The island of Soroya is the fourth largest in Norway and is famed for its beauty, stunning landscapes and incredible fishing opportunities. A name well known in the sea fishing community, it’s home to some of the best fishing found anywhere in the country; labelled ‘Land Of The Big Fish’, it truly is a destination where dreams can come true. It offers travelling anglers the chance to experience the sea fishing holiday of a lifetime.
Primarily renowned for its incredible spring Skrei Cod fishery, which develops annually each spring, and the proud home to the largest ever rod and reel caught fish of 104lb, it deserves every accolade. But the island offers so much more. Through the years, it has developed into a true ‘all-year-round’ destination, allowing anglers to enjoy some incredible mixed fishing. As well as the Skrei Cod, there’s the opportunity to fish for giant Halibut, which grow to sizes of well over 2m in length, colossal Coalfish, dustbin lid-sized Plaice and deep water Wolffish and Redfish. The island’s cold arctic waters are rich with food, and fish populations are abundant, attracting anglers from around the globe wishing to sample the fantastic fishing on offer.
If you’d like to learn more about the incredible fishing opportunities on the famous island of Soroya, head to our YouTube channel.
The best time of year to visit and fish in Soroya will depend on what you wish to catch. In the early part of the year, around the spring months of March and April, the Skrei Cod reign supreme and the camp is almost exclusively packed with anglers targeting these incredible specimens. Fish of monstrous proportions – 60lb, 70lb, and even 80lb are not unusual. If you’d like to learn more about Skrei Cod fishing in Soroya, we have a dedicated tour available here: Skrei Cod Soroya Norway.
As the Skrei Cod carry on their migratory route and as spring morphs into summer, a change in the weather brings a change in the fishing. Even though good numbers of resident Cod are still around the island, many visiting anglers turn their attention to other species, mainly Halibut.* Soroya is well known as a fantastic destination for these giant flatfish and every year produces some extraordinary results, with some huge specimens of over two metres in length.
In addition to Halibut, the inshore waters around the island come alive with hard-fighting Coalfish and dustbin lid-sized Plaice. Further offshore, the deeper marks produce some specimen Wolffish and excellent numbers of Redfish.
*Please note that, by Norwegian law, you’re not allowed to intentionally target and catch Halibut until the 1st of April each year.
Soroya is famous for three main species: Cod, Halibut and Coalfish. However, many other species are also on offer, including Haddock, Wolffish, Dabs and Plaice.
Resident Cod can be caught all year round, with fish between 10lb and 40lb common, with even bigger specimens landed every season, especially during the Skrei Cod run. When targeting these, we recommend looking for fish-holding features such as underwater pinnacles with deep areas on either side. All fishing gets done on the drift, and the primary tactic is to use a large rubber shad, something like a Savage Gear Cut Bait Herring, lowered to the bottom and then fished a few turns off it.
Halibut fishing has been excellent, and more fish are landed every season. Once again, shads and spin fishing are fantastic tactics for these famous giant flatfish, but so is dead baiting. A popular method is a medium-sized Coalfish or Mackerel dead bait fished on an anti-twist lead.
From April onwards, good numbers of Coalfish begin to appear, with specimens of over 20lb not unusual. These are generally willing to smash anything presented to them. In the right conditions, they can also get caught in the upper layers and even on surface poppers, providing some fantastic action.
Close to the camp, many of the intimate bays offer anglers the chance to target Plaice and Dabs. These are best targeted using flowing traces or flapper rigs with smaller hooks, baited with frozen prawns.
For this Soroya package, we use the camp’s popular 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.
Nilsenhuset is a popular choice for visiting anglers. It provides spacious, comfortable accommodation, modern amenities, and single bedrooms for four anglers. It is conveniently located next door to the hotel, about 250 meters from the facilities in Hasvik Port and 50 metres from the local shop.
The house, newly renovated in 2022, offers four bedrooms with six single beds, allowing a group of four anglers to all have their own room. There is a shower and toilet.
As this package is self-catering, the kitchen is well equipped to ensure you can comfortably prepare meals and cook your food throughout the duration of your week. It features a stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, kettle, coffee machine and a freezer for food storage.
There is a TV with a channel package and wireless internet.
If you’re planning a trip to Soroya, you can upgrade the accommodation in this package to the BFA resort, the company’s flagship lodgings. It’s also possible to add a fully catered option, or you can choose to eat at the restaurant each night you are there. For all the different variations we offer, speak to a member of the Sportquest team when booking.
The below itinerary is flexible should you wish to lengthen or shorten your trip with additional or fewer fishing days; we can tailor the below 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 to your accommodation. You are then free to unpack and get your fishing tackle ready for your very first days fishing.
Overnight accommodation: Nilsenhuset (Single rooms) S/C
Over the next 6 days, and as you have your own boat, there is no time limit to how much or how little you wish to fish and even at certain times of the year, it remains daylight for 24hrs. There are so many different areas around Sørøya from close in excellent Halibut marks to areas unexplored in the open ocean.
Overnight accommodation: Nilsenhuset (Single rooms) S/C
Our guides at this camp will be on hand each day to help you get the most out of your stay with them. If you let us know well in advance, it is even possible to book either a single day’s guided fishing or even a full week of guided fishing. (Extra charge) Taking advantage of this service may be a great help, especially if it’s your very first time in Norway. The guides have years of experience and will do what they can to put you on fish.
Overnight accommodation: Nilsenhuset (Single 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
ArriveHome
The season runs from March to October.
