Preparing for them cod!

[Dadwood]

When I posted a few weeks ago about missing lots of sole bites, several members replied with hints and tips. I took their advice and my catches improved immediately. Thanks for that.
And now that the cod and whiting are expected soon, can I ask for advice on how to catch these species? I fish mainly over clean sand and mud, in depths ranging from a few inches up to about 30 feet. It's all done in the Thames upper part of the estuary but the tides on springs can run at up to 5knots.
So, can I ask what members think would be the best type of rig, best hook size etc? Is fishing at night more productive for cod?
Incidentally, I reckon that the cod move into the upper parts of the Thames near Gravesend and the lower reaches at least two weeks after they start appearing on the south coast. Kind regards to all.

[scottish_and_mental]

well i would deffo suggest night being better unless there is plenty of colour in the water after a good blow ..this is a good time to target cod as they move inshore scavaging on just about anything ..
To target them i would suggest a pulley pennel rig with 3 or 4/o hooks and lug tipped with squid or peeler crab / large whole squid baits ( 2 or 3 if need be ) ..black lug fresh or frozen and blow/yellowtails all work really well but he key is basically to put a big scent trail out for them ..
The bigger baits should also prevent the hoards of whiting ripping at the bait as is always the way

I like to thread a whole squid up the line then add 4 or five fresh lug and then pull the squid back over the lug like a sleeping bag - bind with lots of elastic and then place half a black or the squid head over the hook ..
methods and baits are fairly similar country wide but ive found rag to be the best bait at Aust whereas the lads in the north east swear by peeler and mussel baits .. 'match the hatch to the catch' as they say ...

Slack line bites are a good tell tale that a hungry cod has snaffled your bait ..
I'm sure others will add there little tips and tricks - putting the hours in certainly helps and if ole Adrian Farley was still with us he'd be along to tell you everything ive told you is wrong

[LittleFish]

S&M I wouldn't bother giving advice on Cod fishing to someone who fishes the Thames at Gravesend - there aren't enough cod in the river to worry about

Dadwood have you tried the stretch at the Ship & Lobster?

[LittleFish]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

if ole Adrian Farley was still with us he'd be along to tell you everything ive told you is wring

Everyone was always wrong in Ada's book!

[Dadwood]

Yes, Littlefish I know that stretch particularly well. I have to agree that there aren't many big cod this far up, but there are some nevertheless. Two years ago I stewarded the Ship and Lobster stretch during the late October comp organised as a charity event by the local tackle shop. There were 20 anglers in my 'patch'. Between them they caught 11 codling - best was 2lb 12oz. And it was a daylight comp! For goodness sake don't discourage S&M for giving advice-I need all the help I can get! Kind regards.

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by Dadwood

For goodness sake don't discourage S&M for giving advice-I need all the help I can get! Kind regards.

It's ok i'll throw his short arse over town quay next time he visits

[LittleFish]

Originally Posted by scottish_and_mental

It's ok i'll throw his short arse over town quay next time he visits

Do you really think I'll be wasting my time coming all the way down to Southampton again???

Would have better results at Gravesend with Dadwood

[scottish_and_mental]

Originally Posted by LittleFish

Do you really think I'll be wasting my time coming all the way down to Southampton again???

Would have better results at Gravesend with Dadwood

very good point lol

[Dadwood]

Originally Posted by LittleFish
Do you really think I'll be wasting my time coming all the way down to Southampton again???

Would have better results at Gravesend with Dadwood

Well, LittleFish if you are ever in this neck of the woods you'd be more than welcome to join me for a worm drowning session. Interestingly, I don't suppose you are old enough to remember the old isolation hospital which stood on the bankside just down from the Ship and Lobster? It must be fifty years since it was pulled down. But I used to go with my dad and fish alongside that hospital. My dad knew preciseley where a gulley ran about 120 yards out in the river - a place where cod seemed to congregate and feed. I've seen my old dad pull in up to 20 cod from there in just a couple of hours! They were sizeable too.

[chazyboi]

as scots said i use cliped up rig pennel hooks whole squid tipped with worm or mackrel ,,and blast it as far as i can lol hope i do bettwr than last year up north wales and the island tho lol