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Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:38 pm
by fishnislife
Here is a great Ling Cod article to wet your appetite for this upcoming season. A must read for all you salty dogs. Enjoy!
http://www.salmonuniversity.com/ol_Ling_cod.html
fishnislife
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:47 pm
by A9
Good stuff fishnislife...Looks like we are gonna get a new boat for the salt shortly and I might know of a few places we could find some lings....
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:45 pm
by fishnislife
Sam Kafelafish wrote:Good stuff fishnislife...Looks like we are gonna get a new boat for the salt shortly and I might know of a few places we could find some lings....
Sweet! Looking forward to it.
For those of you who are to lazy to click on the link http://www.salmonuniversity.com/ol_Ling_cod.html, here is the article in full (minus the awesome pictures):
Ah, fresh fish n chips! What could be better to eat than fresh fish and chips made with Ling Cod you just caught? In my opinion, not much! My wife prefers Ling Cod so much she'd rather have me bring home Lings than Halibut.
Since I'm not much into Blackmouth fishing (I'd rather be out Steelheading), my first trip of the Spring is always for Ling Cod in Puget Sound. This is also the one time of year my wife insists that I go (like I have to really be pushed).
These have to be one of the meanest, ugliest fish down in the depths of the salt, but they're also a good battle and the thought of the razor sharp teeth coming up at you gets your blood pumping for more.
Puget Sound VS Ocean: First of all, we have to distinguish between Ling Cod in Puget Sound vs Ling Cod in the Ocean. Yes they are the same species, but we have different methods for catching each, and the biggest difference is size.
Puget Sound: Find a sunken ship, sunken bridge (Narrows), or just about any breaker wall or reef made out of boulders and you've already found the habitat for Lings. Many of the marinas are popular spots for Ling fishing as the huge boulders put in place to protect the marina also is where they will burrow down and seek protection themselves. They like "holes" in the rocks like a cave, that allow them to view non-suspecting prey and then devour them.
Methods: My favorite method in the Sound in to fish live bait, and yes it is legal. I prefer live sand abs, but bullheads or sculpins also can be like feeding candy to a baby under the right circumstances. In some parts of Puget Sound Greenling are also a favorite if you can find them. Since most of the fish in Puget Sound are in the 30" range you'll want small live bait. Sand abs the size of your hand are perfect! I'll rig a 1/0 hook through the upper jaw with a 7/0 hook through the skin near the bottom of the tail. I'll use 25lb mono as a leader, the most abrasion resistant as you can find (many prefer steel leaders, but I've found mono gives the bait more freedom to swim and looks more natural to a curious Ling).. From my main line I'll put on a sliding weight holder then tied to a swivel. A 4 oz cannon ball lead is perfect for most water, but if the current is really pushing and your in over 100ft of water you may have to add more. I generally use a 4 - 6ft leader.
Other Methods: There are many methods others use for Puget Sound Lings, but among the most popular and productive are swim baits. Cast them right into the rocks, in the pockets and caverns and hold on!
What to do: Once you have your spot picked out, your live bait caught and rigged, what now? You'll want to drop your bait to the bottom, then immediately give it 4 or 5 cranks up off the bottom. You want your live bait to be swimming to attract a Ling. Usually, right before a strike, your bait will all of a sudden become full of life! Your rod will be twitching as the poor little sole on the other end is frantically trying to get away from an approaching beast! The Ling will hit once of two ways. First, and the most exciting, a Ling will just annihilate the bait and rip the rod almost from the rod holder. There's no doubt about this kind of bite.. fish on! Second, and the most normal bite, is the Ling will actually take a hold of the bait and freeze. As the tide or wind push your boat it will appear as though you've snagged up on bottom. In this case I pick up the rod and actually give the tip to the Ling until it's either almost in the water or it realizes it's hooked and makes the first move. Set da hook! Many times the hooks will not be embedded in the fishes mouth but they clamp their jaws down like a Pit Bull and won't release their prize.
Netting the Fish: A good Ling will have one or two runs in him. Whatever you do DON'T let the Lings head come out of the water. Once a Ling breaks the surface it's natural instinct is to open it's mouth and most the time out comes your hooks.
