Return of the cod?

[Jimbob]

Seem to be loads of cod about this year.

Is it me or has it definitely picked up (I hardly got out last year).

Have the fishing bans paid off?

Also, there seems to be fewer whiteys about - only big ones. Anyone reckon that the whiteys filled the gap left by the cod, but now that they are back, the smaller whiting are being eaten by larger fish...

Any views, while I batter another one for my tea..

[Topfly]

I reckon thats exactly whats happened Jimbob. with sandeel (launce) being overfished in the north sea the cod have to feed on the next available sizewise member of the food chain.

[Red5]

Gone ominously quiet up our way!

[johnf]

There has been a landing ban on cod, this may have helped(only until end Dec mind), so make the most of it!.
ps
There has not been many "doublers" though. Although they tend to turn up in the new year.

[mick dunn]

Personally i don,t think its any different to last year. Mind i usually fish when i visit relatives on my days off rather than go when conditions dictate.Would probs catch more if i went then.

Have seen loads of whities and caught loads. Some biguns as well.

I was told there are a lot of whities cos the cod have been hammered and they are not eating them. Upset the natural balance so to speak.
Mick.

[john/r]

hi all, as always its the conditions that bring the fish in all s/w winds last year

[foss]

Remember last year there was a population explosion of pipe fish off our coast easy pickings for cod never Never heard of them being about this year.

[mick dunn]

John you must be right there. When i,m not down the sea is rough N.E and fish caught. When i come down for some reason the wind goes to SW and nowt but whities.I,m waiting for the sea to pick up and i,ll be back.

[john/r]

hi mick, yes a bit luck does come into it in as much catching the conditions right but there again we have our our low water rock marks, our piers, and the river tyne which is superb in my opion not everyone likes fishing the river but i do so realy if it is flat you still have a chance all is not lost i can remember a few years back getting a 9 pounder along a featureless clean beach at low water so you never know,but at present with this freezing weather unless there is movement on it puts me off never the less i may try the tyne in the morn approx 5am or 6 i must be mad.