Favorite !COD! Baits...

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:33 pm

Note the word COD no little things im after 6lb plusers. I havent had a cod since about two years ago and a mate doesnt beleive ive had one at all so now im getting serious about it. Two rods pully pennal on one and a clipped pennal on the other. As for bait however... I use everything and can catch codling on it however i want cod so what do you reccomaned? Cant get hold of any crab so that out straight away so other than that what would you use?

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:04 pm

For what it's worth mate, the last two sizeable cod (16lb and 22lb) that were taken in this neck of the woods were taken on whole squid (not by me though ). I intend to be on the beach next week after the cold snap has passed looking for whiting or cod and I will be using squid maybe combined with a mackie fillet on No. 2 hook to give a good scent trail. happy

Apparently there are quite a few about this year - maybe the cold weather is bringing them in.

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:00 pm

lets hope so but when you say size 2 hooks? thats 2/0 right?

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:17 pm

Erm no not size 2 hook mate, I always fish with two hooks on a trace and I meant squid on me first hook and mackie fillet on me second. Use size 2/0, yes, could be or even 3/0 or 4/0 depends what you think may be around I suppose. But some interesting things do sometimes happen with smaller hooks. E.g. was fishing for bream a couple of months ago using size 1's and taking the odd one of reasonable size when suddenly, Ram! Bang! Zoom! and line starts disappearing off me reel. Well that's some bream thinks I and started working the fish in - 6lb Bass actually, which in theory is too big for a size 1 hook but he still got hooked. I think there is a lot of blather talked about technically correct tackle and I personally don't bother about it too much because I haven't yet met a fish which understands any of it. That said, I obviously would not expect to go boat fishing for tope with anything less than a 6/0.

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:26 pm

Black lug and peeler or squid on a 4/0 pennel for me or large lug baited hokkais from the boat for me.

Not much happening up here just now (shorewise) but a couple of days gales now might bring the bigger lads in.

seeing a few 10 plussers(COD and LING)from the boat (when we can get out)

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:57 pm

Without being able to get crab there are a number of things you can try. Firstly find out about where you are fishing. Sometimes rag or lug is the best bait when fishing from a beach that produces them. My favourite bait is black luck (couple tied together for thickness) tipped with muscle. You can stuff a squid with muscle. Tie a few lug worm together on your hooks. I use a 3/0 viking pennel. I'm one of these unlucky fishermen that's had many cod over 3 1/2 lb but can't actually get over the 4 lb mark (although lost a few big fish - haven't we all). I really don't think you can go wrong with lug, squid and muscle cocktails. Good idea will also be to cast your two rods at totally different lengths (1 short and 1 long). If you're using big baits make sure your hooks are exposed. Fish the right places. I know round my area you are much more likely to catch a cod in 1 place, flattie in another and whities in another. Try and find out off other people where cod have been getting caught. I might be stating the obvious to you but don't know where you fish or how experienced you are.

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 1:40 pm

if ur after tat big cod then try travelling that bit extra distance to other marks. i use whole squid or a squid and lug sausage tipped with peeler sometimes this being used on size 4/0 hooks on a pennel pulley change the bait regulary to get a good scent and cast to the same area to build up a good trail my biggest cod this year so far is 3 n 1/2 lb and i wouldnt worry about the size of hook to much just match it to the bait ur using just make sure it is a strong hook, as i have had several small whiting eating my whole squid. big hooks dont allways mean big fish as plenty of big carp are caught using small hooks...

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:21 pm

Hey Thom,

You can get crab via mail order and it is good quality! Try weymouth angling centre.
Where are you based as there are still a few shops that i know of that are getting crab if you dont want to pay the posting.

Tight lines

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 8:10 am

its not the fact the local shops dont get crab this late in the year its more the fact they save it for the match anglers who pay loads for the stuff, and ill have a look at mailorder crab but... how do they transport it?

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:26 pm

Thom,
check a previous thread,fresh peelers at FR- - - - - Gateshead 70peach. best bait at the minute, NO IT AINT PEELER,is either lug and squid wrap OR a Makerell fillet.
Fished Whitburn cliffs and took a codling for 5lb 2oz on a Makerell fillet,when i pulled it up the cliffs its belly was full of Makerell and Lugg,since then there have been a few double figure cod from the same place,stuffed with Makerell

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:24 pm

Hi thom,

in answer to your question they transport it in polystyrene boxes via courrier for next day delivery.
I have never had any problems with it.
As long as you order your peeler the shops should sell it to you and not just the match anglers mate

Tight lines