Arbroath Harbour is a high water mark but is very popular and often its hard to get a stance. The easiest fishing is from the cages if you are lucky enough to get in one. The first cage has some rough ground in front of it but most of the area is clean ground. Standard cod traces work well and I have never found a ‘Rotten bottom’ necessary. I use either a 4/0 pennel pulley or a pennel  on long flowing trace hanging well below the lead. Distance casting is not necessary but some fish can be picked up further out. A Stiff rod 20lb mainline and a long long leader to help lifting fish up the wall. Top baits for me would be huge Lug and Mussel cocktails but would not discount Mackerel Squid, Razor or Crab. A good onshore blow and darkness will help bring the Cod in.