any tips for cod

hey everyone i was fishing on the east coast last week and landed a small codling on frozen peeler crab, around 10 inches long and very thin, is this the prefered bait as winter coming on i may try and target them i was also using a size 1/o hook, ive also heard they like squid and mackeral but every time i pull out the mackeral all i attract is whiting and doggies. any help would be great re bait and hook size i know it sort of relates to bait so help

peeler crab will be hard to come across come the depths of the winter although it is my favoured cod bait especially around autumn or spring... with that said big lugworm baits in cocktails with either mussel or razorfish are my option for winter cod...... if targeting big cod a pulley rig or single hook clipped down with size 2/0 or 3/0 hooks carrying a big bait is what id use although for more allround winter cod fishing id use a 2 hook clipped loop rig with size 1/0 hooks

I'm afraid I can't give specific local advice on them, but they're all I fish for in my native East Anglia in the winter. Cod have big appetites and even bigger gobs! I normally use lug, either 4 or 5 good size blow or a couple of blacks whipped together in a sausage. A bait like this fits nicely on a 4/0 pennel, you stand far more chance of getting them in on a good sized hook and cod aren't shy.

Rig wise I used standard pennels, although if the ground is a little rough then there's no harm in using a pulley rig. Hook lengths for me are minimum 20lb with no harm in using 40lb, remember, they're not shy. If fishing a beach with strong backwash watch your timing getting them in, I've seen doubles lost from people being too keen to get them in.

My number 1 tip, Go to Norway

My number 1 tip, Go to Norway

That just about sums it up.........LOL.........

I use razor clam on a 3/0 or 4/0 pennel pulley. Lug is good too, i usually only use squid in a cocktail bait.

thanks for all the info will have to go and get me some bigger hooks then, when using more than one lugworm do youthread them all on and bunch them up or tie them with bait elastic?? cant wait for those cold evenings to arrive. thx again guys

thanks for all the info will have to go and get me some bigger hooks then, when using more than one lugworm do youthread them all on and bunch them up or tie them with bait elastic?? cant wait for those cold evenings to arrive. thx again guys

I'd tend to make a sausage type bait with them and tie with elastic. just lay a few worms across the palm of your hand, wrap with bait elastic, fold over the ends and repeat till it's the required thickness and length you want. Usually about 3 average size black lug makes a nice size bait that will sit neatly on a 3 or 4/0 pennel and have plenty of scent to draw the fish to it.