How to catch more ling on a party boat.

[frugalfisherman]

Biggest mistake I see people make is they get stuck, loose a rig and then they are 10-15 minutes rumaging through their tackle box trying to put a new one together while everyone else is catching fish. If you ling fish you will loose rigs so be ready. 1.0 hooks with small baits don't cut it. Are you looking to to catch 6 inch ling and bergals? What if a 15 pound cod decides to bite. 4.0 - 5.0 with the bait woven on tight. Make it tough for the bergals to steal bait before a ling grabs it.

[JMM727]

Another good choice for bait is ling belly cut into strips. Stays on the hook and at times will out fish any other bait day or night.

Cut off the belly of one or two of your first caught ling and cut into approximately 1/2 inch by 2 or 3 inch strips or ask a mate to show you how. You'll have enough bait forthe rest of your trip. Hook the strip through the tough skin once or twice. Give it a try!

[Ryan W]

I've never tried that one before- I might give it a go next time! Usually, i only go to another bait when bergalls are around, and then it's usually bergall strips. I think that clams are more than fine for most of the time. It does sound good if you need a tougher bait though- something harder for the bergalls to take off!

Thanks for the tip!

Frugal- 2/0's have always worked fine for me, but I have used 3/0's on occasion. I think that a 4/0 or 5/0 might be a bit big for ling (but I have had them inhale my 7/0 cod hook during the wintertime), but to each his own. I've never had problems with cod with my 2/0, but have also never tried pulling in a 15 lber.

[Leif]

Thanks to everyone for all the additional tips and information. Good comments and observations.

With regard to hook choice.....I have found you will catch more fish with 1/0 to 2/0 hooks overall. I think this is especially true when the ling are not that big, and when they are not as agressive in the winter.

I am not opposed to larger hooks and only used 4/0 hooks on our last trip on the Paramount. The ling were large and there were several cod caught, so in this case larger hooks were better.

I think the important thing is....as in any type of fishing is to be willing and able to adapt to the current situation be prepared to do so.

Not having the correct rigs, hooks, weight and equipment does not bode well for any type of fishing. Fumbling around for a rig during a hot bite as mentioned in one of the replys can only limit your catch.

Be prepared, adapt and most of all have fun!

Leif

[Ryan W]

I agree that the best thing to do is be ready to adapt. I have almost all of my rigs pre-tied, but if I run out, I can tie a new one right onto my topshot very quickly with just the supplies I keep in my pockets. Just tie up a surgeon's loop and two droppers, and you'll be good to go pretty fast .

Last trip I was on, we had more of the "fun size" models, so 2/0's were better. If you had a 4/0, you wouldn't have had such a nice catch by the end of the day. Even the cod there were fine of the 2/0's (at least mine was- I had a 21 incher). I think that the 2/0 is a nice size for almost all bottom fish, even porgies. They have always been fine with me for almost all of my fishing.

Have those rigs ready!

Ryan

[tropics]

Originally Posted by JMM727

Another good choice for bait is ling belly cut into strips. Stays on the hook and at times will out fish any other bait day or night.

Cut off the belly of one or two of your first caught ling and cut into approximately 1/2 inch by 2 or 3 inch strips or ask a mate to show you how. You'll have enough bait forthe rest of your trip. Hook the strip through the tough skin once or twice. Give it a try!

This is my bait of choice get a small ling an strip the belly.