Pouting Fishing

Pouting is the most reliable fish on Belgian moles and piers, concentrating around rock armour, pilings and wreckage in autumn and winter. It attacks bait aggressively, so a two-hook bottom rig with 1-2/0 hooks and lugworm, shrimp or a fish strip is enough. Snagging is inevitable close to structure, so use a weak link to the lead. Once you find a shoal the fishing is fast; scale the bait up for bigger fish. It is also a bait source for bass and cod.

Trisopterus luscus

Pouting (Trisopterus luscus)
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Season calendar

JanFebMarApr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
SepOctNovDec

Active periodSpawning period — release what you catch

Season
January–April, September–December
Water temperature
6–18 °C
Spawning
February–April
Behaviour
Deep demersal fish

Techniques

  • Bottom rig
  • mole and pier fishing

Frequently asked

When is the best time to catch pouting?
The productive window for pouting runs January–April, September–December. February–April is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
What water temperature does pouting feed in?
Pouting is most active between 6 and 18 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
How do you fish for pouting?
Common methods: Bottom rig, mole and pier fishing.

Species that fish under similar conditions

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