Using Black or Blue Rockfish for Lingcod Bait

May 12, 2016

Question: Can one use black or blue rock fish as bait to catch lingcod? I have seen people do this but I believe you cannot since rockfish are considered to be a game fish. (John C., Roseville)

Answer: Yes, anglers can take black or blue rockfish that they have caught to send back down on a hook to catch lingcod. However, while those two species do not have minimum size limits, any legal rockfish you use as bait count toward your daily bag limit of rockfish.

I'd rather use sanddabs, if you get one of those, but these little blues also make good bait. 

Last ling I got was on a whole little sanddab put back to the bottom and it only took a few minutes down there before Mr. Ling bit it.

what if you used a perch what's the laws on them ?

what if you used a perch what's the laws on them ?

There are very few restrictions on bait in the ocean.  You can use a perch if you want to.  Just count it toward the 10 perch limit and 20 finfish limit.  It stays in your bag limit even if it isn't in your possession anymore.

You can't use fish that would be illegal to take, like undersized or zero retention fish.  You can't use petroleum distillates like WD-40 or anything else that pollutes.

And greenling are the best lingcod bait.