Finding halibut spots ... tips from the pros

Quote ( by bassb. )

"I doubt that many of the people who are participating members of this site, if any, ever drive up the butt of the guides to find a spot to fish. And those of us that are new to the sport appreciate the wealth of knowledge you provide us with on here. So as a newbie I say thanks and keep the flow of info coming. "

x2 Wolf

not a guide , but agree ,
we get followed regularily outta the Sound , my fault ...
3 outta 4 times , i find that they know the boat name from the forum ,

got to be a bit much , think i posted this story last year here i think ,
had a boat approach me last year , yelled at me while he was on step ,` Thanks for all ur reports Ducker !
within 30- 40 feet of my boat ( while i had my lines down )
a really $hitty throw of a cold one , ended up bouncing off my side window causing some minor damage !
the good intention was appreciated , but.... kinda ruined my trip a bit...

bottom line ,

more lurkers read this forum than people that post ..

Gps has now taken over all secrets and favorite spots , don`t know if you fisherman that are out there alot get this much ,
boats will pass fairly close to you , slow down , and waypoint you quite often , no secrets there , it is what it is..

m2b

Felix
 
I remember the days as a kid 25- 30 years ago, tied of in a string of 2-5 boats in line off the green can at the Race. Handlining norwegii cod jigs, mom jigging coho up on the other side of the boat. Got the odd Haly too! Dad used to use old steel bus kingpins for weights. Then the anchoring began of the 27 and 18. Old fathomaster sonar and line of site to find the bumps. Man has it changed!

The best advice I could offer, keep it simple and dont overthink presentation. 16/0 circle hook and fresh bait. I dont use much other than oh natural scents. Area specific to Victoria. Offshore is another world.
 
But if you want to catch a big one, try out the way Optimist says too.........big bait catches the big fish. I once got a big one and it had a diving bird in its belly. Can't think that it work as bait but who knows...............
 
OH thats what I got to do is go shoot some shiat ducks wonder how mergansers roll at 250 ft???? I knew i was missing something LOL LOL...

Wolf
 
Here is some motivation to find some new spots including links to some pictures of a few of the largest sport caught halibut in the 400 plus pound range and a little 155 lber caught on a fly rod with 20 lb test. I understand that some commercial caught halibut have made it up around 900 lbs. I am thinking a lot of us may need bigger boats and stronger friends.

http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Departments/Halloffame/famehalibut.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aHHp7ApHyI

http://juneauempire.com/stories/071304/sta_halibut.shtml

http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/...orld_record_set_by_Gunther_Hansel_101989.html
 
"OH thats what I got to do is go shoot some shiat ducks wonder how mergansers roll at 250 ft???? " \use #10 wire to bind the wings to the body, Wolf, for a nice tight duck roll. Limit out in no time!
T2
 
Well , I fish mainly Port Hardy for butts. I learned many of the spots just by looking at the chart--- its NOT rocket science. I have had a few suggestions from guides (thanks Serengetti and Graham) and friends. But many times I do the same thing the guides do-- fish salmon and then on the turn, go fish butts for an hr or two. The fact that I end up fishing the same area as the Cod Fathers charter guys or other guides , does not mean that I followed them. We were both heading for the same area even if the other party was not there. But I do not crowd other vessels when bottom fishing. We dont anchor so there is no need-- and I expect the same respect . As i said-- not rocket science.............
 
You're always one of the most respectful guys on the water up our way CL, that goes a long ways! Sometimes during the summer there are some guys that don't know what they are doing and it gets annoying, but usually after just a quick, hey, thats not how its done at this hole, they fix it...not always though.
 
Paid or not, as Cuba said, catching hali is not frickin' rocket science. They eat f'n anything. No matter what the species, we all tend to congregate, some guys on here gotta loosen up a tad. Sure some guys are blatant...but some of us head out intending to go to the same area, yet we all seem to think it is "our" spot if we are the first there. Whether it is your living or not, it is supposed to be fun. If the fun is out of it for ya, go do something else. I know I am not the only one on here getting tired of the holier- than-now whining.
 
Hey Holmsie.

That big army truck hootchie is my favorite hali gear. I cheat and add some bait on the hooks for a little scent though.
 
an old rod from like the 50's that is held together with electrical tape, an old peetz reel with line on it from the 70's or something and the leader is like 30 years old
Click to expand...

Holmes, buy some fresh line. Nobody wants you to lose your Purple Headed Warrior.
 
You might try 30' of water with a combination of salmon heads and crabs. We couldn't believe it when we pulled this up! Just goes to show you they are everywhere.

CrabTrap.jpg
[/IMG]
 
finding halibut spots

Who's eating who in that trap! Nice find i think the best suprise i ever found in my trap was 30# octipie(inside Ogden pt.)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
xavier said:
Paid or not, as Cuba said, catching hali is not frickin' rocket science. They eat f'n anything. No matter what the species, we all tend to congregate, some guys on here gotta loosen up a tad. Sure some guys are blatant...but some of us head out intending to go to the same area, yet we all seem to think it is "our" spot if we are the first there. Whether it is your living or not, it is supposed to be fun. If the fun is out of it for ya, go do something else. I know I am not the only one on here getting tired of the holier- than-now whining.
Click to expand...
Well said Xavier! This is gettin a little ridiculous on here
 
I have seen halibut come up fom as deep as 3000ft and as shallow as 40ft from mud bottom, rock, coral, sand the obvious gravel they seem to be all over there are definitly spots that dont produce but a half mile can make a big difference
 
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