Video: July 5 2025 PB Lingcod and 6 Vermilion - Mendocino

Another great day of fishing.  The ocean was very calm, and big fish were biting.

Launch at 5:30 AM with Alex and head to my spots.  Fishing started slow but picked up with hot vermilion bites.  Lost a monster lingcod as I was trying to net it, it was too big to fit in the net and broke 30 30-lb leader.  Later on the day, I got my PB lingcod 36.75".  I got a total 6 vermilion, kept 2 and released 4.



Paul

Looks like an awesome day. That lost lingcod is going to haunt you for a while. I’m sure the 36.75” made you feel a little better. I take it you are in the market for a new landing net now

Thanks for sharing the adventure, Paul. Sorry the big one got away!

Thanks for the report and video Paul.

Great video!

Looks like an awesome day. That lost lingcod is going to haunt you for a while. I’m sure the 36.75” made you feel a little better. I take it you are in the market for a new landing net now

I thought about a larger net, but at this time, I decided to stay with my current net.  I do have a larger salmon net, but it is too difficult to use from a kayak.  I might start carrying a gaff when I target large lingcods.

Looks like an awesome day. That lost lingcod is going to haunt you for a while. I’m sure the 36.75” made you feel a little better. I take it you are in the market for a new landing net now

I thought about a larger net, but at this time, I decided to stay with my current net.  I do have a larger salmon net, but it is too difficult to use from a kayak.  I might start carrying a gaff when I target large lingcods.

On a kayak, a gaff is the way to go, IMHO. If I can't lip grip it, and I'm going to keep it, I gaff it...

I concur:  bigger net needed.

Also, looks like you're not worried about that stringer of fish in the water while you fish.  Watch out for big mammals or sharks that may be interested in dangling bait attached to your kayak.

When you do land the monster lingcod, you might want to get a photo/video and release it.  The meat can be rubbery, and it's got more head than fillet at some point.  Old spawners too.

I'm a real critic today!   

Glad to see you enjoying your retirement. 

I concur:  bigger net needed.

Also, looks like you're not worried about that stringer of fish in the water while you fish.  Watch out for big mammals or sharks that may be interested in dangling bait attached to your kayak.

When you do land the monster lingcod, you might want to get a photo/video and release it.  The meat can be rubbery, and it's got more head than fillet at some point.  Old spawners too.

I'm a real critic today!   

Glad to see you enjoying your retirement.

Thank you for the tips.  I am still learning and have started using a fish kill bag, which is located at the front of the kayak and not visible from the camera angle..  After bleeding the fish, I have been placing them in the fish bag.  I guess I released one unintentionally.  Will try to release more in the future.

Looks like an awesome day. That lost lingcod is going to haunt you for a while. I’m sure the 36.75” made you feel a little better. I take it you are in the market for a new landing net now

I thought about a larger net, but at this time, I decided to stay with my current net.  I do have a larger salmon net, but it is too difficult to use from a kayak.  I might start carrying a gaff when I target large lingcods.

On a kayak, a gaff is the way to go, IMHO. If I can't lip grip it, and I'm going to keep it, I gaff it...

My thoughts exactly. I like the gaff since I can put it under the bungee paddle holder on the side that doesn’t have my paddle. My thought behind it is if it’s not a keeper or it’s close then I can usually handle it with lip grippers, if it’s a keeper then it’s much easier to gaff it.

Congrats Paul!  Sorry about the one that got away. Gaff em, only way to go. So much easier.   I only carry a net to be legal

J/S - I’m a fan of the big net so you can release the great big, tough breeding stock to make more! CPR.

Holly molly! You guys are killing me.

Wishin I was fishin!

Grats on the PB!

When I caught the 44" 36lb Pacific halibut I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hold on to the gaff if it went berserk. I decided on the embarrassingly large net i was carrying. The net worked great. For smaller fish I use the gaff.