Early Cod

[captkev1]

If your gone a be bait fishing, defiantly look into using braid, although on a head boat it can lead to a long day of tangles.

[bernzy]

Thanks for all your responses. Could some of you guys pass along some knowledge on which are the best jigs to use if I don't use bait???

Thanks again

[shoefish]

Giggyfish had a great thread about just that....give this one a read....

What's your favorite cod jig?

[giggyfish]

Now you're talkin, I cut my teeth fishing for cod in the harbor. Let me try to steer you in the right direction. First of all go to a local bait store and spend a few dollars, pick up a couple of jigs in the 9 ounce range (I personally like norwegians) also buy some cod hooks and lead sinkers up to 8oz. Have somebody show you how to tie some hi-lo rigs with a snap swivel at the bottom. Now find yourself a chart and head to a few of these spots to give it a go.
1. between the 6 and 6a can off of deer island
2. three and a half fathom ledge(anchor on a deep edge of the pile)
3. hardings ledge
4. graves light on the offshore side
5. east of the b-buoy


try bait first but when the doggies show switch to the jig with a teaser and you won't catch as many. I personally would rather jig but try to find your own favorite technique. Also in the spring be ready for mackeral if they show.
and one more point, buy a good chart and study it, find a few rocky lumps adjacent to some deeper water and fish it. No spots are better than the ones you find yourself.

[Therapy]

Hi my name is Corey, i'm still kinda green at the offshore fishing, but since i purchased therapy from a great friend of mine aka (little seaker) i just can't get enough going off shore. I try to leave from Sandwich and head East to find some bottom fish some days are great Blue Bird days, coolers full of fish, but i normally use bait unless slow then i break out the jigs. My question is do you guys feel that it's better to jig first and once you find good fish drop bait. Any help would be great
Thanks Corey

[fmoore]

Ok, I'm a little late to this one. Baseball has been 100% of my life the past few weeks so it's kinda hard to get on here, but anyway....

Seems like you've gotten some sound info thus far. I've never fished Boston Harbor, but if I'm going somewhere unfamiliar the most important thing I do is study charts! I've found for groundfish most any hump or wreck will hold fish. I don't know if it's just me, but I can pick a spot on a chart and say that looks good for groundfish and catch fish. They won't always be big, but fish nonetheless.

It's really pretty easy. Once you know the kind of bottom and the depth the fish like you will be able to catch. As for the depth, Shoe has it: generally shallower in the spring and deeper in the summer. But I have found decent (over 10 pounds) cod in 100 FOW in the middle of the summer. And, well, I never go deep in the spring, but I can assure you they're out there.

Oh, my favorite thing to say. The Isles of Shoals will never let you down. I think my motto this year will be "when in doubt, got to the Isles of Shoals" Year round fish producer.

As for bait, I always have mackerel chunks, clams and jigs. Don't need much more. If you have buddies with you, each use a seperate bait and see what works.

KISS-Keep it simple stupid

[bernzy]

You guys all rock. I'll be coming back all summer to check in on the bass and blue updates. I'm sure I'll be peppering you guys with questions for those crazy bastards as well.

Thanks again guys

[skipfish1]

I'm new to this board, but excited to have found it (actually, buddy in Miami clued me in, now I'm clueing other NE-ers in).

Anyway, really like Cod fishing and want to get out there in a few weeks. Does anyone have some good recomendations on early season targeting as well as some good recommendations on snagging them? I've used clams before but I've been reading up on jigging. Any help is useful here, sorta new at the game...

Thanks
jb

I have fished the boston area for thirty years and have found fresh skimmer clams to be the best.Find a ledge and use a sinker that will drift with the tide,the cod like to wait just below the ledges at outgoing tide.If you have a calm day and can make it to Stellwagon the last few springs have been very good fishing.

[jumpinjsck]

going out in boston harbor this weekend for cod i will let you know what happens

[chumtini]

Good luck. Go get em