Monterey 5/17

I launched from the coast guard around 830 this morning. I got into some squid and finbait right outside the harbor in 90ft and had two lines in the water a little after 9. The squid was 30-40ft down. I only grabbed about 20 squid for bait but I’m sure you could’ve filled buckets if that’s your thing. There were pacific Mack’s and smelt hanging around the same depth as well. Anyways I got on a decent halibut in 75ft about 30minutes into my bait soak. She measured 32” 14lb. I circled that spot a couple times and couldn’t find another one so I went closer to the structure and couldn’t keep the rockfish and lings away. I called it at about 1230. The halibut fishing has been tough here lately I’m sure anyone trying around here will tell you. This time last year was 3 fish limits most days and this May it’s only been 1 or 2 halibut bites per trip. Anyways that fish wasn’t picture worthy, but here’s two that I caught the end of April/early May that were. 42” 30lb and 41” 28lb.

Thanks for the report.  Good to know squids are there! 👍

Water temp has been in the low 50's and upper 40's since the wind and upwelling started, might have a little to do with the slower bite than last year

The halibut fishing has been tough here lately I’m sure anyone trying around here will tell you. This time last year was 3 fish limits most days and this May it’s only been 1 or 2 halibut bites per trip.

Johnny I highly agree. Water clarity hasn’t been the greatest in the last month or so either but it did look better today than my last trip.

Butt king striked again 

Yakkin yes squids are easily available. My friend was out on his boat today and they were thick in front of the aquarium as well. Also found a good amount in front of the tides hotel in 80ft last week while fishing for halibut.

When Todd says halibut fishing is tough... you know it's tough.

Good job gettin what ya could!

Has anyone else caught as many 40" halibut as Todd in a year? For that matter in a lifetime? I'll try tomorrow for squid and halibut and anything else. If I caught a 32"er, I would call it photo worthy.

Soakin' in 'but juju.  Nice job, bro.   

Thanks for the report