Angler holding a pollack aboard Kestrel Warrior

Rough-ground fish

Cod and pollack fishing from Brighton

Cod and pollack are two of the most rewarding fish to catch from the boat: strong, hard fighting and delicious. They live where the ground is rough, and that is exactly where we take you.

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In short

Cod and pollack are fished from Brighton Marina over wrecks and rough ground on our 2027 trips: 4 hours is £55 per person or £500 whole boat, 8 hours at anchor is £75 per person or £650 whole boat. Confirm what is running when you book.

Target fishCod and pollack
GroundWrecks, reefs, rough ground
Best monthsAutumn to early spring
Trips4 or 8 hours, multi-species

Cod

Boat fishing for cod

Cod are bottom dwellers that love structure. Our winter method of anchoring over rough ground with running ledger rigs, and using a pennel rig with a size 4 on top and a 6 or 7 below to fit bigger worm baits, is aimed squarely at them.

Cod trips are about patience and reading the tide: the right tide makes it, and the electronics help us sit exactly on the fish.

Angler holding a good cod caught aboard Kestrel Warrior

Pollack

Boat fishing for pollack

Pollack are a fast, aggressive fish that hang above wrecks and reefs, where they chase bait fish and take lures hard. They are a great choice on light tackle, and a good pollack on a bent rod is as good as it gets.

Many of the best pollack come from the same marks as cod and bream, so the two species often share a trip. See our wreck fishing page.

Angler holding a big pollack on a sunny day at sea

Cod and pollack catches

Sea fish guide

Fish you can catch off Sussex

The best pollack come from the same marks as cod and bream. Other Sussex fish from wrecks and rough ground are in the guide too.

= caught off the Sussex coast, according to the sources in our sea fish reference guide.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Where do you catch cod and pollack?

Over wrecks, rocky reefs and rough ground, both inshore and offshore. Pollack hang higher in the water above structure, while cod stay tight to the bottom.

When is the best season?

Cod and pollack are most reliable from autumn through winter and into early spring, though pollack can be caught most of the year over wrecks. See the seasons guide.

What bait works?

Big worm baits, squid and fish baits for cod on pennel rigs, and flappers, jigs and live baits for pollack.

How much does a trip cost?

Cod and pollack can feature on our multi-species trips and the wreck trip, depending on the season: 4 hours is £55 per person or £500 whole boat, 8 hours at anchor is £75 per person or £650 whole boat, and the 10-hour wreck trip is £110 per person or £800 whole boat. Confirm what is running when you book.

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