Cod Fishing Newbie

[mininewts]

Afternoon All,

I've never targeted Cod before, was wondering if anyone could give some beginner suggestions on tackle etc and locations..

I live in portsmouth and fish from the beaches in and around and just fancy targetting Cod to add it to my species list!

Also, other winter species to target?? Normally been a fair weather worm drowner, but fancy keeping the sport going through the winter months.....


Thanks

Mark

[Bluesbro]

Hi mate, im not from your area so I can`t suggest any places to fish. There are plebty from that neck of the woods so someone will be along soon lol. I can however suggest using lug and squid combos on large pennel rigs between the months of October to February, this is the main stay of the cod season with the largets cod usually coming between November and December. Don't be shy with the bait as cod are greedy fish and have massive gobs so really go for it

CLASSIC COD BAIT ON A 4/0 PENNEL


Also just as important as bait is the weather!!! You ideally would want to fish your fat baits during or just after a real S/Westerly blow, if the water is a nice "Mud" colour then you are almost garunteed Cod close to the shore, this is especially important for daytime fishing as the fish are predators and will only fish under "cover" so the muddy water encourages them to feed closer to the shoreline than normal. Alternativly you can fish night tides.

MUDDY SEA


Hope this helps mate

Joe

[mininewts]

Thanks Joe, any help anyone can give is much appreciated! Never used Lug myself before, photo is certainly helpful! so many thanks for that! Is that whole squid or just a strip??

[Bluesbro]

That is just a strip by the looks of things but you can use a whole squid if you like. You can even combo it with makeral

COD COMBO


Best thing to do is to secure the bait to the hook with elastic cotton, it you leave bits hanging they will get pulled off by smaller fish and then pull apart your nice fat bait.

To use lugworm it is best to use a baiting needle to get them on the hook safe and secure, again you should try not to leave anything hanging and pass the hook through the center of the worm without breaking out the sides

SLIDE THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE WORM


PULLING THE LINE TIGHT SLIDE THE WORM AROUND THE HOOK


Also when you cast out make sure you clip the bait upclose to the line with a bait clip and it will stop it being destroyed mid-cast.

NOTICE THE HOOK CLIPPED TO THE LINE TO STREAMLINE THE BAIT


Tight lines

Joe

[NDEVON ROB]

Yeah i use a 4/0 pennel rig, infact i use the same rig for every venue i fish at, 100 lb trace line as i mostly fish for conger, use the same 2 hook pennel rig for cod, bass, bull huss, conger, rays, the lot basicly...

Cod have huge mouths just like my next door neighbour lol, dont be affraid to use huge baits, i use sand eel and a whole squid bait elastic together and clipped up on a pennel rig and wack it out far as i can, had some lovely cod last week at saunton down end...

[Edward Teach]

Look, I know im new here, but i really must wade in on this one.

My life revolves around catching Cod.

Those baits are just whiting snacks.

A good cod bait is :

A whole squid stuffed with rour or five lug.
A whole baby cuttle.
Half a score of lug.



Get that lot out to where the cod are feeding, be that 10 or 150yds and bag up.

Tight lines ***** Ooopps, nearly said who I am!!

[Bluesbro]

Originally Posted by Bluesbro

Don't be shy with the bait as cod are greedy fish and have massive gobs so really go for it

Originally Posted by Bluesbro

That is just a strip by the looks of things but you can use a whole squid if you like.

Did that not cover it?

[Blue topaz]

Originally Posted by Bluesbro

That is just a strip by the looks of things but you can use a whole squid if you like. You can even combo it with makeral

COD COMBO


Best thing to do is to secure the bait to the hook with elastic cotton, it you leave bits hanging they will get pulled off by smaller fish and then pull apart your nice fat bait.

To use lugworm it is best to use a baiting needle to get them on the hook safe and secure, again you should try not to leave anything hanging and pass the hook through the center of the worm without breaking out the sides

SLIDE THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE WORM


PULLING THE LINE TIGHT SLIDE THE WORM AROUND THE HOOK


Also when you cast out make sure you clip the bait upclose to the line with a bait clip and it will stop it being destroyed mid-cast.

NOTICE THE HOOK CLIPPED TO THE LINE TO STREAMLINE THE BAIT


Tight lines

Joe

Hi Joe

Great pics and most helpful too- i just cant see the hook clipped to the line on the pic- is there a gemini clip behind the sinker? or how is it clipped down please?

thanks

[MRG2000]

Originally Posted by Blue topaz

Hi Joe

Great pics and most helpful too- i just cant see the hook clipped to the line on the pic- is there a gemini clip behind the sinker? or how is it clipped down please?

thanks

The hooks cliped down directly to the breakaway sinker just above the red cone

[Blue topaz]

Originally Posted by MRG2000

The hooks cliped down directly to the breakaway sinker just above the red cone

thanks Mike i just couldnt see any connection- wonder why its not clipped to the gemini just above the sinker?