Halibut addiction

[Billy V]

Over the last month I have been fishing halibut 2 or 3 times a week. I have been experimenting with various techniques and leader size with some surprising results....

I mostly use a 3 way swivel with 4 ft floro 25 lb. leader to a single 2/0 or 3/0 hook - and the line to the sinker at 2 or 2 1/2 ft long. This works well fished in freespool feeling for bites.

But I have had several bites on dropper loop rigs fishing for yellows.
3 ft long 40 lb leader to the 3 way swivel, with a 5 ft. long drop to the torpedo sinker.

What gives? Heavier line and shorter leader seems to get lots of attention higher up from the bottom ...
------------------
I have had good success fishing 5 ft long 20 lb. fluro leader and single hook to the 3 way swivel, with a 3 ft. drop to the torpedo sinker.

What are you Halibut gurus using that produce best?

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Are you talking about San Diego Bay or out in the ocean?

My main line remains at 65# Power Pro braid. In SD Bay I use 25# leader. In the ocean I use 40#. I like the quality of Blackwater Shock Leader.

If I'm using a light rig in shallow water, I lean toward a Carolina rig with a 2oz sliding egg weight. Over 40' or in stronger currents, I use a 3-way. For 3-ways, I make a comfortable length leader for my 7' pole so I can hook my hook near the reel and not pull the 3-way swivel into the top eye at the end of my pole. That usually starts around 4'-5' and shortens down to 3'-4' as I change hooks or other tackle at the terminal end. My weight hangs off a surgeons loop for easy weight changes, and easy weight removal when my pole is stowed. It's usually 8-12" in length from the 3-way, and I use leftover 15# mono for my weight line so it's easier to break off if it gets stuck. I tend to use 6-8oz torpedos in the ocean, depending on current. If I'm dragging the bottom over 125' or in a strong current, I might go higher to keep my weight easily on the bottom, maybe 16oz

Personally, I don't think the ratio of lengths of leader vs weight line matter as much as freedom of movement on the leader and keeping the weight dragging on the bottom.

In the ocean, I prefer the biggest mackerels I can get. In the bay I would prefer using anchovies from the bait barge over artificials. I carry some other things as backup if I can't get live bait.

I don't know if this is right or wrong, but it's typical for me kayak fishing around San Diego.

[Billy V]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Are you talking about San Diego Bay or out in the ocean?

My main line remains at 65# Power Pro braid. In SD Bay I use 25# leader. In the ocean I use 40#. I like the quality of Blackwater Shock Leader.

If I'm using a light rig in shallow water, I lean toward a Carolina rig with a 2oz sliding egg weight. Over 40' or in stronger currents, I use a 3-way. For 3-ways, I make a comfortable length leader for my 7' pole so I can hook my hook near the reel and not pull the 3-way swivel into the top eye at the end of my pole. That usually starts around 4'-5' and shortens down to 3'-4' as I change hooks or other tackle at the terminal end. My weight hangs off a surgeons loop for easy weight changes, and easy weight removal when my pole is stowed. It's usually 8-12" in length from the 3-way, and I use leftover 15# mono for my weight line so it's easier to break off if it gets stuck. I tend to use 6-8oz torpedos in the ocean, depending on current. If I'm dragging the bottom over 125' or in a strong current, I might go higher to keep my weight easily on the bottom, maybe 16oz

Personally, I don't think the ratio of lengths of leader vs weight line matter as much as freedom of movement on the leader and keeping the weight dragging on the bottom.

In the ocean, I prefer the biggest mackerels I can get. In the bay I would prefer using anchovies from the bait barge over artificials. I carry some other things as backup if I can't get live bait.

I don't know if this is right or wrong, but it's typical for me kayak fishing around San Diego.

Ocean fishing - the last month I have been fish Mission Beach area. From S. La Jolla to the Mission Bay Jetty.
- I had an ok month - I had a 6 fish day with 3 being keepers, a personal best.
8 fish total for November so far.

