Tips for optimal Montauk-to-Block Island winter cod fishing

[nitestrikes]

good thread ds, its also important to realize some days they want meat, clams, and other days you will smash them by jigging.
When they are hitting clams hard, you can make the odds better by tipping a hook with a chartreuse or pink jelly worm.

It's a good idea to have lots of extra rigs, and jigs anywhere from 8-16 oz. The full and new moon will have greater current and you will need heavier jigs. The guys who put their limits into the box are the ones who are able to adapt to whatever the conditions are, for that particular day.

[finchaser]

good thread ds, its also important to realize some days they want meat, clams, and other days you will smash them by jigging.
When they are hitting clams hard, you can make the odds better by tipping a hook with a chartreuse or pink jelly worm.

It's a good idea to have lots of extra rigs, and jigs anywhere from 8-16 oz. The full and new moon will have greater current and you will need heavier jigs. The guys who put their limits into the box are the ones who are able to adapt to whatever the conditions are, for that particular day.

What he ^^^said when the cod are chasing Herring, clams are useless you need jigs.

I also disagree with snotty days as baits are bounced all over the bottom and the swells and wind puts big loops in line making it almost impossible to feel bites. Best days are with wind and current are together so there is a good drift or to keep tight on the anchor

Boat don't chum as the water is too deep but throwing the shells over as the mates shuck does help when at anchor over a wreck

I've been cod and pollock fishing for over 50 years and nothing beats a big Pollock on a jig

[storminsteve]

I've been cod and pollock fishing for over 50 years and nothing beats a big Pollock on a jig

Thanks for the tips finchaser I never caught a cod or pollack on a jig and want to do that soon. Do you have a particular jigging technique for cod or pollack that you could describe to us? thanks.

[rockhopper]

Has anyone fished montauk or snug harbor ri block cod trips yet? I heard the fishing was spotty and don't want to make the drive if it is, thanks.

[finchaser]

been dead

[BassBuddah]

This is a recent report from the Viking Feb 17. Capt was pretty honest. As finchaser said it has been pretty dismal.

"Capt Carl reports a tough day on the cod grounds. It was very cold out and fishing was very picky. We read them pretty good but they seemed to have lockjaw. There were also dogs around. Me managed a slow pick by days end, but it certainly wasn't enough. Kevin McCann from Staten Island won the pool with an 8 pound Cod."