Halibut rig question
 

So I am determined to land a legal halibut from the yak this year and need some help from all. I've been using Carolina rigged (1-2oz egg sinker) live bait rig with power pro main line and short 20lbs mono leaders with no success.(however hours on the water is probably a big contributor for my bad luck)
Anyways I would appreciate it if you can share with me what kind of rigs you use for halibut.
1. Lines- mono, flouro etc? What pound test?
2. Hooks- circle hooks? Trap rig? Regular live bait hook?
3. Baits - I used all kinds .. As whatever I catch on my sabiki
4. Sinker size?
And whatever else I am missing

Thank you for your help!
45

Reverse dropper loop with an 8oz weight gets em every time for me....

How deep are you fishing?
Thank you!

Where are you going to target them 45?

I was mostly fishing in NpH but I think this year I'm going to try DP more often
But most of the times I will be at NpH, marina del Rey, long beach in that area
And getting ready for the islander trip in May!
Thank you,
45

I personally don't fish any less than 4oz if targeting halibut. More commonly I'm using 6-8oz depending on the current, wind, and drift. I hear it over and over again, if your bait isn't on the bottom then your not targeting halibut. 1-2oz may not be enough.

1. Lines- mono, flouro etc? What pound test?
Rig 1:
65lb PowerPro to a 6-8 foot mono leader to a drop shot with an 8oz sinker

Rig 2:
65lb PowerPro to a 3-way swivel. Hook line has a 1-2foot mono leader and sinker side is 3-4foot mono line with an 8oz sinker

2. Hooks- circle hooks? Yes, I use nothing but circle hooks

Trap rig? Always

Regular live bait hook? As in a j-hook? is so, never.

3. Baits? Lately, I've been starting my day with dead macs and will try to make bait, once I make live bait I will use one of whatever I have on each rig until I get an idea on what they want to eat. Sometimes its lizard fish, sometimes its dead macs, sometimes.............

4. Sinker size? I always use 8oz........always.

And whatever else I am missing

Did you check you PMs'

Can I jump in with a question :D

If my trap hook is constantly getting caught up on something does that mean i'm fishing in the wrong place?

Thank you for the help!
So what pound mono leader are you using?
I'm checking my PM now
Several people kindly PM me with tips and I really appreciate all your help!
45

Also do you use 8oz sinkers at all depth?
Thank you again!
45

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ht=bounce+ball

A great read and something I've been trying to implement, especially with using live bait on one rig and a Rapala on the other to increase my hookups while minimizing maintenance. I like the idea of constantly having a rig in the water even when checking bait, plus if they're not in the mood for live bait then perhaps that lure looks appetizing. I figure there's a ton of different ways to rig and you can't really go wrong using any of them, it just may take longer to land that keeper with some than others. I will drag 2 Rapalas if I don't have any bait and want to cover ground between fishing spots, works well for all sorts of species including Hali's. Just my $0.02, and everyone has their own opinion with rigs

I normally use 30lb test. Right now I'm using 40lb test because that what I have on my shelf, once I run out of that I will switch back to 30.

8oz sinkers in all depths. Some guys switch depending on the depthas but I always keep it at 8, this way I know I'm always at the bottom.

Thank you! So do you paddle to drag your rig or let the current takes you-drift?
I usually don't paddle. I cast, let it sink , once it hits bottom I put reel in gear then I then drift with current
45

Yea I put my reel into gear too while the pole was in the rod holder, until a big ole ray hit it and nearly tipped me over :eek:

Now I'm sure to leave it in bait clicker mode

Jorge likes & gets big butts!

my rod is always in gear but I never have the clicker on. Personally, I don't think you need the clicker when you fish on a kayak......you'll know if you're on. I always setup my drag so that it will set the hook but will also allow the fish to run.

Thanks all for your help and valuable information that you all shared!
I will post up my result...hopefully soon!
45

If you decide to try Dana point soon I suggest you make a few drifts just off Doheny beach using live bait from the bait barge.

Thanks for the tip!

Watch out for OC waters right now, there's lots of poo out there!

Thanks for the heads up!

Stuck on live bait...
 

So if I want to try a Rapala on the bottom for halibut, what kind do I use, and how do you rig a lure for the bottom? Jorge?

