Some Tips and Tricks
Get on the water early
California Halibut is actually a type of flounder ,look it up! Someone called them Halibut and the name stuck.We love fishing for these fish,the 2 possession per angler regulation has helped stabilize the fishery and hope they continue to thrive.We always toss the shakers back even if they are keeper size.Our belief is the bigger they get the more they will reproduce.
Sustainable fishing can continue if we do our part to follow the rules, even if you have to go home empty handed sometimes. Sport fishing is fun and can be comical at times,in the end we have the stories to tell.
Here's some drifting methods we've been using, skip this part if you already have a good system.
Most of the time we just find a calm area between 30-70 ft , turn off the motor and start drifting. Depending on the tide, wind etc..you may drift in a different direction each time.
It's a good idea to keep up on the local fishing reports to see what's happening, you never know, the ocean and bays change from day to day.Watch the weather closely, light wind and small waves /currents are usually best.
My buddy uses the slider method with about 36" of 25-30 # line and two hooks about 3 1/2 " apart. I like to use a three-way swivel with a 12" dropper on the bottom with a little less Lbs test on the dropper (20#) ,with the same 36" leader.My dropper weight is 4- 6 oz. depending on depth and currents.Crank it up a little of the bottom,The fish will strike even when they are off the bottom two or three cranks and you will reduce the amount of snags.
There are alot of variables when it comes to catching. Obviously, we would NOT recommend heading out when the swell is cranking more than 7 ft ,the bite tends to slow down. Fishing in rough or surging waves is usually that not fun either.The bait is a big factor , if the live bait is in, go for that.Halibut seem to react to a moving target!
If a decent size fish bites,when it gets up to he boat,try not to let the head of the fish break water or you stand a chance of losing a big one! That second run is usually when they get their momentum and can really start flopping!
Alot of anglers use the gaff, we generally use the net so that they can be released safely if it's a shaker.The fish always looks huge underwater.If it's a monster, you will definitely want a gaff handy , a gaff can be more efficient when you are by yourself.
After you lull the fish to sleep with a blow to head,put your fish on ice as soon as possible and get your line back out,there is a high probability there is another one close to where you hooked the last one.;).
Trolling is another option when nothing else is working.The set up is not much different you can add flasher,about 18-20" from the three way swivel,and a 24-32 oz weight.