Cod

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A cold water species, they are bottom feeders that roam in large schoals in the colder seas on both sides of the Alantic. During the winter they migrate southwards either to spawn or in search of food, and from October to April are often found in large schoals in the

North Sea, the English Channel, along the Norwegian and North coasts of Europe and around the Baltic. They are usually found in water depths between 10to 300 mtrs, but under favourable conditions mostly during the winter months, they will move close inshore to feed in shallow water right along the beaches of our coastline.

Unfortunately the Cod fishery has been devastated by over fishing during the breeding season. this wrong has been recently been put right by the EEC who have banned fishing for Cod during the breeding season. Hopefully the species will now make a return in numbers in the coming years.

On this side of the Alantic a good average weight is between 5 and 15lbs, but fish of around 30lb are not uncommon, especially when wreck fishing. Fish under 5lb are usually referred to as Codling. The current British Rod Caught record is 58lbs 6ozs captured off Whitby.

Cod are classified as poor fighters, particularly when caught in depths exceeding 20 mtrs, because their swim bladders rupture when they are brought up quickly, killing the fish before it has much chance of putting up any resistance.

Typical baits are Squid, Mackerel strip, Lugworm. Lures are pirks, jigs and large feathers.

Most wreck caught Cod are usually captured around slack water. However this is not always the case. Cod caught can be captured in several ways, either on baited hooks with Mackerel or Squid. Long flowing tracing are favoured by some with two or three hooks below the weight. Size 2/0 or 4/0  long shanked hooks being favourite size. However most wreck anglers favourite weapon is to use a jig or shiny pirk jangled on the sea bed by the wreck, which can be exhausting. the latter is favoured method used on the East Coast of England by boat anglers. They also use red coloured Muppets which Cod seem to love.

It is difficult to target Cod when reef fishing. Most are caught by accident when either fishing for Ling or Conger. When fishing in the summer, it is desirable to pack the fish into ice as quickly as possible, or even to fillet the fish on the boat before packing in ice. Cod tends to deteriorate rapidly in warm weather.