Catching cod on the coast

Now the salmon season has long since passed us. It is time to focus on some new forms of fishing. Most important it is time to catch the first cod of the season. Many people don’t have the money to buy big fancy boats to chase cod in the deep, so why not try fishing from land. It works!

photos/text skot

All the lures you will ever need.

Yes!!

And they say that cod are on the decline!

The bose hard at work

It has long been claimed that cod numbers in the North Sea are reducing at alarming numbers due to over-fishing by the commercial fleet. Even researchers have claimed that the coastal cod populations are under threat. If you ask me the west and North coast of Norway has a healthy supply of cod.

There are so many ways to entice a cod to the table but with out doubt the most enjoyable method is lure casting. Not only is it a blast but also cod just love a lure that is fished deep!
The key to this form of fishing is knowing the bottom contour. When I first started fishing cod from the rocks I lost countless lures due to the fact my equipment was not designed for the task.

Equipment

Despite the rod we used in this article I would recommend a heaver set up, For example try a rod around 11 feet (3 and a half meters). This will enable you to control the fish in the last critical meters before landing your prise. I have lost so many fish in the tangle of seaweed that clings to rock shelves. The best tip is to find a vertical ledge on which to fish.

I would strongly recommend nothing less than fishing line that is rated at 6 kilo. Add a few meters of 10-kilo shock leader so if you need to put a pressure on a fish you have no need to worry.

The most important choice of equipment is the actual lure. Here is where you must think simple. Small 12-30 gram lures are perfect. There is no need to spend a fortune on perfect imitations that are hand painted and custom made for bottom fishing. Silver and blue herring imitations work perfectly. A great tip is to change the treble hook with a size 10 single hook. This reduces the number of foul ups with weeds

Don’t be anxious about trying something that is labelled sea-trout because I have found these lures to be so effective. The first of these that comes to mind is one of Norway’s classics, Møre Silda. It is a herring based surface lure that is designed for mid surface fishing.

With this information you should stand a good chance of catching a first-class meal. For those of you that love cod I have included my favourite cod dish!

Skot

Spiced tomatoes cod

Here is a new way to cook cod!

Ingredients

1 oz butter; (25g)
1 large onion - sliced
a pinch of cayenne-pepper
a pinch of turmeric
1/4 table spoon garlic granules
1 table spoon ground coriander
1 table spoon ground cumin
1 table spoon ground fenugreek
14 ounces tinned chopped tomatoes; (400g)
1 oz creamed coconut - crumbled;-(25g)
1/4 table spoons salt; up to 1/2, up to
1 table spoon soft brown sugar
1 lb white fish e.g. fillet cod-cubed or; a; mixture of white fish (450 grams)

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large pan. Fry the onion until softened. Add the
spices to the pan and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes. Add the tomatoes,
coconut, salt and sugar and gently bring up to the boil, stirring. Stir
in the white fish, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the prawns if
using, reheat and serve. (serves four)