Orkney is an excellent destination for catching Ling, common to both the east and west of the Islands and inside the ground between the Islands and inside Scapa Flow. Orcadian Ling tend to have a ceiling weight of around 15lbs (7kg) inside the Islands but much bigger fish reside outside. 20lb (9kg) plus Ling are found in the deeper water to the west with marks around the Old Man of Hoy, Marwick Head and Brough Head all producing the larger specimens especially through autumn and the winter. Wreck fishing is a year round affair while reef and shore Ling tend to show more in the summer months and into autumn.

Although a member of the Cod family it differs in appearance. Ling are longer and slimmer and like the Cod have one feeler under the chin. Ling have two dorsal fins, the first rounded and short and the second main dorsal lone and flat topped. The anal fin is similar in shape to the second main dorsal but is less long ending before the vet. The tail fin is rounded. The top and bottom jaws are equal and come equipped with an impressive set of needle shaped teeth.

Wreck Ling tend to be from deeper water and are a mix of brown, grey and dark green on their back. The belly is stark white but grey on the larger fish. Reef caught ling are often slate grey with dark blotches.

Shore Fishing
Although Ling are a rare fish to catch from the shore, the Churchill Barriers offer the shore angler the best opportunity. The weather can be a problem as Ling prefer some swell and movement in the water, so only fish within the confines of safety from the Barriers! Ling are also best targeted at night with day light fishing producing little if no results from the shore.

Ling fishing around the barriers is best suited to a 5-6oz beachcaster coupled with a decent sized, heavy geared reel such as an ABU 7000 loaded with 25lb line (11.34kg). A fixed single hook rig made from 80lb (36.288kg) mono using a blood loop for hook connection to a weak link is the best rig to use. The hook lengths need to be 12 to 18-inches (30cm – 46cm) of 50lb (22.68kg) line connected to a 4/0 or 6/0 Viking pattern hook.

Blast frozen baits of Mackerel work just as well as fresh Mackerel. Although Mackerel can be brought in shops it is just as easy to get to the barriers and hour or so before fishing (just before it goes dark) and spin or feather for some Mackerel.

Boat Fishing
Ling fishing is best from a boat either reef or wreck fishing. Ling will use rock formations and cracks as cover to ambush smaller fish so always look for reef where the seabed is random with different rising peaks, fissures, gutters, drop offs and vertical shelves close to a run of tide. Also try fishing where there is a large amount of kelp, again Ling use this as cover.

Tackle for reef fishing can be relatively light 20lbs class, or for a bit of added security 30lb class tackle with a multiplier holding upwards of 300-yards (275m) of line.

Wreck fishing very much depends on the tide strength. Ling will either be around the wreck and off the bottom when the tide is slack, but when the tide runs they will work their way back into the main wreck. Larger Ling are often found working the banks close behind the downtide end of the wreck. For both wreck and reef fishing always try to pick the smaller neap tides as this will give the boat a more controlled drift and will slow the ground speed making the baits work properly. Dark dull and often rainy days seem to produce more Ling than bright sunny days.

When wreck fishing for Ling its sensible to use a 50lb class outfit. Especially when using two hook rigs as there is a good chance you could hook up on two big fish at once. For comfort when fishing in very deep water, it makes sense to carry a harness and butt pad for the bigger Ling.

The main ways to target Ling is by either a two hook rig or a pirk.

The two hook rig is best for sheer numbers and can also produce some quality fish. Tie the two hook rig from 75lb to 100lb (34.02kg – 45.36kg) mono. If you start with a length of mono some 6 to 7-feet (183cm – 213cm) long, by the time you’ve tied in two blood loops to form the hook length connectors, a oval split ring at the base, and strong swivel or stainless steel link at the top, you’ll end up with a total rig length of about 5foot (152cm). The blood loops want to be about 6 to 8-inches (15cm – 20cm) long.

The hook lengths need to be 150lb (68.04kg) mono about 12-inches to 14-inches (30cm – 36cm) long tied with a small loop at one end that passes through the blood loop on the rig for securing. The best hooks are O’Shaughnessy pattern hooks size 8/0 to 10/0. Ideally attach the weight to a weak link attached to the split ring. This will break should the lead get snagged saving both fish and tackle.

Pirks need to be from about a half pound to as much as a pound and a half in weight. Some anglers arm these with a 6/0 treble hook, though some prefer a single 10/0 O’Shaughnessy as it snags less on the wreck. Whichever, the hook needs baiting with a whole fillet of fish to interest the ling.

Best baits are whole fillets of Mackerel, Pollack, Coalfish, Whiting, Codling or even smaller Ling. Whole fish baits such as Mackerel up to a pound (0.45kg) in weight with the tail and backbone removed and hooked through the lip are deadly for the bigger Ling.

Scottish Boat Record – 57lb 8oz (26.0822kg approx)
Scottish Shore Record – 12lb 4oz (5.5562kg approx)