Surf and Cod: Keep a look out!

[snapperbluefish101]

Since the water temps close to shore are getting into the low forties, I wanted to mention the chances of getting some Cod off our inlet jetties and ocean surf and jetties this time of year.
In the second week of October in 2011, I saw angler carry of an 19-20 inch Cod off the Shark River Inlet North Jetty. A few weeks ago (Last week of October) I saw in the Angler's report that they caught a nice 10lb cod on one of the inshore tog and porgy structures they fished. This weekend while on the NK3's magic hour ling trip, I talked to one of the mates and he told me they caught a 8lbder on their blackfish that day, which was inshore as well. Lastly, a realiable source told me that a nice Cod was caught off of one of the Asbury Jetties' by an angler trying for bass soaking clams after the blow on Wednesday (11/27) and I certainly believe it.

I gonna be giving it a try all through out December. There is a lot of inshore structure that do hold a few codfish (given the right water temperatures), the Shark River Reef is a good example (Only a few miles from shore) and there are a few other inshore Rocks and Reefs areas that will hold a few Cod until the water gets too cold. If they are around those areas and the water temperatures in the surf and jetties is still reasonably warm for the Cod, a few should make their way onto the beach.

Don't forget the chances of getting a Ling or Spotted Hake from the jetty too.

I also saw that their are some baby Haddock in Raritan Bay. I am welcomed to see that we are getting a few of those down here.

It is pretty cool to see a fish that likes and is in caught deepers water possible to be caught from shore.

I will post a report if I catch one.

SNAPPERHEAD

[Jigman13]

It's not uncommon to get cod in close. Last year I had a few keepers 1.5 miles from the beach off the south shore of LI in January on clams. We actually saw some decent life on the finder, quickly dropped down, nailed 3 or 4 fish up to 12 lbs, and then they were gone.

Post a pic if you get lucky!

[bulletbob]

I really admire your enthusiasm !... In reality, NJ inshore is pretty much at the southernmost edge of the range of Cod, Pollock and Haddock..
We will get some stragglers here and there in the shallows,, and yes you may get one this winter, and I wish you the very best luck..

In my mind its kind of like fishing for fluke in lets say New Hampshire or southern Maine. A few are caught mid summer and they are known to stray that far north, but the reason no one fishes for them there is the simple fact there just aren't many around..
Not only that, but Cod are more geared to deep water.. Some will venture in close, right into bays, but the big numbers and big fish are more of a deep water fish.. Cod and Pollock come in close much more often in Canada, Maine and south to Mass, than they do in NJ.. even there though its smaller fish usually that are caught inshore.. There are always exceptions of course, and here's hoping you prove it.. An interesting undertaking.. I hope you are rewarded... bob

[Capt Joe]

"Since the water temps close to shore are getting into the low forties,"

huh?...lower 50's...40's in January

[reefsquater]

I was on the magic hours ling trip as well. Had so e delicious ling tonight!

My best cod trip south of mass. was on the Norma k 3, slayed them two years ago. Capt. Matt put us on the mother load.

Caught small cod on the blackfish grounds 1/4 mike from the beach too. Not enough to target them though, I would suggest watching to see if NJ gets another shot at them, otherwise enjoy the bycatch.

[jmurr711]

long branch pier all the whiting & ling ya want!

[SaltLife1980]

I caught a Cod once fluke fishing.. Believe it was on a RFA trip few years back.. hit a jig

[njfisherman1975]

Jmurr...back in the day...we used to load up burlap sacks of them and take them to the smokehouse afterwards too. But, as you already know...there are only three whiting left in the world since we nailed two of them this year!

[Flukemeister1]

[QUOTE=bulletbob]I really admire your enthusiasm !... In reality, NJ inshore is pretty much at the southernmost edge of the range of Cod, Pollock and Haddock..
I don't know about the Haddock but my cousin fishes very often out of Ocean City Maryland. He said last year they had such wierd water conditions that the guys fishing some of the spots off shore were catching Mahi on the surface and cod on the wrecks. Like you said you are not going to get big numbers but they are there.

The 77% catch reduction in the Gulf of Maine can only help us in NJ for future catches of cod.

[bulletbob]

[QUOTE=bulletbob]I really admire your enthusiasm !... In reality, NJ inshore is pretty much at the southernmost edge of the range of Cod, Pollock and Haddock..
I don't know about the Haddock but my cousin fishes very often out of Ocean City Maryland. He said last year they had such wierd water conditions that the guys fishing some of the spots off shore were catching Mahi on the surface and cod on the wrecks. Like you said you are not going to get big numbers but they are there.

The 77% catch reduction in the Gulf of Maine can only help us in NJ for future catches of cod.

Cod and Mahi ,same time, same place??.. wow that is weird...
Suppose it could happen here in NJ, as there are always some Cod on offshore wrecks, but Maryland??.. I would have thought there were very few Cod that far south...

Think what a help it would be to the local party/charter boat captains, if we could get a decent winter fishery back... Cod/Pollack/Ling/Hake,maybe a Haddock here and there... Even if there were size/bag limits it wouldn't matter if the fishery became viable.. I know that all the NJ boats that sail all winter get some Cod, but its hit or miss, and is pretty far offshore and pricey for some anglers.. If we could get a decent winter fishery, and take some pressure of the tog, it would be a wonderful thing.. Here's hoping... bob

[snapperbluefish101]

If you see the Miss Belmar's report they jigged two 14-20lb Cod on the Shrewsbury Rocks today. Good sign for sure!

SNAPPERHEAD