scarce ling

[beerbelly]

does anyone know why the ling r so scarce, is just a cycle there going through, or to many dog fish, or r they getting killed as by catch, its getting hard to put a decent catch together

[Gerry Zagorski]

Was thinking the same thing.... Last winter we had them good and now not so good. Would be interested in thoughts as well.

[Mark215]

The doggies has to be a big part of it I believe. You catch those damn things all year long now and everywhere you go. A friend of mine catches dog fish up in the Hudson.

[tautog]

Ling don't like ultra cold water. They just like cool water. So during a warm winter, we have ling. During cold winters, we don't have many ling.

[Foul Hook]

Originally Posted by Mark215

The doggies has to be a big part of it I believe. You catch those damn things all year long now and everywhere you go. A friend of mine catches dog fish up in the Hudson.

I'm with Mark215, I think the overpopulation of these doggies has an impact on every fisheries juvenile fish. I guess that's why we treat them like we do when caught.

[Capt Joe]

Originally Posted by tautog

Ling don't like ultra cold water. They just like cool water. So during a warm winter, we have ling. During cold winters, we don't have many ling.

Nailed it, Kirk!

[dfish28]

An extra large pair of scissors to the nose area and they're good to go back...after their plastic surgery, **edit** those biatches!!! Let's feed the poor!!

[RussA]

Originally Posted by tautog

Ling don't like ultra cold water. They just like cool water. So during a warm winter, we have ling. During cold winters, we don't have many ling.

Bingo!

[Reel Class]

the water's too cold - no scarcity just you wait and see them jumping on your hooks by the end of april

[bulletbob]

Personally, I think ling have too much pressure these days.. That being said, I remember the "old days" 35 years ago ,when there were more ling[and whiting] than anyone today could imagine, it would slow down in late winter as well...However I recall fishing getting real slow in February and March even when there were huge populations. I recall one of the head boat captains saying they just stopped hitting when the water temps hit 36 degrees..
We have had water temps this year that are simply too cold for optimum ling fishing.. Probably best to wait for April an May before we push the panic button..
If we are still seeing catches of 2-3 ling a man when the water temps get well into the 40's, we can start worrying.. I really do fear for ling as they get pounded year round these days, mainly because other species are off limits..bob