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by Billy V

I had a 6 fish day with 3 being keepers, a personal best.

Any ideas about what made that day special for you?

[Billy V]

I think it was just a right time and place situation. I was straight out of the inlet as the tide was changing from high to low.
( I was planning my trips based on tide swings) I like to do several short trips a week. Once I found the fish, I kept repeating that drift.

I did not do anything special that day- except for this....
- the sardines were very small, so I was fishing my normal 3 way rig except I was using a small #6 treble, instead of a single hook.
Just the treble only. I nose hook on a slight angle so I hit a some hard cartilage, the bait will stay on better.

All the fish were hooked in the mouth. Light line, was using 20 lb that day. 6 oz weight.

[jruiz]

Originally Posted by Billy V

Over the last month I have been fishing halibut 2 or 3 times a week. I have been experimenting with various techniques and leader size with some surprising results....

I mostly use a 3 way swivel with 4 ft floro 25 lb. leader to a single 2/0 or 3/0 hook - and the line to the sinker at 2 or 2 1/2 ft long. This works well fished in freespool feeling for bites.

But I have had several bites on dropper loop rigs fishing for yellows.
3 ft long 40 lb leader to the 3 way swivel, with a 5 ft. long drop to the torpedo sinker.

What gives? Heavier line and shorter leader seems to get lots of attention higher up from the bottom ...
------------------
I have had good success fishing 5 ft long 20 lb. fluro leader and single hook to the 3 way swivel, with a 3 ft. drop to the torpedo sinker.

What are you Halibut gurus using that produce best?

I'm confused with your use of a 3-way swivel in a dropper loop. Do you mean a barrel swivel?

[Iceman]

one thing is for certain with halibut is nothing is for certain

[sdfisher]

Ditto to what the Iceman says!

[Mr. NiceGuy]

QUESTION TO EVERYONE: If you don't have live bait, what are your favorite backups for targeting halibut?

I've tried Luckycraft's, hard plastic artificial trouts, soft plastic swim baits, curly tails, chrome diamond jigs, big weighted plastic glowing rubber squids with LED lights, hoochie skirts, and random other things. I don't have any favorite backups to live bait.

For me, halibut can be a by-catch when not expected. When targeting halibut in SD Bay, it's not so easy to avoid collateral damage to bass that suck down the trap hook

[rossman]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

QUESTION TO EVERYONE: If you don't have live bait, what are your favorite backups for targeting halibut?

I've tried Luckycraft's, hard plastic artificial trouts, soft plastic swim baits, curly tails, chrome diamond jigs, big weighted plastic glowing rubber squids with LED lights, hoochie skirts, and random other things. I don't have any favorite backups to live bait.

For me, halibut can be a by-catch when not expected. When targeting halibut in SD Bay, it's not so easy to avoid collateral damage to bass that suck down the trap hook

Gulp Saltwater Curly Tailed grub. Nuclear Chicken. Boom!

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by rossman

Gulp Saltwater Curly Tailed grub. Nuclear Chicken. Boom!

Thanks! I'll try. Is this what you mean?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

• Berkley Gulp grub saltwater baits are made from natural ingredients that release 400 times more scent than plastic baits
• Wide swimming tail for greater action and visibility
• This Gulp grub bait are tough and durable, formulated especially for ocean gamefish
• Available in nuclear chicken color
• Measures 6-inch length and package contains 4 count

$5.59, free shipping, Amazon Prime

[stevie951]

Originally Posted by rossman

Gulp Saltwater Curly Tailed grub. Nuclear Chicken. Boom!

The San Q Killer

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

QUESTION TO EVERYONE: If you don't have live bait, what are your favorite backups for targeting halibut?

I've tried Luckycraft's, hard plastic artificial trouts, soft plastic swim baits, curly tails, chrome diamond jigs, big weighted plastic glowing rubber squids with LED lights, hoochie skirts, and random other things. I don't have any favorite backups to live bait.

