Have fished for ling for many years and many places. My favorite bottom fish to target. Live bait is usually your best option. Ling don't care about size. Nothing is too big for bait if you are after large lings. I have caught 27lb. lings with teeth marks from other lings on their tails.

Fresh dead bait or side slabs of fish will work well. Have had very good success with purple or black herring. I've heard so many good reports about octopus, that I will be using some this week off Whidby.

Some places show a very specific tendency for what the ling in that area prefer. Find out the bait of choice for that local and it will reap great rewards. We have been doing very well at the narrows bridge, but only with live herring or flounder ( landed four this morning to 13#, wife missed another four or five).