Halibut 101

Pilar · 04-05-2002, 10:27 AM

I watched a would be halibut fisher at Fishermans Marine get some advice the other day.
While I did this, I thought about hooking and losing a barn door on the end of 600 ft of
line. The suggested rig was a 16/0 circle hook and a hootchie on 2 feet of 50# mono leader.
Folks, flattie has nasty sharp teeth and mono just doesn't hang with that. I mean you drove
30 miles, waited 3 minutes for your gear to hit the bottom and it's fish on - fish off.
So here's a rig I've used for 3 years now and NEVER lost one yet. Remember leader
size is irrelevant since it's black down there and flattie doesn't care. Add a glow in
the dark hootchie if you want for added attraction. The wire is 170# plastic coated
stranded stainless. Break that, if you can
..

Using a wire leader means you never have to say you're sorry ......

Here you go. Looking at this I left out the important thing. The swivels should be stainless and the 200# test size. FM still does not have 16/0 circle hooks since last year. I'll post where I find some because I am looking right now. The glow Hootchies are (ouch!) about a buck apiece but they are worth it. When you farm that first bite and lose your bait the hootchie gives you a second chance without having to do the 500 ft. bait check. In any case tie your bait on with stretchy thread.

We have many, many more people interested in this fishery here at Ifish now on 'Salty Dogs' and the experience level varies more than it did last year. So I'll answer any questions about gear, tackle, bait, method and whatever. Pssssst, I even have a few GPS numbers to share.

Any questions at all, except how to row a driftboat 60 miles and live to tell about it ... Alligator.

[ 01-10-2003, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

rojo · 04-05-2002, 12:20 PM

Pilar was wondering what the dia. of the wire was and why coated? West Marine has 430# in 1/16 dia. soft 7x19 stainless @ .59 a foot, would that work?
tks..Roger

Pilar · 04-05-2002, 12:45 PM

Probly Rojo, I like the coated because it does not fray and won't slip in the ferrule. I think a hundred ft spool of coated 170# was $6 or $7 last year. American is the brand and the #10 ferrule is by them too. I'm trying to save you the trouble of doing what I did when I first made this rig. I made several trips to the store trying to get the right ferrules and returning the wrong ones. The ferrule must be able to slide on the wire while tying and still hold tight when you pinch it down. The right size in other words.

The guys at the store could only point to the aisle because they did not know how to make tackle or they wanted me to buy the prepackaged 'Wally Whale' rigs.

[ 07-30-2002, 08:54 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

Threemuch · 04-05-2002, 12:51 PM

I have been using 100 pound dacron for leader material and haven't dropped one yet. Does anyone use spreaders? What's the lowdown on those? I like to be fishing if I am down that deep, not all tangled up. Do they work or what?

STGRule · 04-05-2002, 01:36 PM

Pilar: Call or stop in at Englund Marine for your hooks and stuff. The phone number for Astoria is 503-325-4341. You can order over the phone with a credit card and almost always get it the next day in the mail.

Pilar · 04-05-2002, 01:45 PM

Thanks, STGrule, I'm going there this weekend. I have to see this place, everyone I know that goes there raves about it.

I'm getting tired of FM, they seldom have what I need for big blue.

Kurt, you hit on the big problem with fishing this deep. The wire is very stiff and will not tangle up, ever. I'm not sure how you could avoid that with dacron.

Anything that makes your rig not fish is going to cost you 10 minutes of cranking, baiting and dropping it back down. Spreaders work well. I used a spreader, leader and glow in the dark jig combo last year and it resulted in a 72# fish and a boat triple. It does not get much better than that.

[ 04-05-2002, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

STGRule · 04-05-2002, 02:06 PM

Pilar: Only take as much cash as you can afford in your pocket and leave the plastic at home. You will always find more than you need. It can get expensive. Ooooo knives, floats, crab traps, floats, rope, reels, poles, clothes, boots, gloves, gear, hooks, boat stuff, clam guns, (check out the stainless steel clam shovels) and all the other stuff I'm forgetting. Can't drive by that store without stopping to look (drool).