For me, halibut can be a by-catch when not expected. When targeting halibut in SD Bay, it's not so easy to avoid collateral damage to bass that suck down the trap hook

For artificial I like a drop shot with a small torpedo weight. 1-2 oz and a 4” MC slug. I use a Vmc inline hook and I tie two separate knots to the eye of the hook instead of the Palomar knot with a long tag for your weight. The inline hook with two knots keeps the bait from rolling as opposed to the palomar knot where you have the plastic rolling on the side and looking un natural. This is especially successful in the surf and I do very well with it. My go to color for halibut is white with a second choice in a smelt pattern. The action on this setup is incredible with even a little current.

I think the biggest key to halibut fishing is finding their depth. If I’m on my yak, in open ocean, ill start shallow because it’s a closer paddle, and make multiple drifts no longer than 30 minutes at that depth then work my way deeper about 20-40 feet at a time. Learning the behavior and knowing when they come shallow to spawn is an invaluable lesson.

[Billy V]

Originally Posted by YakDout

I think the biggest key to halibut fishing is finding their depth. If I’m on my yak, in open ocean, ill start shallow because it’s a closer paddle, and make multiple drifts no longer than 30 minutes at that depth then work my way deeper about 20-40 feet at a time. Learning the behavior and knowing when they come shallow to spawn is an invaluable lesson.

I agree - once I find a depth that draws a bite I mark it, and repeat the drift over that area several times.

I will tell you I have no problem fishing 20 lb line, I will also put out a 15 lb rig to "test an area"
- If there is a fish in the area - you would think 15 lb test will coax her to bite.

[GregAndrew]

Billy, Contrary to a lot of published material, Halibut will travel high and far for a bait making the right moves. You can fish pretty high off the bottom for Halibut if the visibility is good. Unfortunately most people do not know when the visibility is good near the bottom. Even when it looks great at the surface, it is probably not so good on the bottom. Of course the opposite can also be true . I have seen Red Tide days, where the bottom was very clear. Most harbors are going to be pretty low visibility nearly all of the time.

Most baits are going to take full advantage of both the sinker and hook leaders too. They use most of the length to stay above the bottom. Generally, longer hook leaders should be combined with shorter sinker leaders. Keeping your bait in the "Zone" means keeping it where a target fish is likely to see your actively struggling bait. And that is not just the fish directly below it, but the ones off to the sides. The lower you keep it, the better ground coverage you get on the average day. Although the tradeoff is that you pick up a lot more snags and debris that way.


Overall, I would guesstimate the average visibility of our inshore fishing here in SoCal to be about 5-6'. Generally, the deeper you go (and further from surf zone), the better the visibility. Obviously other factors will effect the visibility like runoff, current, surge etc. The later (in the morning) you go, the better the light you will get reflecting off your bait (extending your range). Even though you can catch the fish away from the bottom, most anglers are going to bet on the conditions favoring lower presentation.


All that being said, the visibility has been pretty darn good all over for several weeks now And a low presentation can be a bad thing for some of the nicer fish to bycatch

[Billy V]

Originally Posted by jruiz

I'm confused with your use of a 3-way swivel in a dropper loop. Do you mean a barrel swivel?

No, not a barrel.

A 3 way swivel is how I tie my dropper loops.
https://www.spro.com/ProductDetails....ode=STWB%2DALL

[jorluivil]

This may sound unconventional but I always use the same setup and I've had nothing but success.

Main Line: 65lb spectra

Top shot: 40lb mono most days, 40 fluoro whenever I'm fishing tournaments

Hook setup: that depends on what I have in stock but all of my rigs have a stinger hooks. If VMC hooks are available I will use VMC size 4 if not I will use Owner treble stinger hooks, both are pricey but they are tuff.

Sinker: 8oz regardless of the depth that I'm fishing