Halibut Hunting

[Smthtnnr]

I think I'm going to target halibut for the first time on the yak this weekend. I have landed a couple of legals, but only accidentally on plastics while targeting bass in the harbor. I know there are some amazing halibut fishermen on this forum, and I was wondering if anyone could help me out a little. You guys use a triple swivel rig with a heavy weight? Sliding sinker rig? I think I'm gonna launch out of Huntington Harbor and just pounding sand. Would going out of Newport or Dana Point be better? Or should I make the drive to Mission bay? Thanks for any help!

[YakDout]

I think I'm going to target halibut for the first time on the yak this weekend. I have landed a couple of legals, but only accidentally on plastics while targeting bass in the harbor. I know there are some amazing halibut fishermen on this forum, and I was wondering if anyone could help me out a little. You guys use a triple swivel rig with a heavy weight? Sliding sinker rig? I think I'm gonna launch out of Huntington Harbor and just pounding sand. Would going out of Newport or Dana Point be better? Or should I make the drive to Mission bay? Thanks for any help!

If you fish the bigger live baits (sardines) make sure you are using a trap hook. Before I started using them, I had way too many raked baits.

[YakDout]

I have had more luck with Carolina rigs than anything else. I suggest tying palomar knot to your hook. Leave long tag end to then make another knot to your trap hook (treble) . Hook size depends on bait size and weight depends on current and wind. Good luck

[makobob]

I like to fish the Z-Mans Streakz XL this time of the year. I fish the baby bass and pearl colors, two to six feet off the bottom. I try to make them WIGGLE, with rod action or with a flasher. Sometimes I split the tails. Fish 80-120 foot depths. Buena Suerte!!!

[MrPatrick]

Modified drop shot. Use a wide gap worm hook and your choice of plastics. Works for all types of fish.

[todd one]

I use a three way swivel witha 4 oz weight and a live dine in SD Bay. Ido pretty well. But I think the heavy hitters on this forum fish Newport and Dana.Hopefully they respond and help you out. Good luck out there

[alanw]

Fish a sabiki, that seems to work :p

[jorluivil]

I use one of these

Spectra with albright knot or swivel to a drop shot to a 8oz sinker

Spectra to three way swivel with an 8oz sinker



ALWAYS, use the biggest baits possible. If you don't believe the 'The bigger the bait the bigger the fish' theory its because you haven't tried it, try baits in the 8" - 10" range. Also, one of the things that I do differently is that I use larger hooks than most of the guys that I fish with.

My setup usually consist of a size 2 circle hook with an equal size treble hook(trap hook, stinger, or whatever you want to call it).....yeah yeah yeah, I know it sounds like over kill but my theory goes something like: big bait, big hooks, big fish. I know Roby's recent catch goes against my theory but how often does someone catch a hali on a sabiki hook?

[wiredantz]

:DI use one of these

Spectra with albright knot or swivel to a drop shot to a 8oz sinker

Spectra to three way swivel with an 8oz sinker



ALWAYS, use the biggest baits possible. If you don't believe the 'The bigger the bait the bigger the fish' theory its because you haven't tried it, try baits in the 8" - 10" range. Also, one of the things that I do differently is that I use larger hooks than most of the guys that I fish with.

My setup usually consist of a size 2 circle hook with an equal size treble hook(trap hook, stinger, or whatever you want to call it).....yeah yeah yeah, I know it sounds like over kill but my theory goes something like: big bait, big hooks, big fish. I know Roby's recent catch goes against my theory but how often does someone catch a hali on a sabiki hook?

i don't care what you say Jorge, I will fish a sabiki from now on :D

Roby probed your wrong! lol

[bosshoss]

I use a three way swivel witha 4 oz weight and a live dine in SD Bay. Ido pretty well. But I think the heavy hitters on this forum fish Newport and Dana.Hopefully they respond and help you out. Good luck out there

Where you been hiding Todd ?

[jorluivil]

I just checked the hook size on my treble hook and It's a size 1

Basically, it can be used as a trap hook or kayak anchor.

[Vikingj]

Lots of good hali hunting advice above. A hungry 'but is not too choosy. I have used triple swivel, sliding sinker, and drop shot all with successful results. I don't think any is overly superior to the next. I now take one rod w/triple swivel tackle and another w/ sliding sinker and trade off (gave up on the drop shot rig). I get more snags/hang-ups with the sliding sinker, few snags w/ the triple swivel, and almost none w/ the drop shot. Unless I'm using anchovies I always use a trap hook (usually treble hook). Bigger bait is best. I think its important to keep your bait near the bottom and move slowly w/ light-moderate drag on reel. I don't delibrately set the hook and I reel in slowly. Usually use a 3oz weight under 35', 4oz/35-60', 5-6oz/60'+. Weights will vary w/ wind/current/speed of drift. Good luck!

