This will be my first year targeting lingcod and will be doing so specifically in Area 9 given proximity to where I store my boat. I know that live bait is the preferred way to target these creatures, but I'm a firm believe in backup since more often than not, things never go as planned for me.

What jig head weight for curly tailed grubs/swimbaits do you guys typically use? I know it depends on tide, but a ballpark range would be great.

I use mostly 6-8oz then match baits to jig head size. I like to fish heavier leadheads to reduce line splay once you get down in current. Cant wait to hit some local spots this year, and fish Neah in May.

I'd suggest maybe 4-8 oz. as well. Lots of well-educated lings in A9. In my experience those smart lings prefer the live action, but it's always good to have somebody clanking a jig around down there, if anything to attract some attention to other folks' live bait on the boat. My suggestion would be to use the lightest possible jighead that you can get away with, and still stay in contact with bottom. Heavy ones that don't dance and flutter flat out won't get eaten by a smart ling, but a light fluttery one might.

Ocean lings are completely different in my mind. . .everything is down the hatch for those guys, and it doesn't really seem to matter. That's my .02, but YMMV,

fb

4oz is pretty much the starting point. I stick my box with primarily 6's and 8's but then again I mostly fish the San Juans with jigs. 4s for jigs should do for most A9 haunts.

I would highly recommend taking to the live bait game. The bottom is forgiving in 9 so snags are rare making live bait drift fishing possible.

We run 4-6 oz cannonballs on a slide-o then 3 foot leader to a live sand dab. Drop it to the bottom, reel up a few feet and drift it. It's killer.

Thanks for the info everyone. Live bait it is.