When we enter a new year here at Sportquest we start to get very excited as we know the season for Skrei Cod Fishing, Norway, is coming. Anglers will be heading to Norway’s fishing villages in numbers to target one species in particular, and that fish is the Skrei Cod.
Now, these Skrei Cod are not like normal cod that you will find around the UK coastline. These move down from the Barents Sea off the Russian coastline around February time like they have for thousands of years, where they then make their way onto their spawning grounds along the Norwegian coast in numbers.
You do not get long to target these fantastic fish though as they only hang around for a short time until towards the end of April before they head back into the much deeper waters off Russia.
So if you fancy targeting the Skrei Cod of Norway, then there are a few things you should know before you travel and get stuck into the vast shoals you could find.
Clothing for Skrei Cod Fishing, Norway
One of the most important aspects to consider when heading out on the water is appropriate clothing. Wearing the wrong attire can cut your fishing trip short before it even begins. There’s nothing worse than being cold and wet while trying to reel in a big Norwegian cod. If you’re not dressed properly, you’ll find yourself longing to return to the warmth of the cabins rather than enjoying the experience.
The key to staying warm and comfortable is layering. Start with thermal base layers, preferably made from merino wool, known for its exceptional insulation properties. Over these, wear T-shirts and hoodies for additional warmth. A high-quality flotation suit is essential—not only does it provide protection against wind and moisture, but it also serves as a vital safety measure in case of an emergency.
For your feet, layering is just as important. Begin with a thin pair of socks, followed by a thicker pair, and finish with thermal socks to ensure maximum warmth. Cold feet can quickly ruin your day on the water. Additionally, choose sturdy, waterproof footwear that provides good grip. Avoid boots with studded soles, as the boats are made of aluminium, and studs are strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
By dressing appropriately, you’ll ensure a more enjoyable and comfortable fishing experience, allowing you to focus on the adventure rather than the elements.
Tackle for Skrei Cod Fishing, Norway
Now, let’s talk tackle. When targeting Skrei, nearly all your fishing will be done using shads or pirks. While Skrei will occasionally take baited hooks, the most effective method is presenting a large shad directly in front of them.
For rods, a 20-30lb class is ideal. While lighter rods can be used and make for an exciting fight, slightly heavier gear ensures better control and efficiency. However, going too heavy can reduce the responsiveness of the rod, making the experience less enjoyable and increasing the risk of hook pulls.
When it comes to reels, a quality multiplier or fixed spool reel with a minimum of 15kg of drag is essential. These should be loaded with depth-marked braid in the 60-80lb range. This type of braid is one of the most crucial pieces of tackle you’ll bring, as it allows you to precisely control the depth of your shad. Since 99% of your fishing will take place just above the shoals—where the largest cod tend to gather—knowing exactly where your lure is positioned can make all the difference in your success.
By using the right tackle and understanding how to present your bait effectively, you’ll maximize your chances of landing a trophy Skrei.
When targeting Skrei Cod, heavy-duty terminal tackle is essential. Your split rings and swivels must be exceptionally strong to handle the power of these fish. While it might seem excessive, even 200lb-rated Owner split rings have been known to fail under pressure. To prevent this, I recommend using split rings and swivels in the 500lb range to ensure maximum durability and reliability.
As for lures, one stands out as an absolute must-have for any angler heading to Norway for Skrei season—the Westin Big Bob Shad (730g). These oversized shads are larger than most fish caught along UK shores, but they consistently attract the biggest specimens. If you’re serious about landing a trophy Skrei, this lure should be in your tackle box.
In addition to the Big Bob Shad, I highly recommend bringing Savage Gear Cut-Bait Shads and Spro Halibandits, which are both proven performers. It’s also a good idea to pack a few pirks, as they can be particularly effective during slower tide periods when fishing activity momentarily quiets down.
With the right terminal tackle and lure selection, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the demanding conditions and maximize your chances of landing a monster Skrei Cod.
