Atlantic cod

Getting started

Your first try for Atlantic cod

One recommended starting point: pilk fishing from a boat from a boat. More methods are listed under “How to fish”.

1. 1. Place and time

   • Cod usually stay in the bottom few metres above the seabed. When they chase herring and other baitfish, they move up into open water.6,7,8,9Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring7Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triks8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt9OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundTorskAll sources on this page
   • Best in Oct–Dec, especially in the evening.

2. 2. Tackle

   Rod

   Sea rod of about 6–7 feet in the 20–30 lb class. Go up to 30–50 lb in deep water and with heavy pilks.6,8,10,11Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt10ExperienceHooked.noNå er det tid for stortorsken!11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page

   Line

   Braided line (multifilament) of about 0.28–0.32 mm.6,7,8Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring7Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triks8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båtAll sources on this page

   Leader

   Strong monofilament leader of about 0.8–1.2 mm for pilks with rubber worms.8,10,11Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt10ExperienceHooked.noNå er det tid for stortorsken!11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page

   Pilk

   Approx. 250–500 g. Heavier in deep water and strong current.6,8,10,11Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt10ExperienceHooked.noNå er det tid for stortorsken!11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page

3. 3. Rig up: pilk (heavy metal jig) with rubber worms

   1. 1Main line. Braided line (multifilament) from the reel.8Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båtAll sources on this page
   2. 2Swivel. Connects the main line and the leader.8Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båtAll sources on this page
   3. 3Leader. A length of strong monofilament between the main line and the pilk. It withstands teeth and bottom contact better than braided line.8,12Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt12OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSlik får du fisk i saltvannAll sources on this page
   4. 4Rubber worm. A hook with a rubber worm, hanging as a dropper on the leader.8,11Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page
   5. 5Pilk. A metal lure at the bottom that gives weight and attracts the fish.7Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions7Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triksAll sources on this page

   How to assemble it

   • →Attach the swivel to the main line, and tie the leader to the swivel.8Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båtAll sources on this page
   • →Tie one or two rubber worms onto the leader. Once you have found the fish, 1–2 metres between the hooks is enough.8,11Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page
   • →Attach the pilk at the bottom, preferably with a strong swivel so it is easy to change.8Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båtAll sources on this page
   • →The leader should be long enough that the next fish is still in the water when you hold the first one in the boat.8Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båtAll sources on this page

4. 4. How to do it

   • →Pilk fishing with one or two rubber worms as droppers is the most common way to fish for cod from a boat.7,8,10,11Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions7Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triks8ExperienceNormark Norway (elbe.no)Sjøfiske fra båt10ExperienceHooked.noNå er det tid for stortorsken!11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page
   • →The pilk should be as light as possible, but heavy enough for you to keep contact with the bottom or the depth you are fishing at. Depth and current determine the weight.6,7,10,11Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring7Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triks10ExperienceHooked.noNå er det tid for stortorsken!11ExperienceSeilmagasinetSlik fanger du juletorskenAll sources on this page
   • →Lift gently and let the pilk sink back. The bite often comes while it is sinking.6,10,13Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring10ExperienceHooked.noNå er det tid for stortorsken!13ExperienceSølvkrokenSlik fisker du torsk fra landAll sources on this page

Where

Where to find Atlantic cod

Technique and tackle

How to fish for Atlantic cod

When

Season and time of day

• →As the sea gets colder through autumn and winter, the cod move closer to land and into shallower water. Then you can reach them from shore too.6,9,14Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring9OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundTorsk14ExperienceHooked.noTorskefiske fra land i vinterhalvåretAll sources on this page
• →At dusk and when darkness falls, cod often move into shallow water to hunt.6,7,9Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions6ExperienceFiske & Jakt, TauSluk til torsk og kveite: vekt, dybde og føring7Experienceasgeiralvestad.noSlik fisker du torsk, tips og triks9OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundTorskAll sources on this page
• →Cod along the Norwegian coast normally spawn from February to April.15Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions15ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetRisiko knyttet til gyting i merd hos oppdrettstorsk ulike deler av året (Rapport fra havforskningen 2024-60)All sources on this page
• →Northern NorwayThe skrei comes in to the coast to spawn in March–April. The most important spawning grounds are in Vesterålen and Lofoten.5Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to: Northern Norway5ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetTorsk – nordaustarktisk (skrei)All sources on this page

Rules

Minimum sizes and closed seasons

About the fish

Identification and life history

Identification

• →Three dorsal fins, two anal fins and a barbel under the chin. Slight overbite.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikontorskAll sources on this page
• →The colour varies with habitat and food: grey, olive green, brown or reddish brown with darker marbling. The belly is pale, almost white. Reddish-brown cod from the kelp forest is often called kelp cod (taretorsk).1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikontorskAll sources on this page

Size

• →South of StadCoastal cod south of 62°N rarely grow beyond 1 metre and 20 kg.22Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to: South of Stad22ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetKysttorsk – sør for 62ºNAll sources on this page
• →The species can reach up to 180 cm and 55 kg, but coastal cod are considerably smaller than the migratory skrei.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikontorskAll sources on this page

Diet

• →Crustaceans, shellfish and fish.22Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions22ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetKysttorsk – sør for 62ºNAll sources on this page

Experiences

Tips from people who have fished for Atlantic cod

Sources

What this page is based on

The numbers in the text refer to the sources below. Fishing tips must be confirmed by at least three independent sources. Read about our source requirements.