Halibut Fishing Tutorial

Introduction

Much of the topics regarding halibut fishing have been covered extensively on other sites such as Coastside Fishing Club and NCKA.  This article is meant to give the reader some general knowledge but is geared towards halibut fishing on a Kayak.

Most people consider the California halibut to be a lethargic fish, sitting on the bottom and waiting to scoop up a meal that swims by.  Nothing can be farther from the truth with this predator.  Halibut are voracious eaters that use their camouflage to their advantage. When halibut are on the bite they will keep any angler content and satisfied.

Proper Halibut Identification

There are many flat fish that reside in the family of the halibut: Sand sole, Sand dabs,  and Pacific Halibut are just some on of them. Since each species has a different set of regulation it is important to properly know them.

Different Species of Flat Fish

Per the California DFG “California halibut are usually uniformly brown to brownish-black on the eyed side, and have the ability to change skin color patterns to camouflage with the substrate. They may have white spots, especially juveniles, which often fade after death. The non-eyed side is usually entirely white, though some mottling may occur. The lateral line is most distinctive and is highly arched above the pectoral fin. The mouth is large with conical teeth.”

Department of Fish and game
https://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/sfmp/halibut-id.asp

Halibut Locations

The Pacific and California halibut can be found ranging from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Baja California. The Pacific halibut are mainly found from Alaska down to Shelter Cove, Ca but have been found as far south as Big Sur California. The California halibut inhabit the central down to baja california.

Popular Kayak Fishing Locations in Northern California (Bay Area)
Bay: Paradise Cove, Alameda Rock wall, Berkeley Flats, Oyster Point Park,  and Tomales bay.
Ocean: Capitola (outside reefs SC1 and SC4 markers), Santa Cruz (50-60 ft front of harbor, mile marker), Pajaro Poop pipe, Monterey (MBK), Bean Hollow State Park ( YIKES!), Shelter Cove, Humboldt Bay,

San Francisco Bay Key locations

The box like perimeter  that connects the South Hampton Shoals to the Racoon Straits, to Treasure Island, and back to the Berkeley Flats is regarded by many as the perfect terrain for halibut. The northern portion of TI, the west side of Alcatraz and the south west sector of Angel Island are the areas to look for halibut as well; however, these area’s are considered dangerous due to high winds and currents. It is not recommended for Kayak Fishing.

Popular Kayak fishing locations include: Alameda Rock Wall, Berkeley Flats, Oyster Point, Paradise Cove and Chrissy Fields. (See Map Below)

Recommended Reading: Understanding Wind Conditions in SF Bay

Best Times

Late April and early May signal the first major migration of halibut into the San Francisco Bay. Oyster point and the Alameda Rock wall are good locations to start because the south bay waters tend to warm up first.  June through August are considered the height of the run, although halibut can be found all the way into November.

Halibut Habitat

The halibut is a predatory ambush fish.  Their diet consist of small bait fish such as: anchovies (sad emoji) , smelt, shiner perch, sardines, and squid. Since they feed mainly on sight and by ambush, water clarity plays a big role in the success of targeting halibut.

Rock, Sand & Reef
Three factors play an important role in halibut fishing: reef, rocks,and sand. The ideal halibut location will provide these three elements. Reefs and rock provide cover for bait fish from predatory fish. Sand and mud provide halibut with the opportune environment which they use to blend in and ambush their prey. (Unlike RF, Salmon, Sharks and Rays, halibut who swim up and down the water column, halibut mainly inhabit the floor of the ocean.)

Ledges and Eddies
Ledges and eddies are good locations to find halibut because bait fish prefer to congregate around these areas. Here are some productive ledges in the bay and ocean: Alameda Rock wall (Flag Pole), Paradise Cove, right in front of the pier, and Moss Landing, right outside the harbor,  are all productive halibut areas.

Beaches and Surf Line
Beaches and Surf Lines are also excellent places to also target halibut. In the summer, the beaches off Capitola/New Brighton are good places to target halibut and strip bass when bait is congregating on the surf line. Fly lining a live bait in the surf line is a good bet for a halibut or striper.

Tides and Surf
Anticipating good tides is key to successful halibut fishing. There have been times when i’ve fished the morning without a single bite but when the tides start to change the fish start to bite in the EXACT area that i was fishing all morning!! This told me two things.
1) Tides are environmental feeding triggers  2) I didn’t suck all that bad.

What are the best tides?
For the bay, steady slow tides are best. Typically, two hours before the incoming and outgoing are the best time to target butts. Halibut will bite as the tide starts to go and when it starts to slow down. They typically stop on slack tide.

When do the halibut show up in the bay?
In SF bay halibut migrate in the early spring to breed. Halibut follow large school of  herring that come into spawn and then lay down for the spring. Herring is a great bait to use in the early spring after the initial herring runs are gone. Drifting live bait such as shiners, smelt and anchovies is the preferred method when live bait becomes available.

Tide Chart
Understanding Tides is crucial to successfully fishing halibut. Below is a reference for looking up tides.
SaltWater Tide Charts

Surf and Swells
Big surf and swells will play a big part in halibut fishing(mainly in the ocean). Flat calm seas, clear waters, steady tides and bait are ideal halibut fishing conditions. Large swells, particularly a south swell will shut down most bottom fish action, such as Rockfish, Lingcod and Halibut. Look at the conditions to pick and choose which days to fish.

Surf and Swells report
NOAA

The Lost Anchovy – Halibut Essential Equipment List

• Fisherman’s Game Clip
• Avet MXJ 5:8:1
• Shimano Trevala 7’0 ML or 6’6MH  (Universal Rods)
• Fluorocarbon Leader Fishing Line
• gamakatsu “j” hooks
• Big Al Flasher or Kone Zone or Dodger (If Trolling)
• Hoochies (good rated and cheap Amazon hoochies, also try purple  haze or white hoochies)
• Three Way Swivels (Impressive reviews on these swivels)
• Three Way Swivels (Cheaper Alternative)
• Dexter Russel Fillet Knife (Best fillet knife IMHO, cheap and works!)
• Foodvac compatible Bags

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Baits

Frozen bait as herring, anchovies, sardines, and squid are all great baits.
Live bait such as: Anchovies, Sardines, Smelt and Shiner Perch are preferred for drifting.

I prefer catching my own bait when possible. The annual herring spawn in the San Francisco Bay is a great time to make bait for the year.

Bait like shiner perch, and top smelt can be found through out the SF bay estuaries and piers.

Sliding Sinker Rig

In the ocean I run a sliding sinkers behind a octopus and treble stinger hook. Ocean regulations allow multiple poles when targeting halibut so anglers may use as many as they can handle.

Basic Bounce Ball Rig

A bouncing ball rig like the following is very effective when trolling for halibut in the bay or ocean, Although I change out the hoochie for a sex herring or anchovy; however, hoochies can be extremely effective trolling for halibut around the Santa Cruz area.

(Note – For Diagram Purposes only. I would run 2-3 ft before the flasher than 2-3 ft to the hoochie or bait. Total Length is no more then 4-6 ft. for a kayak)

Live Bait Rig

Live bait rigs are the way to go in the bay when live bait becomes available. Most anglers will troll in the early season with herring,anchovies or hoochies. However, when the bait arrive in the bay, local caught shiners or smelt is the ticket for large bay halibut!

In the bay, only one pole is allowed. A three way bounce ball rig with a frozen herring or anchovy for bait is what most fisherman use.  However, my bait of choice is a live smelt, shiner perch or anchovy. They are all excellent bait for bay halibut.

In the ocean anglers are allowed to use multiple rods to target halibut. Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid (Live or Dead), Mackerel (Spanish or Green Backs) are all good choices for halibut. It is best to match the bait with what the fish are actively feeding on.

The Halibut bite

An experience fisherman is able to distinguish a fish bite and quickly identify, with some degree of accuracy, what species is on the the line. The typical California halibut will slam the bait (Ambush). The head of the pole will slam and bounce back quickly followed by quick runs.  In the ocean, at greater depths the strike will resemble a rockfish bite. The halibut “head shakes” is a dead giveaway that a flatty is on the lines. After their initial pounce Halibut will  make a few runs then come up like “Dead Weight” or  a “Wet Carpet”. Don’t be deceived halibut have a notorious reputation as escape artist. Make sure to properly net/gaff and game clip a fish before prematurely celebrating otherwise tears of joy will quickly turn into tears of pain.

Landing Halibut

Here are a few mistakes most novice and even experience anglers will make.

•  Netting the fish in the wrong direction. The halibut head should be faced towards the net and you
•  Not Lifting the net allowing halibut to jump out
•  Using too small a net
•  Improper gaff technique
•  Not bringing a fish bonker
•  Not correctly game clipping a halibut

Learning how to properly net/gaff halibut is the final part of halibut fishing.
Key Tips:

• Keep their heads below water!
• Scoop forward towards the halibut not under
• Bring a gaff for large fish. Let me emphasize this again!! Bring a gaff for large fish!
• Becareful not to pull the hook
• Keep the tension consistent. Set it the drag and forget it. Don’t mess with the drag while fighting hooked fish.

KEEP THEIR HEADS BELOW WATER!, Halibut will remain fairly calm when they surface unless spooked. They will float on the surface where they can be easily netted or gaffed. Pulling their heads above water will scare them and lead to a fast dash and broken line, if the drag is not correctly set or the hook is not entirely set.

TIP – Halibut unlike salmon, sharks and other fish can only swim in two directions: Forward and Down This is important to understanding how to properly net a halibut. To properly net halibut, lead them to your net, keeping their heads under water, and move the net towards the fish. Halibut can only swim forward “INTO” the net or Down “INTO” the net. Other methods will either break the line or cause tangles that will lead to losing fish.

Gaffing Halibut –This is a crucial step when handling halibut.  Use a steady upward motion and stick the halibut in the head or directly in the body. The action will paralyze them and make it easy to handle and clip them to the boat. If a halibut comes up vertical make sure it is position horizontal and flat before making a move.

Beating Halibut – Just beat them over the head, but ONLY AFTER THEY ARE CLIPPED! Quickly bleed them afterwards to preserve the meat and to subdue them.

How to fillet a halibut taught by Crazy Fisher

NOTE: Halibut have a tendency to come back to life (like zombies) even after being subdued. I once had a halibut come back to life 1 hour after I have bleed and beat it. It jumped straight out of the yak into the ocean!! Of course I had my game clip on so it didn’t go far!!

Sealing and Vacuuming your catch!

Keeping your catch fresh throughout the summer and winter months is super important. I found out that vacuum sealing my catch can get expensive! =*(

Here are the bags that I use to seal my catch! They are food saver sealer compatible and at half the price they are sweet deal. They are also 3mm commercial thick which means they will keep your catch fresh all winter.  These are pretty awesome!

Foodsaver compatible foodvac bags 8×12 inch vacuum sealer storage bags

Conclusion
Halibut are exceptionally fun fish to catch. They are excellent table fare and a formidable sport fish. Being patient, calm and prepared will help you become an expert halibut angler in no time. Good Luck, tight lines and sharp hooks – TheLostAnchovy

Version 1.5
Edited 1.12.2019