In conjunction with our partners, Big Fish Adventure, we’re excited to bring you our Skrei Cod fishing package to the world-famous island of Soroya. Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays, this trip offers travelling anglers the chance to fish the fish-rich waters of Northern Norway for the biggest Cod in the world.
For those who don’t know, the island of Soroya, where our camp is based, is the most famous Skrei Cod fishing location in Europe and produces more Cod over 60lb each year than anywhere in the world. In fact, in 2013, a German angler smashed the 44-year-old world record for an enormous specimen weighing over 103lb. Throughout the years, our previous trips to the island have rewarded hundreds of anglers with new PBs and produced fish to a whopping 93lb, and it surely won’t be long before one of our customers returns home with a new world record. The question is, could it be you?
Our exclusive Skrei Cod fishing trips to Soroya only run for a short window during the early part of the season, so availability is limited. If you’d like to book a trip, contact us today. If you’d like to learn more about the incredible fishing opportunities on this famous island, head to our YouTube channel.
The island of Soroya, situated in northern Norway just a few miles from the mainland, is the fourth-largest island in the country and one of the world’s most famous Cod fishing hotspots. Its extreme northern location is just a stone’s throw from the migratory routes of millions upon millions of Skrei Cod, and the destination attracts anglers from all around the globe.
For those who don’t know, the name ‘Skrei’ literally means ‘to migrate’, precisely what millions of Cod do every season: journey from the Barents Sea back to their spawning grounds. The Skrei fish at our destination grow to some incredible sizes, and fish of over 50lb and 60lb are not unusual. Every season, fish to epic proportions of over 70lb and even 80lb get landed by travelling rods. So if you’ve always dreamt of breaking your Cod PB, Soroya is your destination.
The vast shoals of Skrei fish aren’t fussy and can get caught on a manner of different tactics; however, the best, most effective way is drift fishing with large shads. If it’s the very biggest fish you’re looking for, a shad fished right on top of the shoal will often produce the largest specimens. Even though the Cod aren’t known for their explosive fighting qualities, you’ll certainly know when you’ve hooked one, and the famous ‘Cod Nod’ from a hooked fish is something that all sea anglers can recognise.
The primary season for catching Skrei Cod in Soroya is March and April, when the most extensive run of migratory fish are present and can get targeted just a short steam from the camp. The shoals can be unbelievable at this time of year and will be like nothing you’ve witnessed. It’s not unusual to find shoals of fish stretching from the sea bed to just a metre below the surface, and they’ve even been seen clearing the water like Marlin. It truly is a spectacle that every keen sea angler needs to witness.
Due to the time of year and location of Soroya, a small island in the open ocean, the waters can be very rough at times, so anglers visiting should be aware it can be common to lose a day or two of fishing to bad weather. The on-site guides will be able to advise on the weather conditions and sea state and will ultimately deem if it’s safe to fish and in what areas. It may not be for the giant Skrei Cod, but there’s always something to target.* People’s safety always takes precedence over catching fish.
*Please note that, by Norwegian law, you’re not allowed to intentionally target and catch Halibut until the 1st of April each year.
As this is our Skrei Cod fishing package, we use the camp’s slightly larger boat, the Kaasbøll 660 Fisker.*
The Kaasbøll 660 is a powerful aluminium boat that is fantastic for fishing. It is spacious and very stable in rougher conditions. Thanks to its slight V-hull and relatively flat Kiel, it can be highly effective in bigger waves when driven correctly. They are powered by Yamaha F150 engines and come equipped with various electronics, including Garmin echoMAP 92s and the GT51-M transducer. With this rig, it’s possible to use regular sonar and both Downview and Sideview. The transducers also allow fishing down to 300-400 meters.
In addition, the boats feature Zipwake, a dynamic trim-control system that automatically calculates the boat’s weight shift and compensates for it. In practice, this means that the boat will remain correctly angled while driving, making the V-bottom work optimally. In addition, the system has an excellent and reliable automatic mode, so you don’t have to trim it manually.
*Please note that a range of boats are available, from the standard Kværnø 19 FT models to the camps’ all-singing, all-dancing Apex Guide Boat. If you need help picking the perfect boat for you, you can read our blog: Sea Fishing In Soroya – Picking The Perfect Boat For Your Holiday.
The accommodation for this trip is the camp’s deluxe apartments, undoubtedly some of the finest you will find in Norway. Each house features two floors with 86 square meters and six beds distributed over three bedrooms. On the first floor, you have two bedrooms, a bathroom with a sauna and a washing and drying room. The first floor also has a terrace to sit and enjoy the stunning views.
Upstairs, there’s an open kitchen and living room with full glass frontage, offering a jaw-dropping view across the fjord. There’s also a large balcony, the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee. The kitchen has a cooker, dishwasher, fridge with a small freezer, coffee machine, microwave, etc. There is also a bathroom and a bedroom on the second floor.
One fantastic feature of these accommodations is that they are just metres from the boats.
