Ling Cod Fishing:( What went wrong?

i think if you need a trail hook for lings,
you probably did not want the one that got away.
lings have no problem inhaling giant baits, even then it might not be a keeper.

Maybe try using a larger hook. like 6/0 or 7/0.

Yes. This. Lingcod are NOT line or hook shy, nor are they picky.

You need to match your hook size to your bait size. A 3/0 live bait hook with small trailing treble (stinger) would be about right for a shiner perch or a decent sized anchovy. Mackerel are considerably bigger and tougher, so you should up-size your hooks accordingly.

If you're trying to get the hook into the ling's jaw, you will want to set the hook at least a little.  If you are trying to bring a hitchhiker ling to the boat, the key is to reel nice and slowly.  be patient. Don't try to horse him up or he'll spit the bait.  if he drops it, freespool immediately, and there's a decent chance he'll pick it back up. 

about 50% of the time with a hitchhiker ling, he won't much fight at all, he'll just swim upwards with the bait clamped down in his mouth, with occasional headshakes and slow drag runs. You'll need a large net or gaff, and try to get him underwater and quick. DO NOT LIFT HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WATER.  If he gets too close to the boat, he'll wise up and will either spit the bait or go on a drag screaming run, where your chances of losing him increase significantly.

If you get a hook into the ling, he'll fight significantly harder.  He'll pull drag, run hard and bulldog you.  That's how you can tell if you've got him hooked or if he's just hitchhiking.

The only thing to do when they get off is drop back down immediately.  Often I've had the same ling hook up 2-3 times after they first let go.  They aren't very bright...

This. Even with artificials, a ling that spits the hook will often attack it again.

Since I started tying my own halibut rigs with bigger stronger sharper hooks I've landed twice as many lings  as I did when using the already tied rigs...

Cool to see lots of suggestions here.

It's good to experiment and hone your technique, but sometimes you just lose a fish- not through mistakes or failures, but just because fishing is uncertain, and occasionally heartbreaking. Truth is, if you spend time on the water and keep at it, them lings will come your way.

Good luck!

Maybe try using a larger hook. like 6/0 or 7/0.

I used 5/0 and 6/0 (stinger) circle hooks.  There were total of 10 ling cods got hook and 3 keeper, I  had 75% success rate.

Thank you so much for your inputs.