Greater Forkbeard
The greater forkbeard is a deep-water gadoid — a relative of cod and hake — that turns up as a genuine rarity for UK boat anglers working offshore marks in several hundred metres of water.
It holds British shore and boat records, which tells you something about how seldom it's deliberately targeted. Most catches are accidental, coming up on baits meant for other deep-water species.
Scientific Name: Phycis blennoides
Also known as Hake's Dame, Forked Hake
- Elongated, fusiform body covered in large silvery scales; brown to red-grey across the back and flanks, paling to a lighter belly — a reddish tinge around the head is common.
- First dorsal fin has a dramatically extended first ray that trails into a long, whip-like point — the most distinctive feature for quick ID.
- Pelvic fins are extraordinarily elongated, reaching well past the start of the anal fin; second dorsal and anal fins run roughly half the body length, often with dark or black edges.
- A single barbule sits on the chin, like a small cod. Grows to around 110 cm and up to 3.5 kg, though most rod-caught fish are considerably smaller.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to UK waters; found across the North East Atlantic from Norway and Iceland south through the North Sea and Atlantic approaches to the British Isles.
- A deep-water species — typically encountered between 100 and 450 metres, with larger adults moving into even deeper water beyond that range.
- Smaller fish can venture into shallower coastal water, but the fish most likely to interest UK boat anglers live well offshore over mixed ground: rock, coral, sand, and mud all hold them.
- The western approaches, deeper Atlantic-facing marks off southwest England, and offshore grounds around Scotland sit within its core UK range.
Key Locations
- Deep offshore marks in the western approaches off southwest England sit within the species' core range and are the most accessible deep-water grounds for UK charter boats.
- Offshore grounds west of Scotland and in the deeper parts of the North Sea fall within its documented UK distribution.
Specific Spots
- Deep offshore marks in several hundred metres — greater forkbeard are bottom-oriented, so the bait needs to be on or very close to the seabed.
- Mixed rough ground and reef edges at depth concentrate fish; they use structure the same way other gadoids do, holding tight to hard features.
- Smaller fish occasionally appear over sandy or muddy ground in shallower water, where they forage for worms, prawns, and small crustaceans dislodged from the substrate.
Greater Forkbeard FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Greater Forkbeard?
Fresh fish baits, mackerel strip, whole small fish, or sandeel, are the most reliable choice for larger forkbeard targeting small fish and squid at depth. Worm baits (ragworm, lugworm) and peeler crab work for smaller fish in shallower water, covering the crustacean and worm-feeding behaviour of juveniles.
How do you catch Greater Forkbeard?
Greater forkbeard are almost never deliberately targeted in the UK, the vast majority of catches come to boat anglers fishing deep offshore marks for other species such as ling, conger, or deep-water cod.
What do Greater Forkbeard eat?
Smaller fish feed on marine worms, prawns, shrimps, and dislodged shellfish, bottom-presented baits like ragworm, lugworm, and peeler crab cover this feeding behaviour well.
Where do Greater Forkbeard live?
Native to UK waters; found across the North East Atlantic from Norway and Iceland south through the North Sea and Atlantic approaches to the British Isles. A deep-water species, typically encountered between 100 and 450 metres, with larger adults moving into even deeper water beyond that range.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Greater Forkbeard.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Greater Forkbeard water
Pick Greater Forkbeard and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Greater Forkbeard
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Greater Forkbeard are.
Open the map, filter by Greater Forkbeard, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.