New Zealand Blue Cod | Species ID Video

New Zealand Blue Cod | Species ID

• ·         Auckland and ceanral 20 per person
• ·         Challenger area is restricted
• ·         Kaikoura- north Canterbury 10 per person
• ·         Southern regions 30 per person
• ·         Fiordland area 20 per person

 The Minister of Fisheries has closed the enclosed Marlborough Sounds and Tory Channel to all recreational blue cod fishing from 1 October 2008 to 1 October 2012.

Blue cod known to the Maoris as rawaru, are endemic to New Zealand and are one of the best fish for eating. Inquisitive, they will often approach divers and nip their fingers as they are very territorial. It is exclusively found in New Zealand in shallow waters around the rocky coasts of up to the depth of 150m, though they are far more common south of Cook Strait.

Male blue cod are bluish green to blue black above with white toward the belly. Large examples are usually greenish blue in coloration, while smaller ones are blotched in varying shades of brown.Females are darker with brownish white marblingIn autumn tiny juveniles, white with tiny black stripes may be seen darting about.

They are exclusively found in New Zealand in shallow waters around the rocky coasts, though they are far more common south of Cook Strait but are also widely distributed from the Three Kings Islands to the north, the Chatham Islands to the east, and the Snares Islands to the south. They live on the bottom, and adult fish eat almost any animal that comes their way. The blue cod lives down to 100m in areas of rocky bottom, with patches of sand and weed. It is voracious carnivore and eats a wide variety of marine animals: pilchards, sprats, mullet, rock cod, and red pigfish.

AGE & GROWTH

Blue cod can live to 17 years and reach a length of 60cm and weight up to 4kg but an average is ½ to 1kg. An adult may grow to 60 cm in length and weigh from one to three kg. Spawning takes place in southern spring once thay reach 20-25cm 3-5 years old. Blue cod can also change sex from male to femail

The smoked flesh of the blue cod is regarded as a delicacy. It is a plump fish which produces good fillets of white flesh, but it has very low oil content. It can be served battered, crumbed, pan-fried, smoked or baked.

Creating a burley is a sure-fire way of attracting any large blue cod in the area. The use of a burly cage will insure the fish stay in the area. Often small burly will be quickly eaten and the fish will move on. Once feeding they won’t be going far, so take your time. Blue cod can also be attracted by the use of flashers.

Aim for the heads as this will dispatch the fish quickly and will leave you with undamaged fillets.

An accurate small speargun is best. The most common speargun length  is between 70cm - 90cm , or a pole spear will create more of a challenge.