From mid-October to mid-January is the best time of year to fish for cod. This is because they migrate to spawning grounds in other areas at the end of January. It is best to fish in the evenings or nights. Then you have the best chance of catching them. But with an overcast sky during the day and a rough sea, you also have a chance of catching cod. Also at the end of ebb and flow tides you can catch a cod. When there has been a big storm you have the best chance of a fat cod. These are often driven to the coast by this weather.
Cod fishing tips
There are many tips on how to fish for cod. But the most important one is that you have to catch it in the winter. Approximately from October to mid-January. After that they move on to other areas. You also have a good chance of catching them during ebb and flood. During these tides the cod is driven towards the coast. Fishing during the dark days has also proven effective. Until 2 hours before high tide you have the best chance to catch cod. Many boat anglers look for cod in the deeper water during the day. This is often where the biggest cod fish can be found.
A cod can be quite resistant to flounder. So it's important to have a rod with a minimum casting weight of 200 grams.
Which bait is suitable for cod fishing?
When you go cod fishing, you first have to look for the best bait. We know that cod like to eat smaller fish. Fish, shrimps and crabs are therefore the most effective baits to catch cod. But when you want the best bait you can use the big black seaweed. Never be too frugal with bait because then you have the chance that he is too fast. A cod can bite very quickly and you don't want to miss it. The catch can vary from day to day because it also depends on the weather and dark times are of influence. The deeper the cod, the bigger it usually is.
Which rod will you use to fish for cod?
When cod fishing you need a good and sturdy fishing rod. Preferably one that can carry a lot of weight. You want to catch the biggest ones and that's not possible with a home, garden and kitchen fishing rod. These are rods of about 4 to 5 meters with a casting weight of up to 200 grams. This you certainly need with a strong current. And that's where most of the cod fish are. To have a good chance you need to cast at least 70 meters from shore. And the ideal line is 35/00 wire.
Cod fishing on the boat
On the boat, you use different rods for cod fishing. You usually use an up-tide rod of up to 3.5 meters. This is because you fish a lot more down than you do from the shore. If you choose to fish with artificial lures, a 2-meter rod will do. Most anglers choose to use a float reel, this usually has a slow transmission. Even heavy fish can be caught with this. Don't fixate on a system because fishing has a lot to do with the weather and you should adjust your rod accordingly.
Where can you fish for cod in the summer?
In the summer it's best to go to underwater mountains where you can fish. The cod is often in these areas in the summer and is then fine to fish. The plateaus around them are often full of fish as well. Because many small fish swim around here like the small pollock, you have a great chance of catching them. Cod likes to eat small fish so they will often catch bigger ones. Coalfish is also suitable as bait to catch cod. It's best to fish as heavy as possible without touching the bottom. This is where your rod can get stuck.
Winter cod fishing in Norway
The Barend Sea in Norway is one of the most popular places for winter cod fishing. This is because there are also huge schools of fish which are good bait for the cod. From mid February to mid April is the best time to catch a big fish. The depths at which you can fish vary from -30 to -90. If you're looking for the biggest ones, it's best to fish the top layer of water. When you feel a fish take your bait, just keep spinning. Only when your rod is totally bent do you strike!
How is cod caught?
When you are fishing for cod, you want to catch it. The best advice we can give you is to look for a plaice. This is where many cods are often located and therefore you will have the best chance of catching them. A strong fishing rod with a pilker is also a necessity. This fake fish has a great attraction to predators such as cod. The rod should have a casting weight of at least 200 grams. This is because the cod sometimes have the tendency to go berserk.
Where can you fish for cod?
When you go cod fishing it is best to go to wrecks. These wrecks are not only suitable for companies but also for sport fishing. Here you will find many larger specimens than you see in the North Sea. But on the North Sea there are also wreck sites where you can do great fishing. The most beautiful and large specimens are caught here. This is because the North Sea is very deep and the cod like to stay higher. It is a starting point for anglers who first start cod fishing. Later you can always visit beautiful places like Norway.