Winter Cod Fishing – 14th January 2010

Today the temperature outside was noticeably warmer although it was steadily raining.

We headed South again as this mark is proving to be very productive.  SE winds blowing 4 backing NE and easing.  Once the tide turned mid-morning we would be sitting more comfortably as we would have wind with tide for the rest of the day.  On leaving the marina it was quite obvious that there was still quite a swell left over from the blow last night so we were in for a bumpy ride until the tide turned.  Today turned out to be one of fits and starts.  We would get a flurry of bites followed by a quiet period but everyone on board netted at least one fish and all had a good time.

Liv kicked us off with a dab (a very small one) but the first fish of the day.  This was followed by Nick’s catch which was the first Cod of the day.  Five minutes later the second Cod arrived this time to Liv.  The third also arrived within minutes and again, this was netted by Nick who was onto a good start and coping with his seasickness like a true fisherman.

A little later two knocks at the same time.  Both of these fell off the hook, but Nick pulled in his third almost as quickly as he could drop his bait back to the bottom.  This was swiftly followed by another dab to Liv and then another cod again going to Nick.  Not to be out done by these guys Ray was the next to net a nice size cod followed by Geoff who landed the biggest of the day at 12.5lb.  Being the only one left without a catch it was time to put this right and soon I was also reeling in a nice cod of around 8.5lb which just happened to spit out a dab onto the deck so I am counting both fish.

Liv pulled in the last cod of the day and brought the total count of cod caught today to a total of 9.   Dabs caught 3 and a couple of whiting.