Pacific Cod
Gadus macrocephalus
FR Morue du Pacifique · ES Bacalao del Pacífico · IT merluzzo grigio · DE Pazifischer Kabeljau
Also known as: Greenland CodBacalao del PacíficoBacalhau-do-PacíficoBacalao del PacificoMorue de rocheBacalao del PacíficoMorue du PacifiquePazifischer Kabeljaumerluzzo grigio
BenthicBoat
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight
Depth
20–400m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jan–DecGood Apr–Oct
Depth range
20–400mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom Fishing / Ledgering80%
Spinning60%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Cold bottom structure, feeling my way to dinner. Drop a bait near the seafloor and let my barbel do the finding — I rarely say no.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Deep waterShallow water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquidCrab
Diet
Small fishShrimpSquidOctopusCrab
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingSpinning
Gear
Best times
DawnDuskNight
My chin barbel is basically a taste-bud-covered finger, probing the seafloor for prey I can't even see.
Field notes
Where to find them
North Pacific/Alaska nearshore and shelf
Where they hang out
Nearshore to shelf, moderate depth
Prime time
Year-round; daylight
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Sandeel and squid strips near bottom
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species
Fave weather
Moderate seas workable
Fun fact about me
Chin barbel for feeling out the bottom — old-school bottom fishing, cod-style.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Seasons and quotas — check state/federal rulesState/federal fisheries agency (e.g. ADFG, NOAA)
Looking after them
Least Concern