Jigging for cod can be an exciting and effective way to catch these delicious groundfish, and last week I had the opportunity to do some cod jigging on Friday October 4th with MFCC member Bruno Demir.
Also onboard for this cod jigging trip were Bruno's friends and family members Eddy Kooyomjian, Doug Maki, Uncle Izzy and Derek Barber. It was an All-Star cod jigging crew and I liked our chances of putting some fish on the deck!
For this trip I'd be fishing with MFCC member Bruno Demir onboard his boat the Gaviota. You may recognize Bruno from his appearances on our podcast. He's also the guy behind our annual "Fluke vs Cancer" fundraiser. His company, Cape & Islands Mitsubishi, is a sponsor of MFCC.
Also joining us is MFCC member Eddy Kooyomjian, owner of Monomoy Tackle. You might recognize Eddy from his many informative reports about fishing off Monomoy. If you're logged-in as a member of My Fishing Cape cod, then you can read some of his recent reports and posts by clicking here.
Bruno's uncle, Izzy (left) is not only a fisherman, but also an expert gardener. In fact uncle Izzy gave me a peach tree a couple years ago, and it's been growing great in my backyard. Bruno's friend Derek (center) and cousin Doug (right) were also onboard for this cod jigging adventure.
If you are looking to reel in some of the most prized fish in the Atlantic, then look no further than jigging for cod in the historic waters of the Cape. This time-honored technique has been a staple of Cape Cod's recreational and commercial cod fishery for generations.
Jigging for Cod 101
It was a cool morning with absolutely no wind and crystal clear skies. I enjoyed looking at the stars and the peace and quiet of the marina as I waited for the crew to arrive.
For this cod jigging trip we would be departing from the marina shown in the map below, which provides relatively easy access to the cod fishing grounds.
Jigging for cod is a popular fishing method that involves using a weighted lure, called a jig, to attract and catch cod. This technique mimics the movement of baitfish such as herring, mackerel and sand eels, enticing hungry cod to strike.
Over the many centuries in Cape Cod's rich fishing grounds, jigging has proven to be one of the most effective ways to target these sought-after fish.
I remember looking back off the stern of Bruno's boat the Gaviota as the sun began to rise over the sandy shores of the Cape. It was a gorgeous morning and I was excited about our prospects of jigging up some nice fish for the dinner table.
The sun rises later in October, which always makes me feel a bit melancholic about the summer that just was.
Cape Cod, and It's History of Jigging Cod
Cape Cod's waters are renowned for their abundant cod populations, making it an ideal destination for anglers looking to try their hand at jigging. However, there's no denying that cod populations off the Cape have taken a big hit in recent centuries.
According to the history books, amazing catches of huge numbers of codfish were the norm in bygone eras. European anglers would travel across the Atlantic to fish the Cape's shores for cod as early as the 1400's. The fishery, and salt cod (its most prolific product) powered economies around the globe for hundreds of years before the fishery finally collapsed.
If you're interested in reading an excellent history of cod fishing, then look no further than Cod by author Mark Kurlansky.
Despite being heavily overfished for decades on end, Cape Cod's cod fishery seems to be on the rebound.
The fish today might not be as large and numerous, but the Cape's unique geography, with its sandy shoals and rocky bottom structures, provides the perfect habitat for cod, and creates numerous hotspots for jigging enthusiasts.
During this cod jigging trip we definitely did not stay put! Bruno tried numerous spots in a variety of different depths in an effort to zone-in on the best cod fishing action.
Top Spots for Jigging Cod in Cape Cod
Believe it or not, you can catch cod from shore, especially from December-April. However your odds of success are far better offshore.
While Cape Cod offers numerous locations for jigging cod, some of the most popular spots include:
During this trip we would be fishing by the area shown in the second image.
Essential Gear for Jigging Cod in Cape Cod
Once we arrived at the cod jigging grounds, Eddy, Izzy, Doug and Derek wasted no time getting rigged up and ready. I think the guys were definitely chomping at the bit to get some cod onto the deck.
To maximize your success when jigging for cod in Cape Cod, you'll want to make sure you're using the right gear. Generally speaking you'll want:
Each guy onboard this trip seemed to have a slightly different rod/reel setup, as well as a slightly different cod jig/teaser setup.
Doug was using the classic cod jig/teaser rig shown below. Rudimentary variations of this particular cod jig have been in use since the early 1900's.
Eddy on the other hand was using a more modern approach, fishing with some of his new cod and haddock jigs from his company Monomoy Tackle.
Here is the specific jig/teaser combo that Eddy was using...
Uncle Izzy on the other hand, was using a cod jig rig that I've never seen before.
I believe it was his own personal creation and although my initial thought was that his rig would produce tangles, he assured me it would not.
For a reel, most of the guys onboard were using the conventional reel shown below...
Bruno setup a drift in about 150 feet of water, and we all said a silent prayer that we'd encounter cod, and not the dreaded dogfish. Dogfish are small sharks commonly caught as bycatch. They can ruin your gear and put a real damper on any codfishing experience.
One of the many reasons we chose to jig for cod instead of fish with bait, was to avoid the dogfish.
Unfortunately we wasted no time at all hooking up with the small sharks. In fact, Doug reported that he could even feel them bumping into his line.
Pretty soon everyone onboard was hauling dogfish over the side.
