Cod / ling rigs?

[NJ Dave]

Thinking of heading out on Thursday either on party boat or 6 pack open trip.
I plan on Targeting cod/ling. What's the best style rig to tie up, hook size, rubba or gulp, clams? What size hooks?
Seems like the off shore boats have been doing ok on them.
Thx.

[JBird]

Combo rig: sinker on the bottom, dropper loop long enough to rest on the bottom with a 2/0-4/0 hook for ling, another dropper 3 ft up with a 5/0-6/0 hook for cod.

Try gulp for the ling, I did this summer and I whaled on them. After awhile i stopped adding clam to the hook, didnt need it to catch. Shrimps, swimming mullets etc. didn't seem to matter but a lot of guys swear by the chartreuse mullets.
Catch em up!

[Leif]

There are quite a few sponsors that run or will be running these type of trips this winter. The fishing over the past few years has been good as the cod and Pollack catches have increased. Ling fishing has been good as well and

The experts like the Paramount, Jamaica II, Voyager and Gambler amongst others can put you on the fish, the rest is up to you.

In an effort to make these trips more productive, I put a post together of specific recommendations for these 20-40 wreck trips. I have a few strategies and tips that I think would greatly improve the catches on this type of trip.


Using the appropriate equipment, adjusting strategies and having realistic expectations for these trips can make them more enjoyable and productive.

These recommendations are directed toward those who have not made this type of trip, do not know what to do and would like to try it. Also to those who have not fished for a while and anyone else that wants to listen. I typically fish for Cod on these trips and use larger 7/0-8/0 hooks.


You can take advantage of all species by considering the following recommendations:


PREPARATION IS KEY:


Proper rod and reel

20-50lb 7-8ft rod equiped with a suitable reel like a Penn Jigmaster or 4/0 sized reel loaded with new 30-40lb mono or 65lb braid.


Do not bring a traditional spinning outfit on these trips. You are wasting your time and others. The exceptions are the new "hightech" rods and reels which are small, light and very strong and expensive)


Cod rigs:


High /Low 2 hook Cod rig 80lb leader 7/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks on 6in dropper loops.
I use 6 inch Pink Tsunami Squids or Pink ,red or glow 3-4 inch skirts


Pollock rigs:


10-12 oz Jigs tied on 80lb leader with a tube type teaser tied 2 feet above on a 6 inch dropper or tied in with 2 clinch knots. (Some nice pollock have been caught on bait as well on the high hook using squid or clam.) Use the same type of Cod rig, but with just one hook tied 4 ft above the sinker and try a whole Squid.


Ling rigs:


One 1/0-3/0 snelled Gamakatsu Circle Hook or J hook tied on 10in of 50lb test right above the sinker. Use small baits!! Just the string part of the clam or siphon part. You WILL catch lots of ling if they are there.




Cod /Pollock/ ling rigs (everything rig)


This rig will give you the best shot at whats out there. This may be the most productive rig for this type of trip. Simply a 2 hook rig tied on 60lb. leader material. One 6/0-7/0 Gamakatsu or other very sharp hook tied on a 6in dropper with choice of teaser 3-4 feet above the sinker. The second hook is a Gamakatsu or similar 2/0-3/0 Circle hook or J Hook with a small piece of clam on it. (Strings or siphon or small strip) The High hook will catch Cod or Pollock. The small hook will catch ling. If the small hook gets stuck pull hard and it will bend out. Also circle hooks seem to get stuck less and the ling will hook themselves. The small bait insures the ling will suck it in and get hooked.


I noticed the guys that caught a varitey of fish were using a rig similar to the one above. Because you never know what your going to get, this may be a good choice. You can change the rig by using 3/0-5/0 hooks as well. This way you have a better chance to land a cod if you get one on the bottom hook but may increase your odds of getting stuck as well.


Sinkers

I use 6-20oz Bank or Flat on these trips. Mostly 8-14oz. I have been using the flat sinkers on the last three trips and only lost one. That includes the kids as well. It may be a coincidence but I like the flats sinkers.


Tips

1) If the Dogfish are around and you can't deal with them take off the teaser or just fish the bottom hook and use clam only.


2) Prepare in advance. Have all your rigs ready and organized seperately. I use little zip-lock bags so the rigs don't tangle. Check your reel, line rod, ect. Properly functioning equipment saves time and makes the trip more enjoyable.


3) Check the weather, moon, overall forecast and dress appropriately. Full moon, new moon= in most cases stronger current and requires heavier sinkers.


4) Ask questions, the mates will be glad to explain and help if you ask. They are here to help. If you don't ask you won't get an answer.


5) Have realistic expectations and expect to change your strategy. These wreck trips have a lot of variables. Some trips are good some are bad. That is Winter fishing in general, It's been like that for years. Most of these spots have some life on them and in some cases a good batch of ling will save the day. I feel that if I catch one or two cod and few ling, that is a good trip. Add a Pollock and its a great one.


6) I have been having success with the pink tsunami 6in squids and the Pink/Red skirts on the droppers. Give them a try. Any comments or questions are welcome. I am open to learn as well. I just like to fish and share what I know so other people will go and be successful.

Leif

[RnK]

all great stuff by JBird and Leif - all I'd add on the gulp for ling, gently jig, better said just lift off bottom a few inches and let settle, makes for a better bite. I use the gulp mullet but the shrimp has out fished me a number of times. Good luck!

[frugalfisherman]

When there are bergals around (which is almost always) I use a 4/0 octopus hook for ling. Actually that's what I use when they are not around. You don't need any Gammy Gotyas. Unless it's a 12 inch bergal he can't get his mouth around a 4/0 but an 8 inch ling has no problem. Wrap the bait as tight as you can on the hook and resist the temptation to swing at bergal pecks. If using braid you will feel the ling tug. No need to swing like a wildman the ling basically hook themselves. Putting a piece of bergall under the clam helps also. Yesterday I was using a 2 hook slider tog type rig. Both hooks in bait. That seemed to keep bait theft to a minimum and allowed time for the ling to come around. Caught my cod on that. My pink octopus 3 foot up didn't do squat. Gulp is like eating at McDonalds. You have to try it every six months to remember it sucks.

[JBlazeRx7]

Thanks guy's for all the great info. We were lookin forward to goin out this weekend (Sat into Sun trip) on the Jamaica II but the weather is not cooperating for us.