly around the British Isles, but you can also catch them along part of the US’s eastern seaboard. American Haddock fishing is mainly concentrated around a couple of breeding grounds off the coast of New England – specifically George’s Bank and the Gulf of Maine.
These deep-dwelling fish prefer water below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7ºC) and hard or gravelly seafloor. Anglers often target them 130–500 feet down, though, in some parts of Europe, you can catch Haddock from shore.
Haddock belong to the same family as Cod, Pollock, Hake, Whiting, and Saithe. Like all of these species, they’re long and slender fish with three dorsal fins. They usually grow between 15–30 inches long and average 2–7 pounds, but can reach as much as 40 pounds.
Haddock vs. Cod
While all Codfish look similar, you’re mostly likely to compare Haddock with Atlantic Cod because they inhabit the same waters. Once you learn to recognize the difference, however, these fish aren’t so hard to tell apart. Here’s how:
- Fin shape. The first dorsal fin on a Haddock is pointed, whereas this same fin on a Cod is rounded. You can also compare their tail fins… Cod have flat tails, while Haddock tail fins are slightly forked.
- Color. Haddock are usually gray or brown along the back, whereas Cod are a yellow or sandy color. Look closely and you’ll notice that Cod are covered in small, dark spots, while Haddock have none.
- Lateral line. Cod have white lateral lines while Haddock have dark lines.
- Markings. Haddock have a single, dark blotch behind their pectoral fins known as the “devil’s thumbprint.”
Best Haddock Fishing Spots
For anglers in the US, there’s no better place to fish for Haddock than New England. If you’re willing to cast a wider net, you’ll have plenty of productive fishing grounds to choose from on the European side of the “pond” as well.
New England
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we’ll say it again: New England is the go-to destination for American Haddock. Namely, the great old states of Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, which cradle the most productive Haddock fishing grounds on this side of the Atlantic.
Key spots include Cape Cod Bay, George’s Bank, and the Gulf of Maine. Within the Gulf, you have Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge, the most common hunting grounds charter boats hit up. Some boats fish closer to shore than this, which is easier on less experienced anglers.
Haddock in New England spawn in the spring and are most abundant off the coast during the summer. Size and bag limits vary depending on the state and time of year.
British Isles
Anglers fishing the British Isles have access to Haddock in a number of waters. For starters, you have the North Sea, probably the best Haddock fishing grounds in Europe. The deepest and most productive waters are found around Scotland and down the northeast of England. In fact, it’s said that Haddock become more numerous the farther north you sail.
But don’t rule out the rest of the UK and Ireland. After all, Haddock swim as far south as the English Channel! While these fish are most abundant in summer and autumn, you can catch fairly big ones at the turn of the season from winter to spring.
Size limits vary depending on where you fish. In the North Sea, there’s a minimum size limit of 30 centimeters. The same size limit applies to any Haddock caught from shore in the UK.
Norway
In addition to bordering the North Sea, Norway offers unique Haddock fishing opportunities among its many archipelagos. Here, it’s common to reel these fish in from shore, along with Cod, Coalfish, and Halibut. In fact, Haddock is probably the least sought-after of the bunch! If you ask us, though, they’re still a nice addition. They’re in season year-round, with peak action during summer.
Serious anglers should consider a local fishing lodge. Some of the best are located to the far north of the country, in villages like Tjongsfjord, Vesterålen, Steinfjord, and Havøysund. Not only will you have a place to stay but you can hire a local fishing guide to show you the local methods and help you follow regulations.
Iceland
Despite being so far north, the waters surrounding Iceland aren’t as cold as you’d think. This is thanks to the North Atlantic Current, which carries warm water all the way from the Gulf of Mexico. The result? Balmy seas for Haddock, which range from the high thirties to low fifties (3–12ºC).
You can catch Haddock all around Iceland. They’re present year-round but fall is considered prime time to fish for them, at least commercially. Here, they’re said to taste sweeter than Haddock caught anywhere else in the world and their raw fillets are sold as sushi-grade fish. No wonder locals have always preferred them to Cod!
Faroe Islands
To backtrack just a bit, we’ll stop by the Faroe Islands. This autonomous territory of Denmark floats between Iceland and the British Isles. No matter where you find yourself on these shores, the ocean is never more than 5 kilometers away. What’s more, the local fishing grounds are sheltered from strong winds, making it possible to hit the waves on almost any given day.
