Good Way to Catch Lingcod
Lingcod is named for its resemblance to both ling and cod, although it is not related to either. It is a prized fish because of its lean white flesh, mild flavor and large flakes. Interestingly, the flesh of a lingcod is blue-green before cooking but quickly turns white when heated. They are found only on west coast of North America and spend most of their time in rocky areas near crevices or on ledges near strong currents. Although they are caught year-round, the best time to find them is from the beginning of April to the end of August.
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Things You'll Need
- Fishing rod with 30 lb. test line
- Large fishing net
- Bottom jig
- Live sardines or squid scent
Instructions
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Locate a spot with a strong current and ample rocky bottom where the lingcod is likely to inhabit. Some places to look include under piers, near natural outcroppings and in verified lingcod hot spots.
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Bait your hook with a bottom jig. Any jig with a lot of motion will do fine. The lingcod is a visual fish that mainly attacks by sight. It may also be attracted by smell, so using a live sardine or applying squid smell to a jig may help, but the lingcod won't hit a bait that doesn't look alive. They are not scavengers; they are voracious carnivores.
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Drop a line to the ocean floor. Make sure it is between 40 and 400 feet, as lingcod are rarely caught in deep water and don't venture close enough to shore to enter the shallows.
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Set the line and reel in about four feet of line. You want the bait to be just off the ocean floor. Wait for a nudge or bump on the line. This will be the lingcod testing the bait to see if it is alive. If your jig is auto responsive it will entice the fish to bite. If it isn't, you will need to give a quick jerk to the line to get the jig moving and keep the lingcod's interest.
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Once the lingcod hits, give a quick jerk to set the hook and then apply constant pressure as you reel it in. Do not give the lingcod any slack as it will try to retreat into a rocky cavern. This will lead to cut lines and lost jigs.
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Reel in the lingcod by pulling your pole until it is vertical and reeling in while lowering it back to horizontal. This type of reeling will eliminate the lingcods ability to run.
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Bring the lingcod up to the surface, but don't let more than the head come above water. If you do, the fish will jump and dive back down. This can snap lines or leave you with fish lips on your hook. Do not pull the fish up out of the water until you have a net around it.
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Coax the lingcod to the side of the boat by lowering the rod below horizontal and continuing to reel. This will keep only the head near the water and prevent the dive reflex.
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Scoop the lingcod out of the water with a large fishing net.
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Tips & Warnings
Lingcod hot spots are often well-kept secrets in the fishing community. Listen to fishermen talk at the local watering holes and try to get a bit of information from them.
Going out on a boat with a fish finder is also a good strategy. Find a rocky area between 40 and 400 feet deep and drop a line there.
