Pacific Cod MA 6

That would be a tough fish to get after consistently. Only know of a few caught for all mine and friends time on the sound. Not to say it can't be done but there's other fish out there that would be more worth your time.

I've hooked one at point no point a few years back mooching for kings. Big fat belly about 6 lbs. Looked tasty

Back in the 80's there used to be great winter spawning runs of P-cod into the Puget Sound.  Anyone else here remember the Agate Pass fishery?  There used to be smaller runs around Port Townsend and down south at Dalco Passage.

Any one else remember the old Dogfish Charters?  They used to score the P-cod and Pollack out at Point Defiance.

-Allen

I remember Dogfish Charters!  Showing my age, I guess.  I remember a time (as a kid, of course), when you could count on catching a couple salmon, maybe a couple cod, and the pollock were everywhere.  The pollock were good eating, but a lot of people considered them just one step above a dogfish.
Unfortunately, because of the unregulated Indian fishing and almost unregulated commercial and bottomfish charter fishing back then,  all that has changed in my lifetime.  I think I've only caught (and released) one little  cod, and zero pollock, in the last ten years in the South Sound - never caught one in MA 6, but have only been there a handful of times.

Let's not blame the Native Americans on this one.  I don't believe they had a large impact on this fishery.  Both commercial and sport fishing had a big impact.  Personally, I believe it is something more systemic.  Not only was there a reduction in p-cod and pollack, but even more junky fish like hake reduced dramatically, without being a target fishery.

-Allen

pollution perhaps? http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/news/features/pollutants/index.cfm

SE Alaska was a good bet for cod and Pollock last summer. Just take a little trip up north. Those buggers couldn't stop biting and no limit.. If they ever come back in big numbers here I'll be all over that sh!t. Yum

SE Alaska was a good bet for cod and Pollock last summer. Just take a little trip up north. Those buggers couldn't stop biting and no limit.. If they ever come back in big numbers here I'll be all over that sh!t. Yum

We catch enough here in Southcentral Alaska that I actually inquired about a commercial fishing permit for my Kayak.  Still being discussed.  I may pursue it more now that one of my consultants I worked closely with on fisheries issues has been named to head Alaska's Fish and Game Department. 

The limiting factor prior was fuel costs.  Of course with dropping fuel prices it might not work out as well as I thought.  lol. 

I need a quick way to fillet as they come on board and some soaking solution that will de-worm them before I take them home.  If I ever cleaned a P-Cod at home, my entire family would likely stop eating ALL fish and that would not be a good thing.  Evebn though I put two freezers full of fish I caught away for the winter, I still bought 30 pounds of  commercially Vac packaged P-cod fillets.  I think my family likes it more than halibut or kings...argh.   

I think this is a worthwhile endeavor!  P-cod can be reliably targeted in area 5.  Alot of fishers will do this after getting their halibut limit.  And the P-Cod limits are generous and fairly easily had on those days.  I got a couple last year.  I can't see why area 6 would be that much different.  I think the further west you go, the better chance you have.  The problem is the depth restriction.  The p-cod in the strait live fairly deep, 250-400 feet (which is why people only target them on halibut days).  But, it's still worth trying for even with the restriction.

One thing to check would be historical winter-month creel reports ("other species" column) for ediz hook.  Alot of those guys are fishing for blackmouth with herring right on the bottom in 120 feet of water.  I would imagine that p-cod would show up on the reports if they are ever encountered.   

Another thing to do is to just fish for blackmouth with a herring and a crescent sinker.  Since both blackmouth and p-cod live on the bottom and both gobble down herring, you're essentially targeting both.

kardinal_84,

You definitely need an "assembly line" once the cod start biting. One guy fishing and another filleting. Those things are aggressive and fun! Even then, I bet there's more fish piled on the boat or kayak in a very short time span once you find a good school.