Paradise 7/17/21

 Met up with Fellow NCKA member ElvinG at paradise beach park. The plan was to bounce ball for halibut with anchovies and herring for a solid 5-6 hours. Showed him some pointers about the unique boat launch and then of we went. First bite came around 8:30. After a shaker I landed  a 25” and after that 10 shakers 8 were landed and released and 2 self released. Most were 14-19 inches. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get Elvin on any fish but we did get a chance to discuss halibut rigs and strategies. Still a fun day with decent action and some nice fillets to take home. Wondering if anyone had any theories about why there are so. Many small halibut and so few big ones in the bay right now?

Thanks for the report.  Glad you caught!

Nice fish. Thanks for the report. Thinking about giving it a go tomorrow. Could the shortage of keepers now be a result of the delayed sf salmon season? Halibut this year was hit 1 month longer than last year before all the boats switched to chrome

Nice catch.   Thanks for the report and picture BH37.

Halibut go through  cycles. Last 2 years were way above average. There has been  an insane amount of pressure  on them. If we get another late salmon season next year,expect the same or worse.

Halibut go through  cycles. Last 2 years were way above average. There has been  an insane amount of pressure  on them. If we get another late salmon season next year,expect the same or worse.

I wish the DFW would modify halibut limits and gear, especially in years where it’s reasonable to expect increased pressure on them. I hear stories of people catching a dozen shakers or more. That means a dozen little halibut beaten up on the deck of a boat (I cringe when I watch those YouTubers abusing small fish) while a barbed treble is worked free. Sadly lots of these shakers probably die. Perhaps barbless should be implemented for all species to allow for in-the-water releases?

Yeah that makes sense. I try my best to release the small one as gently as possible but it’s not always easy.

I wish the DFW would modify halibut limits and gear, especially in years where it’s reasonable to expect increased pressure on them. I hear stories of people catching a dozen shakers or more. That means a dozen little halibut beaten up on the deck of a boat (I cringe when I watch those YouTubers abusing small fish) while a barbed treble is worked free. Sadly lots of these shakers probably die. Perhaps barbless should be implemented for all species to allow for in-the-water releases?

I doubt in-water release would be practical on a larger boat, and it seems to me that halibut are inherently more difficult to release than most species, regardless. I'd think that a longer length limit (say, 26") would make sense, but I suppose DFW has some justification for choosing 22".

I wish the DFW would modify halibut limits and gear, especially in years where it’s reasonable to expect increased pressure on them. I hear stories of people catching a dozen shakers or more. That means a dozen little halibut beaten up on the deck of a boat (I cringe when I watch those YouTubers abusing small fish) while a barbed treble is worked free. Sadly lots of these shakers probably die. Perhaps barbless should be implemented for all species to allow for in-the-water releases?

I doubt in-water release would be practical on a larger boat, and it seems to me that halibut are inherently more difficult to release than most species, regardless. I'd think that a longer length limit (say, 26") would make sense, but I suppose DFW has some justification for choosing 22".

Limit is 5 in So cal.  I’m betting the hali population is thriving.  Just in cycles.  It’s not common to catch a limit.  I also believe that Hali’s are more resilient if caught and released well than we may know.  Not sure if tail rot kills a fish either.  Tons of shakers means a thriving fishery in my estimation.  What do I know?  Show me some recent population data and that might help with philosophical fishing speculation.

On a side note my buddy Kevin and I committed to a little sport philosophy.  1st keeper of the year, 22” and above, 1st limit of the year, any legal size.  There after, keep the first legal fish and release all Hali’s shorter than 25”. 

I don't know why all anglers don't just use barbless hooks for halibut. These fish are easy to pull in and with the shakers it's so much easier (for both parties) to release them if the hook is barbless. It saves everyone grief and time. If keeping live bait on the line is the issue, then use dead bait. It works well enough, in my opinion. The biggest halibut I've ever seen was caught in the 1990s off Crissy Field on a barbless hook and a dead anchovy.

it seems to me that halibut are inherently more difficult to release than most species, regardless.

I think barbed hooks have something to do with that.

I also believe that Hali’s are more resilient if caught and released well than we may know.  Not sure if tail rot kills a fish either.  Tons of shakers means a thriving fishery in my estimation.  What do I know?  Show me some recent population data and that might help with philosophical fishing speculation.

On a side note my buddy Kevin and I committed to a little sport philosophy.  1st keeper of the year, 22” and above, 1st limit of the year, any legal size.  There after, keep the first legal fish and release all Hali’s shorter than 25”. 

I've heard that halibut are NOT very resilient, hence my concern. Tons of shakers is a good sign, I agree, but a lack of large ones could be a cause for alarm.

As long as fish are released carefully (in the water), I say do what you must, but I would rather keep the first 3 legal fish and be confident that none others died in my quest for a limit.