English Channel Cod Fishing is Spot On!

The cod fishing in the English Channel at the moment is the best it's been in years! South coast charter boats are all reporting boat loads, with fish up to low doubles in abundance around both inshore and offshore wrecks and reefs. I was lucky enough to get in on the action recently during a day out with Ross Parham aboard his Brixham based boat Spot On! As I've mentioned on here before Ross is a fantastic skipper and he put myself and nine others right amongst the fish recently. All on board caught plenty of cod, the odd pollock showed also and a few ling and whiting were caught too. It wasn't uncommon for all ten of us to be hauling up fish all at the same time! Not something that happens every time out and so something to be thoroughly enjoyed when it does. Tackle and tactics used by all were pretty similar with either 12lb or 20lb class rods matched with decent multiplier reels holding 30lb to 50lb braid being the preferred choice. On the business end, lures of varying shape, size and colour were tied to long, strong traces and sent down to the depths using 10oz or 12oz ball leads attached via long tube booms. A reasonably tangle-proof, cheap and very effective fish catching set-up. Pretty standard wrecking gear really! A bit of barbel and chub fishing is next on the list. I'm fishing the River Wye at Courtfield, Lower Lydbrook tomorrow. June 16th! Opening day! Very exciting! Next week should find me out bass fishing with John Wallington and Devon Bass Pro Charters of Seaton, Devon. Then it's back to the Wye before heading off to Skjervoy, Northern Norway for a week targeting the cod, coalfish and halibut that this part of the world is famed for. Lots to tell you about hopefully, so check back soon to find out how it all goes.