The cabins are solely self-catering, meaning that you will be cooking your food whilst enjoying your stay. If you need any extra food or supplies, there is a local supermarket. If you didn’t want to cook every night and fancied eating out, the camp also has a hotel with a restaurant a short walk away and it’s also possible to arrange a full board package.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Oslo Depart Oslo
Arrive Tromso Depart Tromso
Arrive Hasvik
Once you have picked up your luggage and cleared customs, you will make your way outside of the terminal where there will be a representative from Big Fish Adventures waiting to transfer you and the group to your accommodation. You are then free to unpack and get your fishing tackle ready for your very first days fishing. If you’ve hired any equipment, this can be arranged when you have arrived. (Time dependant.)
Overnight accommodation: Luxury Sørøya Cabins (Twin rooms) S/C
Over the next 6 days of fishing, you will be targeting the giant Skrei Cod that the island of Soroya is famous for. As this holiday is during the early part of the season, Skrei Cod are the main target. It can be difficult to target other species, however, if the wind prevents you from reaching the main Cod grounds then it is possible to fish closer in and try for other species.
Overnight accommodation: Luxury Sørøya Cabins (Twin rooms) S/C
Each day you will head out to the Cod grounds where you will be fishing and targeting potential world record-sized Cod. It is important to release the big fish and the simple way of doing this is to stop reeling in once you see your cod in the water, let it release all its bubbles then once it starts to fight back then you can simply reel it up the last remaining few meters and lift it out. Be as quick as possible with regards to weighing and taking pictures then once you have finished making sure that you put the fish back in the water headfirst, forcing air through its gills.
Overnight accommodation: Luxury Sørøya Cabins (Twin rooms) S/C
In the morning you will check out of your cabin and then be transferred back to Hasvik airport for your return flight.
Depart Hasvik
Arrive Tromso Depart Tromso
Arrive Oslo Depart Oslo
Arrive Home
The season runs from March to April.
Season: March to April
Peak: March
Weight: 15lb to 103lb
Average Weight: 40lb
If you’re group size is smaller than the standard four, please contact a member of our team.
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/03/2025 | 21/03/2025 | 8 | £2,400 | Enquire Now | ||
| Fully guided by Big Fish Adventures guides | Fully guided by Big Fish Adventures guides | |||||
| 21/03/2025 | 28/03/2025 | 8 | £2,400 | Enquire Now | ||
| Fully guided by Big Fish Adventures guides | Fully guided by Big Fish Adventures guides | |||||
Prices are based on four adults sharing transfers, fishing and the BFA Resort for accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
Note: If you are born after 1980, a motorboat certificate is required by Norwegian Law to operate the boat. Please contact a member of the Sportquest holidays team for further information
The hotel was a great option. Food, drink hospitality first class. Armed the proprietor would love to see somebody from Sportquest. He is very proud of his operation and would love more english.
New housing, dock and boats represent large investment. We all took far too much equipment, its all there at UK prices. The fishing was made difficult by the weather.
Hello Stephen, so glad you liked the set up. The guys over there have made huge investments and by the sounds of it, it shows. I would love to go over there right now but a little too busy, it will have to wait until March 2020 when I am running a hosted trip after the Cod.
All the best
Paul
It was the best sea fishing I've ever experienced and the Cod were the biggest I've ever seen. The weather kept us in for a couple of days, but the days we could get out more than made up for it. I landed numerous Cod over 30, 40 and 50lb! By the end of the week, we were unhooking 20lb fish by the side of the boat... absolute madness and crazy fishing!
I'd heard lots about Soroya and lots about the Skrei Cod fishing, but I still wasn't sure what to expect and I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I experienced. The Cod fishing was simply insane, some of the shoals on the fishfinder spanned from the bottom to a few feet below the surface and on our boat, we landed Cod to over 60lb!
We were exceptionally proud to be involved with the Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing Christmas Special to Norway in 2022. Being the first time the programme had ventured outside the UK, it took a tremendous amount of work to produce the itinerary and cater for the thirteen-strong production team, but it was a fantastic couple of weeks away. If you enjoyed the programme, here is more information on Paul and Bob's trip and the itinerary it followed.
If you are looking for a family fishing holiday then Mefjord is the destination for you. Not only is this an anglers paradise with super-sized specimen Cod, Halibut and Coalfish coming out of the waters at various times of the year but there are also a huge variety of activities on offer to keep the whole family entertained.
Ever fancied going to Norway to do battle with some of the hard fighting fish that this part of the world is known for and struggled to get your friends to join, well now is your chance to come on your own and fish with like minded anglers. The waters around Lofoten Islands are a magnet to the mighty Halibut plus all the usual species.
We are extremely pleased to be able to offer you yet another fantastic opportunity to fish this part of the world as a single angler or small group and would like to welcome you to Vesterålen. Located in the north of Norway surrounded by some of the most stunning landscape Norway has to offer. This destination is an excellent area for a mixed species trip.
A great fully guided trip to Havoysund Norway. Truly an outstanding place in Norway with it being the most northerly part of Norway you can get to, you will agree with us that the fishing is World class. It is mainly known for the outstanding Halibut fishing on offer and is ideal for single anglers wanting to experience Norway.
