My brother got a 27" cod today. I had the first one on a jig while we came back on the anchor, but got excited, didn't wait for the net, and it fell off at the rail. Yes, my birthday cod got away!
That was the target species for the day and the first cod for the SkunkBoat, so we are calling the day a success even thought the cooler bottom was sparsely covered.
We were out on the Shark River Reef. On the rock hills at the north end.
First 2 fish were cod, then bergalls crushed us. Moved around and picked up some ling (red Hake) and a really nice sea bass. Using clam and peanut bunker that we throw-netted in the river.
FYI, There were all the 8-12 pound bluefish you could stand, if you like them.