How to land the BIG lings

In 2012 I started targeting hitchhiker lings. I soon realized I had to start using a big net. You can’t attach lipgrips to a mouth that’s full of another fish. Here’s my routine:

When I start fishing I extend the reach of my net and place it back in the rod holder. When I hook a large fish I get him/her off of the bottom and then place the net in the water on my left side with the handle in my lap. When the fish is about ten feet down I turn on the clicker on my reel and grab the net handle with my left hand. I net the fish as deep as I can and still see that it’s in the net. Then I quickly raise the net to the side of the kayak closing it against the side of the yak. While the fish does the alligator spin I put my reel in free spool and place the rod in the rod holder. When the fish stops spinning I bring it on board and attach my tethered lipgrips to it. Then I remove the jig, fish, or hook from its mouth, rebait or reoil it and send it back down. I adjust the drag to a light setting with the clicker on and place the rod in the rod holder so I can go back to processing the fish. During a good bite I often have another fish by the time I get done getting the fish out of the net, measuring it, cutting its gills, taking a photo, and stuffing it into my dive bag. I haven’t used a stringer since a furbag grabed mine and tipped me over.

I used to lose hitchhikers when the net hit the water, that’s why I put it in the water as soon as possible. I also recommend a dark colored net. I’d like to get a camo kayak.

PM me when June rolls around and lets fish for big lings! Or PM anytime for that matter. Craig

Is that an open invitation because I'd love to take you up on the offer.

Hey, Craig is my ling teacher!
Hahahaha


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Little late on this one with the season being over and all... But here's how I land big lings (this also applies to big halibut):

-RELAX! No fast moves! You'd be amazed how docile big lings and halibut are if you lead them around very slowly and don't lift their head out of the water until the VERY last second.

-While fighting the fish, grab your gaff and have it put it in your lap.

-When you feel the fish is wearing out (e.g. it's taken several solid runs) bring it up to about 6 under the surface.

-Key step: LOOSEN YOUR DRAG (a lot)

-Grab your rod In your right hand, near the first guide, and your gaff in your left hand.

-Slide your gaff into the water vertically, adjacent to your boat, hook facing out.

-SLOWLY bring the fish toward it, STILL UNDER WATER. If the fish goes ape shit, that's OK. Your drag is already loose (couple steps above), so let it run.

-If there is no last minute run, slide it slowly over to your stationary gaff.

-Stick it with one smooth vertical motion, before it's head has ever broken the water surface.

Works for me!

-

Thanks to all of you for the great posts!  This past season OTW (my first) has been nothing short of amazing.  From never having kayaked on the ocean to actually catching those monsters has been one of the best experiences of my life and the NCKA brotherhood & support has been the best part of all that.  Here's to many more safety meetings with you, you masters of the briny deep!

I would also advise using a lindy glove if you are handling any fish that has spines - big or small. One of our members (Dave) had a very bad allergic reaction after getting spined by a rockfish while he was securing the fish on the game clip. When he got home, his wife did not recognize him because his face was swollen. His wife drove him to the ER. (also handy for filleting fish)

http://www.basspro.com/Lindy-Fish-Gloves/product/38705/

if im keeping a fish ill stick em in the head with a gaff get em on my lap an slip the game clip if its a toad i plan to CPR i just bring em up open my grippers till i can get em close enough to lip grip under water. NEVER bring a lings head outta water they trash an will most likely spit the hook at that point.

Grab em by the gill pull em aboard and beat em

IMHO lings are the easiest to handle in the water and in the kayak because they
have a "handle."  Seriously, they are built like a suitcase if you know where to grab
them.  If done correctly, you can release or keep them pretty darn quick and have
no scabs on your knuckles.
Once the ling is slightly suspended by the lip with a gaff, OR Eric's method of grabbing
the jig head, let your right pinky finger do the walking.
With your free hand slide it pinky first from the belly into the gill region and make a fist.
You will find a soft plate before the gills and from there you can lift the fish effortlessly and without harm.
That soft plate is on the quick inside of the gill.  If you feel sharp, you are too far.
The ling can be released with the opening of the hand and you will be splashed! 
Heave fun!

Eric, is there any way to determine precisely when you became an animal? Any friends or family you could ask for clarification? Just curious about when it manifested.

Eric, is there any way to determine precisely when you became an animal? Any friends or family you could ask for clarification? Just curious about when it manifested.

Always had the tendencies, and kayaks pushed me over the edge.   

But this is a big ling thread, Nick - stay on topic, Dude!