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Cod

LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

  • Cod fish can be found in the North East of the US waters of the Atlantic Ocean

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

  • Cod fish can be found on the continental shelf and on the edge of the continental shelf. They are often found around natural structures such as rocky bottoms and ledges, as well as shipwrecks. They are also known to congregate around man-made structures such as oil rigs, buoys, and floating debris.

PATTERNS

SPRING

  •  During the spring, cod fish are typically found in shallower waters as they move in to spawn.

SUMMER

  • During the summer, cod fish can be found in a variety of depths depending on the location

FALL

  • During the fall, Cod fish can still be caught in the North East of the US waters as they migrate southwards.

WINTER

  • During the winter, cod fish are typically not as abundant in the North East of the US, but they can still be caught in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Bait

  • Squid, clams, or cut bait, as well as jigs and soft plastic imitations.


Techniques

Drifting

  • How: Drifting for cod fish involves using a fishing rig and bait while the boat drifts with the current.

  • Gear: Rods: 6-8ft medium action. Reels: Conventional reels with a medium gear ratio. Line: 20-40 lb test monofilament or braided line. Leaders: 20-40 lb test fluorocarbon or wire. Hooks: 4/0-6/0 circle hooks. Tackle/Lures: Cod jigs, soft plastic lures, or live baits such as herring or sand eels.

Bait Fishing

  • How: Anchor the boat over a cod hotspot, bait a hook with clam, herring, or squid and drop to the bottom. Wait for the bite and set the hook.

  • Gear: Rods: 6-7 ft medium-heavy spinning or conventional. Reels: Spinning or conventional with line capacity of 200-300 yds of 20-30 lb test. Leaders: 20-30lb fluorocarbon. Hooks: 2/0-4/0 bait hooks. Bait: Clams, Herring, Squid.

Jigging

  • How: Jigging for cod fish involves using a fishing rig with a jig and bait, and jigging it up and down in the water to attract the fish.

  • Gear: Rods: 6-8ft medium action. Reels: Conventional reels with a medium gear ratio. Line: 20-40 lb test monofilament or braided line. Leaders: 30-40lb

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