Fly fishing for pollack is fun but only if you choose suitable tackle. A lot of people talk about using 8 and 9 weight outfits in the sea, which is okay if you are going to be in amongst the monsters, but most pollack will be able to be caught on much lighter tackle, like a 6 weight. The fact is that most of the pollack you will catch from the shore will be under two pounds in weight, meaning that they don't have the power to put a stronger fly rod through its paces.
I freely admit that a stronger rod will have the advantage of casting a large fly further out but, with pollack, this is often unnecessary. A six weight outfit, matched to a good line, will cast far enough to catch them but still be light enough to give enjoyable sport. Put on a decent flyline, like an Airflo Forty Plus, and then learn to double haul and you will soon find that you can get far enough without any particular problems. As for the argument about a stronger rod cutting through wind, well how many people do you know who would want to go fly fishing into the teeth of a gale?
You will need to look after your tackle though - I would wash a fly line in fresh water after every sea fishing trip. If you don't, you will find that the water on the line evaporates, leaving the salt behind. This increases friction and makes casting more difficult. It is also a good idea to wash your flies and blow dry them with a hairdryer to discourage corrosion. For the same reason, you should only buy flies that are tied onto stainless steel hooks.
Not that you have to use expensive flies for pollack. I have had a great deal of success with small rubber eels, like Eddystone eels or red gills, particularly in white or yellow. Similarly hokai headed feathers can be used or tied quite quickly and easily.
I freely admit that a stronger rod will have the advantage of casting a large fly further out but, with pollack, this is often unnecessary. A six weight outfit, matched to a good line, will cast far enough to catch them but still be light enough to give enjoyable sport. Put on a decent flyline, like an Airflo Forty Plus, and then learn to double haul and you will soon find that you can get far enough without any particular problems. As for the argument about a stronger rod cutting through wind, well how many people do you know who would want to go fly fishing into the teeth of a gale?
You will need to look after your tackle though - I would wash a fly line in fresh water after every sea fishing trip. If you don't, you will find that the water on the line evaporates, leaving the salt behind. This increases friction and makes casting more difficult. It is also a good idea to wash your flies and blow dry them with a hairdryer to discourage corrosion. For the same reason, you should only buy flies that are tied onto stainless steel hooks.
Not that you have to use expensive flies for pollack. I have had a great deal of success with small rubber eels, like Eddystone eels or red gills, particularly in white or yellow. Similarly hokai headed feathers can be used or tied quite quickly and easily.
POLLACK
Fly Fishing
You can also experiment with soft plastic lures instead of flies, sticking to the smallest lures, where the weight will be manageable.
When you do go fishing, pick spots where rocks or piers give way into deep water, preferably with a weedy bottom and plenty of rocks for cover. You need to think like a predator, putting your fly where small fish might be ambushed by the resident pollack. That's going to be near the bottom, so I would tend to stick to sinking or intermediate lines to present your fly properly.
When you do go fishing, pick spots where rocks or piers give way into deep water, preferably with a weedy bottom and plenty of rocks for cover. You need to think like a predator, putting your fly where small fish might be ambushed by the resident pollack. That's going to be near the bottom, so I would tend to stick to sinking or intermediate lines to present your fly properly.
Although I have caught plenty of pollack during the day, you can get much better sport as the light begins to fade in the evening. This is when the fish will come closer to the surface, making them easier to target.
