George's Bank Cod on the Helen H ?

[GBOUTDOORS]

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

[nightfighter]

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

Happy Birthday!

[squiddler]

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.

[chipwood]

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.

[GBOUTDOORS]

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?

[thefishingfreak]

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

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