Molva molva
Season calendar
- Season
- January–April, October–December
- Water temperature
- 4–12 °C
- Spawning
- March–June
- Behaviour
- Deep demersal fish
Techniques
- Boat vertical fishing
- wreck and reef fishing
Timing
- March to November, and you need calm weather to anchor over a wreck.
- Slack water around the turn of the tide is most productive.
Bait and Method
- A whole mackerel or a big squid on a 6/0–8/0 hook with 50–80 cm of heavy fluorocarbon or a short wire.
- Drop 300–600 g of lead to the bottom and hold the bait 1–2 m above it.
- Lift immediately on the bite, or the fish takes the rig into the wreck.
Fish from deep water suffer barotrauma, so do not lift them up if you intend to release.
Frequently asked
- When is the best time to catch european ling?
- The productive window for european ling runs January–April, October–December. March–June is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
- What water temperature does european ling feed in?
- European ling is most active between 4 and 12 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
- How do you fish for european ling?
- Common methods: Boat vertical fishing, wreck and reef fishing.