Cod

Gadus morhua

A fantastic eating fish, Cod are commonly found off the Welsh coast. Cod migrate seasonally, with some moving to colder northern waters in the summer, while other (usually smaller) specimens stay around the coast year-round. They return in autumn, often in numbers, particularly in the Bristol channel which has a well-known winter run, which in recent years has been strong. 

Cod have an insatiable appetite and will feed on anything they can find, making them the perfect fish to target with bait. Worms, prawns, shellfish, crabs, lobsters, octopus and any other form of marine life will all be eaten. Cod will also actively hunt other smaller fish. 

Smaller cod are usually referred to as ‘codling’ but once they hit 5lb plus they can be called cod. Double figure cod are still caught in good numbers off the Welsh coast.