Best Months
Apr – Jun
Best Time
Active all day — rankin cod are not strongly tide or time-dependent
Tide
Rankin cod feed throughout the tidal cycle but current flow concentrates them on the upcurrent face of reef structure
Top Locations
16 regions
How to Catch Rankin Cod
Rankin cod feed throughout the tidal cycle but current flow concentrates them on the upcurrent face of reef structure.
Active all day — rankin cod are not strongly tide or time-dependent. Consistent biters on the right structure.
Access requires calm offshore conditions on the Pilbara and Kimberley coast. Plan trips around settled weather windows in autumn and winter.
Offshore limestone and coral reefs at 40–120m depth. Rankin cod hold tight to the bottom structure and ambush prey. Reef edges, bommies, and caves.
Slow-pitch jigging is the premium technique — use 150–250g jigs and methodical up-down movements. Bottom bait with squid and pilchard also works well.
Rankin cod are WA's best-kept reef fishing secret. They reach over 20kg and are explosive fighters. The Montebello Islands and Dampier Archipelago hold exceptional numbers.
Best Regions by Month
Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.
Presenting bait (pilchards, squid, cut fish) on the bottom over reef structure.
Working metal jigs up and down in the water column over reefs or structure.
Methodical jigging technique using specially designed slow-pitch jigs over reef structure.