Q: I’ve been catching pout, but how can I tell if they aren’t poor cod? ANDY BAKER, BY EMAIL

AK & DS say: The common answer is “if the scales fall off”. However, that’s not reliable as scales can come off a pouting too, although they do tend to fall off the poor cod easier. Our favourite method is to look for a dark blotch at the base of the pectoral fins. If there is a mark, it is almost certainly a pouting.

Also, if you imagine a line straight down from the rear of the forward-most dorsal fin, if it overlaps the anal fin it’s a pouting. If not, it’s a poor cod (below). It’s best to check for a couple of these signs to be sure of your identification.