Fishing on the island of Sørøya
Sørøya is perhaps the most famous fishing destination in all of Norway. The island is known for excellent fishing for huge cod, halibut and perhaps the best fishing in the world. In addition, you can target ocean perch, flounder and much more.
Many world records have been set here over the years.
The Gulf Stream warms the Norwegian coast and meets the cold, nourishing waters of the Arctic seas. This is what makes this coast unique in terms of the amount of fish.. It is often called the richest ocean in the world for good reason.
The Gulf Stream flows along the Norwegian coast to where the land turns east just before Sørøya.
Storskalltaren
In the eye of the Gulf Stream loop, about 30 nautical miles west of Sørøya, lies a reef called Storskalltaren. It is probably the most legendary fishing spot in all of Norway. This reef is surrounded by great depths and the current makes it extremely nutritious.
This area is like a roller coaster of rocks, sand, coral and gravel. You couldn’t dream of a more interesting place to fish. The amount of fish is simply indescribable. From the bottom to the surface are covered by schools of bait fish, basically everywhere there are a lot of predators. Large numbers of large flounder and perhaps the largest concentration of large stationary cod. 20kg+ is very common. The largest that was caught here was 35.1 kg and 161 cm.
People still often catch more fish in 1 day at Storskalltaren than in the rest of the week closer to the coast. It really is absolutely unique and a pristine place like this is unheard of these days.
About 1 hour 20 minutes from the campsite.
Kamøy
In the northwestern part of the island you will find the island of Kamøya. It’s roughly the same distance as Storskalltaren, but it’s a slightly safer route because you’re driving and fishing closer to shore. Kamøya is surrounded by a picturesque area of sandy bottom with large accumulations of haddock and halibut.
Seasonality
March
1/3-10/4
Early in the year in March/April the best cod fishing in the world is just outside the campsite in the fjord. The first weeks of March are difficult. There are often high winds, sub-zero temperatures and extreme amounts of snow. March week is an expedition and not suitable for everyone. But there is a good chance of catching really big cod. Cod also has the best meat in March. Halibut fishing can also be good. Other species are difficult to catch.
April
10-30/4
Cod start spawning in early April and are hungrier after that. The fishing really picks up and you can get a huge amount of big fish. They weigh a little less but fight better. Cod over 25kg are still common and it is still possible to get one over 30kg. The difference is that they would weigh 35-40kg+ a bit earlier in the season.
The weather is significantly better than in March. For most people, fishing in April is a much better option.
May – June
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Most of the skrei are gone but there is still very good cod fishing and even slightly better weather. Flounder fishing is starting to pick up, but is limited to the outer areas at great depths, making fishing dependent on the weather.
There is never as high a chance of getting a fish over 2 meters as in May. But you should be aware that fishing can be really good and really bad. There are not as many fish in the shallower waters as in the summer, and they usually hold at greater depths. The halibut and flounder fishing is incredibly good, perhaps at its best in May.
June – August
14/6-30/8 – Mixed summer fishing of many species.
Summer offers fantastic nature, stable weather and good fishing for basically all species.
Halibut fishing is very steady and can be incredibly good on a regular basis. There is often good fishing right in front of the camp. The higher average weight is further towards greater depths. Cod fishing is good but it is limited to places like Reis, Runningen and especially Storskalltaren where you can get a lot of fish of 10-20kg.
You can find cod near the campsite, but they are mainly small fish up to 10 kg.
The big cod fishing has been getting better and better since June.
Halibut fishing remains steady and conditions are slowly improving over the summer.
Summer is probably the right time to come if it’s your first time. You get a little bit of everything and usually pretty good weather. Then if you want to focus on really big cod, big flounder or a lot of halibut, you can choose spring / autumn.
Autumn
1/9-14/10 – Halibut and flounder fishing.
Autum is the best season for halibut fishing. Higher average weight and more big fish near the campsite than in summer.
You no longer have to travel far to feel like you have a really good chance of catching a big fish over 150cm. At the same time, the northern side of the island is certainly the densest area of Norway in this period. When the fishing is good, you can have 20-30 halibut in the boat in a day. Sometimes even more if you are really skilled. In addition, the average weight is absolutely incredible and almost all of them are over 100cm and about 10-12kg.
Flounder fishing on the north side in September and October can be crazy fun.
Cod fishing is probably the same as in the summer. But the weather and the sea can be a little more difficult, making access a little more difficult.Autumn
1/9-14/10 Fall halibut and flounder fishing.
Fall is the best season for halibut fishing. Higher average weight and more big fish near the campsite than in summer.
You no longer have to travel far to feel like you have a really good chance of catching a big fish over 150cm. At the same time, the northern side of the island is certainly the densest area of Norway in this period. When the fishing is good, you can hathe weather and seas can be a little tricky, making access difficult.
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