Also known as
- P-Cod US
- Gray Cod US
- True Cod US
- Grey Cod US
Identification
North Pacific demersal cousin of the Atlantic cod — a robust elongated bottom-dweller built for sustained dogged pulling rather than speed. Aggressive schooling biters; common 4-6kg fish, trophies push 20kg.
- Mottled brown, green, and grey colouration camouflaged for seabed life
- Long chin barbel — sensory whisker for scent-feeding in low light
- Three separate dorsal fins and two anal fins — classic gadid silhouette
- Prominent lateral line running the length of the body
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Oceanic
Behaviour
An opportunistic North Pacific demersal predator — schools concentrate on sandy, gravel, and mud bottoms over the continental shelf and upper slope, ambushing crustaceans and baitfish that current pushes through. Smaller fish lean on shrimp and crabs; larger fish increasingly hunt herring, capelin, and sand lance. Aggressive non-finicky biter that strikes jigs and bait readily. Migrates between deep wintering grounds and shallower spawning aggregations on a temperature-driven cycle.
Diet: Herring, Capelin, Sand Lance, Squid, Shrimp, Crabs, Octopus
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Jigging
The primary recreational method across Alaska, British Columbia, Russia, and Japan. Vertical-jig hammered chrome diamond jigs, white scampi jigs, and large soft plastic shads (80-450g) over productive sand, gravel, and rough-bottom grounds in 50-200m. Drop to bottom, sharp lift to 1-2m off, controlled flutter back — most strikes come on the drop. Schools stack tight; multiple fish per drop is normal. 50-80lb braid with a 60-100lb mono leader handles depth and bottom rubbing.
Bottom Fishing
The classic Alaskan and Pacific Northwest charter approach. Drop a multi-hook spreader rig or running-sinker rig baited with cut herring, whole squid, octopus chunks, or fresh shrimp to the bottom in 50-200m. Heavy 250-500g leads hold ground in current; 6/0-8/0 circle hooks improve hookup ratio. Bounce gently — schools come in fast on a baited rig and several fish from one drop is common.
Drift Fishing
Drift baited rigs and heavy jigs across long stretches of open shelf and shoulder structure to locate scattered schools in unfamiliar water. Sounder up the marks first, then drift downwind across the contour with enough lead to stay on bottom. The dominant Alaskan combo-charter method when fish are spread across vast shelf rather than locked to a single mark.
