Catching cod from the surf is exhilarating, often undertaken in the most brutal of weather conditions. It’s the big winds and big seas whipped up by major depressions coming in from the Atlantic that entice the winter cod into feed. To combat these natural elements, tackle needs to be strong, yet still capable of casting to good distance, and dragging fish, when necessary, through big weed filled surfs.
Rods
Rods around 13 to 14-feet in length and rated to cast between 5 and 8ozs offer the leverage and power to launch big leads and baits to range. They also have the backbone to bully big fish against a tide run and to steer them through and away from any snags. They are capable of fishing over clean sand, but also directly into patches of rougher ground that the cod like to feed in.
The longer 13ft to 14ft rods also help to keep the line out of the close to shore waves where line tends to pick up more floating weed. The wave action running up the line can give false bites on the rod tip that can be difficult to interpret.
Where possible, over clean sand, fish two rods side by side. This allows you to cover more ground, putting one rod out as far as you can and the other slightly shorter. This means you can identify the band where the fish are working and feeding quicker, plus you have double the chance of catching.
Reels
Many cod anglers prefer a 6500/7000 sized multiplier holding in the region of 300-yards of 20/25lb mono. Look for strong gears, drags that can be almost locked up, and a sizeable reel handle to make retrieving under pressure easier. A retrieve ratio between 5.1:1 and 6.1:1, the latter being preferable, gets the line back in quickly when needed. An instantly adjustable dial-in braking system also simplifies casting control for instant adjustment to changing weather.
On rods designed for fixed spool reels, a powerful 8000 sized reel with a line capacity of about 400 metres of 0.40 mm line is the best choice. There will be a lot of pressure on these reels when playing fish through heavy surfs and some snags, so again look for strong gears with a ratio around 4.4:1 with a slow oscillation system to give even line lay on the spool. Generally speaking, the greater the number of ball-bearings the smoother the reel will be under pressure, another indicator to look for.
Mainline and Leader
Use 20lb mono for fishing over clean sand on the multiplier reel with a 60lb mono shock leader. 20lb mainline still casts well to range but gives some degree of abrasion resistance when in contact with the sand, or when hauling clumps of weed in, in those rougher seas. It can be an advantage at night to use a coloured leader, such as orange, which can be easily picked out by your headlight at night to locate where fish are just before landing.
Fixed spool reels should be loaded with 30lb braided line and a 80lb braid shock leader for heavy sea conditions over sand.
- Tronixpro Competition XT Mainline
- Tronixpro Xenon Leader
- Tronixpro Xenon Mainline
- Tronixpro X8 Probraid
Rigs
A pulley rig covers virtually all cod fishing situations off the shore and gets the weight up above the seabed when a fish is hooked and played, reducing the chances of it finding snags.
- Begin with 50-inches of 60lb to 80lb clear mono.
- To one end, tie on a Big Bait Casting Snap, slide on a 5 mm bead, a pulley rig bead and another 5 mm bead.
- Measuring up from the tag end of mono 22-inches, tie in a figure-of-eight knot. This stops the beads and pulley rig bead sliding any further.
- On the tag end of mono, slide on a rig crimp, a 3 mm bead and an 8 mm bead, then the hook. Crimp the crimp lightly in place on the mono, just enough that under heavy finger pressure you can slide it on the line. This bead arrangement acts as a bait stop and avoids the bait blowing back up the line during the cast.
- The hook needs to be a strong Viking pattern in size 4/0 to 6/0 depending on bait size.
A plus point with this rig is that it’s constructed from one length of 60lb line right through to the hook for maximum strength and abrasion resistance.
Over clean sand you can choose a 2-hook Pennel option on the hook length with the top hook being adjustable by sliding on the hook trace and positioned directly above the lower hook. The hook length line runs freely through the eye of the top hook, but to lock it in place, simply wind the line around the shank of the hook three times to hold it firmly in place. This additional second hook can add the odd extra fish, providing that fish attacks the bait from the top rather than at the lower hook end.
- Tronixpro Xenon Leader
- Tronixpro Big Bait Casting Snap Link
- Tronixpro Pulley Rig Bead
- Tronixpro Round Beads
- Tronixpro Rig Crimps
- Tronixpro Beast Uptide Hooks
Leads
Over sand, select torpedo or bomb shaped release wire leads. In most situations, leads between 5 and 6ozs will cover all options. The bigger 6oz weights, being a denser mass, will punch bigger baits out better when casting directly into a headwind, so these are essential for regular surf cod anglers to carry.
It’s also worth carrying some small cable ties with you. In very heavy surfs when the weight is being constantly dragged free and the wires are releasing prematurely, wrap the cable ties around the wires on the lead to create a fixed wire lead. These anchor down far better.
- Shorecast Gripaway Leads
Top Baits
The top bait for surf cod is fresh black lug, or frozen black lug tipped with two or three blow lug. Cod also like cocktail baits comprising lugworm, ragworm, and tip these with a sliver of squid, or tip with mussel, razorfish, or queen cockle for added attraction. Tipping with shellfish is particularly effective just after a gale in seas, settling down after a gale has passed through when natural bait is washing ashore.
Fresh peeler crab is deadly over patches of rougher ground, and frozen crab still works well during the winter when fished close to rough ground patches.
Rod Rest
Over sand, an extended rod rest can get the rod tips high to avoid weed in the surf and wave action with bite indication much improved. It’s also easier to watch the rod tips.
It’s always worth carrying a mesh bag with you, the type some vegetables are supplied in. Fill this with pebbles or sand and hang it on the rod rest in windy weather to add greater stability.
Add a couple of strips of reflective tape, like Mighty Bright, to the front of the rod rest so that you can instantly locate it when walking back shoreward after casting.
Headlight
The best advice with headlights is to go for the best you can afford. Fishing at night in adverse weather conditions and big seas, you need a completely reliable headlight.
One with a general floodlight for changing rigs and baiting up, also a much more powerful long-range pencil beam which is used for orientation at 100-yards plus. This beam can also be used for spotting lobster pots, locating fish in the surf before landing, and for finding your way back up the rocks and off the beach. Most good headlights have multiple options, including a flashing red emergency option. Power output is measured in Lumens, so look for those with a rating of 2000 plus Lumens and a running time on flood beam of 100 hours plus. Rechargeable models are excellent but aim to get one with an IPX8 rating, meaning it's waterproof and resistant to being dropped.
It's also wise to carry a small torch, just as a backup, should it ever be needed.
Shelters
Though impractical when fishing on shallower surf beaches as you need to fall back constantly as the tide advances, a beach shelter is an asset if you’re fishing off a shingle bank and don’t need to move during the fishing session. It’s a solid base to work from, keeps your tackle, and you dry and out of the wind, and being comfortable is often the most efficient way to fish as you’ll concentrate better.
Umbrellas are popular and the best feature wrap around side panels with flat panel edges that pebble and stones can be placed on to add weight for shelter stability. Choose one that has the Nubrolli option to place the middle pole at the rear of the brolly. This increases space for increased comfort and accessibility.
Alternatively, look at purpose-built beach shelters. These are fast to erect and light in weight for transportation. Again, they have flat panels that pebbles can be piled on for security. These are typically preferred to brollies because they are more open and give easier access out of the shelter when reacting to bites.
