puget sound lingcod

[blacktailcrzy]

any one planing and heading out on may 1 for some lingcod?

[Dustin07]

I'd like to. have boat and gear, but have never fished lings before. thinking of getting a guide for my first trip.

[wildmanoutdoors]

For sure! Cant wait!

[lokidog]

Dustin, don't waste your money on a guide.  Look at your topo maps of the sound and find some structure.  They seem to like it where an incoming tide blows up the hill of the structure.  Hard to fish sometimes but usually worth the effort. 

The state will probably have the max depth restriction again this year to protect yelloweye and canary rockfish.

[MADMAX]

We used to murder the lings and cabezon in Rich passage but not sure if it is closed now, been a while since I fished it
Gear stealer of a bottom , if open hit the slack tide in the center and dodge the ferries on the drift  through

[Dustin07]

Dustin, don't waste your money on a guide.  Look at your topo maps of the sound and find some structure.  They seem to like it where an incoming tide blows up the hill of the structure.  Hard to fish sometimes but usually worth the effort. 

The state will probably have the max depth restriction again this year to protect yelloweye and canary rockfish.

thanks Loki,
I've seen them while SCUBA diving out off Ruston but in shallower depths. I've never tried jigging for them. I have however done a fair amount of bottom fishing out in the Sound, but never even accidentally landed a ling. Thats one of the reasons I was leaning towards a guide for the first trip to learn the ropes.

[h20hunter]

You may find this thread interesting:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,51343.0.html

[h20hunter]

Also, all you need to know is structure structur structure. If you aren't breaking off jigs you are not ling fishing. Live bait is fun but I just use a big 'ol jig and I do just fine every year.

[PolarBear]

Also, all you need to know is structure structur structure. If you aren't breaking off jigs you are not ling fishing. Live bait is fun but I just use a big 'ol jig and I do just fine every year.

Kalin's Big N grubs with herring or squid.  Just sayin'.

[lokidog]

50 pound braid, you'll lose less jigs by straightening a few hooks, pulling some crap loose from the rocks, and maybe even pulling a rock or two into the boat (I pulled up about a 15 pound rock a couple of years ago  ).  I used to use 30 pound but switched up and have been happier with the heavier line.

I use 3 to 5 oz lead heads, they are a lot cheaper than bar jigs, the lings seem to love chartreuse tails.  Weathergirl caught a 12 pounder a couple years ago on a jig.  When we landed it, it spit out a piece of octopus arm, two herring with double hook rigs in them, and another large herring with no hooks.  You can flavor up your jig with some bait, but the hassle of using just bait isn't worth it.  I like to use the smallest sized jig that will get me to the bottom as they seem to swim more naturally.

Slack tides are the easiest to fish but I have had noticeable increase in activity as soon as the water starts moving after the slack.

[h20hunter]

Loki: I agree.

I like a 2-5 oz jig head as well and just use a grub on there. Berkley swim baits can get some viscious strikes as well.

[PolarBear]

In Alaska we used humpy fillets for halibut and lingcod.  Cut the fillet into tentacles like an octopus and double hook it.  It is probably the best use for humpies.

[Dustin07]

the structure thing I totally understand. everytime I have seen them while diving they were in rocks and pilings. they always seem kinda dumb, let you get easily within speargun range

[h20hunter]

I've dove and speared my share. Last season when the put int he slot limit for divers I put the speargun away. Sorry, not going to take a chance by misjudging a fish by an inch and showing up at the dock with it. Also, don't want to bring one up and then chuck it if it is not legal sized.

[lokidog]

Dustin, I'll trade you some ling time for some goose time....

I got all updated scuba gear last year, let's go hunting!