Despite using jigs and instead of bait, we still caught plenty of dogfish.
Eddy still caught dogfish, but he did somehow manage to sneak through the schools of sharks and pick off a small cod, which provided us with a nice boost of morale.
This cod was too small to keep so we returned it back to the ocean. Be sure to check the latest regulations before heading out cod jigging.
With the dogfish to cod ratio being around 10:1, and after much pleading from uncle Izzy, captain Bruno decided it was time to head out to deeper water to an area off Cape Cod that's famous for its cod fishing.
Tips for Successful Cod Jigging in Cape Cod Waters
I think the initial hesitation to move to deeper water was due to the effort involved in fishing great depths. It takes a lot of stamina to jig and haul fish up from over 200 feet of water.
Perhaps this was why Derek had chosen to use an electric reel, which did most of the work for him!
I don't blame Derek for using an electric reel! It's a lot of work jigging with heavy jigs in deep water.
Regardless of you choose an electric reel or a manual reel, here's a few things to keep in mind, especially when jigging for cod in deeper water:
Finally we started hitting some fish in the deeper water!
For a while we had a pretty good pick of cod, with just a few dogfish mixed in here and there. The cod were not "monsters" but jigging was producing fish just over the legal limit, with a few more that were undersize and had to be thrown back.
Multiple Species Caught While Cod Jigging
Suddenly we began catching a few "surprise" species, including...
MFCC member Eddy Kooyomjian of Monomoy Tackle with a clear nose skate he caught during this trip.
The clearnose skate is a cartilaginous fish found in the coastal waters around Cape Cod. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms in relatively shallow waters. While not typically targeted by commercial fisheries, it is sometimes caught as bycatch in trawl nets. You can learn more about clear nose skates here.
We caught some really nice quality haddock during this trip which was a nice bonus!
Haddock are an important commercial and recreational fish species in the waters off Cape Cod. It's a member of the cod family and is known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor. Haddock populations in the Gulf of Maine, which includes the waters around Cape Cod, have rebounded in recent years due to successful management efforts. Many Cape Cod restaurants feature locally caught haddock on their menus, often prepared as the region's famous fish and chips.
Cusk is a deepwater fish found in the colder waters off Cape Cod. It's known for its firm, white flesh and is sometimes called the "poor man's lobster" due to its texture when cooked. Cusk populations around Cape Cod have declined in recent decades, leading to concerns about overfishing. As a result, it's less commonly seen in local markets than it once was, but some Cape Cod fishermen still catch cusk as bycatch when targeting other groundfish species.
Also known as ocean perch, redfish are found in the deeper, colder waters off Cape Cod. They're a slow-growing and long-lived fish, making them vulnerable to overfishing. While not as prominent in Cape Cod's fishing industry as some other species, redfish are occasionally caught by commercial trawlers operating in deeper waters offshore. Their bright red color makes them a striking sight when brought to local fish markets.
Pollock are a common fish in the waters around Cape Cod, often found schooling over rocky bottoms or near submerged structures. It's an important species for both commercial and recreational fisheries in the area. Many charter boats operating out of Cape Cod harbors target pollock, especially in the cooler months. The fish is also popular among anglers fishing from party boats. I've even caught smaller pollock at times when fishing at the Cape Cod Canal during November.
It was turning into quite the smorgasbord of a day. You just never know what you're doing to catch when jigging for cod!
Bass & Albies on the Way In
By early afternoon we had our fill jigging so captain Bruno decided to point the bow of the Gaviota back towards Cape Cod and make the trek back in. However, I knew we would not be going back to the dock without at least giving stripers a try.
After a 20 mile or so run Bruno setup the boat in front of the rip shown below.
The wind was calm but a big ocean swell was making conditions somewhat dangerous, so we all kept a close eye on the waves as we cast Savage Sandeels back into the strike zone.
It only took a few casts for Derek to hookup and land a high 20 inch blass false albacore! What a bonus!
Doug then followed it up with a slot size striper of his own!
Derek caught another striper and we received a few more hits before calling it a trip. We likely could have stayed longer and caught more, but it had been a long day on the water. Plus Bruno had to get home to take care of some family commitments.
All in all it had been a successful day of jigging for cod, plus a lot more!
Conclusion
If you decided you want to head out and enjoy Cape Cod's recreational cod fishery, just remember to keep a close eye on the weather, especially during the fall. Cod jigging typically requires a long run offshore, and with less boats during October and November, it can be a risky endeavor.
Also be sure to check out the latest cod regulations. They seem to change a bit based on the latest science and where exactly off Cape Cod you are fishing. Here's the link again to the latest cod regs.
Jigging for cod off Cape Cod is a unique fishing experience that combines skill, patience, and a willingness to move around and explore until you find the cod (or at least get away from the dogfish).
Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, the waters around Cape Cod still provide an excellent opportunity to go jigging for cod. Sure it may not be as epic as it once was, but the Cape is still one of the premier cod fishing destinations on Planet Earth.
Thanks for reading and tight lines! 
About the author
Ryan Collins
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Awesome that you caught Cod and so many other species on your trip!
This was a pretty epic rundown of the offshore life. Jigging in areas like this can be a perpetual series of hope. You really never know what you might just pullup outta there.
What a great fishing report. Sounds like a lot of fun with multiple species.