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The most difficult thing I have found in using a downrigger is noticing when you are bit. Way too often, Halibut will engulf your bait and then just drift along with you. That can make them hard to feel even if you are just drift fishing. And setting up your release clip to release easily can be a drag also if you have to keep resetting your rig all day. Generally, the saying "Use as little weight as you can maintain contact with the bottom with" is true for drift fishing. How much weight that is will depend on your depth and speed, wind direction and speed, and current speed and direction. The question about line angle is a good one actually in relation to the amount of weight to use. When my line is going back at a 45 degree angle to maintain contact with the bottom I will put on a heavier weight. I try to keep it between 4 and 6 oz if I can, but will use 8oz when necessary. Less line and weight between you and Halibut makes them much easier to detect. Lots of Halibut get taken as bycatch on dropperloops. Pretty much anything that gets your bait down within a few feet of the bottom can be effective. Dropperloops, reverses, Carolina rigs, 3-way swivel rigs and Dropshot are just a few. Each has benefits and drawbacks that you will need to tailor around the circumstances of where and how you fish.
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