uptiding for cod

Member Joined: Dec 29, 2006 Posts: 5

anybody know what the benefits of uptiding for cod rather than dropping the bait over the side of the boat are ?

Guest

Have done a lot of uptiding in my time...and not just for cod; it works for most species around my way (Colne / Blackwater Estuarys).

The Pros.

Can keep your bait on the bottom (where the Cod are) with less weight and therefore more sporting gear.

You get your bait away from the noise of the boat - many people believe this puts the fish "off", though I'm not 100% convinced.

Generally the fish will hook themselves on the "take" i.e. when they hit the bait the resistance of the anchored lead sets the hook before the lead is broken free.

You are not restricted to fishing the narrow area downtide of the boat - the whole area around the boat is being explored.

The Cons.

You need the cooperation of skipper/other anglers - some are very anti - uptiding!

It can be dangerous both to you and fellow anglers - flying lead and hooks are always a risk.

The skipper has to position the boat with uptiding in mind - if the skipper anchors the boat with the mark downtide you are going to struggle for fish.

It can cause awful tangles if the boat is swaying at slack tide or with a changeable wind. If a whole party is uptiding things can also get complicated (and a bit heated) if someone continually casts over everybody or keeps "breaking out" because they are using too light a lead.

I've certainly had troubles on some charter trips in the past but on my own boat with only two or three likeminded capanions I have had some good catches. Uptiding is one of those things that needs a bit of teamwork and communication. Simple rules like hanging the lead outside the boat to cast and warning everybody that lead is about to fly reduce the possibility of an accident no end.

Hope this helps - others will probably add to the list.

Guest

Uptiding seems to work 100% better when fishing shallow waters like the Thames, but when fishing deeper water like The English Channel, just dropping the bait over the side does just as well. But when ever i go fishing now, we find downtiding to be even more sucessfull than uptiding.

Member Joined: Dec 29, 2006 Posts: 5

thanks,it would appear that there is no real need for me to uptide for cod,as the bay in which i will be is apx 50-80ft.thanks

Guest

I've uptided in 90 feet of water. It's nice to use lighter gear whenever possible. Like Blakdog, I'm not convinced about the so called "scare area", but I think that it just pins your bait hard on the sea bed.