How to catch Red codling
Pseudophycis bachus (Forster, 1801)
About Red codling fishing
The red codling is a member of the morid cod family characterized by a fusiform body, terminal mouth, and a distinctive reddish pink coloration that fades to a paler belly alongside a dark blotch near the pectoral fin base. Growing up to ninety centimetres in total length, this demersal marine species inhabits soft muddy, sandy, and rocky bottoms across continental shelves and coastal waters down to depths exceeding seven hundred metres. It functions as an active carnivorous predator, feeding primarily on small fishes, cephalopods, crabs, and various benthic crustaceans. While commonly captured in commercial fisheries, it is also pursued by recreational anglers inhabiting coastal regions within its native range.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
55 cm TL
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Market value
Medium
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Habitat
Brackish, Saltwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
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Also known as
Hoka, Morid cod, Red cod, Southern rockcod
Pectoral Fin Spot
A dark black blotch on the pectoral fin base helps identify this species.
Lateral Spots
Dark spots along the lateral trunk distinguish this codling.
Caudal Fin Margin
Colored margins on the vertical fins differentiate this specimen.
Red codling fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
55 cm TL (max 90 cm TL ) -
Typical weight
1.2 kg (max 7.4 kg ) -
Preferred temperature
7.9–13.5 °C -
Depth
26–700 m -
Longevity
7 years -
Body shape
Fusiform / Normal -
Commercial?
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Vulnerability score
35
Best hours
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Active
Dawn
First light
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Low
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Low
Afternoon
Late day
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Peak
Dusk
Last light
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Peak
Night
After dark
When to fish for Red codling
How to catch Red codling
Tips for catching Red codling
Anglers targeting this demersal species should focus their efforts over soft muddy, sandy, or rough ground structures along the continental shelf using heavy ledger or paternoster rigs. Presentation relies heavily on fresh or frozen marine baits such as strips of squid, mackerel, or pilchard presented directly on or near the seabed where these fish forage for crustaceans and small fish. Fishing is generally most productive during periods of low light around dawn and dusk or throughout nighttime hours when the fish become more active in their feeding routines. Standard boat fishing setups with sensitive rod tips are essential to detect the subtle bites characteristic of bottom-dwelling morid cods in deep water.
Other names for Red codling
Local and alternate names anglers use for Red codling.
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Red codling
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Southern rockcod
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Red cod
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Morid cod
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Hoka
Best equipment to catch Red codling
Compare fishing methods for Red codling — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 1.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
90% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
medium-light · 2.13 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
3.6 kg · 0.2 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
2
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Jigging
Working vertical lures with an active up-and-down motion.
50% Effectiveness
Rod
Jigging rod
A jigging rod is the short, powerful fishing rod for working a metal jig up through the column, including freshwater jigging.
Sized for a typical fish
heavy · 1.52 m
- Reel seat
- Casting
- Form factor
- One-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Jigging reel
A jigging reel is a compact, high-speed conventional for working metal jigs. A short retrieve picks up slack fast.
Sized for a typical fish
10 · 10 kg drag
- Spool
- Revolving
- Mount
- Over
- Drag
- Star
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Best lures and baits for Red codling
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Squid
- Bottom Fishing
Elongated muscular body holds internal organs and secretes scent in the water.
02
Mackerel
- Bottom Fishing
Distinctive wavy dorsal stripes provide high contrast and flash underwater.
03
Sardine
- Bottom Fishing
Elongated silvery baitfish body releases strong scent trails.
04
Metal jig
- Jigging
A long metal lure for speed-jigging the deep column.
How Red codling migrates — Bathymetric
Shifts between shallow and deeper water with the seasons rather than moving along the coast. Change depth before you change venue.
1 Warm months
Shallow water
Feed in shallow water through the warm months.
2 Cold months
Deep water
Drop into deeper water as it cools.
Larger adults often stay deeper all year.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Red codling
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Diet
Carnivore -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Dusk · Night -
Feeds over
Soft bottom · Hard bottom · Seagrass -
Main prey
Baitfish
Prey and predators of Red codling
Prey is what Red codling eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Prey
What it eats
Baitfish
Predators
What hunts it
Fish
Where Red codling lives
Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.
26–700 m · usually 200–300 m
Estuary
Where this species lives
Red codling photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.
Where to fish for Red codling
Mapped fishing spots where Red codling is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.
