How to Rig for Cod Fish

Cod is one of the most popular ocean fish that anglers target. In addition to its recreational value, cod is a desirable food fish, and cod meat is commonly served in restaurants and sold at grocery stores. Cod meat is white and flaky, without the "fishy" taste that some people find offensive. For people who want to target cod, there are a couple of primary rigging methods.

Things You'll Need

  • Jigs
  • Weights
  • Hooks
  • Clams
  • Plastic worms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide whether you want to fish with live bait or with a jig. Jigging is a more active method of fishing for cod, while live-bait fishing essentially involves dropping the rig to the bottom and waiting for a bite.

    • 2

      Tie on a live-bait rig. The most common rig involves, in order, a weight that's heavy enough to keep the rig on the bottom, a 50-lb. to 100-lb. monofilament leader, and two size 6/0 hooks about 18 inches apart. Use a dropper knot (see Resources) to attach the hooks to the line. Bait the hooks with clams and drop the rig to the bottom. Make sure the rig stays on the bottom as you're fishing. On live-bait rigs, cod bites will feel like a peck or a steady tug.

    • 3

      Rig for jigging. Tie a dropper loop knot in your line (see Resources) and attach a 6/0 hook to the dropper knot. Slide a 4-inch to 6-inch plastic worm in the hook. This is called your "teaser." Tie on the end of the line a heavy enough jig to get to the bottom quickly. The jig should have a marabou or flasher skirt. Jig the rig by lifting your rod tip until it is nearly vertical, and then drop it back down toward the water.