CATCH AND RELEASE for Skrei Cod Fishing, Norway
If you are practising catch and release, it’s crucial to handle the fish correctly to ensure its survival. As soon as you see the fish rising through the water, stop reeling immediately. This allows the fish’s swim bladder to equalize. You’ll know this process is complete when the fish expels a large number of bubbles and begins to kick again—at this point, it’s safe to bring it aboard for a quick, careful release.
If you are keeping fish for the table, I recommend selecting those between 10-20lb. These fish offer the highest quality flesh, with a firm texture that is far superior to that of larger 40-50lb fish.
Your boat will have fish boxes to store your catch, and once you’ve landed enough Cod, you can return to shore and make use of the well-equipped filleting rooms available at our camps. After filleting, place your fish in freezer bags and store them in the designated freezer room. It’s a good idea to bring a marker pen to label your bags, making it easier to identify your fish among the many others stored there.
For a detailed guide on catch and release fishing, including best practices for handling fish and maximizing survival rates, be sure to check out our blog!
Top destinations for Skrei Cod Fishing, Norway
When it comes to targeting Skrei Cod in Northern Norway, there is a huge array of destinations you can target them at, below we have listed four fantastic destinations that we offer that are perfect for adding Skrei Cod to your species lists.
Soroya
In conjunction with Big Fish Adventures, we would like to introduce you to the world’s best Skrei Cod Fishing Norway location, Soroya. There are more Cod over 60lb caught here each year than anywhere in the world. In 2013, a German angler smashed the world record for 44 years with a whopping 103lb Skrei Cod caught from a boat on rod and reel from this magical island of Sørøya.
If you would like to find out more about Soroya, you can visit the full tour page here
Mefjord
Our hosted Skrei Cod fishing in Norway trips to Mefjord is a great way to experience this fishing style without the confusion of knowing where and when to fish. Our hosts have been fishing for Skrei Cod in the Norwegian waters for many years now and will put you on fish each day. They will teach you the rigs that work, how to tie them and when to use them.
The hosted Skrei fishing in Mefjord is building an excellent reputation now for providing anglers with some enormous catches of Cod, and along with other like-minded anglers, this is a great holiday to smash your Cod Pb. These trips are ideal for single anglers or small groups as there are no supplements for a group smaller than 4 anglers.
If you would like to find out more about Mefjord, you can visit the full tour page here
NappstraumEn
Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays and in conjunction with Nordic Sea Angling, we would like to introduce Nappstraumen. This destination is set amongst some prime fishing grounds halfway down the Lofoten Islands; with the vast array of fjords on your doorstep and the open ocean only a short drive away, it is a fisherman paradise.
Having direct access to the open ocean and fjords on the fishing trip to Lofoten offers some of the best-sheltered fishing around. Springtime is also a very well-known time of the year for producing some outstanding Halibut fishing around the Lofoten islands.
If you would like to find out more about Nappstraumen, you can visit the full tour page here.
Camp Steinfjord, located on the northeastern side of Senja Island in Norway, is our newest premier sea fishing destination known for its excellent facilities and diverse mixed fishing opportunities.
Refurbished back in 2017, the camp offers fantastic accommodation, premium boats, a seaside restaurant, and amazing fishing grounds just a stone’s throw from the lodge. Anglers can target the usual Norwegian species such as Cod, Halibut, Coalfish, and Plaice throughout the season.
The camp provides both self-drive and guided fishing options, with experienced guides available on site. Additional amenities include a well-stocked tackle shop, a spacious filleting room, and a range of accommodation options.
If you would like to find out more about Steinfjord, you can visit the full tour page here.
Hopefully, this blog has been of some help to you if you are heading out during the next Skrei season or if this is just something that you are contemplating doing in the future, one thing is for sure, if you love to fish the open seas then this is most definitely one type of holiday you have to experience at least once in your lifetime.
Contact us
If you would like to take a closer look at all of our Cod fishing tours, you can visit the full list of tour pages here. You can also find all of our Cod fishing videos in our handy Youtube playlist found here. If you would like to speak to our sea fishing expert, Paul Stevens, in the office regarding any of the tours above, you can contact him on 01603 407596 or by email at paul@sportquestholidays.com
