FROM NOVEMBER ON: OFF SALEM

As the days become shorter and the temperatures cooler, fishermen think about the unpleasant task of hauling and winterizing the boat. Others look toward the shorter and cooler days as a signal to get prepared for the great fall cod fishing that is about to start.

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around most fishermen have given up the rods and reels. Despite the lateness of the season, there are still a good number of days that resemble a warm spring period. Wouldn’t be nice to wet a line on one of these days?

It is late enough in the season that we are on the verge of winter storms, but they have yet to arrive. It is a transition period. Although storms do take place, the severity of the storms are generally on the lower end of the spectrum. Quiet days. Light breezes and bright skies should be taken advantage of.

Fishermen that trailer their boats are at a distinct advantage over those that rely on commercial dock rentals. There are sufficient numbers of access point and launching facilities that can accommodate the late season cod fisherman.

Inshore locations: Salem Sound, a short distance north of Boston, is one of those spots that can be good to winter fishermen. There are numerous locations within the harbor limits that hold cod. There is generally a mix of undersized and just limit catches. One of the most productive spots is Coney Ledge. The eastern edge of this spot drops off rapidly to about 50 feet and is generally the most productive. Fishermen declare the 6 and 9 ounce norwegian style jig, rigged with a strip of bait and/or a teaser does the job of attracting cod nicely.

The next location covers the waters from Eagle Bar to Cutthroat Shoal. During the years that a party boat ran out of Salem, this was one of their favorite spots to drop a jig or bait. This location was one of the first spots that hold cod and one of the last to find the cod departing. Currents and up swells create just the right mix to attract plenty of bait. Because of the currents, jigs that are slender generally perform the best.. Hopkins and Kastmaters are among the most chosen.

Bowditch Ledge, located between the Salem Channel and Eagle Bar is another area that is usually very productive. Although fair numbers of fish are caught at both ends of the season, fishermen must realize that moves are necessary in order to be successful. The cod fishing of today is not like it was fifteen years ago.

House Ledge and Hardy Rocks are shallow areas surrounded by waters in excess of fifty feet. This was a spot that was popular among the local party boats and many of the smaller private charter boats. Today, House Ledge and Hardy Rocks still produce cod for local anglers.

Pilgrim Ledge and Gales Ledge are located just outside Baker’s Island and are very popular among the local cod fishermen. Both jigs and sea clams attract fish but the combination of jigs and clams seem to be preferred by the majority of anglers. On occasion, cod well into the teens have been over the gunwalls of private boats.

Tinker’s Ledge continues to be among the favorite cod locations among local fishermen. Both ends of the season are productive and there is usually an abundance of market sized cod. Located just outside Marblehead, Tinker’s Ledge is an easy location to reach, even for smaller boats, and is extremely popular. Most fishermen seem to prefer bait as jigs have a tendency to get hung up on the bottom. If a jig gets hung up on bottom vegetation it generally means a lost jig.

Within ten miles of Halfway Rock:  The following locations are located within ten miles of Halfway Rock. Within these boundaries there are numerous locations that have proven themselves time and time again. Hills, ledges, valleys, hard humps and wrecks all provide prime cod fishing locations.

Two of the very popular locations among local cod fishermen are Saturday Night Ledge and Newcomb’s Ledge. Both ledges hold good numbers of cod during the spring and again during the fall. Newcomb’s Ledge is located just off the "Groaner", a whistle buoy located just outside Baker’s island. Most fishermen seem to prefer jigs in these locations but bait fishermen also score well. Larger cod seem to be caught more often at Saturday Night Ledge..

Many of the hills in the area attract both fish and fishermen. When fishing the hills it is generally more productive to fish the quiet side of the hill, that is fish the inside of the hill on an incoming tides and the outside on the outgoing tide. Two of the most popular hills are Hill#47 and the 101 Hill. The LORAN numbers for these hills are 13885.1 X 25816.5 and 13888.5 X 25765.0 respectively.

Other hills that have been quite productive include the following hills; Hill #60, Hill #115 and Hill # 120. All these hills can be located on the charts and are named by the depths that they rise to. All the hills have been productive and are best fished with jigs, tipped with bait. Expect to take a couple of fish from each location but don’t expect to fill a bucket at any one spot. The LORAN numbers for hill # 60 are 13957.1 X 25793.0. Plug in the following numbers to find hill #115, 13896.1 X 25774.0 and hill #120, 13910.0 X 25776.5.

Hard Humps are other locations that can be very productive for bottom fishermen. Often time these locations are overlooked by most fishermen. Here are LORAN numbers for a couple productive hard humps. The first numbers are; 13894.3 X 25735.0 and the location of the second hump is 13892.2 X 25740.0. These hard humps are productive during the spring and fall and will continue to hold cod well into winter. Keep in mind that the strong currents created by the moving tide and the humps will require fishermen to use jig of at least 17 ounces.

December often times has unseasonably warm days. During these time why not cast a line or drop a jig for some late season cod. The January thaw provides fishermen with the opportunity to do some cod fishing from the shore as well as from boats. Some party boats in the area will start "snowball" trips during February. Winter fishing is for the hardy and the rewards are great. After all, nothing beats a hot, fresh cooked New England fish chowder on a cold winter night. This is truly the great life