Why this combo
When you're targeting Atlantic Cod across UK shore marks, estuaries and inshore boat ground, the Wishbone rig is a solid match in our rig suggestions for the species. Two snoods diverging from a single bottom junction, both ending in baited hooks above the lead. Casts cleanly, presents two baits in the strike zone, and is the go-to two-hook rig for distance work on clean beaches. This guide stitches the rig fundamentals together with what you specifically need to know about Atlantic Cod — how to identify a confirmed fish, how to tie the rig properly, and how to actually fish it on the day.
Make sure it's actually a Atlantic Cod
Three dorsals, chin barbel, pale lateral line.
For the full identification guide — key features, confusion species and where they live — read the full Atlantic Cod ID guide.
Tie the Wishbone rig
Step-by-step instructions are in the full tie guide. Take a few minutes at home to practise tying it before your next session — knots come undone at exactly the wrong moment.
Fish it on the day
For the longer breakdown — when it shines, casting + retrieval, and what tends to go wrong — see the how-to-fish guide for the Wishbone rig.
Log every fish
Catch one? Drop it in your fish.logged log — photo, GPS, weight, the rig you used. Auto-attaches the conditions (tide, wind, moon for sea fishing; weather + moon for freshwater) so you can spot patterns over the season. The pattern data is what turns a rig + species combo from a one-off win into a repeatable one.