Fish

European hake

Merluza europea

Merluccius merluccius

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–5 lb.

Depth

150–1,500 ft.

Best time

Dawn and dusk; night drifts.

Found in

10 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A long, slender, silver-gray fish with a big mouth full of sharp teeth, a black inside of the mouth, two dorsal fins (the second long and notched) and a long anal fin. No chin barbel.
Typical size: 1–5 lb.
Maximum size: About 4 ft and over 25 lb.
Diet: Blue whiting, anchovies, sardines, horse mackerel and squid.
Behavior: Lives near the bottom by day and rises in the water at night to feed.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), France, United Kingdom & Ireland, Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), Northern & Central Europe, Morocco & West Africa and Black Sea & Caspian. Continental shelf and slope from Norway to Mauritania and through the Mediterranean; Spain and Portugal are its biggest market.
Habitat: Continental shelf and slope from Norway to Mauritania and through the Mediterranean; Spain and Portugal are its biggest market.
Depth: 150–1,500 ft.
Fishing depth: On or near the bottom by day; higher at night.
Best season: All year; winter and spring on the Spanish and Irish shelf.
Best time: Dawn and dusk; night drifts.
Best tides: Light current.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas offshore.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Continental shelf and slope from Norway to Mauritania and through the Mediterranean; Spain and Portugal are its biggest market.
Rig up: Medium-heavy boat rod or an electric reel for deep drops. 40–60 lb mono (sharp teeth).
Pick your bait: Sardine, anchovy and squid on multi-hook rigs. Lures: Heavy jigs and baited feathers.
Fish it: Drop a multi-hook rig with sardine or squid over deep muddy banks and work it near the bottom.
Time it: Dawn and dusk; night drifts. Light current.

Fishing techniques: Drop a multi-hook rig with sardine or squid over deep muddy banks and work it near the bottom.
BigJoe's tip: Hake have soft mouths; wind steadily and don't pump the rod.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Delicate, flaky white meat: Spain's favorite fish, great 'a la gallega', in green sauce or battered and fried.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp teeth.
Regulations: Minimum size 27 cm in EU Atlantic waters (20 cm in the Mediterranean); check local rules. Every country sets its own rules: sea fishing licenses or registration in some countries, a national or regional license plus a local permit for fresh water, and minimum sizes everywhere. Check before you fish.
Conservation: Fish from deep water don't survive release; stop when you have enough.

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Sources & photo credits