How to Fish for Maine Haddock

Haddock is a large white fish typically found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean between Maine and North Carolina. It prefers cooler water and can be caught in the Gulf of Maine during the summer months. Haddock is recognizable for having several fins -- three dorsal fins and two anal fins as well as pectoral fins. It can grow as long as 24 inches and weigh up to eight pounds. You can use numerous types of bait to catch Maine haddock from the bottom of the sea floor.

Things You'll Need

  • Medium spinning rod and reel
  • Monofilament or braided fishing line
  • Fishing hooks
  • Pyramid weights
  • Fish finder
  • Live or fresh bait
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use medium tackle to catch Maine haddock. Set up a 7- to 9-foot-long rod with a spinning reel attached. Fill the reel with 60 to 80 pound test monofilament or braided fishing line.

    • 2

      Set up a bottom rig with a three ounce pyramid weight tied about five feet from the end of the fishing line. Tie a medium-sized hook, such as a "J" hook to the end of the line.

    • 3

      Take your boat out to an area where the water is 175 to 200 feet deep. Anchor the boat or allow it to drift. Use a fish finder, if possible, to see if there is activity on the bottom of the sea floor where the haddock, as well as cod and pollock, can be found.

    • 4

      Hook the line with fresh bait, such as clam or squid, or live bait such as shrimp or mullet. Hook the shrimp or mullet in a way so that the bait stays alive on the hook -- generally through the back.

    • 5

      Drop the line all the way to the bottom. Jig the line from time to time if anchored. Slowly reel the line up if you feel a strike as haddock have soft mouth and the hook can be ripped easily from them if it has not set.

    • 6

      Set the hook when you feel the haddock start to run with the bait. Allow the haddock to run for a few seconds, then slowly reel. Do not allow your catch to run under the boat, which might cause the line to break.