POLLOCK: THE BOSTON BLUEFISH

The pollock, also known as the Boston Bluefish, is a popular fish available to anglers from inshore bays and estuaries to offshore banks. It’s range in the western Atlantic covers waters from Greenland and southern Labrador to Chesapeake Bay. The highest concentrations of pollock are generally found in the Gulf of Maine on the offshore banks and along the entire coastline from Cape Cod to Cape Sable, Nova Scotia.

This is one of the more deep bodied members of the cod family. The lower jaw, projecting beyond the upper, has a small chin barbel in young fish but is generally missing in larger fish. The pollock has three separate dorsal fins and twp separate anal fins as do the cod, haddock and tomcod. The first and second dorsal fins are triangular in shape, with the second noticeably longer than the first. The tail is indented along it’s posterior edge, with both lobes of the fin being pointed or angular. This species lacks the dark lateral blotch and black lateral line of the haddock, the rounded tail and equal sized dorsal fins of the tomcod and the overhanging snout and shorter lower jaw of the cod.

Pollock range from olive green to brownish green dorsally and pale grey to yellow laterally. The belly is silvery. The lateral line, a series of sensory pores used to detect disturbances in the water, is lighter than the upper side of the body. Young pollock are darker and yellower on the lower sides than the older, larger pollock. The largest pollock landed on hook and line was greater than 44 pounds and was caught on cashes Ledge. A five year old pollock may weigh 4 or 5 pounds and be as long as 25 inches. A 9 year old fish might weigh as 10 pounds and be 30 inches in length. The maximum lifespan for pollock is about 19 years. Maturity occurs at between 4 and 7 years.

HABITS

Like other members of the cod family, pollock live on or near the bottom in areas of rocky substrates. They are found in shallow water to depths of 600 feet, depending on water temperature and food availability. Pollock can tolerate temperatures close to 32 degrees, but off the Massachusetts coast they are more abundant in temperatures from 51 to 68 degrees.

Large schools of pollock migrate inshore during spring, and move offshore during the colder months. Large schools of smaller fish, called harbor pollock, move into estuaries and shallow bays during the spring. They remain there until the dropping water temperatures of fall force them to move offshore to deeper waters with more consistent temperatures.

The western Gulf of Maine is a major spawning area for pollock. The mouth of Massachusetts Bay, southeast of Gloucester to the eastern slope of Stellwagen bank is a particularly active area. Pollock generally spawn during fall and early winter in water 90 to 300 feet deep. Spawning begins when water temperatures fall to between 48 and 59 degrees. The buoyant eggs hatch between 6 and 9 days after fertilization and the larvae remain close to t he surface for about 3 months before they head downward to become bottom dwellers.

Pollock are largely daytime sight feeders. Yearling eat microscopic crustaceans such as copepods. Adults feed on large pelagic crustaceans such as shrimp and small fish such as herring, sand lance, cod, haddock and hake. Juvenile pollock are often seen chasing schools of smelt through estuaries during the fall. Unlike the cod, pollock will chase schools of baitfish at any level and will occasionally drive them to the surface where frantic splashing can be seen as small fish try to escape. Pollock are known for their voracious behavior while feeding.

ANGLING AND HANDLING TIPS

Pollock are strong, aggressive feeders that will often times strike at fast moving lures. Anglers pursue pollock from party boats, private vessels and charter boats as well as from shore. Inshore fishing lasts from early spring to late in the fall, depending on water temperatures, food availability and the fortitude of the angler. The larger pollock tend to gather in deeper, offshore waters and the smaller fish frequent areas along the shoreline.

In deeper water, pollock are caught on the same tackle and rigs used by cod fishermen. Jigs, rigged with teasers are very effective at attracting large pollock. Norwegian style jigs, with a worm teaser rigged above the jig are popular among pollock fishermen. When fishing with this rig, drop it to the bottom, jig, let it settle, then retrieve some line and start the process all over at a slightly higher level in the water column until the proper depth of the pollock is located. Pollock will generally strike during the downward flutter of the jig. Pollock can also be taken on bait.

In inshore waters, pollock are particularly active around breakwaters and other structure during a moving tide. Early morning and evening generally produce the best results, but pollock can be caught throughout the day. Smaller inshore pollock are generally pursued with lighter spinning outfits, spooled with 12 to 15 pound test line. Kastmasters, mackerel jigs, deadly dicks and zing-ama-jigs are a few of the popular lures used to entice inshore pollock. A small strip of squid or other bait increases success rates for most anglers.

Pollock should be iced down as soon as they are caught to preserve their excellent taste and delicate texture. The nickname Boston Bluefish has been given to the pollock because of it’s appearance and fighting ability not because of it’s flavor. It’s light, flaky flesh can be substituted for cod or haddock in most recipes. Pollock can be poached, baked, grilled, broiled or used in chowders. Try taking a pollock fillet and put it in a greased baking dish and cover it with a can of cream of mushroom soup and sprinkle with paprika and parsley, bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillet. When the fillet flakes easily it is done. Serve the fillet and sauce over a bed of rice.