Charter boats often target Haddock between the islands of Vágar and Streymoy as well as the Vestmanna region, where these fish are most abundant. Like many places on our list, the Faroe Islands see Haddock year-round. Autumn is one of the best times to fish for them, though some people consider them to be better quality in winter.
How to Fish for Haddock
The key to catching Haddock is locating these fish at the right depth, especially off the coast of New England where they’re migratory. In spring, they may be as deep as 250 feet, but will move closer to shore as the season turns. In early summer, you can target them on light tackle in waters as shallow as 100–150 feet deep. By June, however, they’re already retreating offshore.
Another key to finding Haddock is locating the right kind of structure. Rather than wrecks or reefs, they tend to gather near contour like plateaus and ledges. Look for muddy or hard sandy seafloor with visible changes in depth. If dropping some natural bait doesn’t get a bite, move on to another similar area.
When it comes to technique, Haddock don’t require anything fancy. In fact, a simple bait fishing rig is considered the most effective way to catch them. Not only does it increase your catch rate, but it reduces the amount of Cod you’ll catch. A simple bait rig also makes it easier to release any fish that you won’t keep harm-free.
Bait fishing doesn’t require much effort. Dead-sticking often yields plenty of bites and you can sit back while your rod is resting in the holder. If this isn’t working, you can add some movement to your bait. Lifting and dropping your rod slowly will stir up the sand along the bottom and draw attention from curious fish.
While natural bait is considered far more effective than artificials, it’s fairly common to target Haddock using jigs. Dead-sticking still works well in this case, as well as slow-pitch jigging. You can try this while drifting, but more likely than not you’ll want to anchor up so that your jig can drop straight down and consistently tap the bottom.
Haddock Fishing Gear
Haddock don’t require fancy gear and many anglers choose to target them using setups that already work well for other fish in the area. Generally speaking, you can use an 8′ medium-action saltwater rod paired with a small reel and 30–40 lb braided line. This allows you to use less weight in your terminal tackle and keeps your presentation vertical.
For jigging, a short, traditional jigging or slow-pitch rod will allow you to reel in lots of Haddock without getting tired. On the flip side, lighter gear will add more sport to the endeavor.
The most important thing, no matter your setup, is rod sensitivity. Haddock have very soft mouths and it’s easy to miss the gentle tap that you’ll feel at the end of your line. For this reason, many anglers opt for a fast-action rod, especially when jigging.
There are many opinions on what style and size of hooks to use. J hooks, octopus hooks, and circle hooks are all popular. To keep your bait close to the bottom, plan on using a sinker. During a slack tide, you may be able to get away with just 3–4 ounces if the water is shallow enough. But usually, there’ll be enough wind and tidal movement to require 12–16 oz weights. However, fishing very deep water may call for 20 ounces.
Haddock Fishing Bait
Ask anybody, and they’ll tell you natural bait is the most effective way to catch Haddock. Top choices include:
- Clams
- Shrimp
- Sand eels
- Squid
- Cut fish such as herring, whiting, or mackerel
5–7 oz jigs also catch Haddock and some anglers find it fun to fish with them instead. Consider adding a teaser to your jig, such as feathers or a squid skirt in pink, orange, or red. Curly-tail grubs also make a great substitute when you’re short on natural bait.
When to Fish for Haddock
Haddock are present year-round in northern Europe. Depending on the area, summer and fall are peak times to fish for them, though winter sometimes sees large fish. In the western Atlantic, Haddock are seasonal. Anglers in New England catch them from spring through fall. Refer to the specific country sections above for more information.
Haddock: Hard to Resist
To American anglers, Haddock may seem obscure. But, trust us… If they look like Cod and taste like Cod, it’s hard to go wrong. In fact, Haddock may just be the tastiest fish you’ve never heard of! Odds are, you’ve been eating them for years, and now perhaps you have a newfound appreciation.
Whether you find yourself fishing in New England or venturing overseas, be sure to include Haddock on your catch list. They won’t be your trophy of the day, but they certainly make for a rewarding dinner.
Have you ever been fishing for Haddock? Maybe you’re thinking of going after them for the first time? Either way, reach out in the comments below!
