Monterey - Winter Halibut?

Looks like I'm actually goin to be able to get out there tomorrow 2/21. Anyone else?

Desperately in need of water therapy, but it’s weekends for me for now and Santa Cruz looks a little swelly this Saturday and Sunday.

Also never been to Monterey in the kayak, so I don’t know parking protocols or how the swell reports down there translate to real-world conditions.

Desperately in need of water therapy, but it’s weekends for me for now and Santa Cruz looks a little swelly this Saturday and Sunday.

Also never been to Monterey in the kayak, so I don’t know parking protocols or how the swell reports down there translate to real-world conditions.

Forecast looks decent and launching at Coast Guard pier is easy.

I'm planning to park at Monterey Bay Kayaks and launch off the beach there. They are pretty protected so I'm hopeful the swell is minimal. I'm a relative newb so I'll be taking it slow.

Good luck out there!
Let us know how you do if you go.

I have caught very few sharks, and am wondering if they are more active in the winter?

Seems that way to me in my (very limited) experience...

Dang, I really want to land my first hali this year. I have a 5 month old daughter and full-time work obligations though...
I'm so greatful to Joe and others (like MooMoo on YouTube) to help scratch the itch and teach me more for my limited time I make it out.
It'd be super dope if anybody was willing to pass on info like general area where to target halibut in Monterey. I have a PA14 and launch off the coast guard pier when I go. I got my first legal lings last year. I know the bouy area has squid and I know there are rocks around 80' that produce good fish. Where are the flats with halibut?

Just go on any day that Sonny (Sailfish) is going, and tag along with him 

Anyone doing this Saturday? My car is packed and the yacht is on the roof. Even got some anchovies off the wharf a couple weeks ago. Destination is unclear. Santa Cruz might be fine I’m not sure. Might give it a drive by and do Monterey if it doesn’t look nice. The northwest swell must be pretty well blocked if you don’t go too far from the Coast Guard pier based on forecasts/suggestions/reports.

Well, I gave it a go. Fished from the Coast Guard pier to the red buoy and back. One swim bait had its tail bitten off. Got a few smelts late in the day. They were a little on the large size, but it gave me some hope. Conditions got nicer as the morning went on. No fish dinner.

I got out Friday morning around 7:30 - launched from the beach next to Monterey Bay Kayaks. Trolled whole (frozen) squid from there to the Tides hotel in about 40-50' of water then turned and came back in 80-90' of water. Caught and released a fair number of Rock fish. Saw one bait ball but couldn't get my sabiki in the water quick enough. No halibut sadly. But the water therapy was very therapeutic

Thanks for the Halibut scouting report and picture TS.

Oh that pic makes me want to brave the cold mornings for a scenic day on the water.  Thanks for the report!

Weather in Monterey looks permitting for the kayak next Wednesday 3.5.25. What depth do ya'll expect halibut are at right now? I know they run super shallow mid summer, but I have no idea how deep to fish for them now.

It's a big trip to make from east Fresno for one target fish that isn't biting much right now.

Weather in Monterey looks permitting for the kayak next Wednesday 3.5.25. What depth do ya'll expect halibut are at right now? I know they run super shallow mid summer, but I have no idea how deep to fish for them now.

It's a big trip to make from east Fresno for one target fish that isn't biting much right now.

They move out to deeper water like 130ft or more in Winter time.  Now Spring is around the corner so hopefully they will move closer to shore.