capelin
Have you ever been knee-deep in the chilly Atlantic Ocean, laughing with your family as fish swim around your feet? If not, you’re missing out on one of the best summertime adventures on the East Coast — catching capelin and cod!
Whether you’re a kid, a mom, a dad, or even nan and pop, this is the kind of fun that gets everyone excited. No screens, no rules — just salty air, rubber boots, and the thrill of the catch!
🐟 What Are Capelin Anyway?
Capelin are tiny, shiny fish that roll onto the beach in giant waves every summer in Newfoundland and other parts of Atlantic Canada. One minute the beach is quiet… and the next, the capelin are rolling in like silver glitter!
Kids LOVE it because you can catch them with your bare hands or even a bucket. Just imagine squealing with joy as the cool water splashes and you scoop up handfuls of slippery little fish!
Bonus Fun: When the capelin roll, whales and seabirds often show up too. It’s like a full-on ocean party!
🎣 Then Comes Cod Fishing!
Capelin might be small, but cod are the real big catch of the day. If you’re lucky enough to hop on a boat during the recreational cod season, you’ll get the chance to reel in a fish that’s bigger than your school backpack!
Cod fishing is full of excitement: the tug on the line, the cheers from the boat, and that moment when the fish breaks the surface and everyone goes, “Whoa!”
Even if you’re not the one holding the rod, it’s still a blast being part of the team — handing out snacks, watching the ocean, or just cheering when someone gets a bite.
🌊 Why Kids and Adults Love It
- It’s a full-body adventure! You’re in the water, you’re laughing, you’re running, you’re slipping (and maybe even falling!) — but always with a big grin.
- It’s unplugged fun. No phones, no games — just real-life splashes and giggles.
- It’s tradition. Many families have been doing this for generations. Parents pass down the tricks, and kids pass them right back with their own spin.
- You get to eat your catch! Capelin can be fried up nice and crispy, and cod? Cod is what fish and chips dreams are made of.
🧺 What You’ll Need:
- Rubber boots or water shoes
- A bucket or net
- A towel (because you will get wet!)
- A warm hoodie (Atlantic breezes are no joke!)
- Snacks for breaks — because catching fish makes you hungry!
- Fly Spray
💬 The Best Part?
No one cares if you catch a lot or a little. The best part is being together, sharing laughs, and making memories you’ll never forget. Catching capelin and cod is more than fishing — it’s a feeling. It’s family. It’s a splash-filled summer tradition that never gets old.
So next time the fish are in, grab your boots and your crew and head for the water. You’ll be knee-deep in fun in no time! 🐟
-photos by Kerilynn Mercer.
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