Opening Day For Ling Cod- July 1, 2014

Matty from cooper landing caught and released 12 Ling Cod today keeping this one for the freezer

Today's charter is one that we always look forward to because July 1 is the opening day for Ling Cod season meaning we can finally get to throw some big ones in the box.  We started the day off targeting halibut on a large rockpile off the southwest tip of Montague. The Halibut bite was slow but we were too busy catching giant Yelloweye Rockfish at this point to care.  Many of the fisherman on the boat limited out on Yelloweye and Black Bass by 11:30.  At 12 we picked up the anchor and moved a few more miles to a more productive area for small halibut and by 1:30 we had landed our last.

Next was the moment we were all waiting for; Ling Cod!  We set up 10 fisherman off one side of the boat and drifted sideways in the current over some large pinnacles.  The fishing was amazing, we had up to five on at one time.  The lings were all very good size ranging from 25lbs to 45lbs.  I think we only threw two back that were under the 36" size limit.  Everyone on the boat caught one and I think we were short 1 of a twenty person limit.  The weather was perfect, blue skies and flat seas, the day really couldn't get much better.  The fishing was great creating the ideal start to our combo season.  I can't wait to see what we come up with tomorrow.  The weather forecast is calling for 72 degrees, flat seas and no wind.  Here we go July! FISH ON!

Monster Yelloweye

The Rollings family from Florida posing with one of their 4 Lings