8/14-8/15 Santa Cruz Harbor - Halibut attempt

Summary: Skunked.

Did a twofer this weekend, and tried to land a halibut, never having fished for them before.  The guys at Bayside Marine said that people had been on halis around the mile buoy and a couple of locals directed me to some sandy areas in 45-55' of water.  My rigging left a bit to be desired - I did a spreader with a 8oz ball, flasher, and hoochie with anchovy.  My hook set up on the hoochie was sub-optimal, so the bait was looking like rough trade.

Trolled (Native Slayer Propel 13) at about 1kt for a few hours each day.  Only landed a gopher rockfish on the second day - no halibut takers.  Talking to others on the water, and they also reported a weak bite.

Weather was decent, with moderate breezes.  Saturday was slightly rougher than Sunday, but on Sunday the wind picked up pretty strongly at about 1:30pm so I made for the harbor.

Would love to take another shot with someone who knows what they are doing, and level up my skills from the "watched a Youtube" state they're in now.

-Fork

"Just Keep Fishing"
   - Bushy

I like sliding sinker with a high quality chain swivel to a leader of 3' or so. Maybe 6oz of lead.
water clarity may make adjusting the leader length necessary to provoke a strike. the worse the vis, shorter the leader and vice versa.
squid or fin baits work, and live bait too.
the slow troll is a key to the presentation, so you're good there.

then again, I once saw a guy land a 30" halibut on a green kushball with hooks in it so.....

It sounds like your rig should be work—probably slow for everybody, as you say.

I can’t wait to get on the water again, but work (such as it is) starts Thursday and I’ve still got a bunch of house things to get done, so it might be a while…

Yah we had that bad red tide, and then a south swell.  fishing was generally slow on the days you were out.  Piscean gives good advice.  So does Johnny Abalone!

I'd add, run a hoochie bare, maybe some Butt Gel smeared on the inside (shut up, Polepole).  You don't need bait with the hoochie and it may negatively affect the action.  Use a dodger, not a flasher, and keep the leader from the dodger super short like 18".  that way, the hoochie is swining wildly behind the dodger.

the sliding sinker rig is what I use for drifting.  Live bait is the best.  Maybe time for me to re-do my how to catch halibut article on NCKA.  I've learned a lot since writing that one.  Or, maybe just get Nowhere Man to ghost write it for me........


Bushy

Attempts are just part of putting in time to catch that flattie IMHO.  I skunk a lot, but am always willing to try and try new riggs/ideas as well. 

Maybe time for me to re-do my how to catch halibut article on NCKA.  I've learned a lot since writing that one.  Or, maybe just get Nowhere Man to ghost write it for me........

Bushy

Your article was gold for my first time catching a halibut, and still one of my favorite stories to recall.  But NWM has definitely piqued my curiosity at doing something other than drifting for butts.  Love watching his videos too

Salmon gear works

just drag it near the bottom

... and keep the leader from the dodger super short like 18".  that way, the hoochie is swining wildly behind the dodger.

Good advice for halibut, but I usually go more like 24" (and barbless), just in case there are salmon in the area...

... Or, maybe just get Nowhere Man to ghost write it for me........


Bushy

Ha ha! If I wrote it, it would put everybody to sleep, since I only know how to write boring textbooks...

I'll go for the shameless plug... You can always hire Bushy to be your guide.  Pick his brain on presentations, locations, and make him shave his beard!

I'll go for the shameless plug... You can always hire Bushy to be your guide.  Pick his brain on presentations, locations, and make him shave his beard!

You hussy!