How to catch Silver hake
Merluccius bilinearis (Mitchill, 1814)
About Silver hake fishing
The silver hake is an elongated marine predator belonging to the merluccid family, recognised by its silvery body, brownish dorsal tint, and prominent lower jaw. Typically reaching around thirty-seven centimetres in length with a maximum potential of seventy-six centimetres, it inhabits deep saltwater environments across the northwest Atlantic. As a voracious hunter, it undertakes seasonal migrations between coastal shallows and deep offshore grounds, feeding heavily on small fishes and crustaceans. Its abundance and high predatory drive make it a notable marine species within its range.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
37 cm TL
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Market value
Low
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Habitat
Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Also known as
Atlantic hake, Hake, New England hake, Whiting
Caudal shape
More or less truncate tail fin identifies this hake species.
Mouth position
Sub-terminal and large mouth with prominent teeth defines the predator.
Striking body shape
Elongated body with two distinct dorsal fins characterizes the hake.
Silver hake fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
37 cm TL (max 76 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
0.4 kg (max 2.3 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
0.9–7.8 °C -
Depth
55–914 m -
Longevity
12 years -
Body shape
Elongated -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
53.7
Best hours
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Peak
Dawn
First light
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Active
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Low
Afternoon
Late day
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Peak
Dusk
Last light
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Active
Night
After dark
When to fish for Silver hake
How to catch Silver hake
Tips for catching Silver hake
Targeting silver hake successfully relies on presenting baits near sandy bottoms and structural ledges where these demersal predators hunt during their seasonal onshore movements. Bottom rigs baited with strips of fresh fish or squid work effectively when drifted across deeper troughs and shelf edges. Working vertical metal jigs close to the seabed also triggers aggressive strikes from schooling fish during periods of active feeding. Early morning hours and approaching tide changes offer the most productive windows for consistent sport.
Other names for Silver hake
Local and alternate names anglers use for Silver hake.
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Silver hake
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Whiting
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New England hake
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Hake
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Atlantic hake
How Silver hake migrates — Oceanodromous
Migrates within the sea between spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, and never enters fresh water. Follow its seasonal shifts along the coast and offshore.
1 Eggs
Spawning grounds
Laid on the spawning grounds.
2 Larvae
→ Nursery grounds
Drift with the currents to the nursery grounds.
3 Juveniles
Nursery grounds
Grow up in sheltered nursery waters.
4 Adults
Feeding grounds
Range widely over the feeding grounds.
5 Spawners
→ Spawning grounds
Return to the spawning grounds each season.
It stays in the sea and never runs up into fresh water.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Silver hake
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Diet
Top predator -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Dawn · Dusk -
Main prey
Baitfish
Prey and predators of Silver hake
Prey is what Silver hake eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Baitfish
Predators
What hunts it
Where Silver hake lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
55–914 m
Where this species lives
Silver hake photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.