Preparing for them cod!

[Edward Teach]

One can only comment on my home territory of Dungeness, but ill add comments if it helps anyone else.

Rigs are fixed pattenoster pennells, usually tied with power gum stop knots as opposed to crimps. the reason being, when that lunker grabs it, the stop knot allows the snood to gently slide down to the lead, thus the lead ends up above the fish and away from snags. It works better than a pully rig, which ive seen too many fish missed through lack of the hooks setting. Also, its clean ground so there really is no need for a pully rig.

All my winter rig bodys are tied with a minimum of 80Lb line (Clear) and snoods with a minimum of 40Lb line (Clear)

Snoods vary from 18" to 4ft, depending on the tide run, but dont forget, give a cod a long enough rope and it will hang its self!

Hooks vary from 2/0 to 8/0 depending on bait size and average size of fish.
I.e. 4 seasons ago it was 2/0s for codling, last winter was 8/0s for the lunkers.

More important than rigs is bait!

Fresh, good quality bait is the key to catching cod.
Personally I pump my own lugworm, and with the money saved, buy good quality unwashed squid and blast frozen cuttle.

Finally, weather!

Generalising, a good west/south wind that puts some colour in the water and disturbs the sea bed will attract the Cod inshore.

Get a week of south westerlie gales that back north west and it should be cod o'clock at Dungeness!

Good luck fellow cod hunters.

The above is not right or wrong, just works for me.

[Dadwood]

Many thanks to all for their suggestions. Special thanks also to Edward Teach for such a detailed description of what works for him at Dungeness. There's certainly some suggestions that need considering. I like the idea of pumping your own worms but I doubt there's anywhere near Gravesend that I could find any. LittleFish, have you any idea where my nearest place would be?

[Dadwood]

As a matter of interest, when you lads fish Dungeness, what main line breaking strain do you use?

[LittleFish]

I think you'll find that everyone has their own ideas about line - both in terms of preferred manufacturer and breaking strains - reel choice has an impact too.
Standard issue lines for use on multipliers is anywhere between 15 to 20 lb b.s. coupled with a shock leader of the appropriate strength.

When it comes to fixed spool reels, the trend is towards using braided line of 50 to 60lb b.s.straight through, thus avoiding the need for a leader.

As far as choice of line manufacturer is concerned,ask a dozen guys and you'll get a dozen answers.