It’s no secret around Causeway Bait and Tackle that I enjoy cod fishing. I can still remember my first cod caught in the winter of 1960 with Capt Richie Kessinger on the Capt Jack VI. I guess that kind of makes me old school.

For bait fishing, I believe in keeping things very simple. I still think the best codfish hook is a 6/0 sproat #399. This can be fished on a 12-18” leader or… bare on a 5”-6” dropper loop tied directly to the line. These days however, many of my younger friends will use Gamakatsu Octopus hooks also in 6/0 and they will work very well too.

How to Tie the Rig

Tie your first hook 10 inches above the sinker and your 2^nd hook 36” above. If you’re fishing a wreck just fish the high hook. Back in the day, when local cod fishing was done on the open bottom, I preferred to use a flat diamond shaped sinker because I believe it helped keep the bait still and I believe this is very important. Most of the time cod, especially “steakers” over 20 pounds will not chase bait, so you don’t want your sinker bobbing up and down. Leave it on the bottom and keep the bait as still as possible. When you feel a bite LET THE FISH EAT!!! Wait until you feel 2 or 3 sharp tugs before setting your hook with a long sweep of the rod. I still think the best bait is a skimmer clam woven in and out on the hook.

In the Atlantic, off Montauk Point NY, where the bottom is usually very irregular, a round bank type sinker is probably better because it is less likely to hang. However the same rules definitely apply, keep the bait still and let them eat.

When to fish for Codfish on Long Island

In the late winter and spring the fish will often set up on herring or mackerel. In fact, this is happening at Montauk as I write. When this occurs, it is time to break out the jigs. Norwegian style codfish jigs can be used but they are not necessary. Regular style diamond jigs with single hooks from 6-12 ounces are fine. The hook can be adorned with a twister style grub tail or even a trolling tube you would put in your umbrella rigs. Tie a dropper 2’-3’ about the jig. Fish a teaser of jelly worm, grub or Mr. Twister, grape and strawberry seem to be the most popular. I find squidding to be the most effective way of working the jig. This is just a technical term for dropping the jig to the bottom and slowly retrieving it 5-10 turns off of the bottom. Pay attention on the drop too, because you will often get a hit when the jig is falling back to the bottom.

Hopefully the cod are back and we will have a good spring!! It sure would be great!

Tight Lines!!

About the Author:

Danny has been working at Causeway Bait and Tackle for the past two years. Prior to working at the shop, Danny was a teacher and has over 20 years working on charter boats. He is an avid Cod and fly fisherman but is happy as long as there is something on the other end of the line, whether it be freshwater or saltwater fish. Arguably, he is one of the best Cod fisherman around.

Danny also displays expertise in rod building. If you are looking to have a custom rod built, contact us and we’ll accommodate your needs.

This is Danny’s first article on the Causeway Fishing Blog. He looks forward to sharing more of his knowledge and experties with this fishing community.

Add this to:

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks

Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us

Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google

Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb

Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere

Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo!

Email This to a Friend

Copy HTML: 

 If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

More »