Serious Fun · 04-07-2002, 04:22 PM

Pilar,
Thanks for the nice outline of halibut gear. It is the same thing I do except for one minor change that has helped with both keeping the bait on the hook, as well as setting more hooks irreversably into biters. I take a second hook, a 6-0 to 8-0 commercial salmon hook that has the eye still open for crimping onto commercial gear. I put the eye of the hook through the eye of the 16-0 circle hook and crimp it there, thus making a double hook. This really helps keep the bait on as it spirals down 600-700 feet and it also makes it difficult for a fish to bite the bait and not get hooked. Also, the best bait I have found is fresh/frozen shad. It consistently works better than hering, squid, salmon heads, etc. when fished side by side against the other baits. I chunk cut the shade into 2-3 inch sections and hook it so that the tips of both hooks are still exposed, not buried in the bait. If I can't get shad, the purple lable herring is next best. As for spreaders, they work great but simply add to the expense. The system Pilar has outlined works well and it is simple. Enjoy and kick 'But!

Hook-up · 04-07-2002, 09:47 PM

FYI: England marine also has a store in Newport. Regarding halibut fishing: Another thing I think works with the shad or any other fish like Salmon is to use the gills with the bait you send down. In other words if you chunk the bait pick the piece that has the most gills attached. Heads with the gills work great. The combo of fish scent with any blood smell that comes from the gills is great. If you use heads hook one hook through both lips to keep the mouth closed. This keeps your bait from spinning so much and gets you down to the bottom quicker and with less lead (due to less drag). I agree with Serious fun regarding shad being a great bait for halibut.

Threemuch · 04-08-2002, 03:11 PM

Pilar, how do you bait this circle hook monstrosity? Do you thread the bait on? Salmon would be easy, just punch that monster hook thru the skin. What about other favorites?

Shad?
Octopus?
Squid?
Herring?

Can you fish this rig with mono since its a circle hook?
KB

Pilar · 04-08-2002, 03:16 PM

Hi Kurt, Like so ...

Take a purple label herring and push the hook point thru the eye. Then push the hook thru the body and work the herring around the bend of the circle until the eye is near the swivel.

Then wrap on with stretch thread. Pull the glow hootchie over the head of the bait and send it down. I know this looks as you say like 'a montrosity' but it kicks much @$$. Just ask anyone that has used one in battle.

Pilar · 07-30-2002, 07:56 AM

Back to the top for the newbies.

If we all knew what we all know>.....

corrirod · 07-30-2002, 12:30 PM

Don't bother with the spreaders unless you are going to attach a large steel leader on top of it. I had to lose two nice halibut before I figured out that when Mr. Hali decides to squirm, he can tangle your line in the spreader, and after a few skirmishes he will break your line. To me, spreaders are a nuisance anyway. All you need to do is get your bait down to the fish and if they are there.....they'll let you know.

seasquid · 07-30-2002, 12:38 PM

And absolutely don't use spreaders if you're fishing deep....I swear the next time I get tangled with someone using a spreader in deep water such as out of Garibaldi, I'm cutting lines. What a freakin' mess -- I personally have no idea why anyone uses spreaders.

ss

Threemuch · 07-30-2002, 12:50 PM

SS-
Are you trying to say that reeling up someone elses line that doesn't have a spreader isn't a GIANT ******** mess?

People use spreaders to keep their bait from wrapping their main line on the way down. If you are using a dacron leader, it's a must, IMHO. I either use the exact rig Pilar does or a spreader. Both work great.

BTW, I almost always cut line in a bad tangle, as close to terminal gear as I can and either motor over to the boat in question to give their gear back, or retie it on for them.

People get WAY too nasty out at the Garibaldi spot. Isn't it supposed to be fun?

Threemuch · 07-30-2002, 12:51 PM

F-R-E-A-K-I-N-G is a swear? but freakin' isnt???

