Cod Fishing
 

Hey all,

After I take the boat out this year and hopefully before I lose my mind from not having the boat in I think I'm going to try to do some cod fishing on the Helen H. I've been fishing the cape for over 20 years but I've never done one of the winter cod/haddock/etc party boat trips and was wondering what to take. Obviously warm clothes, I'm planning on using a big 7 foot boat rod with 400 yards of 30#. Is jigging the best idea for these guys? If so what size diamond jigs should I take? Is there a bait alternative also? In addition are there any other head boats that work out of the cape that time of year besides the Helen H? Thanks!

16oz jigs are typical size.
Bring some 16-20 bank sinkers and either buy or tie up some bait rigs, if they get into haddock use circle hooks.
Keep in mind most head boats don't allow braid.
Also, once the closure kicks in (north of the 42 line) you can only take 2 fish or up to 75lbs

Huck is the best, he primarily fishes with jigs to avoid the dogs.
beware the schedule normally is by reservation only and subject to weather
Also boarding is by reservation order so be sure to get the trips in you want to go on ahead of time

Also bring food, sleeping bag, ear muffs, you think you snore loud, try 40 guys snoring with diesel running.

he normally leaves at 0400 and returns around 1800 each day he sails, except for the special wreck or canyon trips

Call them, the schedule online is not accurate