Tackle Recommendations: I like a nice stiff rod that has plenty of power to set the hook quickly and won't break using 30lb power pro as main line. I use an 8ft 1 piece rod rated 15 - 30lbs. A nice levelwind reel with a good drag system is also a must. Try the new Shimano Takota 300!
Ocean Lings: Now the big boys! Not all the Lings out in the ocean are huge, but if you're going to get a huge one your chances of getting one are greatly increased in the open Ocean.
The Target: Generally when fishing for Lings out in the open ocean, we are in fact targeting Halibut. That's most the time... there are times when we go to specific areas that are known Ling producers which may or may not have Halibut around.
Methods: Out in 500 - 800ft of water one things for sure, we're using something heavy. My favorite all time "go to" rig for Lings has to be the 35oz Norwegian Jig. Not only will this get you to the bottom fast, the Lings absolutely love these things. Halibut will also jump on them so if you're specifically trying for Lings, "jig" more frequently instead of just leaving it on the bottom. The more action the jig has the more likely you are to hook a Ling than a halibut. Another method is a plain old pipe jig. Same as with the Norwegian jig, more movement will entice a Ling.
Now if you happen to catch a "scrap" fish, hook it up and drop it down! A Ling will be all over this presentation. Just make sure you use big enough hooks and let the Ling swallow it. You don't want to real up over 500ft with nothing on the other end!
Tackle Recommendations: For the deep ocean fishing we're using strictly Halibut gear. A nice stout 5' rod rated up to 150lbs, and 400 yards of 80lb Power Pro on a Penn Senator 114H Reel with power handle works very nicely.
Other Methods: If were out Halibut fishing and have our Hali's in the boat, then it's time to target Lings by themselves. We'll leave the Halibut grounds and go to the rockiest areas we know. Unlike the Puget Sound breaker walls and reefs, these are going to be natural rocky areas so if you don't know of any, start studying charts. You want the rockiest, gear stealing, high pinnacle looking water you can find. For these types of areas we're generally less than 200ft of water so we're switching gears again. I really like a "dart" in this type of water. Usually a 6oz or larger in white or blue/chrome. Another very popular choice is a mudraker, but because I'm looking for extremely rocky areas, these usually either get hung up and lost, or I get a fish. The fish part I like, loosing a $12 lure I don't.
Closer to Shore: If the open ocean doesn't sound like the way to go, there are plenty of spots closer in that will hold Lings as well. Again, look for pinnacles and rocky areas. Darts, mudrakers and live bait all work well!
Tackle Recommendations: As long as your not out in the 500ft plus water, I stay with my same setup as mentioned above for the Sound.
Be Careful: Remember this is the ocean! Always put SAFETY before any fish. Make sure you have all your safety equipment and watch the weather. These are big fish but no fish is worth your life.
Have fun but be careful... the weather can be nasty!
Terry Wiest
fishnislife
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:53 pm
by A9
Just a few days left till May 1st fellas....
Whose gonna be out there pulling in some Lings?
Should be some decent weather this weekend. I wouldn't be surprised to see some heavy crowds at the standard Ling holes this weekend...
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:33 pm
by kutthroatkilla
Sam Kafelafish wrote:Just a few days left till May 1st fellas....
Whose gonna be out there pulling in some Lings?
I'll be out on the 1st and 2nd near/around Edmonds/Possession. Should be a blast! Live flounder/sole set up. The winds right now look perfect! Even if I go skunked I'll post a report in the saltwater section so be sure to look! Remember no treble hooks and pinch your barbs! I might buy some of those Storm herring baits and go ready with 30 pound power pro on a medium action 7'6" rod... Fish on! I'll bring some mudrakers and pipe jigs for extra measure. I hope the ratio of fish in that 26-40" range is good...nothing like hooking a 60" and having to let her go...Lings are sweet! My largest ever was 36 pounds fishing off our SeaSport in 2005.
PUGET SOUND AND HOOD CANAL
243 PM PDT MON APR 28 2008
.THU...LIGHT WIND BECOMING S 10 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 1 FT.
.FRI AND SAT...S WIND 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT.
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:19 pm
by kzoo
I'm jealous, I've never caught one of those things. I'd be willing to trade a smallmouth bass trip on Lake Washington if someone would take me out for some lings.
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:20 pm
by Rollin with Rolland
kutthroatkilla wrote:Sam Kafelafish wrote:Just a few days left till May 1st fellas....