Crazy censor programs!

corrirod · 07-30-2002, 01:03 PM

Just to clarify my post, there are couple types of spreaders, one metal and one plastic tube. I hate the metal one but I now use the plastic tube rig. It's basically nylon braid line run thru a 15" hard plastic straw with a sliding weight swivel also on the rod side. I attach a steel leader/hook setup to the other side and it works perfectly. If anyone needs a picture of it just email me and I'll get one made.

seasquid · 07-30-2002, 01:18 PM

That's the ticket Corrirod -- those metal ones are horrible. I use the same thing.

Threemuch, you're right about Garibaldi. I ashamed to say that my home port has a good number of nasty people fishing it. I think it's from the amount of line being used, and the close quarters everybody is fishing, trying to get that one really good drift. Of course every charter is trying to wedge into the same place, and at least one of them, the biggest one, thinks he owns the ocean. That's the one time I was nasty out there -- although, the three times I have been out of Garibaldi this year "that" one charter has been better.

ss

07-30-2002, 01:35 PM

We used 100 lb mono and 10/0 J hooks and never lost a butt to cut leader. I didn't like circle hooks when fishing shallow (20-30 fathoms) but I think that they would be the best hook to use at 100 fathoms. Longlin gangons are 3/16 nylon rope and the halibut don't seem to shy away from these.

tailchaser · 07-30-2002, 01:50 PM

I'll share a tip an old timer gave me for halibut and has worked out great this year. Slip on a rattling hot shot or any type of small bass plug onto your leader. We experimented with it having two rods with it and two without it. The two with it caught 80% of the fish. We also have stopped using herring because if you miss a fish, your bait is gone. So we've gone exclusively to shad fillets. Works great, stays on like glue, and doesn't twist nearly as bad going down. Occassionally we even tip it with some squid. It's shown dividends. Every trip we've taken out of coos bay this year we've come back with the largest load of fish per average than anyone else. Only 2 fish out of 12 have been under 48".

For those of you looking for #16 circles Englunds defintely has them and will get more if requested.

tc

Threemuch · 07-30-2002, 01:52 PM

I concur, the Garibaldi spot seems to bring out the worst in people. I have done OK just using my kicker to avoid the hordes and charters. It seems like people on charters frequently have WAY too much line out. We also try to get out as early as we can and finish before the crowds arrive. That's the plan for this weekend.
KB

Stoyjun Princess · 07-30-2002, 05:24 PM

Threemuch,
We use the spreaders and have had no tangles and have not lost a flattie yet.. :grin: :grin:
See ya all out on the big blue Friday and Saturday. Can't wait and good luck to all.

Pilar are you going to the pile or the ranch?
Maybe we will see you there.

BUGLEMAN · 07-30-2002, 10:53 PM

I have to say Threemuch that the spreader and dacron worked well on our trip. The 'J' hook is easy to bait and if you start by threading on a durable bait like shad way up the leader then the herring you have a reserve bait. If the herring gets munched you have confidence that that skin punctured shad or better yet black cod will slide on down and keep fishing.

I like your tech Kurt but would love to try the wire leader setup too.

Men on the blue have good fun this weekend.

Pilar · 07-31-2002, 07:46 AM

Princess, we will at least do a drive by on the pile. If the weather is limiting, we will stay there. Next year the pile will most likely be closed.

All that said, I really like the deep water spot. No wrong rockfish there and the boat ride is awesome.

We'll be on 77 both days.

Stoyjun Princess · 07-31-2002, 07:58 PM

Pilar,

That is an awesome boat ride to the ranch.

Hope to see ya at the pile, talk to you on 77.

I can't wait. :grin:

We have been out on the Irish for tuna the last 3 years, our trip this year is on Aug. 16th. Now after reading all your posts we are all wanting to take our boat out to tuna town with all of you. Tuna is a blast to hook into. We are going to be at New Port that entire week. Chasing all fish and having a great time.

Stoyjun Princess · 07-31-2002, 08:00 PM

Pilar,

That is an awesome boat ride to the ranch.

Hope to see ya at the pile, talk to you on 77.

I can't wait. :grin:

We have been out on the Irish for tuna the last 3 years, our trip this year is on Aug. 16th. Now after reading all your posts we are all wanting to take our boat out to tuna town with all of you. Tuna is a blast to hook into. We are going to be at New Port that entire week. Chasing all fish and having a great time.