Green Lings?

Why are some lingcod green/blueish while others aren't? I asked a docent at the MB Aquarium and they didn't give me a definitive answer.He said it may be related to diet.Any ideas?

Hi SCAaron...are you really me with a cheesy asian accent?

Best I've heard on the ling color is exactly that.... are they living in an area with blue-green algae, or red algae.  the foodchain starts there, and presumably the color molecules pass.

we have a few fisheries biologists on this board that can add moe, educated answers, I'm sure.

Welcome to the board!

SCAllen

Hi Allen.Not sure if you remember me, but we've met several times over the last five years or so.In fact, I watched you catch the winning halibut at the 2004 SC derby.I have a blue Wilderness Systems Ride Angler.

Thanks for your response and maybe we can hook up for a session sometime in the coming season.

Aaron

Hey, OK!  Nice flatty in your picture there yourself!

I'm cautiously predicting a much better halibut season for us in SC this year.  Allegedly the commercial guys who have been heading them off at the pas are no longer allowed.  they were taking hundreds a day.  So, April/May is the time to really start. Let's get together.

In the meantime, whattryou fishing for?

Allen

We covered this once before, but long and short...nobody knows why....however the other thread did get kinda funny!http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=3883.0

Allen, The halibut news definitely sounds hopeful for this year.I've mostly been perchin' (see reports) and attending shows, ISE and I'll be going to Fred Hall.I haven't been out on the kayak since the close of rockfish.If you hear of any decent local bites let me know.

scwafish, thanks for the link.I guess the bluegreen algae in the diet explanation is as good as any.The fact that blue lings I've caught have had mostly fish remains (sardines/anchovies) in their stomachs, while white/reddish lings have had mostly squid/octopus/juvenile rockfish in their stomachs seems to confirm this theory.