Poor Cod (Trisopterus minutus)

Average Size – 4oz-6oz

British Record – 13oz

Poor Cod are very closely related to Pout and the two fish are often mistaken for one another. Like all members of this family of fish Poor Cod have three fins running along the length of their backs. When compared to their close cousin the Pout, Poor Cod have a much less rounded body and their eyes are much larger proportionally. Poor Cod are also less colourful than Pout with no bands or stripes running down the flanks of the fish. Poor Cod tend to take on a much more silver sheen than Pout. Poor Cod also leave small scales on your hands when they are handled.

Much like their close relatives, Poor Cod can be caught all year round, most often after darkness has fallen. They frequent all types of ground but are common catches from piers and breakwaters and rock marks with deep water close to the shore. Worm baits, particularly lugworm, are the best for catching these greedy little fish. Small hooks are a must as these fish have very small mouths and do not grow to any great size. Their small stature means that these fish are unviable as an eating species but they do make good live bait for bigger fish such as bass or conger eel.