Vertical Fishing Swimbaits for Rockfish/Lingcod?

Swimbaits are deadly on lingcod and rockfish, and they are the easiest lure to fish. I know there are more than a few of us that have stories of just letting the swimbait hang over the side while we were messing with something else, then suddenly having a heavy fish on the dead-stick swimbait.

Swimbaits are deadly on lingcod and rockfish, and they are the easiest lure to fish. I know there are more than a few of us that have stories of just letting the swimbait hang over the side while we were messing with something else, then suddenly having a heavy fish on the dead-stick swimbait.

don't listen to this guy...he's in idaho! no salt water near him!  Got snow yet Jay? Say hi to T!

Swimbaits are deadly on lingcod and rockfish, and they are the easiest lure to fish. I know there are more than a few of us that have stories of just letting the swimbait hang over the side while we were messing with something else, then suddenly having a heavy fish on the dead-stick swimbait.

don't listen to this guy...he's in idaho! no salt water near him!  Got snow yet Jay? Say hi to T!

We already set an all time record for snowfall in November with more than 25"! It's a good thing I bought a snowblower back in August 
That's why I have to live vicariously through all of you guys that can still get on the water!

Sorry for the thread-jack! 

I think the jig head matters also.  Do not do as well on a plain lead jig head.  They do catch their share of fish, but I have a couple painted ones, with flat sides and big eyes that do much better.  Purple and black seems to be the best color, and make sure you have sharp, thinner hooks.  Good quality hooks.  Did I mention sharp?

I think the jig head matters also.  Do not do as well on a plain lead jig head.  They do catch their share of fish, but I have a couple painted ones, with flat sides and big eyes that do much better.  Purple and black seems to be the best color, and make sure you have sharp, thinner hooks.  Good quality hooks.  Did I mention sharp?

For me the color of the leadhead doesnt really matter.  I'm a believer that the color of the swimabait itself plays a larger factor.  I've done best on either a glow/pearl color or the browns/purples/blacks.  Also I like a thicker hook vs a thin one.  For most rockfish yeah a thin sharp hooks helps on hooking them at deeper depths....but when fishing for lings I've straigtened out a few cheaper leadheads that had flimsy hooks.