Where are all of the Halibuts?

Hey all, I have been out of Oyster Point twice in the last ten days for Halibut and not even a bite. I paddled over to the south in front of the huge biotech building in about 7 to 10 ft of water with dreams of catching my first Halibut. When do the Halibut start biting in this area or where is a good place to catch them on the peninsula?

IMHO, it's still pretty early although I understand a few have been caught.  I think they tend to show up in more the May, June timeframe.  At least, that has been my experience.

The fishing will improve once the water clears up.

yeah I was going to try for them tomorrow (wx permitting), but I may just sail around and soak bait for leopards in RWC

Tides are pretty steep right now.  Water is still dirty.  Its time but we need things to settle down just a bit more and get some smaller tide swings going.  Another week or so and it should be ready to go...

Like others have already said: flat tides, clearer water, and matching the bait in the water.
I've caught many halibut this early, but only when the tides were flatter, the water wasn't too muddy, and only on herring trolled in an RSK in the SFBay. Once the season kicks up in late may/June you can get live bait and pick up halibut more consistently.

they're on the bottom, in the ocean

The earliest I have caught them is May, but that is probably just because that is around when I start to fish seriously. This is open water too, and things get different (earlier) inside the bay.  The only way to be sure you are there when the bite is on is to get out & fish. Skunks happen to us all!

I like to see the sst hit 60deg. Currently AAMC1 (arw) is around 58. There is already quite a bit of bait in the system. A few have been taken trolling at arw already.

I used to fish Berkeley pier for halibuts,  they usually show up late April to early May.  Have not tried fishing that area from a kayak but hopefully this year.

I got one back in Feb., but it was a almost perfect day for it.  Outgoing tide, clean water (before rains), etc.  You just never know for sure when they are ready.  Last year I got a couple during April.

I heard of one caught at Paradise this past weekend. I slow trolled a herring around for a few hours for not a scratch.

I went on the Happy Hooker on Sat. and there was very little bait anywhere we stopped. We got one at ARW, and two up by Redrock, and one just past the Brothers. We got about six stripers for the day. It's a little early, but worth a try.

I heard they were scared and waiting for the ARW showdown in June 
My prediction is with all the weather we had this year things will pick up around the end of May and should prove to be a epic season

See Ya In Alameda,
Eric / Yakhopper

Great post, CB.

Great post, CB.

+1
i would have never believed that, IFiDIDN'ThappenINfrontOFmyOWNeyes!!   SelectiveHarvesting should be what's for DINNER.