20+ pound, 34" lingcod caught with a handline from a sea kayak

I think most of the variation in lingcod weight is simply a matter of current gut content.

Or due to sickness/parasites.  Every now and then I catch a really snakey ling.  Does anyone else ever experience this?  Obviously underweight and usually very wormy (to the point that I don't retain them anymore).

-Allen

I've guess i have seen snakey Lings here, but remarkably few worms, I've seen Black rockfish with tons of worms though.

Here's that lingcod length-weight chart I promised.  Note that males and females are a bit different with lingcod, but almost all the bigger fish are females.

While I don't have these sorts of charts completely memorized I do find that knowing a few weights for key lengths really helps me estimate fish size.

Brian

I know I'm going to regret this, but....how do you tell the difference between the males and females?

Here's that lingcod length-weight chart I promised.  Note that males and females are a bit different with lingcod, but almost all the bigger fish are females.

While I don't have these sorts of charts completely memorized I do find that knowing a few weights for key lengths really helps me estimate fish size.

Brian

I know I'm going to regret this, but....how do you tell the difference between the males and females?

Oh man, there are so many ways to go with this one, but since this post isn't in the chum bucket, I'll defer to Brian's expertise.

From what i know, the females are fatter,meaner and uglier then the males.. As far as Ling Cod go, i have no idea..

Here's that lingcod length-weight chart I promised.  Note that males and females are a bit different with lingcod, but almost all the bigger fish are females.

While I don't have these sorts of charts completely memorized I do find that knowing a few weights for key lengths really helps me estimate fish size.

Brian

I know I'm going to regret this, but....how do you tell the difference between the males and females?

Oh man, there are so many ways to go with this one, but since this post isn't in the chum bucket, I'll defer to Brian's expertise.

From what i know, the females are fatter,meaner and uglier then the males.. As far as Ling Cod go, i have no idea..

Thanks Roy,
I knew I could count on you. 

I know I'm going to regret this, but....how do you tell the difference between the males and females?

Look between the fins?

i think that the males tend to be lighter in color, and more leopard print than the females.  When young, they're gunna be harder to tell, but as they get bigger the females are much darker.  This is only my observation, and by no means a fact.  

The most reliable way to tell is the males have a little triangular or conical flap of skin next to their anal vent. I think there was a mention of that in a discussion a few months ago.

From what i know, the females are fatter,meaner and uglier then the males.. As far as Ling Cod go, i have no idea..

Ohh yeah baby.  I think it's the same for all.  Watch out for the double chins too!

Green meat has always been the key for me.  Don't know if it's true but the commercials seem to go with that.

Interesting Brian.

I would definitely agree with my fish weighing in at 16-18 with 2-4lbs of chewed up ling puked out in my lap.

I guess I'll describe it like Fletch......17 pound ling, 20+ pounds pre-puke, 6'4" with the Afro.

Nice Job on the Ling. She's a beauty. How long did it take to pull that baby up with a handline? I'm guessing your clients didn't even see it as they were sleeping.
Eitherway, awesome job!

It took maybe 10-15 seconds to pull him up from 50/60ft. One saw the head break the surface when I pulled him up and started hollering. He said it looked like a 5 gallon bucket from where he was

Jason, I beg to differ. Not all of your clients were napping. The only reason you were fishing was you wanted to babysit your non napping client, me. It was a hog to be sure!

True, you were 3-400yds south in your boat fishing! I forgot, that was the whole reason I went out...I started getting twitchy to fish when you were getting ready.

Hrm, so a 42 incher would have to be female then eh?

The most reliable way to tell is the males have a little triangular or conical flap of skin next to their anal vent. I think there was a mention of that in a discussion a few months ago.

Yup.  That's it right there.

-Allen

Down in Mex , the locals slay them all by hand line .Very impressive,but I think you get more sleigh rides with a pole.Right-on with your hand line .Kudos to You for fishing outside the norms.