Early Cod

[bernzy]

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

[shoefish]

Bernzy-

Welcome to SFC, and I'm glad you found us here. I think you'll find a good group of guys who like to share and help each other to catch more fish. In terms of specific spots, I'm not sure what port you go out of, but be sure to let us know as there will likely be others who fish those areas.

General rules that can differ based on local area are that early season trips don't have to go a far offshore, and my mid-season you'll want to spend most of your time on ofshore humps.

In terms of snagging them, don't be afraid to try all forms of bait (clams, shrimp, squid, even chunks), and if that's not working don't hesitate to break out the jigging gear...you don't neccessarily have to do it in that order, either. For specifics on what to jig, there is a great thread on it here in the NE forum, and if there is anything that hasn't been covered don't be afraid to ask- you won't get hammered on here like you do on some sites.

Good luck, and be sure to ask (and post) away!

Shoe

[bernzy]

Bernzy-

I'm not sure what port you go out of, but be sure to let us know as there will likely be others who fish those areas.

You can't read minds? Yeah, sorry. I'm doing most of my fishing inshore, within Boston Harbor. Do I need to head out to The Graves, or are the Cod inshore at this time of the year?

[shoefish]

I think you do need to head out around the Graves, but there may be some guys who know more about that area- two years ago I was fishing in May timeframe and we were doing well around there...I think it was either the #4 or #6 bouy, though that isn't my home port so my numbers may be a bit off. Right inshore of the #4 (I think...again, not my normal stomping grounds) there is a ledge that we did well on during an outgoing tide. We were sitting on the eastern-most edge and had a pick of some decent sized cod.

[sunbeammate]

if you are in boston area, take a trip out witht the walsh's they will put you on all the cod you want. i have gone 2 times this year and slammed them each time. with the GOM open now they are fishing there this weekend and im sure it will be lock and load. ill be up their on sun. i think. with gas prices so high runing you own boat their would be a waste of money. walsh charges only 100$ fot a 12 hour trip. you cant miss with that.

[bernzy]

$100 for 12 hours is a steal, where do they leave from. The wife might shoot me, but please give me some more detail on this. Do the walsh's have a site I could check out?

[sunbeammate]

Lynn Waterfront Industrial Marine Park

100 Marine Boulevard

Lynn, Massachusetts 01905

1781 596 3474

http://www.walshsfishing.com/

the fishing is great the boat is great the mates are a little rough around the edges but if you know what you are doing you do not need to bother with them.

you need to make reservations with them so get to the site if you like what you see give them a call.

the site says there is a sur-charge for fuel but there is not. its 99$ 5am to 5 pm.

get there early lot of people camp out the night before the trip to get their spot in the bow or stern. i know when we come up from ct we get there at 7 or 8 the night before. we put our stuff down in line and sleep in the truck.

[dunn6253]

You can always try the old B bouy, it had produced in the past.

Walsh's is the way to go if you are going out on a head boat. Can't beat it for the money, and he has a good reputation of putting guys on fish.

[Seaker]

These young guys are top guns when it comes to non stop groundfish action

I'm certain they will chirp in shortly...

Hang in there and welcome to the club

[ckonkol]

Looking for codfish , right now jigs are killing them. My last 4 trips codfishing I havent had to go near the stuff. There are some big cod around and Captain Jimmy Walsh has found some of them. Right now Eastmans is out there and I believe the Helen H is out there. When I get the reports from both trips I will let you know how they made out. I'm hoping the weather holds for my trip on the Helen H April 10-11. Eastmans charges $52 for their day trip 8-4 30 I believe and their 12 hr marathons are $80