Northwest Fishing Reports

Contemplating going Ling fishing in the Puget Sound, probably area's 9, 10, 11 since I live in Kitsap. I hear there are lings near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Any other good places to go on the western shore? I also need to know about boat ramps.

It's been a few years but, there's maps out there that show artificial reefs in PS. South of Blake Island, south of Alki Point, south end of Whidby Island, east side of Vashon, other artificial reefs... they all hold lings... new regs on size of lings that are lawful to retain this year.

This link doesn't have maps but links for individual artificial reefs, descriptions and such. There is some boat ramp, GPS, info as well. You might find something useful. Take care not to fish the couple of underwater parks listed in the regs such as Edmonds.

http://www.boydski.com/diving/pugetsound.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I caught a ling once fishing Toliva Shole, out of my 8 ft sport inflatable raft.

http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=3521

Thanks this helps a lot, Blake Island is pretty close to me I can get out there from the Manchester boat ramp. I was also thinking about fishing just outside the Orchard rocks boundary too. I'll have to assess that one because of all the ferry traffic

MarkFromSea wrote:... new regs on size of lings that are lawful to retain this year.

I've been looking on the WDFW website, doesn't look like there is any new size or bag limit for Puget sound.

Mike Carey wrote:I caught a ling once fishing Toliva Shole, out of my 8 ft sport inflatable raft.

And people think I'm crazy Mike, I've got a 12 foot zodiac with a 9.9 merc.

And by the way I like your videos, making me want to go hit up a charter...

Oh! I thought I saw a NEW max size listed in the regs........ maybe that was last year.... or????

I never saw a ling while diving Orchard Rocks(unless you count greenLING), the reef or rock does have the neatest coloration though, sorta pinkish. As well as the kelp forest that'll thicken during the summer. Great dive site in the 80s. Come to think of it, Orchard had so much color at shallower depths our dives couldn't have been more than 30-40 feet there. We didn't have a reason to go deeper there. Might be some lings a bit deeper???? Blake, lings were thicker in the 90'+ range. My understanding is that the reef material here is the old runway from NAS Sand Point, Naval Air Station. We would routinely cut out nets that were wrapped in the rebar in this reef. It's been a couple decades since I last dove there. Target a slack tide as best as you can, dragging heavy weights through here is bound to get caught often if fighting too swift a current.

SoDakboy wrote:

Mike Carey wrote:I caught a ling once fishing Toliva Shole, out of my 8 ft sport inflatable raft.

And people think I'm crazy Mike, I've got a 12 foot zodiac with a 9.9 merc.

And by the way I like your videos, making me want to go hit up a charter...

I did a lot of things back then I wouldn't do now, that's for sure.

I can almost taste the fried up lings now.. i cant wait!

This will be my first time Ling fishing. I've got wed-thurs off so I'll be heading out first thing in the morning and launching in west seattle. I've got a 15.5 foot Zodiac. Might need a few pointers and someone to help drink the beer. Anyone want to fill a seat in the boat? (Ok, not actually a seat, usually just sit on the tubes. haha)

fear_no_fish wrote:I can almost taste the fried up lings now.. i cant wait!

I've got a freezer full of lings, and a fridge full of beer. It's awesome!

natetreat wrote:

fear_no_fish wrote:I can almost taste the fried up lings now.. i cant wait!

I've got a freezer full of lings, and a fridge full of beer. It's awesome!

Theres nothing wrong with that!

natetreat wrote:

fear_no_fish wrote:I can almost taste the fried up lings now.. i cant wait!

I've got a freezer full of lings, and a fridge full of beer. It's awesome!

I got the beer, now just need the lings. Planning on going out next weekend as long as the weather is decent.

Possession Bar is always good for them as well. Fish in close to the Cans.

First time out and I got my 1 fish limit by 7am. 32 inches and fat. Good Day!!!

I spent more time catching bait then the ling! Once I started ling fishing first drop I hit bottom reeled up about 10 cranks and lowered my tip and FISH ON!! About yanked my pole out of my hands, had not been fishing for even a full minute! However I lost that one but by how it felt....it would have had to go back for being to big! After that I dropped another live bait back down and instantly had on another fish but it was a very large rock fish(usually don't get them on live bait) Threw that one back and within about 10 minutes FISH ON!!! Lucky got to keep being just under the size limit. Weighed 14 pounds and was 35 inches.....looks like I'm having fish and chips tonight!

Do you guys put on a steel leader before attaching your terminal tackle to the main line? Having never done this before I plan on getting half a dozen drop shot rigs and half a dozen 2 oz leadhead jigs.

I use 40 lb maxima ug, but that is because I already have it for salmon trolling. If I was going to buy some just for lings I would maybe use 50lb maxima. After netting the ling today, while it flopped around it broke my leader between the 2 hooks due to it's sharp teeth I am sure. I just use a banana weight and leader....last year I quit using jigs because I couldn't keep the rock fish off long enough to get the lings.

What do you use to catch your bait? Where on the body do you like to hook your live bait?