How to fish for lingcod

LINGCOD {ophiodon elongates} Lingcod occur from Baja California to Kodiak Alaska. All though not abundant south of Point Conception there are a few areas with good populations of lingcod. The Lingcod is typically found at the bottom around rocks or kelp they and are most abundant at three hundred feet or less but have been found as deep as 27 hundred feet. The largest Lingcod recorded caught on rod and reel was 76# 8 ounces. A voracious feeder the diet of Lingcod varies but basically anything it can get into its mouth is food. I once caught a 23# lingcod off Morro Bay California that had a 5# Lingcod in its stomach. Small Lingcod have a diet that is mostly crabs, shrimp and mollusks as they get larger it changes mostly to other fishes squid and octopus. Lingcod are often caught on regular rockfish ganions but most fisherman targeting lingcod will use either large live bait or large jigs. Large chrome or painted jigs or large leadheads with rubber skirts are bounced along rocky bottoms. Often times when bringing a smaller rock cod up you will feel extra weight, if this should happen retrieve very slowly as you have likely picked up what is called a hitchhiker, Lingcod being aggressive and not having a swim bladder will attack a smaller fish and hold on all the way to the surface where often, you can net or gaff them. Tackle will very greatly but for shallow water of 200 feet or less a medium weight rod with 25 to 30# test will work well. At deeper depths you will want a stiff rod and something in a 40 size reel with 25 or 30# test. When filleting lingcod do not be surprised by the color of the meat witch can very in color from white to blue, the color is from their diet and when cooked it will loose the color and is excellent table fare. Warning when handling do not put your hands or fingers in the gills or mouth, besides a mouthful of teeth lingcod have gill rakers that can be very hard on a misplaced hand.