[Smthtnnr]

Thanks so much everyone for the help. I will pound some sand this weekend and be sure to post a report. You guys rock

[Jimmyz123]

If you want to catch halibut, and the big ones, get this book and follow what Paul does. He's a good friend of mine and I promise you if you follow his tips, you will catch bigger and more halibut. I've fished with him and seen him in action, his catches are proof, and I have not seen anyone in San Diego catch more or bigger halis than he does.

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-BIG-Halibut-Definitive-California-ebook/dp/B00FQWSW3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384437766&sr=8-1&keywords=Halibut

[GregAndrew]

Unless you fish from a boat, I would not bother spending the money on that book. His main techniques are based around boat fishing long stretches of open beach, and at speeds most kayakers would only consider bounce-balling. Not that his techniques are not good for him, but they do not translate well into kayaking. There are lots of good ways to fish for Halibut, but they all depend on what you like. Some guys do very well with bait, and others do just as well with plastics. Drift fishing bait requires the most patience. Swimbaits would be the other end of the spectrum. Some like long leaders (the guy in the book), and some like no leaders (dropshot). Those and everything in between I have seen work effectively when fished under the right styles. Big baits don't necessarily mean big fish, but they generally mean not having to mess with shorts and bycatch which will keep your bait in the zone more of your time.

[Smthtnnr]

Sounds good thanks for the advice Greg. Think I'm gonna give bait a try this weekend and spend a good amount of time on the water, normally that's how I learn.

[jorluivil]

I'm ready

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWFw2QfCy6PwVa7ZwlQ-GuAZNU1i0ZyMx_zkZFvHTOqxE8kW0dcXZVUFsY

[wiredantz]

some good tips there

[todd one]

Where you been hiding Todd ?
I've been out there pounding it. I've only been catching barely legal ones. I got my 30lb leader broken off out in the deep water a couple weeks ago, by what I think would have put me in the 40lb club. I let my line pile up on one side, my reel started binding, and she was gone. I got more footage for my bloopers video.

[ful-rac]

Where you been hiding Todd ?

Nothing colder than yesterday's hot dog...

[jorluivil]

If you want to catch halibut, and the big ones, get this book and follow what Paul does. He's a good friend of mine and I promise you if you follow his tips, you will catch bigger and more halibut. I've fished with him and seen him in action, his catches are proof, and I have not seen anyone in San Diego catch more or bigger halis than he does.

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-BIG-Halibut-Definitive-California-ebook/dp/B00FQWSW3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384437766&sr=8-1&keywords=Halibut


Was he on the radio a few weeks ago? If he was try using one of his 'best' halibut rig tips: use a 6-8 foot leader for you hook(s)

I'd like to see someone trying to gaff a PB best hali or any hali with a 6-8 leader on it. Like Greg said, I'm sure it works great on a boat but trying it on a kayak will require playing the Benny Hill theme song in the background.

[ful-rac]

Rockcod rick asked him how to immediately kill a halibut...and he responded...just bleed it out and it will die within minutes....

After he made that statement I knew for sure he was full of shit...!

[Jimmyz123]

Was he on the radio a few weeks ago? If he was try using one of his 'best' halibut rig tips: use a 6-8 foot leader for you hook(s)

I'd like to see someone trying to gaff a PB best hali or any hali with a 6-8 leader on it. Like Greg said, I'm sure it works great on a boat but trying it on a kayak will require playing the Benny Hill theme song in the background.

I have used his tips, and I have modified them to fit the Kayak. If you want to read it word for word that's all you, but I have used these tips and have had success with them. I'm for sure not Greg, so who cares what I say. I know it works, and so I use what works. To each their own.

[Jimmyz123]

Rockcod rick asked him how to immediately kill a halibut...and he responded...just bleed it out and it will die within minutes....

After he made that statement I knew for sure he was full of shit...!

You missed his answer about gaffing the fish in the belly, and it was repeated a few times so that it was clear. Yes, he also bleeds the fish out.

I know I get it, I posted up something so those who don't like me are going to bash what I say. Cool, that's a great way to be closed minded.

I've said all I'm going to say. I tried helping some out, and you all spat on it so. You all wonder why this site is losing people this is why.

[bosshoss]

I've been out there pounding it. I've only been catching barely legal ones. I got my 30lb leader broken off out in the deep water a couple weeks ago, by what I think would have put me in the 40lb club. I let my line pile up on one side, my reel started binding, and she was gone. I got more footage for my bloopers video.


Atta boy....At least you're still at it...Too bad on the break off...40lb club is in your cross hairs for sure.. Ok, take care.....

[YakDout]

Im surprised nobody mentioned the bounce ball. I've had some good luck with those. I make my own to modify leader lengths because I've had problems in the past with getting em tangled up. But a great technique in open water for flatties.

