Ling is a long, slim fish in brown-green, with one barbel on the chin. Kestrel Warrior names ling among the big wreck predators off Brighton and Newhaven. British boat record: confirmed.
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About the ling
Ling is a long, slim fish in brown-green, with one barbel on the chin. Look at the back and you will see a short first fin and a very long second one. It belongs to the cod family, but has a build all of its own.
It can grow to about 2 m, although boat-caught fish are usually far smaller in the south. The larger fish live in the colder north of the range. Ling like rocky ground and wrecks, in water from 20 to 300 m deep.
That makes it a wreck fish, and Sussex anglers have a real chance of one. Kestrel Warrior names ling among the big wreck predators off Brighton and Newhaven, and runs a winter article on cod, pollack and ling.
Baits are fish baits, especially mackerel, and baited pirks and baited spoons are also used.
One thing needs saying early. Boat-caught ling are damaged by pressure change coming up, so Wikipedia advises against releasing them. Decide what you will do with a fish before you set out to catch one.
On the boat
Ling are caught over rocky ground and wrecks in 20 to 300 m, on fish baits, especially mackerel, and on baited pirks and baited spoons. Kestrel Warrior names ling among the big wreck predators off Brighton and Newhaven, and runs a winter cod, pollack and ling article. The record gives no months for Britain or Sussex, so we do not say when they are best.
British boat-caught record
Confirmed record
- Weight
- 67 lb 5 oz (30.533 kg)
- Where
- Muckle Flugga, Shetland Isles
- When
- 2013
- Angler
- J Isbister
Confirmed British boat-caught record: J Isbister, 67 lb 5 oz (30.533 kg), Muckle Flugga, Shetland Isles, 2013. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024. The official list gives the year only, not the full date.
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
The minimum size for ling is 63 cm. Boat-caught ling are damaged by pressure change, so Wikipedia advises against releasing them. The Marine Conservation Society lists it as a fish to avoid. Think about this before you decide to fish for them. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
Ling can reach about 2 m in length, although boat-caught fish are usually far smaller in the south. The larger ones live in the colder north of the range.
Questions about the ling
What is the British boat-caught record for ling?
Confirmed British boat-caught record: J Isbister, 67 lb 5 oz (30.533 kg), Muckle Flugga, Shetland Isles, 2013. The official weight-based boat records were frozen in June 2024. The official list gives the year only, not the full date.
Is ling caught off the Sussex coast?
Yes. Kestrel Warrior names ling among the big wreck predators off Brighton and Newhaven.
When is the best time to catch ling?
Our sources do not give months for the ling, for Sussex or for the rest of Britain.
How big does a ling get?
Up to about 2 m; boat-caught fish are usually far smaller in the south.
Sources
- Planet Sea Fishing - Ling: planetseafishing.com
- Wikipedia - Molva molva: en.wikipedia.org
- Gov.uk - Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes: gov.uk
- BRFC Sea Fish Listings June 2026: anglingtrust.net
Picture: Vsevolod, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
