Lingcod are known to eagerly consume large swimbaits, yet catching them necessitates unique methods.
What does a lingcod eat? Essentially anything it desires. These deep-sea reef hunters dominate their territories, preying on octopus, sand dabs, rockfish, and anything they can fit in their impressive, sharp-mouthed jaws. They are known to attack prey that appears too big to devour, which is why anglers often catch them as “hitchhikers”—they latch onto hooked rockfish while being reeled in.
Experienced Southern California fishermen recognize this trait and entice the lingcod’s voracious appetite and aggressive behavior by casting oversized swimbaits. This technique has garnered a dedicated following: small groups of swimbait enthusiasts gather at the front of party boats to “chuck the rubber,” while most other passengers use dropper-loop rigs with 1-pound weights designed to drop live or cut baits to depths exceeding 300 feet. The fall season remains one of the most optimal times to target large lingcod this way. As water temperatures drop, lingcod migrate to shallower waters to feed aggressively. Smart anglers take skiffs and party boats to find them, armed with swimbait setups.
Many anglers land lingcod with live mackerel, live sardines, or whole or cut squid on “shrimp fly” rigs. Large lingcod are occasionally caught this way while reeling up vermillion, chucklehead, or various rockfish species. However, for those looking to catch primarily lingcod—and especially the largest ones on the boat—switching to larger swimbaits is advisable. I note “almost exclusively,” as sizeable rockfish of 5 pounds or more may also strike these soft-plastic lures, adding variety and quality to the catch.
California Swimbait Fishing
Successfully landing large lingcod over deep, rocky structures hinges on using substantial swimbaits equipped with specially designed, hefty leadheads.
What do I mean by a large swimbait? Major lure manufacturers like Kustom Kraft, Candy Bar, and Savage Gear have engineered specialized lures for this technique, featuring strong, robust plastic bodies with sizeable paddle tails for optimal action and vibration. These lures can be up to 10 inches long, complemented by hefty, wedge-shaped leadheads with 7/0 to 10/0 hooks. Leadheads vary from 4 to 16 ounces, depending on the water depth. Some brands, like Savage Gear, design molded leadheads compatible with specific integrated tails.
Retrieving a lure from craggy, rocky structures in depths of up to 300 feet can be tricky. Swim the lure as close to the bottom as possible for an extended time. Partyboat anglers should avoid interfering with those using bait rigs straight down. The technique requires casting from the bow or the downwind corner of the stern, flinging it as far as possible before allowing it to quickly sink to the bottom. Then, retrieve the swimbait steadily at a medium pace for approximately 15 to 20 reel turns. If there’s no strike, drop back down and start again. As the boat drifts past your line, you will have to recast and repeat the process.
In cases where the boat drifts too rapidly, a more vertical presentation may be necessary. In such instances, I quickly wind for about seven to 10 cranks, drop back down, and repeat. It requires some commitment, but the rewards can make it worthwhile. However, sometimes conditions will prevent effective swimbait use. When this occurs, I switch to my second-favorite lure—a heavy metal jig. These can be fished vertically with a bouncing technique just off the bottom. To entice large lingcod, I replace the traditional treble hooks with a large single siwash hook, threading a 6-inch plastic or Berkeley Gulp! grub onto it.
Best Techniques for Swimbait Fishing
Anglers should resist the urge to jerk the rod when a lingcod bites a swimbait. Instead, continue reeling until the fish is securely hooked.
Beginning anglers learning the swimbait method must resist the instinct to set the hook. Lingcod frequently take the lure by the tail and hold on; jerking the rod often pulls the lure out of their mouth (often tearing the tail in the process). Instead, maintain a steady reel rotation until the rod bends under the weight of the fish and it is firmly hooked.
If the fish releases or shakes off after a few thrashes, drop the lure back down for a few seconds and resume reeling. Lingcod dislike losing any meal, even if it’s artificial. It’s remarkable how often I’ve caught them after two or three retries. Lingcod can exhibit competitive behavior, and it’s common for one or more free-swimming lingcod to follow a hooked fish to the surface, ready to seize the lure if it comes loose.
To enhance solid hookups, I often rig my swimbaits using a straightforward trap-hook system. I loop an Owner 5/0 Assist Hook around the main hook tip and secure it tightly at the hook bend. Depending on the swimbait’s length, this introduces a trailing hook near the lure’s tail. I have successfully caught many large lingcod using just the trap hook alone.
After hooking a large lingcod, utilize a slow, steady retrieve to keep the fish calm while you bring it to the surface.
It’s vital to maintain a slow, steady retrieve when fighting a sizable lingcod. Once hooked, they typically make strong runs towards structure, and afterward, it’s typically just heavy weight combined with the occasional head shake that tests your nerves. Steady pressure helps keep lingcod calm until they approach the boat.
Swimbait tails come in a vast array of colors, and I have seen all of them perform effectively. Shades of red and brown closely mimic the natural hues of juvenile rockfish.
Capt. Mike Nickerson, of the popular Channel Islands sport fishing boat Pacific Dawn, prefers a custom-poured tail he calls Blue Bass, named after the prevalent blue rockfish found in the area. Conversely, I’ve caught plenty of lingcod using lively colors such as glow-in-the-dark, chartreuse, pink-and-white strips, and pearl white. I don’t believe color is a significant factor, as long as you work the lure effectively within the strike zone to maximize bite opportunities.
Swimbait Fishing Tackle for Lingcod
A 3- to 4-foot leader made from 40-pound-test monofilament or fluorocarbon will protect against sharp teeth and provide some shock absorption when a large lingcod shakes its head.
To effectively fish these heavy lures, a specific rod and reel style is required. Stiff, fast-action graphite-composite jig rods from 8 to 8.5 feet work best for casting lures that may weigh up to a pound. Conventional reels can be either star or lever drag, provided they possess a capacity of 300 to 400 yards of 65-pound braided line.
Using straight braid with merely a few feet of 40-pound-test mono or fluorocarbon leader enables quick sink rates for lures, maintaining direct touch with both the lure and the fish. The short leader length (attached via a back-to-back uni-knot) offers an element of shock absorption while simplifying lure break-off in case of snagging.
California lingcod can exceed 25-pound weights, with the state record reaching 56 pounds. Utilizing swimbaits is one of the most efficient strategies for targeting the largest lingcod.