Codling (Juvenile Cod)
Fish
Identical in shape and markings to an adult cod — mottled brown-green with a chin barbel — just smaller, typically under about 45cm. It's the same species, not a separate one.
Facts
- The name simply means a young cod, usually the size most commonly caught from UK beaches and piers in autumn.
- Shoals of codling often move inshore in numbers well before the bigger, more solitary adult cod arrive for winter.
- Because they're immature, returning smaller codling (well below the MCRS) helps the population recover.
UK fishing rules
Governed by the same 35cm MCRS as adult cod — most codling caught from shore fall under this and should be returned. Check your regional IFCA byelaws for any additional local rules.
Where to catch Codling (Juvenile Cod) (47 marks)
| Mark | Region | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberaeron | Wales | Nov–Feb | Worm or fish-strip bait cast beyond the harbour bar on a big tide at night. |
| Anstruther Harbour | Scotland | Jun–Sep | Spinners fished over the rough stony ground east of the pier |
| Bamburgh Beach | North East | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished worm/crab, fish come in close to shore in winter |
| Berwick-upon-Tweed / Spittal | North East | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished worm/crab off Spittal and Scremerston beaches |
| Bexhill Seafront | South East | Oct-Feb | Standard two-hook flapper with worm or fish bait |
| Borth | Wales | Oct–Feb | Bait fished after dark for winter species as the water cools. |
| Brightlingsea (Bateman's Tower) | East | Winter | Bait fished after dark |
| Burntisland Beach | Scotland | May–Aug (summer cod run) | Rag or lugworm fished on the bottom off the rocky point. |
| Canvey Island (The Point) | East | Winter | Bait fished on the bottom |
| Carnoustie Beach | Scotland | Oct–Jan | Bigger baits cast beyond the breakers on a rising tide in winter surf. |
| Carrickfergus Harbour | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished worm/bait from the channels and sand flats, often after dark |
| Cemaes Bay | Wales | Nov–Feb | Bottom-fished lugworm or mackerel strip from the beach and breakwater through winter. |
| Clacton Pier | East | Oct–Feb | Lugworm tipped with squid or peeler crab on the bottom |
| Conwy Quay | Wales | Oct–Jan | leger tackle baited with worm or squid on the flood |
| Crackington Haven | South West | Oct–Feb | Bait fished (worm or fish strip) over clean sandy ground directly off the beach. |
| Cromer Pier | East | Nov–Feb | Lugworm and squid fished hard on the bottom around the pier legs in winter, especially after a blow. |
| Cullercoats Bay | North East | Autumn–Winter | Bottom fished worm/crab off the harbour rocks |
| Deal Pier | South East | Oct–Feb | Lug/squid cocktail cast from the lower deck on a rising tide |
| Donaghadee Harbour | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished bait |
| Dover Admiralty Pier | South East | Oct–Feb | Lug/squid cocktail cast beyond the tide race after dark |
| Dunbar Harbour & East Beach | Scotland | Spring–Autumn | Lures worked from the rocks and harbour walls. |
| Frinton-on-Sea | East | Oct–Feb | Lugworm fished on the ebb tide |
| Gourdon Harbour | Scotland | Autumn–Winter | Standard bait tactics from the quay, especially when the codling run is in. |
| Groomsport Harbour & Orlock Head | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Fish bait fished from Orlock Head |
| Hayling Island Seafront (South Beach/Eastoke) | South East | Oct-Feb | Standard flapper rigs at night |
| Holyhead Breakwater | Wales | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished lugworm or squid over broken ground in winter. |
| Johnshaven Harbour | Scotland | Autumn–Winter | Bait fished from the harbour walls, especially in rougher weather. |
| Kilkeel Harbour | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Fish bait fished on the bottom from nearby rock marks |
| Larne Lough Shore | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished worm/crab into the main channel |
| Lee-on-the-Solent Seafront | South East | Oct-Mar | Standard rigs, best after dark |
| Loch Linnhe Picnic Site, Lochaber | Scotland | Late winter–Jan | Lugworm or mackerel strip fished on the bottom; local reports rate this the best time of year here. |
| Mumbles Pier | Wales | Oct–Feb, after dark (historic) | Bottom-fished lugworm or fish strip for winter whiting and codling. |
| Ness Point, Lowestoft | East | Autumn–winter | Bait fished off the sea wall |
| North Berwick Harbour | Scotland | Oct–Feb (cod), May–Sep (codling) | Black lug, bluey or squid fished hard on the bottom behind the harbour. |
| Penarth Pier | Wales | Oct–Feb (pier closed to fishing Jun–Aug) | Bottom-fished lug or squid cocktail over the muddy Bristol Channel bottom in winter. |
| Peterhead Harbour & Ugie Beach | Scotland | Oct–Feb | Fish bait fished from the end of the south pier |
| Portrush Harbour | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Bottom-fished lugworm or ragworm cast from the harbour wall on winter evenings. |
| Portstewart Harbour | N. Ireland | Oct–Feb | Bottom fished bait |
| Reculver | South East | Oct–Feb | Lug/squid cocktail from the sea wall |
| Rothesay Pier, Isle of Bute | Scotland | Oct–Feb | Bait fished on rougher ground toward Garroch Head, south of town. |
| Seaham Harbour | North East | Oct–Feb | Lugworm or ragworm, tipped with razorfish or clam in a good swell |
| Shoeburyness East Beach | East | Autumn–winter | Bait fished from the beach near the 'three-legged stool' mark |
| Shoreham Harbour Arms (East & West Arm) | South East | Late summer-winter | Large fish baits after dark |
| Southsea Seafront | South East | Nov–Feb | Lugworm or ragworm on a two-hook flapper cast just beyond the surf on winter evening tides. |
| Splash Point, Rhyl | Wales | Nov–Feb | Fresh fish bait fished after dark during rougher winter weather for the occasional codling. |
| Tarbert (East Pier), Loch Fyne | Scotland | Oct–Feb | Bottom-fished lugworm or mackerel strip off the pier on darkness. |
| Walton-on-the-Naze Pier | East | Nov–Feb | Lugworm and squid cocktail fished at the pier end in rough winter conditions on the ebb. |