They might be humble and not the best fighting fish, but ling can be caught in good numbers and are a treat on the dinner table.
They don’t put up much of a fight so don’t expect any “screaming drag” type of action, but mention that ling (aka red hake) are here and anglers grab their rods and head for their favorite head boat. Ranging from grayish or reddish and yellowy brown in color, they generally run from 1-1/2 to 6 pounds, but any ling over 4 pounds is considered a “baseball bat.” For the most part, they prefer hanging around structure like wrecks, reefs and rock piles on muddy bottom. On the West End and New York Bight, the Mudhole and 17 Fathoms are considered prime ling territory, but inshore reefs like Rockaway and Hempstead can be productive into December. As water temperatures drop in January and February, the fish move to deeper water structure and places like the Mudhole come into their own. As waters begin to warm in the spring, the inshore pieces come alive again, and ling can be caught in cooler filling numbers.
Capt. Tom Weiss has been at the helm of Capt. Al Lindroth’s Point Lookout open boat Capt. Al for more than 30 years. He recommends bringing a medium action conventional rod (rated for 20 to 40 pounds) and a matching reel with a gear ratio of 4.1 or lower. Spool the reel with 30-pound test mono, or if you prefer the finer diameter of braid, 40-pound is a good choice. If you do spool with braid, finish it off with at least 12 feet of 40-pound mono. If you spool with mono you can rig directly to your main line.
Rigging Up
Ling are bottom feeders so you want your hooks to lay on the bottom. A basic two-hook rig with snelled, long shank 2/0 to 4/0 hooks, depending on the size of the ling and the potential for a bycatch of cod or possibly a pollock, will get the job done. High/low rigs can result in the high hook attracting too many dogfish if they are in the neighborhood.
At the end of your line or leader, create a loop with a double overhand knot for your sinker. Sinker weights can range anywhere from 6 to 10 or more ounces so be sure to carry an array of weights, with bank sinkers preferred by most experienced ling anglers. Loop your first hook 4 to 6 inches above the sinker loop, and then loop the second hook halfway up onto the snell of the first hook so that both of your baits lay on the bottom.
Baiting Up
Clams are the standard bait for ling, with small pieces preferred. Salted clams get the job done but fresh clams out-fish the salted baits at times. If only salted clams are provided on the boat, consider bringing along your own fresh clams. Another excellent bait for ling, and one that often attracts bigger ling, is a fresh strip bait. Strips of mackerel or bergall are preferred but any fish works.
In recent years, slipping a 3- or 4-inch Berkley Gulp swimming mullet up the snell of your hook has proven to be a decided advantage. Capt. Tom said that many of his fares have been employing green/chartreuse Gulp and it has proven to be deadly, but white has also produced good results. The Gulp also serves as a backup bait to your clam should one or more of your hooks get cleaned of clam.
Technique
As for technique, Tom stated emphatically, “when you hit bottom start bouncing that bait like you are fishing for flounder.” Keep the bounces short and quick since you want your baits at the bottom. “You will get out of it what you put into it, and the more you bounce, the more you will catch,” according to the skipper. Tom added that he has looked down onto the deck and seen an angler with a full bucket and the guy next to him with only two or three fish. The difference was the successful angler kept that bait bouncing.
Maintaining bottom is the most important aspect of the ling game and that can be a little tricky if there is a good groundswell running. As the boat lifts, so does your rig off the bottom. Keep some slack in your line to compensate for the rise of the boat and you can feel for a bite when the slack comes out of your line and you have a direct feel to your rig. With a little practice it is not as difficult as it sounds. Even if you don’t feel the initial bite, the fish will likely still be there when your line comes tight and you can set the hook then.
Prime Table Fare
Captain Tom said that many of his customers consider ling king of the bottom fish, calling them one of the finest tasting fish in the ocean and praising their totally boneless fillet. However, they are also one of the most delicate fish once out of water, and the quality of their meat can deteriorate rather quickly. A cooler with a good supply of ice is a must to maintain the ling’s eating qualities, and ice is always the best method to preserve them. Tom advised that if you don’t have a cooler, the last thing you want to do is put them in a bucket filled with water. This is especially true during the fall and spring when warm weather heats the water and literally poaches your catch, turning the meat to mush. Instead, place the ling in a bucket without water and cover your catch with a towel soaked in saltwater.
Even if your catch is kept on ice, it is advisable to cook your ling within 24 to 48 hours. Ling are quite versatile and adapt to many seafood recipes. They can be fried, baked, broiled or dropped onto the grill, and they make outstanding fish cakes. They generally do not freeze well so it is always best to eat them fresh. If you do want to freeze some, definitely consider investing in a vacuum pack sealer, if you haven’t already. It is by far the best way to freeze away your catch.
Ling fishing can vary from season to season with some winters very productive and others less productive. Water temperature can have a big impact on the fishing and if it gets too cold, they can move so deep that it doesn’t pay for boats to make the run. Watch for ads in the report section of The Fisherman or at thefisherman.com for sailing schedules. And if good fishing doesn’t carry through this winter, you can always count on filling a cooler come spring.
| WEST END OPEN BOATS |
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Capt. Lou Fleet: Freeport 516-623-5823 |
