Ling

Distribution:

The Ling is predominently a Boat caught species prefering deep water. Co. Cork and Co. Kerry have been known to produce good fish over the years. The west of the country also has been known to produce good fish due to its rocky nature. Other good spots are Donegal and Wexford. A record fish of 46lbs 8 oz was caught in Kinsale in 1965 and another in 2000 in Courtmacsherry of 48.25 lbs

Habitat:

Ling live over rough ground areas. As a rule they favour deep water of at least 100 ft deep and although they are ocasionally found over reefs, it is the wrecks that hold the big fish. The Ling due to its shape seeks out rough areas with a strong tide run where it can sneak in behind kelp and tall rock structures etc to ambush unwary fish. Look for areas with high rock pinicles set close together. This is where they will be hiding in the strong part of the tide. As the water begins to slow they will then begin to spread out more to hunt to among the debris. Although ling have been caught under cliffs and sharp tide runs between islands etc. These are generally the smaller fish and few and far between.

Bait:

Ling have a strictly fish diet. Small Pouting, Whiting, Poor Cod, Mackeral, Herring, Pollack, Bream, Codling and even small Ling all feature in their diet. They will on ocasion take squid and cuttlefish but less so. These baits are best prepared as flappers and presented on long traces while the boat is anchored uptide of a wreck.

Tides and Weather:

Because Ling tend to live on wrecks, it is often unavoidable that they have to be fished for on the neap tides of the month. Springs tend to raise too much of a current over the wreck thus making drifts too quick to allow any real fishing done. At these times slack water at anchor is the only solution. Neaps prove to be much better fishing, with baits staying closer to the bottom and fewer tackle losses. Generally dull days and coloured seas fish better than sunny days and clear seas.

Tactics:

Tactics for catching Ling are much the same as Cod. Use whole Mackeral fillets for the big ling when at anchor. Try to get your baits as close to the  wreck as you can. Pirks can also be used to catch ling also. A red muppet mounted on the hook is often deadly. Muppets themselves used in the same way as redgills are sometimes productive. A two hook rig as shown in the picture below often works very well. The odd lift off the bottom and then back down often induces a lazy fish to hit the bait and often results in them hitting it while it is on its way down. Hook sizes depend on the size of the fish that are on offer. Anything from 5/0-10/0 can be suitable. Remember, Ling have very large mouths like Cod and will take a big hook no problem to them. A strong main line is cruicial should you end up with a double hook up.

Note:

Ling like all wreck fish, have a tendency to blow their swim bladders on their way up due to the bends. This usually happens about half way up for Ling when in deep water. Other fish at this depth also can blow their swim bladders but for Ling this seems to be a major problem. Ling seem to be particularly suseptable to this. Unfortunately this means many fish are doomed once caught regaurdless of their size. To combat this when fishing for Ling, once you have them up off the wreck take your time bringing them in. Ling are particularly noted for their fighting qualities and unless you plan to keep a lot of your catch a bit of care can make sure  that the fish is returned alive to fight and spawn another day.

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