Janine

Greg, do you use a Bounce ball setup, or something similar? I've used 2 different setups and like them both, but the Bounce ball variation seems to be more successful to me.

My personal opinions on your questions are based on my experience, and the fact that I fish a leadered hook(as opposed to Drop Shot or Dropper Loop) .
1) The clearer the water, the more I will lean toward Fluoro and or lighter test (20# min). Most harbors will not matter though.

2) Whichever hooks you can keep from foul hooking the bait, and will stay in the bait. However, I don't use Circle hooks because the fish needs to be swimming away from you to properly set them. My experience is that this will not always happen before the fish loses interest for some reason. I also do not prefer treble hooks for a leadered setup either. I believe they can feel them in their mouth, and picky fish will spit them out if they have the chance to (which a leader can do).

3) Bait is kind of tricky, because it involves keeping track of what is available at the time. If live Squid is around, especially on the bottom, there is nothing more effective. Don't be afraid of doubling or tripling it up either. In the absence of this, I would want either Greenback Macks or large to jumbo Sardines. Next down the list would be Smelt, Spanish Macks or Croaker. Then Lizzard fish, if they are the only bait around, they can be very effective. Generally, live bait of any tier is better than dead bait of the tier above. But, that does not mean to keep checking your bait every 5 minutes (keep it down in the "zone").

4) I believe that Halibut can feel irregularities like Trebble hooks and dragged sinkers, so the less you can use to stay on or just above the bottom the better. I have seen a lot of swallowed baits get spit right back out on video for no other apparent reason. And this only using 2/0 - 3/0 wire hooks and usually 4 - 6oz sinkers.

That said, I know that Tony does very well with an unleadered setup with heavier sinkers and Trebble hooks. So go figure?

I don't fish a bounceball, although my camera setup would be close except for the actual bouncing. But that is only my preferred setup for taking video, not fishing.

Right on Greg! This should be printed in a book I tell'ya!

There is no #1 bait for all situations. I know the so called "#1 bait" has been printed and talked about before, but if you don't have that squid pinned on, on a squid bite...your not going to catch sH**.

If your starting out trying to catch halibut, best advice I can give is to just to get out there as much as possible. In time you will learn the technique that works best for you, and you will also meet people that will help you on your way. We're all still learning how to catch these things...and will be probably forever, and that's part of the fun.

So you're not using trap rig?
Thank you!
45

As you can see there is no true 'halibut rig'. Be it artificials vs live bait, torpedos vs bounce balls, j-hooks vs circle hooks or drop shot vs 3-way swivel........they all seem to work. I think the key thing to this rigging question is that you have to go with What you like and What works for you.

Bingo!!!

I use two single hooks on my trap rig.

I use trebles on my trap rigs, heavy wire, J hook the whole deal. It's funny we all fish differently but we all still manage to catch halibut frequently.

That was my guess!
Ok so it may sound stupid but what size hooks do you use?
I know that there's not one method that works but I believe you copy from the experts and you can't go wrong. I mean that's what learning is all about right? :D
Thank you again!
45

hook size and type is at your discretion, generally I would not use one that's too big or too small for your bait.

don't over think things...it's really not that complicated.

Thank you guys for all the info :cheers1:. I have always considered myself a breast man. But I am really feeling the urge to get my hands on a big BUTT!

Got ya!
Thank you!
45

I switched to single hooks due to catching a nice Sand Bass a year ago that took the main hook in the jaw, but the trebble stuck in the outside belly part of the fish. Any time you use a trap hook you run that risk, but less chance of it with regular bait hooks.

I'm no pro, but that's what works for me, and like you said, use a rig setup that your are comfortable with and works for you.

This thread has some great information for halibut rigs. I'm curios as to why the torpedo sinkers is preferred over the cannonball sinkers? Does the shape of the sinker affect the presentation of your bait? Thanks for sharing.

Personally I find that the torpedo sinkers don't snag as much, also something I have done is if the weight you are using is not enough, you can connect another weight to the bottom end of the torpedo weight.

DON'T cast!
DON'T let your bait drop to fast!........ AND
DON'T let too much line out once your at the bottom!


I know these things may sound overly simplistic but they will really help with your bait presentation and save you a lot of headaches with your rig getting tangled up.

Just a few tips I picked up from some of these BUTTheads!

Thanks for the reply.
So you just drop, let it sink slow and drift?