Halibut set ups?

Thanks for all of the advice, now I am smarter than I thought i was

If someone is going out soon for hali.. if you dont mind, take a picture of your setup, that would be awesome.    thanks in advance

i would like to know also . if there was any difference in rigging for live bait or frozen and or jigs. pics would be awesome. im thinking of trying at arw this weekend so trying to get as much info as possible before heading out. any spot suggestion=s for a newb?

i would like to know also . if there was any difference in rigging for live bait or frozen and or jigs. pics would be awesome. im thinking of trying at arw this weekend so trying to get as much info as possible before heading out. any spot suggestion=s for a newb?

Here's what I do...

Live bait:
3-way swivel
12" of 10lb test to a clip, then the lightest cannon ball that will keep the rig bouncing on the bottom 1oz to 4oz typically
36" of 15 lb test flouro w/ a 1 or 1/0 Owner octopus hook tied with a perfection loop
Nose hook or "neck" hook the bait
Drift as slowly as possible, when a fish hits give two pulls of line, then let it come tight before setting the hook.

Frozen bait:
3-way swivel
12" of 15lb test to a clip with the lightest cannon ball that will keep it hitting the bottom occasionally, typically 3oz to 8oz
18" of 30lb test to a small flasher/dodger, silver or silver with reflective tape, then 24"-36" of 20lb flouro to an RSK
Load the RSK with herring before mid-May, sardine or anchovy after mid-May
Paddle at a brisk pace, 2-2.5 mph, ensuring the lead hits the bottom every 15-30 yards, keep paddling when you get hit and let the momentum of your boat set the hook before you reach for the rod.

Jigs/Swim baits:
Let the drift do the work and gently pound the bottom every 5'-10'.
When the fish hits, hesitate for a "one count" then swing away!

Good luck!

fishin-jay, thnks. that would help a hell of alot. most informative. into the brain bank it goes.

There's a trolling rig.....I'd normally run a 5-6" herring but didn't have any on hand in my living room.


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I like that set up.

Tx for the picture, that looks sweet..

I have two additions to the thread after being on a phenom hali bite at the Channel Islands this past weekend. These pertain to fishing live fin bait (we were using sardines). I don't dare thnk i am anywhere near an expert, but after getting two 20#+ fish the differences between my rig and others was:

#1: ringed hooks. I am sold and will now use these for all live bait fishing
#2 Fluoro leader. The no stretch leader plus braid mainline really let me know how lively the 'dine was, and I went through multiple baits, fishing each for only 10 minutes or so before changing to a freshie. Once the vibes from the 'dine slowed down i knew I need reinforcements.

good luck on the flatties!

Piscean, I like ringed live bait hooks for larger baits like dines in open water, but for chovies, top smelt and shiners I like to tie the hook with a perfection loop. The bait can swim more naturally without the added weight of the ring.
I hear ya on the braid to fluro setup. You can really feel what's going on on the buisness end.
This bit of advice brought to you by the guy who is 0 for 30ish

Piscean, I like ringed live bait hooks for larger baits like dines in open water, but for chovies, top smelt and shiners I like to tie the hook with a perfection loop. The bait can swim more naturally without the added weight of the ring.

This is why I love this site. Thanks for that detailed bit of info Sharky, it is priceless! The perfection loop makes absolute sense with the lighter baits. I'm going to learn to tie that one for this exact application. Sweet!

What size hook do you use for the smaller baits with perfection loop, and what size do you use for the ringed live bait hook? No trailer/trap hook?  I had so many baits bit in half, I always use a two hook rig now, usually a sliding snell with treble and octopus hooks, like the Hayward rigs basically, but I dont use 3-ways most of the time just egg sinkers.

Personally, no 2 to 1/0 Owner mutu light circle ( with offset! NOT inline "tornament legal") or Owner light live bait.

For a stinger setup I'm still experimenting. I'm a little weary of sliders. Hali trend to go ballistic boatside. A powerful head shake at the boat can cause sudden friction with a resultant break off. It's happend to me with a slug.

Let's go halibut fishing

Though I don't use this method particularly myself the last rig is to go trolling with a twenty dollar bill at the front counter of a fish market.