Whose gonna be out there pulling in some Lings?
The winds right now look perfect! Even if I go skunked I'll post a report in the saltwater section so be sure to look! Remember no treble hooks and pinch your barbs! I might buy some of those Storm herring baits and go ready with 30 pound power pro on a medium action 7'6" rod... Fish on!
Now that's what i'm talkin about!! Lings baby, what a rush!. For anyone who has not caught a NICE ling, it's like a musky that will dive to 200ft three times before you even get a look at it!! thanks for getting me pumped fishnislife. I use the exact setup ktk, and i tell you, for six bucks the storm 9'' 2oz white swimbait sure has produced for me. i never leave an opener without a couple in my bag-o-tricks. samk, you gonna get out?? i'll be hitting the "usual" spot in north san juans...there may be a pic in the new new members thread 
As far as live bait...this year one of my goals is to learn to use live, because i've had many LARGE ones hit smaller fish, and have seen people do REALLY well with flounder (40+). Can you use greenling too?? i was thinking flounder/greenling on a #80- hali leader with a spreader to about 8oz cannon ball. What do you use for a live rig sam/ktk./fhinslf??
I'm riggin a couple jigs ahora and double checkin all my line...will definitely be out thur/fri...and i may have open seats many more days in may. the tides will be great, let's hope the wind stays calm
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:27 pm
by kutthroatkilla
Rollin with Rolland wrote:
As far as live bait...this year one of my goals is to learn to use live, because i've had many LARGE ones hit smaller fish, and have seen people do REALLY well with flounder (40+). Can you use greenling too?? i was thinking flounder/greenling on a #80- hali leader with a spreader to about 8oz cannon ball. What do you use for a live rig sam/ktk./fhinslf??
Don't use spreader bars...you'll hang-up too much. Live bait is easy to fish. Go ahead and tie a 4-8 oz banana weight on your main line depending on current, wind, etc. and then run a 5-6 foot leader to the live sand ab. It should be a little larger than your hand. Place the first hook thru the upper eye/jaw and the second hook just in front of the tail then out. Then once hooked up, send er down and get ready. The article fishnislife supplied us by Terry tells you how to do it, and you can google "Lingcod fishing - Puget Sound" and you'll get multiple hits. It's going to be good guys! Those Storm baits just can't be beat either. Don't overlook white Pt. Wilson darts, pipe jigs, and mudrakers.
KTK
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:36 pm
by A9
kutthroatkilla wrote:Rollin with Rolland wrote:
As far as live bait...this year one of my goals is to learn to use live, because i've had many LARGE ones hit smaller fish, and have seen people do REALLY well with flounder (40+). Can you use greenling too?? i was thinking flounder/greenling on a #80- hali leader with a spreader to about 8oz cannon ball. What do you use for a live rig sam/ktk./fhinslf??
Don't use spreader bars...you'll hang-up too much. Live bait is easy to fish. Go ahead and tie a 4-8 oz banana weight on your main line depending on current, wind, etc. and then run a 5-6 foot leader to the live sand ab. It should be a little larger than your hand. Place the first hook thru the upper eye/jaw and the second hook just in front of the tail then out. Then once hooked up, send er down and get ready. The article fishnislife supplied us by Terry tells you how to do it, and you can google "Lingcod fishing - Puget Sound" and you'll get multiple hits. It's going to be good guys! Those Storm baits just can't be beat either. Don't overlook white Pt. Wilson darts, pipe jigs, and mudrakers.
KTK
BIG b-2 squid on big jig heads do the damage on the big Lings/Halis....
Purple, white, black, motor oil, all produce. I hear the best thing to do is also buy a bunch of cheap kitchen sponges, cut them up into sugar cube, or bigger size cubes, and then soak them good in smelly jelly scent then thread them on the hook up under the skirt of the squid...
b-2 squid in the motor oil color has done the job of landing big fish in the past for me... Can't see why a little scent on a sponge could hurt. Would last longer then just smearing it on plastic I think...
kzoo,
I'll try and see if I can get you out for a trip for them. I probably will still be out of state till the last day of the season, but I will be home for atleast one weekend before then.
I can get you out for salmon at some point this summer...
