Halibut fishing??

[TeamGracza]

i usually fish for bass and other things but not halibuts.i wanted to start fishing for halibut.i have a 17ft cc and am comfortable make trips over to the islands.Anybody have any tips:where to go (GPS spots),bait,and set-up.Thanks

[dagonative]

Get out there and pound some sand..Halibut spots are well kept secrets. There are plenty of articles on what type of structure hold halibut. Do some reading on this site and google it.

[bdmoe]

A live sardine on a sliding sinker, carolina rig usually works

Here is some info,

Southern California Ocean Fishing - Halibut
Halibut Tricks
Targeting-Local-Halibut

As already mentioned, do some reading, google basic terms like "halibut fishing" and use the search feature here and you find some info

[crazy hawaiian]

Originally Posted by bdmoe

A live sardine on a sliding sinker, carolina rig usually works

Here is some info,

Southern California Ocean Fishing - Halibut
Halibut Tricks
Targeting-Local-Halibut



As already mentioned, do some reading, google basic terms like "halibut fishing" and use the search feature here and you find some info

Your post is far better than the "go pound sand" one. Thanks for the links.

[JustJoe13]

Yeah I have to agree with the live sardines on a slider. Try to find somewhere with a nice grass/sand ratio. The biggest fatty flatties I pulled in were pullin the dine through the grass and onto the sand patch. Also certain times of year GULP! peeler crabs knock 'em dead. TAKE A CAMERA AND POST WITH PICS

[BirdNest]

Drifting live bait (sardine, chovie or squid) is always a good bet, I prefer a 3 way swivel to the carolina rig, because I like to feel the weight drag the sand during the drift. If you use a swivel set up, use a 30" leader to the hook. Using this set up allows me to keep a tight line which helps feel the soft bite (halibut usually attack from ambush and inhale a bait, which is difficult to detect). Halibut are not particularly line shy, but I prefer to fish relatively light line, usually 15lbs test, but will drop to as light as 8lbs if necessary, especially when fishing in shallower water.

I prefer light wire hooks, either an octopus or circle and most halibut anglers will recommend chromed sinkers for added attraction.

When drifting I like mixed sand/rock bottoms, between 30 and 60 feet deep.

Having said all that, you can kill halibut on artificials, Krocodiles in shallow waters along the beach, iron tipped with squid at the islands or, my favorite, the venerable Scampi-twin tail in glow or white with a 3/4 or 1oz head bounced along the bottom on the sand surrounding the reefs and points along the OC coast.

If you target Halibut remember to always use a rubber (net) and release the shorties gently to be eaten another day! Good Luck!

[FishWiz]

You are not going to get GPS spots.. but get a good drift in 90-20 foot onshore waters at the right time of year.. and get these.

[DrunkSanta]

No GPS #'s but: sandy bottom, Carolina rig with a Carolina keeper (only 1 knot to worry about), let them eat the bait for awhile or use a circle hook and let them hook themselves. Bring a fine mesh or rubber net, if you use a regular net and you release them after netting they will die, the net splits their tail and they will get tail rot. They will get violent when lifted out of the water.

[JustJoe13]

Originally Posted by DrunkSanta

No GPS #'s but: sandy bottom, Carolina rig with a Carolina keeper (only 1 knot to worry about), let them eat the bait for awhile or use a circle hook and let them hook themselves. Bring a fine mesh or rubber net, if you use a regular net and you release them after netting they will die, the net splits their tail and they will get tail rot. They will get violent when lifted out of the water.

Very good point!!!! Way to go!!!!!!!!

[b.thomas]

Get Bent Sportfishing - California Halibut Fishing

[Mo]

Originally Posted by DrunkSanta

.... Bring a fine mesh or rubber net, if you use a regular net and you release them after netting they will die, the net splits their tail and they will get tail rot. They will get violent when lifted out of the water.

Tail rot ? been fishing butts for alot of years never heard of it.I only net really small ones for release.Bigger ones use a soft rope, throw a loop knot around tail when you get it to the boat. Keep em under water if you plan to release em.They tend to go CRAZy when they come out of the water. If you plan to keep it and don't have a fishbox use the tail rope and run thru gills, bend tail to head (brown side up) tie off and then they don't thrash when brought into boat.Around 15lbs and up I use a flying gaff and tail rope. I use a flying gaff and .410 on anything over say 40lbs that we are gona keep. I have seen people thrash their boat tryin to club a small halibut...funny stuff

[Mo]