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A little guide from Edinburgh Angling Centre’s Sea Angling Guru, former Scottish Internationalist Gordon Lyall preparing for his winter Cod campaign. Whether you’re chasing prizes in matches like St Serf’s £1000 Single Cod Comp on Boxing Day or just looking for freezer feed and enjoying a session in the colder months, there are a few important things you need to consider- regards
“Cod season in the winter usually runs from mid-October to sometime in February, as the larger, mature fish will move inshore to feed before spawning.
We usually associate rougher weather with better cod fishing conditions as rough seas stir up the sea bed and make feeding more plentiful. Consequently, the tackle for this type of fishing needs to be able to fish in these conditions; rough ground rods tend to be 12-14ft, cast up to 8oz as a heavier lead will be needed to grip the bottom in choppy seas, and benefit from a stiffer action due to more reliable bite detection, as the softer Rods will bounce when your line is hit by a wave.
Heavy braid (60lb+) on a Fixed Spool reel with a strong drag system is a common choice today for many winter anglers as it allows you to fish heavy to get out of snags without compromising casting distance, due to the low diameter of the braid.
Heavier leads will be used to hold the bottom (up to 8oz) in these conditions and as such a shock leader will be required. A general rule of thumb is 10lb of shock leader for every 1oz of lead, so 8oz lead = 80lb shock leader.
Check out our extensive COD FISHING TACKLE GUIDE
Research Marks
You’ll often be fishing at short range, targeting gulleys and other features so big casts aren’t necessary on many of our favorite Cod marks. When you’re fishing far out, switch for clip down rigs that ensure a good presentation of your rig on the seabed.
Many anglers will make a trip to their chosen marks at low tide, to get a better understanding of the area and where the fish may lie at higher water. You’d be surprised how often the fish are right at your feet, where many anglers just walk right past them.
Rigs and Baits
Cod have big mouths and appetites to match so I prefer larger baits on a Pennel Rig. Bait elastic is really key here you want a properly presented bait that doesn’t cover the hook-point to make sure you don’t miss bites. Wrapping the bait for a secure cast, allowing a scent trail to flow and keeping the hook point clean will make the most of every session.
With baits, a good strong scent is essential! When fishing rough seas and dirty water, anything you can do to attract fish to your rigs will increase your odds. Baits like Crab Cart, Lugworm and Shellfish like mussel are the usual favorites. Fish them in a cocktail always paying attention to the hook point and don’t be afraid to experiment. It can also sometimes pay dividends to release a whole mackerel fillet in search of a larger specimen.
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clothes
The best time and conditions for Cod fishing will be uncomfortable for most so dress accordingly with thermal layers/suits, proper waterproof clothing and suitable footwear paired with heavy socks are will help you stay out in these harsh conditions. Where to fish a good quality headlamp and some spiked boots we would consider essential for this type of fishing, as climbing slippery rocks at night can be dangerous!
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