Silver Hake

Silver hakes, also known as “Atlantic whiting,” live in the waters of the northwest Atlantic. Anglers most often catch these fish by bait casting, bottom bouncing, drift fishing, night fishing, and spin casting. Silver hakes will hit on both baits and lures.

Silver Hake

Region: Northeast
Habitat: Ocean, Coastal Waters

How to identify Silver Hake

Silver hakes are often referred to as “Atlantic whiting.” They are medium-sized fish, growing up to 28 inches long and weighing up to five pounds. The silver hake has brown coloring on its back with a white abdomen. They have black markings along their backs as well as in their mouths. Their heads are relatively large for a medium-sized fish, and their mouths are full of sharp teeth. They are agile swimmers thanks to their long pectoral fins. Silver hakes have long, slender bodies and a protruding lower jaw. They have two sets of dorsal fins on their backs.

Where to catch Silver Hake

Silver hakes are found in the warm waters of the northwest Atlantic as deep as 2,999 feet. They are also present on the east coast of the U.S. and Canada, and the Bahamas. They are found in higher populations between South Carolina and Newfoundland.

Range: Northeast
Silver Hake Fishing Map

The following are habitats where you can catch Silver Hake:

How to catch Silver Hake

Silver hakes feed along the upper water column from sundown to midnight. During the day, they stay close to the sandy, rocky bottoms to sleep. Almost any type of bait will work with these fish; however, sea worms are best. Anglers commonly use a dropper rig to catch silver hakes. They will often outfit their lures with small diamond jigs or ½ to 2-ounce spoons. This gear can also be used while spinning. The best methods to use for catching silver hakes are bait casting, bottom bouncing, drift fishing, night fishing, and spin casting.

The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Silver Hake:

Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Silver Hake

Silver hake will hit on both bait and lures. For bait, try using chunks of herring, clam, or shrimp. For lures, try jigs and spoons.

The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Silver Hake: