Fishing for Halibut - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

buttchaser · 05-07-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony179

I was looking for Halibut rigs and ran in to a site and read this.

Why is it that for Halibut you have to have your drag looser than when you fish for other fish? Like I said before, I am new to this sport. I've gone out 4 times this year and I love being out their.

Halibut Tend to shake there Head when hooked and can shake the hook , The bigger the fish The More Power in the Tail , I've had Hooks straighten out due to tight drags . I think it important to have a rod that can absorb the head shakes along with a smooth drag.

Anthony179 · 05-08-2009, 07:55 AM

Now I know to loosen up my drag. Like I said before, I've gone out 4 times out of Dana Point. I've caught 2 Leapord Sharks and a short halibut and I keep my drag as if I was fishing for Yellows. Will the Halibut hit dead bait as well? Thanks for the info.

buttchaser · 05-08-2009, 08:44 AM

They'll hit the dead stuff , But you'll get alot more Bites on the Live

-scallywag- · 05-08-2009, 08:52 AM

they also have much softer mouths...

Anthony179 · 05-08-2009, 09:33 AM

Thanks guys. Hopefully I can catch a keeper and post it.

taggermike · 05-09-2009, 08:49 AM

I'll add my 2 cents here about light drags for halibut. My technique or philosophy about landing halis is different than for every other fish I target. I fight other fish to the boat; I guide halibut to the boat. I have found the harder I pull on a hali the harder it pulls back and those fish often go completely nuts. Now I try to gently guide them to the surface. I use a softer rod and do not pump or horse the fish in any way, just easy-like-sunday-morning winding all the way to the gaff. I've had fish come up so gently they never really know some thing was wrong, no runs or head shakes, until the gaff or net is on them. I also exclusivly use very sharp light wire circle hooks so I don't even need to set the hook, just smooth presure all the way up. It doesn't always work, some halis do fight hard. But most respond well to this technique. Lastly, many halis come up barely hooked so light steady presure keep them hooked. Mike

dsafety · 05-09-2009, 05:55 PM

Since we are talking about halibut, maybe some of our more experienced fishers could weigh in on the best kinds of bait or lure setups.

I have been told that when using live bait one should use a two hook rig. Is that correct?

What about using plastics? I have caught small halibut when going for bass but have never caught a keeper. Is there a better technique?

Bob

05-08-2009, 07:55 AM	#2
Anthony179 A.T. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 146	Now I know to loosen up my drag. Like I said before, I've gone out 4 times out of Dana Point. I've caught 2 Leapord Sharks and a short halibut and I keep my drag as if I was fishing for Yellows. Will the Halibut hit dead bait as well? Thanks for the info.

05-08-2009, 08:44 AM	#3
buttchaser Float Tuber Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 243	They'll hit the dead stuff , But you'll get alot more Bites on the Live

05-08-2009, 08:52 AM	#4
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	they also have much softer mouths...

05-08-2009, 09:33 AM	#5
Anthony179 A.T. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 146	Thanks guys. Hopefully I can catch a keeper and post it.

05-09-2009, 08:49 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I'll add my 2 cents here about light drags for halibut. My technique or philosophy about landing halis is different than for every other fish I target. I fight other fish to the boat; I guide halibut to the boat. I have found the harder I pull on a hali the harder it pulls back and those fish often go completely nuts. Now I try to gently guide them to the surface. I use a softer rod and do not pump or horse the fish in any way, just easy-like-sunday-morning winding all the way to the gaff. I've had fish come up so gently they never really know some thing was wrong, no runs or head shakes, until the gaff or net is on them. I also exclusivly use very sharp light wire circle hooks so I don't even need to set the hook, just smooth presure all the way up. It doesn't always work, some halis do fight hard. But most respond well to this technique. Lastly, many halis come up barely hooked so light steady presure keep them hooked. Mike

05-09-2009, 05:55 PM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Since we are talking about halibut, maybe some of our more experienced fishers could weigh in on the best kinds of bait or lure setups. I have been told that when using live bait one should use a two hook rig. Is that correct? What about using plastics? I have caught small halibut when going for bass but have never caught a keeper. Is there a better technique? Bob