Has anyone been on the Helen H to the banks for cod? I have been booked on a trip for April 21 and would like to know what to expect. Fri was my 50th b-day and Jane bought my radar arch for the boat and booked a cod trip for me and 5 guessts on the Helen H for cod on the banks. Sounds like a great time but I am green when it comes to cod fishing on one of these boats. Any help as far as what I will need to bring for rods and rigs would be great. I realy need some advise on this one to make the day a great one. Thanks GB

Put me on the guest list Greg and I'll get yoiu more info than you need, he he

Happy Birthday!

The helen H does pretty well this time of year, but fishing has been really slow this year out of all ports. The water has been so cold that the bait has just now started to show, which should turn the bite on.

You will need a good stout 7-8 foot conventional setup, with an appropriately sized conventional reel. I like to use an 8 foot lamiglass 40-80 pound jiggin stick, and a 7-8 foot medium action 20-60 pound sealine-x boat rod for bait.

I use a 113 HlW with 50 pound big game line for both jiggin and bait. You will need some big 20 ounce bank sinkers, heavy duty swivels, and 7/0 or 8/0 circle hooks for bait fishin in 160 to 300 plus feet of water. I use 80 pound leader for both bait and jig.

The cod really seem to turn on to the metal jigs in April, the stainless norwegians or the good ol diamond jigs in the 12 to 20 ounce size, with a teaser hook about 18 inches above the main jig works best for me. I like the zing shrimp tails in pink or white for the teaser, and a green or white skirt on your jigs treble seems to help as well.

I usually do pretty well on either setup, it all depends on the depth and tide. It gets pretty difficult to jig when the moon tides are roaring in 300 feet of water. At that point you are almost forced to use bait, which is provided.(clam)
You should have a great time out there with Capt. Joe and crew, just be patient with the tangles, as they will happen. Be sure to bring some good food, and a cooler to store your catch.

Squiddler said it all. I don't know if you did a limited or a regular trip, but they put you on the boat in order of when your reservation was made. So on a regular trip there are quite a few guys on board. Make sure you grab a cot, but on the regular trip the cots become scarce. In years past I've done really well on the Helen-H, but the past few years I have'nt heard much. I've killed them on jigs and we've also killed them on bait. I've been going out of another port the last few years and he says he's been seeing the Helen-H there, which surprised me. The water temps have been real cold the last few winters, but in years past we've done real well all winter long. Make sure you get in the pool. I think it's $20. My buddy and I choose to split the pot if either one of us win and he's actually won three times. Each time the pool was well ovr $500.

Thanks for the replies. Should we bring a few big coolers? Two rods each? Fill the reels with powerpro 50#? How many jigs should we bring each?

they might not allow braid on the boat ?????

makes for nasty tangles with all the other guys using mono.

Braid is a big no-no, even if the boat allows it. The tangles are horrific with it!. I would bring at least 5 jigs, a few 14's, 16's and 20's if ya got em, just in case you lose one. The areas fished do not usually produce hang ups, but beware of the props if motorfishing! Bring at least 1- 120 quart cooler per angler, more if yer feelin lucky(my best day last year filled 2 -172 quart coolers!) I would spool up with 50 or 60 pound mono.(i like trilene big game 50)

Thanks for the heads up on braid. I will go with the mono.

My bad. I PMd GB and had mentioned braid (PP). I didn't think of party boat and the crossed lines and weaving that goes on...... I'm just used to four anglers in a cockpit where I am the law... (I do like braid for the sinking effect and sensitivity at depth, don't like it in the case of a hang up)

There is no question of the superiority of braid for deep water sensitivity, plus the ease of hooksets with no stretch. All I use on my own vessel is power pro 65 for all my bottom fishin, especially the tog, you feel them lookin at the bait for christ sake.Its too bad that party boats cant have the small boat ability to drop as one and clear lines with ease when a good captain dictates when to drop, when to haul in, when to cross over as oppsed to under... I have been on a few limited trips(35 anglers) on the helen h where everyone knows what they are doin, and guys are able to use braid with no problems, but on an open trip go with the mono definitely. I see alot of guys using Yo Zuri hybrid 60 on the boats these days, and they all seem to swear by it. I am thinking of trying it my next trip out.

A good source for the knockoff solvkroken stainless jigs is Bucko's in Fall River. They have various sizes up to 24 ounce for under 10 bucks. Be sure to buy a few packs of vinyl squid skirts in various colors, and get those zing shrimp tails as well. I also like to use a large(200#) coastlock swivel for ease of changing rigs out. That way you can bring one setup for ease and comfort during transition from car to boat and back again. Tie a dropper loop off a 80 pound leader setup with a teaser hook and tail, about 15 inches down tie the coastlock. For bait, simply tie a up a single hook rig with dropper loop for weight, and for the jig be sure to put on a barrel swivel if the jig doesn't already incorporate one.

Thanks again Squiddler for the info. What Buckos did you meen the one that does repairs or the bait shop?

GB,
I don't know about the Helen H, but on the one similar trip I do each year on the Fances fleet, almost everyone uses braid and it work out just fine. I use 65lb power pro, it make a difference especially when jigging in deep water. Call the boat and ask them what they recommend.

GB,
I don't know about the Helen H, but on the one similar trip I do each year on the Fances fleet, almost everyone uses braid and it work out just fine. I use 65lb power pro, it make a difference especially when jigging in deep water. Call the boat and ask them what they recommend.

That's because Rhody cod are small :) ...

GB - Happy Five Oh ! Now knowing that you just had a BDay I won't make the crack about your picture on the billboard on 195 with you holding those two bass :hihi: (just kidding :) )

Thanks again Squiddler for the info. What Buckos did you meen the one that does repairs or the bait shop?


The one that does repairs, red building, can't remember the name of the street.

The one that does repairs, red building, can't remember the name of the street.
Strattford or Stafford I think...

Thanks for the replies I will hit Buckos this week and stock up. I think I will set up one rod mono and one braid and be covered .