Here are brief details of the main types of sea fish caught in Scotland.
Edible Fish
Bass

Showing all around the country from estuaries and open beaches (and power station outfalls). Very powerful
fish, can be caught very close to the shoreline. Try spinning or plugging, best baits are peeler crab or
ragworm.
Cod

Resident fish around the coast tend to be smaller with the bigger fish appearing in autumn and winter.
Double figure fish are caught each year from shore marks. Boat fishing on the east coast in summer can
produce good bags of fish to crab and mussel baits
Coalfish (or Coley):
Bigger fish are found over the many wrecks in early spring and can be caught with feathers or fish strips.
Smaller fish are caught right round the coast throughout the year.
Dab
Small flatfish, found over clean sandy bottom marks. These fish don't grow very big, with a fish over 1lb
classed as a specimen. Can often be caught two and three at a time.
Haddock

Distinct thumb print mark on flank behind the head. Larger fish can be found around the western islands
and around the north of Scotland. Boat fishing offers the best chance of landing a good fish.
Hake

Elusive predator found in deeper water, can be caught from the boats operating out of the northern ports
and along the western sea lochs. Sleek bodied fish with a mouthful of sharp teeth.
Ling

Ferocious predator who prefers wrecks and rough ground. Boat anglers are more likely to catch ling while
fishing for Cod or Conger. They have an eel like shape, but are related to the Cod family. Try baited Pirks
from the boat.
Mackerel

Elusive predator found in deeper water, can be caught from the boats operating out of the northern ports
and along the western sea lochs. Sleek bodied fish with a mouthful of sharp teeth.
Plaice

These flatfish have bright orange spots on the darker top side. They appear around the coast from early
spring and into summer looking to feed on the abundance of crabs ready to moult their shell (peeler crabs).
Look for shingle or sandy bottoms where the plaice will rummage around for their next meal
Pollack

Try spinning sand eels or float fishing rag worm for this hard fighting fish. The large eyes indicate that
this fish hunts by sight and will ambush small fish from the cover of the reefs or rocks close to the
shore. These fish grow to double figures. Boat anglers can target them over the many reefs and wrecks.
Thornback Ray
As the name suggests, this fish is armed with small 'thorns' over the back and down the length of the
tail, take care when handling them. Double figure specimens are found around the west coast of Scotland,
and in particular in the deep sea lochs from both boat and shore.
Whiting

These little fish are found around our coast from autumn through the winter. They are tenacious feeders,
taking most baits. Fish over a 1lb can be taken from the shore, but Boat anglers have a chance of better
size fish.