Shore fishing

[Pighunter]

Normally about now I am chomping at the bit for the winter season to come, but this years summer cod fishing has been my best and most enjoyable season for years, loved every min of it having walking boots on pair of shorts and t shirt with just a bag, rod and stand getting sun burnt while catching a lot of fish in the daylight, hurry up winter before I become a fair weather fisherman lol

[Tonygdodds]

I think it's been a cracking year for bait fish & sandeels
Every cod Iv had boat or rock have been bursting with either sandeel or small fish
Talking to a lad on Friday whose saying exactly the same thing apart from hard back crabs in there bellys.
He had a good fish at beadnell I reckon was easily 10lb caught on crab/black lug & was full of eating crabs almost big enough for the pan!!
Could it be a sign of things to come or just one of them things?

[andyco]

As far as I seen there was a LOT less mackerel than last year, maybe the lack of mackerel meant more sandeels left for the cod??

[Pighunter]

I don't think it's the fish baits as all the fish I have gutted have been full of crab. Possibly the early crab start kept them close?

[andyco]

I don't think it's the fish baits as all the fish I have gutted have been full of crab. Possibly the early crab start kept them close?

most of the cod ive seen gutted on the pier over the summer were full of sandeels

[RossW]

Two cold winters in a row (before the mild one just gone) must have helped the cod. Loads more eggs and fry survive in colder temperatures.

[andyco]

Two cold winters in a row (before the mild one just gone) must have helped the cod. Loads more eggs and fry survive in colder temperatures.

that makes sense, most of the codling that have been coming out lately (the majority that ive had, and seen, have been about 15-20inches) look to be 2-3years old