Best place for April/May cod

[John D.]

A few friends and I are looking to travel for cod from central NJ. When (preferably April or May) and where can we find the best cod fishing? Willing to take the drive north to wherever necessary and looking for info on options.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
John

[MohawkJD]

Cod is closed north of Cape Cod and only 1 fish per man at the end of the summer. I don't think there's much in Rhode Island or Montauk that time of the year. Best bet might be here in NJ.

Haddock opens north of the Cape May 1 and pollack could be around there too. They're similar to cod fishing and haddock tastes better.

[John D.]

Thanks for th reply. There isn't any great cod fishing march through May from Mass? Or places further south?

[MohawkJD]

Originally Posted by John D.

Thanks for th reply. There isn't any great cod fishing march through May from Mass? Or places further south?

For March, you can try Frances Fleet in Rhode Island or Viking in Montauk. I'm not sure how their winter season was, but it starts to fizzle out in March.

[MVP]

For local Cod in NJ give the following sponsor boats a call
Russian Roulette - Pt Pleasant, NJ
Last Lady Shark River, NJ

[John D.]

Admittedly I am a newbie to cod fishing but thought Mass was lights out for cod in April/May. Has something changed?

[NJ Dave]

Originally Posted by John D.

Admittedly I am a newbie to cod fishing but thought Mass was lights out for cod in April/May. Has something changed?

No, nothing has changed. We sill let the rock hoppers drag everything that swims up in the nets.

[tautog]

You have not been able to keep any cod in most of Mass for a few years now. The stock is shaky. Good haddock fishing at 15 per person after June 1st.

[BOOMER43]

Check your pms

[NoLimit]

Point Judith, RI is worth looking into. It looks like they sailed in Feb weather permitting and are catching market cod. It is quicker to drive there and then sail to the cod grounds vs driving to Montauk for the longer boat ride.