The Yellow Reef off the west coast of northern Jutland is the richest and most varied deep sea fishing area in Denmark and possibly in the whole of northern Europe. Cod weighing more than 20 lb are caught regularly. In the North Sea, which boasts a rich variety of fish, anglers encounter catfish, any number of fair-sized cod, large lings, pollacks of record size, impressive plaice, spiked dogfish, turbot and mackerel. From time to time, other equally interesting fish can be found, such as devil fish, halibut, porbeagle shark and tusk. The Yellow Reef is of interest all year round.

In the Langeland Belt, the Baltic sea, the Great Belt and the Little Belt as well as in the Kattegat off Djursland and from Samsø near Sealand’s Spit, and also in Sejerø Bay, charter boats depart regularly for deep sea fishing. Denmark’s domestic waters are not famous for their large fish, but are still very attractive to anglers because of their cod with weights ranging from 2 – 10 lb and even from 12 – 20 lb. During the fishing season, these areas generally offer a large number of flatfish, garfish and herring.

The Sound between Denmark and Sweden

The Sound, the strait between Sealand and Sweden, has made Denmark famous for its giant cod. The Sound’s winter fishing for large cod weighing 20, 30 or even 60 lb is particularly well known to anglers world-wide. January to March is peak season. In spring, cod weighing from 8 – 20 lb are caught in the Sound. During the past few years, late summer has even been a very productive time for fishing in this particular area. The Sound, as well as the Kattegat, are fishing grounds known for the abundance of large mackerel during the months of August to October. From September to December, the Sound is visited by billions of herring and it is not unusual for anglers to bring 50 – 100 of these tasty fish home each. The current record holder is an angler who caught way over 500 herring in one single day!

Fishing is a worthwhile pastime all year round. In March and April, there are very high numbers of cod—not the really large fish but tasty specimens weighing from about 4 -14 lb. Flatfish, too, bite well during spring. At the end of April, large numbers of garfish arrive at Denmark's coasts.

Seasonal angling

Summer offers good fishing for nice portion-sized cod and flatfish. Fishing is particularly promising in the morning and evening. Autumn, too, is a good time for cod fishing and sometimes herring can be caught in amazing numbers, especially in the Little Belt. During winter, sea anglers catch cod and herring. Cod weighing 12 – 30 lb are considered normal in the spawning grounds of the really large fish at this time of year.

Deep sea fishing from the deck of a boat basically requires two kinds of tackle. First, an 8 – 9 foot casting rod, suitable for a casting weight of 40 – 80 grammes and with a fixed-spool reel with at least 200 m of 0.40 mm line. The line must be strong and suitable for fishing at a depth of up to 25 m.

Robust tackle

The second kind of tackle is the type required for fishing under the conditions and at the depths of the Yellow Reef, and in the Sound, which must be much more robust. Here, a deep sea fishing rod weighing 20 – 30 lb, a multiplier reel with a 0.60 mm line at least 200 m long, as well as pirks weighing 150 – 500 grammes in various shapes and colours are recommended. Feather flies and soft plastic imitations are often most suited to fishing pollack and cod, so do not forget to fill your tackle box with plenty of this bait of vivid red, yellow, orange, green and also fluorescent colours.

Nature bait

For bottom-dwelling fish such as catfish, flatfish and ling, natural bait is the best. Especially during spring, summer and autumn, ground fishing with natural bait is very promising. Mudworms and whole, cooked crabs make excellent bait, as do freshly cut strips of herring and filleted mackerel. The fleshy part of mussels, cuttlefish and strips of garfish also make tasty titbits for the fish. It is often possible to buy various kinds of bait on-site.

On board the Danish tour boats you can usually buy hot-dogs, cheese sandwiches, soft drinks, coffee and beer and basic essentials. Certain cutters hire out fishing tackle, and also sell jigs, herring snoods, flatfish snoods and the like. A day-trip lasting 4-15 hours typically costs between DKK 100-700. The local Tourist Information Offices can provide information about departures, duration and prices – and can also help to book your trip. Many Tourist Information Offices also sell the mandatory fishing licence, which is a statutory requirement for fishing in Danish waters. Read more about fishing licences. LINK TIL GUIDEDK

N.B.: Sea bound fishing trips are always subject to advance booking

Author: Peter Steensen