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:48 pm
by Rollin with Rolland
great advice guys. Yeah i guess the spreader might get hung up on the rocks, i didn't even think of that. I just remember seeing some guy pull a 41'' off disney point with that setup, but that was sand/gravel i guess...
the motor oil and rootbeer color has always treated me well also, we'll see how it works with the sponge...
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:15 pm
by kutthroatkilla
Rollin with Rolland wrote:great advice guys. Yeah i guess the spreader might get hung up on the rocks, i didn't even think of that. I just remember seeing some guy pull a 41'' off disney point with that setup, but that was sand/gravel i guess...
There is nothing wrong with the spreader bar and wire leader...I caught a 33lb, 35lb, and 36lb (personal best) fishing out of Neah Bay 50 miles off the WA coast all in one day. Spreaders are intended to be used in sandy/gravel/muddy bottoms where snags are not a problem. Ocean lings are much different than PS lings and Eastern Strait lings. In the ocean you can C&R 20 or more in a day easy...and they're huge...30-50 pounds cause there is so much feed. If I were a lingcod I'd be in the ocean. Spreaders work well for outside, inside (Puget Sound) don't use em. Snags will be costly... KTK
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:15 am
by Rollin with Rolland
kzoo wrote:I'm jealous, I've never caught one of those things. I'd be willing to trade a smallmouth bass trip on Lake Washington if someone would take me out for some lings.
anytime kzoo...would love to bring another "flatlander" out on the saltchuck....in between landing fish we can argue lions/vikings strategy and tell some great lakes stories....just met a girl from escanaba up here and she says she knows you!!:-$
haha
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:28 am
by kzoo
Rollin with Rolland wrote:kzoo wrote:I'm jealous, I've never caught one of those things. I'd be willing to trade a smallmouth bass trip on Lake Washington if someone would take me out for some lings.
anytime kzoo...would love to bring another "flatlander" out on the saltchuck....in between landing fish we can argue lions/vikings strategy and tell some great lakes stories....just met a girl from escanaba up here and she says she knows you!!:-$
haha
Those are my two favorite teams. Man, you got me curious.
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:31 am
by kzoo
Sam Kafelafish wrote:
kzoo,
I'll try and see if I can get you out for a trip for them. I probably will still be out of state till the last day of the season, but I will be home for atleast one weekend before then.
I can get you out for salmon at some point this summer...
I always thought it would be cool. I use to be part of a Northern Fishing magazine, one of the topics was members offering trips for trips, I thought it'd be cool for the same idea on this site.
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:38 am
by Rollin with Rolland
As far as the live bait goes, one problem i've been having is actually catching the baitfish. i know it's supposed to be super simple to catch sole, but i seem to have problems. i usually sit in a shallow bay (40ft or so) with a flat soft/sand bottom and just throw out a chunk of herring on a 1oz jig. sometimes i even try in the kelp. I have gone out twice just targeting sole, and got skunked both times. Is it possible that in the more northern waters (area 7 ) they may just be less abundant, or i am just that bad of a fisherman!?! A lot of the salt is pretty new to me, so i am a little bit out of my element. I guess the first step to fishing with live bait is to HAVE live bait...
RE:Ling Cod by Terry Wiest
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:14 pm
by A9
Rollin with Rolland wrote:As far as the live bait goes, one problem i've been having is actually catching the baitfish. i know it's supposed to be super simple to catch sole, but i seem to have problems. i usually sit in a shallow bay (40ft or so) with a flat soft/sand bottom and just throw out a chunk of herring on a 1oz jig. sometimes i even try in the kelp. I have gone out twice just targeting sole, and got skunked both times. Is it possible that in the more northern waters (area 7 ) they may just be less abundant, or i am just that bad of a fisherman!?! A lot of the salt is pretty new to me, so i am a little bit out of my element. I guess the first step to fishing with live bait is to HAVE live bait...
Careful, some of those hooks on one ounce jigs are far too big to fit in a flounder/sole's mouth.
I just like to use the same setup for plunking for trout if I'm fishing for flounder. like a 1/2 oz egg weight, bead, then swivel, then about a one foot leader to a size 4 baitholder. Just stick a small chunk of herring on there and then just bump it around on the bottom...I like casting out if it's shallow and then just slowly twitching it back. Flounder ain't gonna see it if it's not right near them, so you gotta drag that bait by them...