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Overview
How to target
Species
ID: cod
Cod
Classic UK winter target that moves tight to shore once the sea cools and onshore blows colour the water. Look for rough ground, kelp gullies, reef edges, mixed-ground surf beaches...
🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: onshore 📅 Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Best tide
flood
Moon
spring
Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Wind
onshore
Max weight
20 kg
Day vs night
Day
40%
Night
90% (best)
Classic UK winter target that moves tight to shore once the sea cools and onshore blows colour the water. Look for rough ground, kelp gullies, reef edges, mixed-ground surf beaches and the mouths of large estuaries in a swell. The flood into dusk and the first hours of darkness are prime, especially around big (spring) tides that stir food. In heavy surf, cod can be right behind the first breakers; on deep rock marks they patrol gullies at your feet at high water.
Baits: fresh black lug/blow lug, ragworm, mussel, razorfish and peeler crab, often tipped with squid; big cocktails or whole squid for a specimen. Wrap baits tight with elastic. Rigs: clipped-down pulley pennel or up-and-over with 3/0–6/0 hooks; 60–80 lb shock leader and a rubbing trace if fishing rough ground; use a weak-link/rotten-bottom for snaggy marks. 5–6 oz wired leads to hold bottom. Cast to the first or second gutter on beaches; on rocks, target gullies, scaurs and tide run lines. Recast regularly to keep scent working. Stay mobile and fish into the top of the tide. Always prioritise safety around swell, weeded rock, and fast tides.
Baits: fresh black lug/blow lug, ragworm, mussel, razorfish and peeler crab, often tipped with squid; big cocktails or whole squid for a specimen. Wrap baits tight with elastic. Rigs: clipped-down pulley pennel or up-and-over with 3/0–6/0 hooks; 60–80 lb shock leader and a rubbing trace if fishing rough ground; use a weak-link/rotten-bottom for snaggy marks. 5–6 oz wired leads to hold bottom. Cast to the first or second gutter on beaches; on rocks, target gullies, scaurs and tide run lines. Recast regularly to keep scent working. Stay mobile and fish into the top of the tide. Always prioritise safety around swell, weeded rock, and fast tides.
Temperature
4–12°C
Depth range
2–30 m
Baits
- Black Lug 9.2/10
- Crab Cart (Roe) 8.8/10
- Squid 8.5/10
- Bluey (Pacific Saury) 8.3/10
- Mussel 8/10
Rigs
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Pulley Pennel Rig 9.2/10
Big crab/lug/squid baits for winter cod on rough or mixed ground. Pennel holds bulky bait; pulley lifts lead on the retrieve to reduce snags. Casts well and fishes tight to the seabed in tide.
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Pennel Clip Down 8.8/10
Beach cod at range. Clip-down shields big bait for long casts; pennel grips squid/lug cocktails. Streamlined, good bite detection; suits clean to mixed ground in moderate surf and tide.
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Rotten Bottom Pulley 8.6/10
For kelp/rock marks. Weak-link lead drops if snagged, saving rig and fish. Pulley pennel presents crab/squid tight to rough ground and copes with heavy tide and swell.
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Up and Over 8.2/10
Long snood clips for distance then fishes hard on the bottom—ideal for cod grubbing in gutters and banks. Great with big lug/crab on beaches or mixed ground in steady tide.
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Long & Low 7.8/10
Surf beaches and rolling tide. Long low snood pins bait on the deck where cod feed; excellent with lug/squid for codling close in. Casts cleanly and shows bites well.