Halibut Fishing Hints and Tricks

Halibut is a large saltwater fish that predominantly lives in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Halibut is a popular food fish because of its low fat content, delicate flavor and firm texture. Because of the popularity of the species, there are some regions where the population is becoming over-fished and is danger of becoming extinct. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch recommends avoiding fishing in heavily trafficked areas such as the Atlantic Ocean, but recommends halibut fishing in Alaska or California as an alternative.

  1. Location

    • Planning ahead and plotting out locations that are likely to be halibut habitats is a great way to increase your chances of catching fish. Hlibut prefer bottom structure and variation in water depth, so areas with shelves, trenches and rock ledges are ideal. You can use maps, GPS coordinates, fish finders and depth readers to help gauge your location and pick the perfect spot to try your luck.

    Chumming

    • Lure in all the halibut in the vicinity of your boat by chumming the water with extra bait. Halibut have a keen sense of smell and rely on it to help them find food, so using chum will help lead them to your boat. In the June, 2008, issue of Fish Alaska Magazine, Captain Andy Martin recommends attaching a chum bag to the anchor of your boat once you settle on a location, creating a scent trail to your boat.

    Bait

    • Say goodbye to little hooks and worms; halibut fishing requires the big guns. If you want to catch large halibut, you need to use large bait. Use a large, sharp hook (and replace it after a couple of trips) with a sizeable chunk of salmon, herring or octopus to entice the halibut. Be sure to use fresh bait that is not dried up or rotting to ensure the best results.

    Technique

    • Patience is a virtue when it comes to halibut fishing, so once you are rigged up, allow the bait to bob and bounce along the rocky crags and sea floor. You can also run multiple rigs to increase your chances of catching a fish. Allow the fish to eat some of the bait and get a chance to get hooked after the initial strike so you don't lose them because of a premature set.