Rockfish tackle

What kind of rod/reel and tackle do you like to use for catching rockfish and ling cod?

I've fished more from a power boat that I have from my kayak, but I prefer a 7ft rod  conventional reel (usually no line counter).  Then I make a 4' leader 30lb mono that has 2 dropper loops with shrimp flies and a 2-4oz jig on the bottom.   I'll have you know I am NOT a rockstar when it comes to catching rockfish/lings.   So I hope someone will share secrets. 

That all sounds good. The only thing I add is a small section of a little lighter line at the bottom for my heaviest jig.  That way if it gets snagged I only lose the jig.

I make my own shrimp flies that I like better than the store bought.

When I am fishing, I drop it to the bottom, reel up a couple cranks and jig a while. If I dont feel bottom once in a while, I drop it again until I do.

Your rod and reel should be fine.  I like to keep the drag fairly loose then only tighten if needed.

Willing to share a picture of some of the flies you tie?

These and the lancer jigs you gave me, for rockfish.

Barb, what you have will work just fine. 

I tend to stick with rods around 6'6" or shorter.  With no more than 20lb line on my heaviest rod.
It makes it easier to bring the fish to the kayak without the need of a net.

If rockfish are around it doesn't take much to get them to bite, and its more sporty to me to use lighter tackle and one jig at a time. 

My goto rigs are:

6'6" UglyStickLITE spinning rod with a 2500 Shimano Sienna reel spooled with 10lb braid, and 10 mono top shot.  This rod/reel combo has caught everything in the ocean from tiny greenling to 35" lingcod and even a 43" bull redfish (in Louisiana).

Any Shakespeare kiddy rod that has the reel molded into the rod spooled with 20lb braid.  I find that these kinds of rods work great for jigging 2-6 oz jigs but can handle up to 8oz.  But also can handle really light jigs.
I have landed several 29-34" lings, and 20-27" cabbies.  Unexpectedly caught a 35" fall Chinook just out of the surf zone with one.

BB
What you described works, just sometimes change to bait either live or frozen.
I've used anything from a 7 foot 10-25 ugly stick with a Penn 309/ general purpose conventional reel (which also seems to be the go to set up for charter fleets from Westport to Pacific City), to a Daiwa Jupiter 17-30 with Lexa 300, to a 9 foot spinning rod with a 3500 series reel and 20 lb line. [I seldom use braid, prefer mono]Other members are gonna give ya different rigs, and that's what works for them

Depends where, but make sure your set up can handle weights from 2-16 ounces cause sometimes you gotta go deeper

Like anything else, tailor your tools to the location depth and conditions you're going to fish.

Bottom fish flies are simple things, some saltwater hackle tied to whatever hook you choose, usually tied with red thread.  Sometimes they're called shrimp flies.

Or you could ask me to tie some for you...  I don't have pictures of the ones I make.

There's lots of ways to skin this cat. I prefer a heavier setup because I like to target big lingcod, 42"+. 65 lb braid with 40lb mono leader attached with ball bearing swivels because lingcod like to spin a lot. Be ready to switch between bait, plastic and iron, use scents, and move if you aren't catching.

Current go to setup is a 6' Penn blue water carnage with an avet mxl. Works great for keeping lings out of the holes on the bottom.

Breaking off is simple enough too. With a hobie simply paddle away. If you are paddling reel up to it and wrap the line around a fish be good stick, let the swell lift you and pop the line. With a heavy setup you often don't even break off and will get your rig back.

Bottom fish flies are simple things, some saltwater hackle tied to whatever hook you choose, usually tied with red thread.  Sometimes they're called shrimp flies.

Bi-Mart carries P-Line rockfish/lingcod flies like these:



Or you could ask me to tie some for you...  I don't have pictures of the ones I make.

these are great. i prefer the cheaper danielson's, which are 5/pk for $2 or so, and look the same. A little tip - add a dab of super glue to the shank where the myler/hackle is tied on, otherwise they come apart after a fish or two.

one thing on rockfish (or most bottomfish, for that matter) - don't overthink or overspend on it.

As others have shown, just about anything gear can work for rockfish and lings, from a Barbie rod to a full on heavy jigging rig. I often use a longer rod than many, 8-8.5', to help manage a ~4' mono leader with one or two shrimp flies and a jig, and make it easier to reach around the bow or stern; and while 20# line is plenty for breaking strength, I like 40 or 50# braid so it's less prone to digging into the spool and I don't have to squint so much to re-tie. I typically use 20# or 30# mono somewhere in the leader.

There's lots of ways to skin this cat. I prefer a heavier setup because I like to target big lingcod, 42"+. 65 lb braid with 40lb mono leader attached with ball bearing swivels because lingcod like to spin a lot. Be ready to switch between bait, plastic and iron, use scents, and move if you aren't catching.

Any particular brand of swivels?  I had the split rings on a cheap-o brand cut through the mono a couple of times, and went back to barrel swivels.

Bottom fishing I normally just tie a swivel to the main line, and clip it to a 3oz jig. I use 80lb braid so most the time if it snags it ether comes free when popping it up and down, or the hook straightens. Not big on using leader for bottom fishing unless I'm using a herring.  You break off a lot less that way, and if it does break it normally breaks pretty close to the end of the line close to the jig anyway. Also, I don't like using shrimp flys from the kayak. Sure they catch fish but it's also a couple extra hooks to get stuck in my drysuit, hands, or whatever. One jig at a time catches limits of lings and rockfish pretty easily if your in a good spot, and it's easier to handle.
In the bay a trout pole with 10lb braid, and a feather crappie jig works great and typically catches way more fish than a person can keep keep, again without using more than one hook.
Just how I do it. There are probably plenty that disagree with my tactics, but that's what works for me.
Happy fishing [emoji476]


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There's lots of ways to skin this cat. I prefer a heavier setup because I like to target big lingcod, 42"+. 65 lb braid with 40lb mono leader attached with ball bearing swivels because lingcod like to spin a lot. Be ready to switch between bait, plastic and iron, use scents, and move if you aren't catching.

Any particular brand of swivels?  I had the split rings on a cheap-o brand cut through the mono a couple of times, and went back to barrel swivels.

I prefer Owner.

These and the lancer jigs you gave me, for rockfish.

Those look awesome


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Willing to share a picture of some of the flies you tie?

This is the one that has worked best for me.  Store bought ones work also, but I like making my own version if I can.