[Deamon]

I know I get it, I posted up something so those who don't like me are going to bash what I say. Cool, that's a great way to be closed minded.

I've said all I'm going to say. I tried helping some out, and you all spat on it so. You all wonder why this site is losing people this is why.


I'm thinking you're being a bit thin skinned Jimmy. Not sure why that direct response off of your post was taken personally. These guys aren't trying to chase anyone off. The first time I met them formally was at last year's Sewer open invite at Irvine Lake. Before that, a pm from Jorge helped me get my first yak WSB. He had no idea who the heck I was.

Irvine is trout fishing in a mud hole but there's no better way to get to meet and hang with some of SoCal's best yak fisherman who also happen to be...pinche loco. It's not too late to jump in on next week's get-together.

I've had some incredible butt fishing with these guys this year down here and up there. The Sewer boys POUND WATER FOR HOURS...on the yak. They're approachable, opinionated and...and...and..."colorful". They've accumulated mucho info in which they freely share to others. Even amongst themselves each one has their go-to set-ups and preferences. I remember the first time they came down to fish butts with me in an area I recommended and it turned out to be a bust. I took some heat from them for a couple of months. It was all in good fun...I think. And then there was the time Sewer came back down on a spot I found but Matt couldn't make it that trip...bahahahahahaha!!! :the_finger::sifone::reeling::paddleersmilie::chee rs1:

Jim

[StinkyMatt]

Jimmy,

It's all about fishing. Don't get upset because someone does not agree with someone else's ways of fishing. The flip side of this is that just because someone wrote a book or posted something online does not mean that their techniques are applicable to what we do on the water.


I don't know jack......that's been established a long time ago.



However,,


When someone like Greg talks about kayak halibut fishing, I would just close my mouth and keep my ears open.


Tight lines.:D

[taggermike]

I haven't been hali hunting much lately but the techniques that work best for me have been a Carolina style sliding sinker rig for shallow water and a dropper loop or 3 way swivel rig for deeper water. Depth and speed of drift dictate what weight to use but I like to fish heavy enough to keep the line close to vertical.

Some times you get the bait you get. Big fish get caught on chovies, but I like dines or macks for targeting bigger fish. Really, who wants to target small fish. Maybe I'm old school or just missed the memo, but I never use a trailer/stinger hook, ever. I've found that trailers restrict the baits movements, allow you to catch more short fish, and seriously gut hook sand bass and other fish. Big halibut will eat a bait.

I fish a light wire circle hook, sized to the bait, set in the baits nose.
For halibut I slow every thing down. longer free spool at bite, slow rod lift to "set" the circle hook, slow steady pressure on the fish, slow pumps of the rod (or none at all). You can keep a hali calm, usually, by raising her steadily from the bottom. Aggressive pulling or pumping can get the fish shaking her head. Never a good thing.

Lastly, it's easy to say but stay calm. IMO, except for maybe sharks, at landing big halibut are the most anxiety inducing fish we have. I've had em lay there, get gaffed, and dragged in to the hatch with out a twitch. Also had em go off like bombs.

I know, long reply. These are techniques that have worked for me. Mike

[taggermike]

I haven't been hali hunting much lately but the techniques that work best for me have been a Carolina style sliding sinker rig for shallow water and a dropper loop or 3 way swivel rig for deeper water. Depth and speed of drift dictate what weight to use but I like to fish heavy enough to keep the line close to vertical.

Some times you get the bait you get. Big fish get caught on chovies, but I like dines or macks for targeting bigger fish. Really, who wants to target small fish. Maybe I'm old school or just missed the memo, but I never use a trailer/stinger hook, ever. I've found that trailers restrict the baits movements, allow you to catch more short fish, and seriously gut hook sand bass and other fish. Big halibut will eat a bait.

I fish a light wire circle hook, sized to the bait, set in the baits nose.
For halibut I slow every thing down. longer free spool at bite, slow rod lift to "set" the circle hook, slow steady pressure on the fish, slow pumps of the rod (or none at all). You can keep a hali calm, usually, by raising her steadily from the bottom. Aggressive pulling or pumping can get the fish shaking her head. Never a good thing.

Lastly, it's easy to say but stay calm. IMO, except for maybe sharks, at landing big halibut are the most anxiety inducing fish we have. I've had em lay there, get gaffed, and dragged in to the hatch with out a twitch. Also had em go off like bombs.

I know, long reply. These are techniques that have worked for me. Mike

[jorluivil]

OOOOOOH JIM EE ZEE ONE TWO THREE:(

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE NEW FISHING FRIENDS:p

If you took part in any one of our very intellectual and highly productive conversations you'd ask yourself why anyone would fish with us. We will dissect, critique, disassemble, analyze, re-write, and question every suggestion, policy and procedure that goes against what we know..............why? Because we're all experts in some way, shape or form;)

Don't take any personal.....its just fishing:D