Season: March to September
Peak: March & April
Weight: 5lb to 65lb
Average Weight: 20lb
Season: March & April
Peak: March & April
Weight: 15lb to 104lb
Average Weight: 35lb
Season: May to September
Peak: July to September
Weight: 20lb to 450lb
Average Weight: 80lb
Season: May to September
Peak: September
Weight: 1lb to 10lb
Average Weight: 4lb
Season: May to September
Peak: July
Weight: 2lb to 45lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Season: April to September
Peak: September
Weight: 1lb to 18lb
Average Weight: 5lb
Season: May to September
Peak: July & August
Weight: 1lb to 12lb
Average Weight: 4lb
If your group size is smaller than 4 people then please contact a member of the Sportquest team who will give you an up to date price.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/05/2024 | 31/05/2024 | 8 | £1,822 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/06/2024 | 30/06/2024 | 8 | £1,822 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/07/2024 | 31/07/2024 | 8 | £1,822 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 | 8 | £1,822 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/09/2024 | 30/09/2024 | 8 | £1,822 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | 8 | £1,822 | Enquire Now | ||
| Prime Autumn Halibut Season | Prime Autumn Halibut Season | |||||
| 01/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 8 | £2,303 | Enquire Now | ||
| Based On BFA Resort Cabin and 23ft Kaasboll 660 boat | Based On BFA Resort Cabin and 23ft Kaasboll 660 boat | |||||
| 01/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | 8 | £2,303 | Enquire Now | ||
| Based On BFA Resort Cabin and 23ft Kaasboll 660 boat | Based On BFA Resort Cabin and 23ft Kaasboll 660 boat | |||||
| 01/05/2025 | 31/05/2025 | 8 | £1,862 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/06/2025 | 30/06/2025 | 8 | £1,862 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | 8 | £1,862 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/08/2025 | 31/08/2025 | 8 | £1,862 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/09/2025 | 30/09/2025 | 8 | £1,862 | Enquire Now | ||
| 01/10/2025 | 31/10/2025 | 8 | £1,862 | Enquire Now | ||
| Prime Autumn Halibut Season | Prime Autumn Halibut Season | |||||
Prices are based on four adults sharing transfers, fishing and the Nilsenhuset 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 holiday was amazing. Fishing was excellent and the team was the most welcoming and friendly to us. Our guide made sure we are really taking care of, and we ended up going home with 20kg of cod.
This was one of the best fishing experiences we have ever have - thank you Sportquest Holidays for making a dream come true!
Hello Lora, thank you so much for taking the time to send us your feedback from your recent fishing experience to Soroya with Big Fish Adventures. So glad that everyhting lived up to your expectations and you managed to catch plenty of fish. The guides at this location are some of the best and from your intial enquiry right up to the end, I knew you would be taken care of.
All the best and speak soon
Super experience for my son and myself.
Had a great time and this will be an annual event for us.
Hi Rene
Many thanks for your excellent feed back Rene.
Tight Lines
Matt
Fishing out this world people running big fish adventures spot on on very helpful and there if needed
Hello Iain thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback. Soroya is a true big fish destination offering some of the best cod fishing in Norway. They kept us informed on how you were getting on and by the sounds of it, it went very well
Tight lines
Paul
A fantastic week from start to finish, with the best sea fishing I've ever experienced!
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
As with all holidays in Northern Norway,Skrei fishing is weather dependant.
On our trip to Soroya we managed almost 3 of the planned 6. The fishing was good when the sea swell was light. We had one fish of 30 kilos on the boat which was a fish of a lifetime, many others over 12 / 15 kilos. We manages some good sized plaice at the harbour entrance on days when we couldn’t reach the Skrei grounds.
This trip we opted for an accommodation and boat upgrade,these properties on the actual harbour are fairly new and well worth considering as they are 100 mtrs from the boats. The Kassaboll boats are very good boats and compare favourably with the Nordic Aaronet boats.
Taking fish back to the U.K. for those who chose to do this can be problematic,due to the 20 minute transfer with Wideross to SAS. Luggage
delays can happen, usually delivered to your homes up to 4 days after returning home. Cool boxes do not travel well in my experience.
Another great trip tho!
Thankyou
Joe Lindsay
Hello Joe, wow thanks for such a detailed feedback. These forms are extremely important to us as it helps us to make improvements where needed, it helps the owners of the destinations travelled to and also helps future travellers make important decisions.
And we are always completely honest with fishing in Norway at this time of year as, yes the weather can cause problems with getting out but when you do get out you will experience the best Cod fishing of your lives!
All the best, Paul
This location at Hasvik is very exposed and we were unlucky with fresh winds every day making halibut fishing difficult.
One of the guides informed me that the halibut fishing near to the camp was not so good and recommended some marks which we didn’t get to try.
We caught caught Coleys and cod in abundance near the camp and a few halibut, mostly on the small side.
The weather dictates everything so we were unlucky on this occasion.
We met a Dutch guy who had been on Soroya at another camp fjord fishing and their small group had 47 halibut over the week up to 100 kilos but it was long way from our BFA camp at Hasvik.
Their Kassabol aluminium boats with the 150hp engines are very good and are compatible with Nordics Aaronet boats
So,until the next trip!
Joe. Lindsay
Hi Joe, shame about the weather as when its good at Soroya the fishing is outstanding. Thank you for your feedback and look forward to helping you in the very near future
Tight lines, Paul
We arrived at hasvik airport with no problems.however when we got outside no one to meet us ! So we waited 20 minutes then a nice chap from the airport phoned ahmed for us but it was if he didn't know we were coming ? . And the next morning he took us to the hotel still no sign of a guide. So we rushed through the paper work and that was it. I don't blame Ahmed because he's the cook ! But a little bit of help from a guide would have been appreciated. Totally different from last year unfortunately.
Hi Stuart, Thank you for your feedback. These are incredibly important for things like this. I will look in to this straight away and so sorry that it didnt live up to your previous experience
Hopefully the rest of the holiday went well?
All the best Paul
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.
