San Diego Skunk

[Natural_one]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Three way, one ounce on the bottom, slow trolled the sandy bottoms, then across the channel to the boat channel and back and forth over the drop off. I don't know halibut fishing so I was just doing what seemed right to me. I need to get with a halibut fisherman to get some instruction on the right way to do it. I hooked the mackerel through the gill plate and it was a lively swimmer.

You gave it a good run with good chances I'd say.
I've caught halibut all over sd bay, but majority have been off north island by the heli pads. Naval security seems more lax lately, so I usually get up with 50' of the shore, drop the bait, and head to deeper water while in free spool. Once out 150-200 feet, I'll start the slow retrieve back, continuing the slow retrieve through anything that feels like a but. Halibut will typically drop the bait if you stop.
I guess they call it fishing and not catching for the reason you experienced. Keep on and tight lines!