MDR - 6/24/17

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

The more time on the water I get, the more I realize that you dont need to fish heavy gear in the salt. The big halibut I got was caught on a dropshot rig, with a light hook and 8lbs line. That fish was easily double the weight limit of that rig. Obviously if you're targeting big/open water fish you don't want to go ultra light, but I genuinely think that a lot of salt guys are over rigged for the water they are fishing. Patience, good terminal connection, and a properly set drag saved the day on this fish.

What was the weight or length of your halibut?

Congratulations!

I typically run 65# braid and 40# Blackwater fluorocarbon on a 3-way swivel rig for La Jolla. Typical weight is a 6 or 8 oz torpedo, depending on the waves, wind, current. The mackerel I caught on my way out that day were relatively large. On Sunday, I was experimenting with 25# fluoro and smaller hooks because lots of people advise to go lighter. I hooked something heavy on the bottom (felt like a halibut.) Got it about half way up with a couple of refusal runs in different directions before he/she chomped the line.

That was the end of that.

It was a clear bite through just above the top hook. I'm sure it was not a faulty knot. The top hook was a snell anyway and the bite was just above that. It was fresh 25# leader & my drag was set easy so it didn't break from pull. He was coming up heavy and graceful, then he shook his head a little and was gone. I didn't see any stealthy sea lions in the area at the time, but it could have been that too.

So now I feel conflicted with the trade-off between 25# and 40# leader in the ocean.

In San Diego Bay, I have been using 25# leader with a Carolina rig for shallower depths without problems. Weight might typically be a 2oz egg and my bait might typically be anchovies from the bait barge. In the bay, it seems my La Jolla weight gear gets hit less, but there are lots of other variables so I'm not entirely sure what the reasons might be.

Any advice from the pros would be appreciated.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by Stuck20

Awesome report man! I notice I get a ton of short bites on the underspin baits too. Last time I went out it was probably a 10-1 bite to hookup ratio.
If you learn any tips or tricks to hookup more often, let me know

Good to hear I'm not the only one.

One tip that helps, and it definitely did yesterday at the end of the day when I remembered it........take size off of the trailer. I bit about half of the body off the tail I was using and caught a few more Spotties after that. Seemed to help in the moment and gives me another option if the same situation happens next time.

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

What was the weight or length of your halibut?

Congratulations!

Any advice from the pros would be appreciated.

I didnt get a chance to weigh it personally but looking at the picture and how its sitting on my lap/boat, I bet we could get a decent estimate. My calibrated eyeball and right arm says 35" and 18-19lbs.

I am by no means a pro, but I fully understand how all of your gear, from rod to reel to terminal, impacts your ability to land fish.

Example: You can catch no bigger fish with a XH rod and ultra light hook, than you can with an ultralight rod and XH hook. Its how your rig is setup in total that makes the difference...