Fishing for Halibut - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

h2ofishfo · 05-09-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Since we are talking about halibut, maybe some of our more experienced fishers could weigh in on the best kinds of bait or lure setups.

I have been told that when using live bait one should use a two hook rig. Is that correct?

What about using plastics? I have caught small halibut when going for bass but have never caught a keeper. Is there a better technique?

Bob

bounce ballin & krocs have always worked for me in the artificial area just pullin it w/the drift & yes a trailer treble is key on live bait for those butts who always mouth the bait and dont inhale it

taggermike · 05-11-2009, 06:37 PM

I have caught exactly 2 legal halibut on artificials in my life. It can be done and I'm sure there are many people much better than me at it, but when I target halibut I use live bait; smelt, deans, chovies. macks, or squid. I started out with the trap rig but found that I only caught more sub-legal halibut while gut hooking too many non-target fish like bass or lizard fish. In the bays or from the shore I prefer a sliding sinker rig with a fluoro leader and for deeper water I use a reverse dropper loop. Keep the rod in your hand, reel in free spool, and line tight to the weight and let out line at the immediately at the slightlest hint of a strike. Many people miss the "strike" of a halibut. Some times the line just feels heavy or there is a light thump but no line leaves the reel. Those are bites. Halis rarely run with the bait, they just lay back down on the bottom. Well that's some of it. Mike

Anthony179 · 05-12-2009, 02:18 PM

How long do the Halibut stay close to shore? I'll be going out on Sunday 5/31. And now that is getting hotter, what other species is there to target in Dana point? Thanks again for all the info.

05-11-2009, 06:37 PM	#2
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I have caught exactly 2 legal halibut on artificials in my life. It can be done and I'm sure there are many people much better than me at it, but when I target halibut I use live bait; smelt, deans, chovies. macks, or squid. I started out with the trap rig but found that I only caught more sub-legal halibut while gut hooking too many non-target fish like bass or lizard fish. In the bays or from the shore I prefer a sliding sinker rig with a fluoro leader and for deeper water I use a reverse dropper loop. Keep the rod in your hand, reel in free spool, and line tight to the weight and let out line at the immediately at the slightlest hint of a strike. Many people miss the "strike" of a halibut. Some times the line just feels heavy or there is a light thump but no line leaves the reel. Those are bites. Halis rarely run with the bait, they just lay back down on the bottom. Well that's some of it. Mike

05-12-2009, 02:18 PM	#3
Anthony179 A.T. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 146	How long do the Halibut stay close to shore? I'll be going out on Sunday 5/31. And now that is getting hotter, what other species is there to target in Dana point? Thanks again for all the info.