MBK Derby Eeeeeearly this year!! MAY 2d-RF-Salmon-Halibut....WSB?

Oh man, when I read this post last night, I was seriously bummed...because I thought there was gonna be a conflict of events... Gimme Shelter has been held on opening wknd of RF season (May 15) since 2008? These are my two favorite events (for distinctly different reasons tho). So, thanks for moving the MBK derby to May 2! Much appreciated, Bushy and MBK. [although I may have to change my strategy this year since that's kinda early for big butts)

Rob, there are not pacific halibut to target down here. I know you've suggested it before, but it is not realistic. Just because it is deep, doesn't mean pacbutts are around...heck you can get to 400 fathoms within 3 miles of Moss Landing...you'd be more likely to hook a dang swordfish than a pacbutt! I'd guess the furthest south that you'd have a semi-realistic chance would be Noyo Canyon/?

taken from Humboldttuna.com:

username:  Ratboy

Is it legal to fish for Pac halibut in a rockfish conservation area?
There were a few caught down in monterey bay back when we could fish in 50 plus fathoms, I'm trying to find out if I can legally target pacifics in 300ft or more of water?

I've had some mixed responses that's why I'm asking you folks who target them often.

username: EurekaMarc (local charter captain in Eureka and also has caught first alabacore in Humboldt the last 2 years)

Ratboy,

I remember hearing stories of them caught out at deep reef off Davenport when we could fish out there. That has been a long time ago now. Maybe worth looking up the coast a bit in 50-80 fathoms. You may want to talk to some old draggers that used to fish down that way, I bet they will remember. Get a lot of scent down there.... many big oily baits. I would start near but not on rocks as you would get a pile of those big old goldeneyes if you get too close. The G-eyes bite just like a pac butt but then you know what you got when they start floating up and stop fighting. Good luck, I'm sure there are a few down there.

Username: Ratboy

Thanks Marc
I have a few places in mind where people have caught them in the past. I'm gunna dedicate a few days a month to target them, they are one of my fav eating fish for sure......

I appreciate any and all help. 


If I didn't own a gas hog and wasn't so broke the past 2 years, I would have fished Monterey and Santa Cruz by now.  If I get a chance next year I will prove you wrong.

If I was going to start somewhere it would be around here 36' 43.342N x 121' 54.158W
The dump site @ 36' 47.990N x 121' 49.001W would be another spot to try.

Also its not semi-realistic to catch halibut out of Noyo canyon.  The owner of Redwood Coast Spreader bars who make the Godfather rig for pacific halibut catches them there sometimes. 

I get more and better info from Humboldttuna.com than I have ever gotten from NCKA.  There are many guys on HumboldtTuna.com that fish for a living rather it be commercial or charter businesses and info is shared more freely here than anywhere south of Fort Bragg.

Interesting info for sure. I would believe a handful of pacbutts over the last 50yrs. Because it's the ocean...crazy things happen all the time. But it would seem pretty rare. I mean, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of anglers fishing the area. If they were plentiful, guys would be targeting them.

If I didn't own a gas hog and wasn't so broke the past 2 years, I would have fished Monterey and Santa Cruz by now.  If I get a chance next year I will prove you wrong.

Hey, I'm down! But you wouldn't just be proving ME wrong; you'd also be proving science & history wrong. I'm still down to try. Serious! I have always wondered what I'd catch if I dropped into 400fow.
And yeah, I know Matt too...I still think Noyo is the southernmost realistic chance to catch a pacbutt. 

I'm IN 

I am going to call in sick that day!!! 



-Kiel

I get more and better info from Humboldttuna.com than I have ever gotten from NCKA.  There are many guys on HumboldtTuna.com that fish for a living rather it be commercial or charter businesses and info is shared more freely here than anywhere south of Fort Bragg.

Uh, Ok.  But we at NCKA are SO much cooler and better looking as well.  Plus we kayak fish.

And, we know Andy Morales.  Case closed.

Bushy

I get more and better info from Humboldttuna.com than I have ever gotten from NCKA.  There are many guys on HumboldtTuna.com that fish for a living rather it be commercial or charter businesses and info is shared more freely here than anywhere south of Fort Bragg.

Uh, Ok.  But we at NCKA are SO much cooler and better looking as well.  Plus we kayak fish.

And, we know Andy Morales.  Case closed.

Bushy

  Guess we aren't what you're looking for.  We must be more about the brotherhood & the journey rather than the destination.  I only know of 1 commercial fisherman on here so.......  I heard FishSniffer offers good intel.   Move along ... nothing to see here folks!

I could care less if people are catching PacHali's, CalHali's or seadevil anglerfish...I'm just looking forward to some good friendly competition with some great friends on rockfish opening weekend! Can't wait Bushy 

I could care less if people are catching PacHali's, CalHali's or seadevil anglerfish...I'm just looking forward to some good friendly competition with some great friends on rockfish opening weekend! Can't wait Bushy 

Im burnt out on rockfish.  I want to hear my reel scream with a fish that has some real power and some challenge to landing it.  Rockfish aren't even considered a sportfish.

Oh man, when I read this post last night, I was seriously bummed...because I thought there was gonna be a conflict of events... Gimme Shelter has been held on opening wknd of RF season (May 15) since 2008? These are my two favorite events (for distinctly different reasons tho). So, thanks for moving the MBK derby to May 2! Much appreciated, Bushy and MBK. [although I may have to change my strategy this year since that's kinda early for big butts)

Rob, there are not pacific halibut to target down here. I know you've suggested it before, but it is not realistic. Just because it is deep, doesn't mean pacbutts are around...heck you can get to 400 fathoms within 3 miles of Moss Landing...you'd be more likely to hook a dang swordfish than a pacbutt! I'd guess the furthest south that you'd have a semi-realistic chance would be Noyo Canyon/?

Funny, I saw one hooked and lost at the kayak last year in a spot I have marked for this time out... They are there. just not thick...

I could care less if people are catching PacHali's, CalHali's or seadevil anglerfish...I'm just looking forward to some good friendly competition with some great friends on rockfish opening weekend! Can't wait Bushy 

Im burnt out on rockfish.  I want to hear my reel scream with a fish that has some real power and some challenge to landing it.  Rockfish aren't even considered a sportfish.

I didn't say anything about targeting rockfish for the tourney, it just happens to be opening weekend. I for one thoroughly enjoy catching them, regardless of what they're considered. To each his own

Looking forward to it! It'll be my first derby!

I'm definitely in.

Btw, you newcomers need to realize that halibut are mythical creatures---sorta the snipes of the ocean. So, all of this chatter about "cali" vs "pac" is just there to distract you from the fishing for things that actually exist...

Oh yeah! I'm in!

I could care less if people are catching PacHali's, CalHali's or seadevil anglerfish...I'm just looking forward to some good friendly competition with some great friends on rockfish opening weekend! Can't wait Bushy 

Im burnt out on rockfish.  I want to hear my reel scream with a fish that has some real power and some challenge to landing it.  Rockfish aren't even considered a sportfish.

I didn't say anything about targeting rockfish for the tourney, it just happens to be opening weekend. I for one thoroughly enjoy catching them, regardless of what they're considered. To each his own

We will all miss rockfish so much it'll feel like sport. I'm IN!

 IN !         I'd bet on Cen Coast pulling in a fat halibut for the win.

      Any difference in taste between  Pacific and Cali  Butts?