NZ Blue Cod Bottom Fishing
Blue cod are New Zealand's most popular table fish and are found in abundance over rocky reef and kelp habitat throughout the South Island and Stewart Island. Fishing whole squid and fresh cut baits on simple ledger rigs over rocky reef in 10 to 60 metres produces consistent catches of these aggressive and hard-fighting fish.
Target Species
Fishing Locations
- • Otago Peninsula Reefs
- • Bluff Harbour
- • Stewart Island Offshore
- • Kaikōura Canyon Edge
- • South Bay Reefs
- • Pelorus Sound
- • Queen Charlotte Sound
- • Tory Channel
- • Cook Strait Rips
Fishing Tips
- 1
Blue cod are territorial and highly aggressive — drop a bait or jig directly onto a rocky pinnacle or reef, and strikes often come within seconds. If no bite in two minutes, move on.
- 2
Fresh squid or a live-bait combination jig/bait combo outperforms dead baits in the cold, clear water of southern New Zealand. Keepnet your first blue cod and use it as bait for tarakihi.
- 3
Blue cod congregate on shallow rocky reefs (10–50 m) around the South Island's sounds and coasts — accurate anchoring or drift positioning over the pinnacle is more important than tackle.
- 4
In Fiordland and the Sounds, combine bait fishing with a 50–80 g slow-pitch or butterfly jig to cover the water column — cod and tarakihi both hit jigs enthusiastically in cold water.
- 5
Watch New Zealand's blue cod size limits and bag limits closely — regulations vary by region and are strictly enforced. Measure every fish before placing it in the bin.