PG Ling

Fished PG and Monterey recently. Monterey was kind of slow, I caught an underling and assorted rock fish. In PG I caught an underling, a 24 1/2" keeper, some olives, blacks, kelp rockfish, and a nice 32-35" 8-10 lb. ling that got away from me. Very frustrating! The story w/ the big guy goes as so: after deciding to call it quits after already having caught the keeper ling and a few rock cod, the weather was getting nasty and the wind started howling (maybe 10 mph or more) I was paddling/drifting in and as usual I can't stop fishing. I'll fish till the last second and am usually the last one in. So I'm drifting in getting closer to the kelp and have been bouncing a swimbait on the bottom when it gets snagged (so I thought). I start reeling in and feel the fish pulling indicating a nice size fish. Fought the fish for a while and I'm fairly certain the big mouthed ling had it's bucket mouth open causing drag the whole 100' up (at least that's what it felt like). Finally got it to the surface and by this time w/ the wind so strong, having neglected paddling due to fighting the fish, I've drifted almost a quarter mile back out to sea into some dangerous waters (Point Pinos). I netted the fish and paddled back towards the kelp to tie off then secure the fish on the game clip. So I have the ling in the net just dragging him through the water on the side of my yak, slowly paddling, fighting the wind and swells. About 20-25 minutes later I arrive at the edge of the kelp and tie off, I just picked up some of those game clips and don't have a lot of experience using them. I started trying to secure the fish when next thing you know he comes alive and jumps out the net right onto my lap. I'm still dealing with the other keeper ling this whole time, he's still alive and mad, next thing you know all I hear is splash! Big ling is gone! Oh well, shit happens. I'll still keep hunting for him, or his brother, or buddies, or whatever. Kind of frustrating though considering the whole ordeal I went through to land him and had him in possession for about half an hour just to lose him while trying to secure him. I'll get him next time. Here's some pics of the keeper ling and blacks. Also ran into Pat (Soulhigh831), Blake (Bkayaking), and Andy (FishMaster), haven't seen my buddy Ernie for a minute, will have to call him up and get a fish report

Sorry about your loss on the BIG ling.  You'll get it soon or later as they don't move around much.  Thanks for the report and pictures.

 I think it is safe to take that ling off the stringer now.   

 After having a hearbreaker of my own last year I carry a baseball bat.

Hello Calbear,
Sorry to hear about your loss. Get a gaff and/or club or better yet a gaff that has a meaty stick with the gaff hook, this way you have two tools for the price of one and less gear to worry about. When you get your ling on deck whack it silly 3 or 4 times on the top of his noggin and that should do the trick-no more attitude and if so then do it again. I also have what is called a fish gripper and got it off Cabellas, it is orange and plastic for around 12.00. This allows me to grip the fish at the jaws without putting my fingers or hands near the sharp teeth. This allows you to maneuver the fish and control it so you can either whack it or insert the game clip through the gill and mouth after you have successfully dispatched him. Good luck, it sounds like you are getting some good water time. Get in touch with me as you are fishing the same areas I fish and I have days off during the week. Mike 831-588-5251

You can always catch another ling. Getting yourself situated safely first was smart. Good thinking!

Glad you made it back safely and away from harm. About the lost fish, there will
be another big one out there just waiting for you bro. Believe me, I know how you
feel. I have lost a halibut the same way. The fish was in the net and next thing
you know, you hear  a splash back it goes in the water. Good luck
next time calbear.

Jedmo

I carry 2 clips now, not my idea, I saw it here on this site last year I think, always keep one empty, that way you can secure that BIG one without have to deal with the stringer full of little ones,

Sucks to loose the big one but lings recover nicely, he's probably out there waiting for you.

Great post I like it when there's a story that go with the pics,

  You should do this first Bro,  but anyway thanks for sharing and sorry about your loss fish...you'll get it next time. 



Kiel

ouch, that hurts.  I used to carry a mini bat called "no alibi" but lost it to a crash landing in the surf.  I now use a simple hickory replacement handle "hammer or hatchet" found at your local hardware store.  Floats and smacks fish into submission.  Easier to work on when they are unconscious

eugene

The fish wacker is a good idea, I have one. I use a very rusty finish hammer. I don't know why I didn't use it (brainfart I guess). With the new game clips I think I had it in my mind I could keep the fish alive while before I would just stick them in a burlap sack and let them die. I kept the keeper ling alive on the clip but the larger ling proved to be a handful dealing with while still alive. From now on it's hammer time for all larger, toothy predators. Solsrf we'll hook up and fish somewhere soon. Thanks for the responses and advice everyone

Too bad about the ling calbear, but at least you still brought home a nice stringer of fish!
My guess is that if you didn't have time to secure the fish in rough seas, then probably wouldn't have time to whack a fish either. Good call to paddle into the kelp--have had to do the same thing, it's a good idea. 2 game clips is a good idea too.

Too bad on the big fish. Thats got to be a heartbreaker. Next time you'll get em'