The 7 Best Places to Fish for Pollock in the UK (and Ireland)

When it comes to fishing for pollock, the more remote the better. Well, that’s simplifying it, but peninsulas and offshore islands are typically excellent marks for pollock. You’re looking for deep, structure-rich water off the tip of the coastline that is likely rich in kelp and baitfish. That’s where the serious pollock hang out.

And whether you live in the very north of Scotland or the very south of England, you’re in luck. The pollock fishing at either end of our island is something special. But you do need to put the work in. Our top tips for catching a huge pollock should help you get started.

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We spent six days fishing the Beara Peninsula for pollock in August 2022 (and have been back twice since!) with some outstanding results. The landscapes are spectacular, the pollock are huge and the abundance of sheer cliff faces, deep dropoffs and powerful swells and perfect pollock fishing conditions.

When it comes to finding them, the tips of the Beara Peninsula around Dursey Island and a variety of marks on the mainland near it are home to some serious pollock. Whilst fishing has declined in recent years thanks to the excessive gillnetting from commercial trawlers, it is still (almost) pollock paradise.

Outside of the Orkney Islands, The Isle of Skye is arguably the most remote – and most spectacular – option on this list. The water around the cliffs near the shore can be over 100m deep on the northern tip of the island. Whilst that may make finding the fish a bit trickier, it is home to some giants and makes fishing from the shore as exhilarating as it comes. Particularly in Skye’s infamous weather.

Areas around Loch Dunvegan on the northern coastline are seriously deep and remote. If you’re looking to fish off the eastern edge of Skye, the Raasay and its surrounding areas on the mainland are good options.

The southern coastline is shallower but more accessible than the north. But any areas of deeper water situated near steep cliffs are likely to yield pollock. Venturing out onto the Sleat Peninsula and looking for deep water marks around there is as good a spot as any. Check out Navionics (as per the below) for water depth.

Scotland’s most famous archipelago – the Orkney Islands – is home to some of the most rugged and spectacular scenery in the UK. The seas can be extraordinarily rough, the landscapes mind-blowing and the fishing exceptional. Orkney really has some of the best possible conditions for pollock fishing.

The deep water, steep cliffs, dropoffs and structure-rich environment are home to some huge pollock. The fact that Orkney is home to over 50,000 seals gives some insight into how rich the surrounding sea is. But before booking a trip there consider just how remote Orkney is. The archipelago is situated just north of John o’Groats (the UK’s most northerly point) and is best suited to seasoned pollock fishermen.

Whilst St. Abbs is a relatively small fishing village, it certainly packs a punch when it comes to pollock fishing. The Berwickshire coastline is notorious for excellent fishing and St. Abbs is no exception. As one of the most easterly points on the Scottish coast (and of the British Isles), it’s steep jagged cliffs and deep waters make for prolific pollock angling from the rocks.

The harbour itself has been known to draw in some good-sized fish (probably thanks to the number of fishing boats that pass in and out) and the whole coastline around St. Abbs and Eyemouth has deep water near the shore. So just find some accessible route(s) and you’ll be fishing in no time.

If you know where to look, Dorset’s rugged coastline and steep cliffs hold some serious fish. The shore caught record for pollock was actually caught in the Dorset, so the big fish are out there. But as almost the entire stretch of the Dorset coastline is one steep dropoff, the fish can be almost anywhere, making for frustrating fishing.

Not a lot of people know this, but the Isle of Purbeck is in fact a peninsula. A real favourite with serious south coast pollock anglers. Looking at marks around Poole Harbour and off the tips around Studland and Peveril Point should help you find some really good deep water marks.

One of Purbeck’s best features is how accessible it is. Both in terms of marks, beaches and the towns. Unlike other peninsulas, this south coast mark has been a fishing haven for centuries and has been built up in this image. You can find the other best sea fishing spots in Dorset here.

Wales’ northwest coast and the Llyn Peninsula in particular are home to a suite of excellent angling marks. The peninsula is full of deep water marks and accessible rock locations that make fishing from the shore a joy.

There are some marks where – if you’re willing to put in the effort – are remote, deep and excellent for pollock. The southeast side of Bardsey Island is particularly deep close to the shore – we’re talking 30m plus – and the northern coastline of the mainland runs much deeper than the southern part. So that’s where we’d suggest starting.

As southern Englanders Cornwall is one of our favourite fishing spots. A superb bass fishing spot, Cornwall is perhaps less well-known for pollock and arguably doesn’t hold the same number or size of pollock as the other marks.

But Cornwall is still a really excellent spot for pollock fishing. Whilst the ground is shallower and more bass dominant, you can still reach truly remote, difficult-to-access spots where pollock reside. From personal experience, the pollock fishing here is not exceptional, at least compared to some of the other locations. But it is still very good, you’ll just need to put in the work.