Cod can be landed all year round, but the peak season for shoreline fishing is spring and autumn. Large coastal cod weighing in at 3-5kg are most easily spotted in early spring or late autumn. The garfish invades the Danish waters in April-May. The mackerel is a typical summer guest. In July and August the first tunny hit Danish waters, especially along the North Sea breakwaters, piers and quays. The herring is also a welcome seasonal visitor come spring and autumn.
Flatfish
Don’t miss out on a go at the flatfish – and bag a decent helping for the dinner table. Lurking in the brackish fjords along the edge of the fairways, greedy flounders are just waiting to sink their jaws into a lugworm, leech or other juicy bait. Plying the purely sandy bottoms and deeps are the large plaice that fill out the frying pan nicely. Closer to the shoreline, catches are dominated by the semi-translucent dabs.
Eels as thick as your finger
Along the Danish piers and breakwaters finger-thick eels wriggle their way along the timbers and rocks. Try sinking a line between the rocks along the pier – then you’ll be in the running for these delicious fish, especially those of you who don’t mind a little late night fishing!
Cod is good quarry for the angler working with a hand line and heavy-duty surfcasting tackle directly from the open coast. Cod is also good quarry for spinners using wobblers or jigs that mimic the cod’s favourite food and small fry and crabs in the seaweed thickets.
Garfish
From piers and shores with relatively deep water close to land, the best way to catch garfish is by angling using a float and a hook baited with the tasty lure of herring snippets. The same method is very popular for mackerel off the North Sea piers, breakwaters and quays. Garfish can also be lured with lightweight spinning tackle, slim jigs and rapid spinning immediately below the surface.
Herring
Herring is best lured by very small hooks sheathed in glittering plastic film – ask for the so-called “herring snoods” available from all fishing tackle shops. Flatfish are caught by means of hand lines with hooks baited with lugworms, herring snippets or leeches, and the same method is also effective for catching eels.
Further information about the best surfcasting spots is available from the nearest Tourist Information Office. They will also be able to direct you to fishing tackle suppliers in the area who can provide local tips on tactics and fishing methods to ensure the best results for the different types of weather and seasonal conditions. Please do not forget to obtain the mandatory fishing licence for shoreline angling. Read more about fishing licences.
Fishing tackle
A good all-round rod suitable for most types of shoreline angling should be 8-10 feet, 240-300cm in length. In addition, you will need a fixed spool reel in a matching size. This will need to be filled right up to the edge of the reel with a nylon line gauge 0.25-0.35mm. For cod you need a slightly heavier line, while flatfish and eels do not require such a thick line. For deep-water angling you need the special surfcasting tackle that enables you to cast the line out into deep water.