8/24 ARW - Perch - Halibut

After three months of trying finally caught a halibut, even though it was undersized I am still counting it. Actually caught it while perch fishing entrance to Balena Bay, light weight rod, 4 lb test, just brought him up to take a look maybe 15". Lots of small perch around, used pileworms.

I also headed west up the rock walk looking for sharks or halibut. Drifted down from the first opening in rockwall when I hit the 40 ft hole (even with stern of gray ships) something hit my line hard, I let him run for a while, as soon as I tightened up the drag to try take a turn he pulled harder and snapped the 40 lb line. probably a big ray or shark, fun while it lasted, turned the kayak side ways.

Beautiful on the water, rare summer SF Bay day, light breeze, blue sky, in coming tide.  Caught a glimpse of the America's Cup boats while I was out there.

Sounds like a great time on the water. Thanks for posting.

One down and a WHOLE bunch to go .  Probably was a shark or ray that broke your line, that would have been a lot of fun.  Last year I got a 70# soupfin shark in the main ship channel = 15 minutes of fun!!!! .

Thanks for the report. Glad you didn't get the wind they foretasted and congratulations on the but(I'm still waiting for my first)

A friend of mine who has lived in Alameda for a very long time told me he caught a flounder Friday in same area from shore. Checked online looks like it is hard to tell difference between flounder and Halibut, maybe difference in tail shape?

Some comments said there is no difference, flounder is Halibut that doesn't grow large, I am sure California Fish and Game cares, what is best way to tell difference?

This has probably been discussed before on NCKA, curious what the consensus is. I fished the the Chesapeake Bay for many years before moving to SF bay area all flatties back there were called flounder, I believe it is 16" minimum. 

Thanks for the detailed report & congrats on finally getting your butt Even if it wasn't a keeper.

Halibut have an arched lateral line while other flatfish (sanddabs, sole, flounder) have a straight lateral line. Halibut also have sharp needle-like teeth. Halibut can be either left-eyed or right-eyed, but most other flatfish are left-eyed...so if it's a right-eye then probably a halibut. 

That sounds like fun.  I'm always hearing stories of halibut in Ballena bay, but never caught one there... yet.  Thanks for the report/motivation.  That must have been one large ray/shark!!

I wonder if your friends flounder was a starry flounder.  If you catch one you won't mistake it for a halibut.