Traditional ling fishing often takes place at 150–300 metres. Ling can approach cod in size and exceed 40 kg. The original guide describes a summer fish of 42 kg and 181 cm caught around 100 km north of camp, then described as the largest ling from Finnmark and the largest summer-caught specimen worldwide. We once thought our local stock was sparse, but suspect there are more fish than the limited targeted effort suggests. The original account speculates that an exceptionally large pre-spawning fish could approach 50 kg; that is a possibility, not a verified catch.
Storskalltaren offers unusually shallow-water ling fishing at 30–70 metres. Fish of 15–20 kg are not unusual and several can come from the same mark. They take both deadbaits and shads; staying reasonably close to the seabed matters. We have reliable marks to try, and one ling often signals others in the same spot. Ling have a sensitive swim bladder and can be difficult to release successfully. If you recognise a ling on the line, bringing it up particularly slowly may help. They are also excellent eating.
Ling fishing at Storskalltaren generally improves through the season, with August–October the strongest period, although June and July can also be excellent.
The camp record listed is 24.5 kg and 166 cm, caught by Linus Danielsson at Storskalltaren.
