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Author Topic: Ling Cod in the Fraser  (Read 13772 times)

Driller

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Ling Cod in the Fraser
« on: October 09, 2012, 08:12:32 PM »
Has anyone ever caught one?  I caught a small Ling Cod the other day while sturgeon fishing.  It was maybe 8" long.  I couldn't believe it.
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Dave

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2012, 08:42:11 PM »
Years ago a buddy, Keith Temple, caught a large burbot, 6 lbs or so, at the mouth of Yale Creek while fishing chinooks.  I have also seen them angled at Stoner, near Prince George.
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Bandit420

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2012, 01:21:23 PM »
Probably just a large freshwater sculpin
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Driller

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2012, 02:35:45 PM »
I will try to post a photo tonight.  Trouble is I've only caught a couple of Ling Cod.  I've seen sculpins before and I have some in my fly box.  I'm going all in on this one.  I think this was a freakin Ling Cod.  I studied it pretty good.  THe colours the tail the body shape, the size of the mouth.  It engulphed a chunk of Lamprey that was half the size of the body or close, and the 9-0 hook!  I was really suprised to be able to un hook it and it swam off like nothing happened.  Picture to come tonight.
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Driller

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2012, 06:30:15 PM »
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troutbreath

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2012, 06:39:42 PM »
cabazon
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Driller

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2012, 07:03:15 PM »
Nice one.  I was hoping my picture would show the pattern and colour a bit better.  It sure as hell looked like a Ling cod.  I checked out sculpin pics and bullhead.  It looked nothing like those.  Cabazon photos I see look a little more like it.
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coldfinger

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2012, 07:11:18 PM »
When pissed off , did it have horns just above the gill plate, behind the the eyes? If so, it's a BIG freakin Bullhead.
I've caught them up to 18 inches long before. And they looked just like that. Only, for sure, if it was a bullhead, it would have big nasty horns! Awesome fish and a bit of a surprise no doubt.
kool
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bbronswyk2000

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2012, 07:12:22 PM »
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Every Day

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2012, 07:49:19 PM »
Did it have lots of teeth? If it did that would eliminate Cabezon.
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Rodney

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2012, 08:54:36 PM »
There are over 750 species of sculpin on this planet. In the Fraser River itself, depending on how far upstream you are from the mouth, there are over a dozen species. All of them are commonly called bullhead. While cabezon is a sculpin species, the Fraser River is out of their range as far as I am aware of. Their typical habitat is around kelp beds. The one in the photograph, from what I can see, might be either a great sculpin or a very large prickly sculpin.
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Driller

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2012, 08:56:43 PM »
To be honest I dont remember the teeth.  I just remember the smooth skin and the long tapered tail.  At first I was " what the hell is that?". I first said it must be a sculpin, then I was thinking pike minnow, but I ruled that out right away, but then I said "it's a ling cod!". My buddy and I both caught a couple recently and I was sure that's what it was.  Looking at the picture now, it doesn't do it justice.  Ill just have to go and catch another one and take better pics.
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StillAqua

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2012, 09:37:55 PM »
Rod called it...it's a sculpin (Cottus, aka bullhead).  Can't tell the species from the photo though. Lots of big ones in the lower Fraser.
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Fish Assassin

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2012, 09:51:41 PM »
Another vote for the bullhead
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blaydRnr

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Re: Ling Cod in the Fraser
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2012, 09:59:50 PM »
definitely a juvenile cabezon which belongs to the sculpin family....great eating and common in the lower fraser. i remember catching them in campbell river and the average weight use to range anywhere from 10-20+  pounds.
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