Kayak fishing for Halibut at Alameda Rock Wall

Going to head to the Alameda Rock Wall this Thursday for some afternoon fishing.
What seems to be the best bait between a:

flasher/ swim bait setup
or
drop shoting live bait?

also how far out from the rock wall is recommended to fish? From previous reports on here I was planning to start at the tip of the rockwall and zig zag my way back at a low speed.

I am a firm believer on live bait for Halibut fishing.  Troll along the break wall just out of casting range from shore anglers or anchor fishing in front of the flag pole.

If you can get your hands on some live bait, use it.  As far as where, Sailfish put you on the right path to get started.  It sometimes pays off to get right up next to the wall (10-15yrds), too, provided you're not cutting in front of anyone fishing from the wall itself.

If you're going to fish a swimbait (my favorite method) skip the flasher and just cast and retrieve it on/near the bottom. Try lots of different retrieves.

If you're fishing bait (live or dead), a "three way" rig is a good idea. Tie on a three way swivel. On one end tie on a short (1 foot or so) leader to a weight (anywhere from 1-8+ ounces, doesn't matter much). On the other end, tie a 2-3 foot leader to your hooks. Throw on some bait and drift/troll around looking for fish.

Keep in mind that halibut are mostly ambush predators. They lay in the sand waiting for something tasty to swim by. That means you need to keep your bait moving and cover a lot of water until you find them. When you do get a bite, fish the area THOROUGHLY. Halibut like to hang out in groups.

If you want to use a flasher, Google "bounce ball rig halibut" for some ideas.

There are usually lots of Jack Smelt at ARW. Drop a sabiki or toss a bobber with at couple small baited hooks under it. Use them for your live bait.

I set up a 3 way swivell with a ball weight, 5' of leader to a 3" flasher and a double hooked squid rig, which i will be attaching anchovy too.

I'll try the bobber method for jack smelt and if it goes well have my second rod drop shotting live bait, will report back tomorrow!

That's a pretty long leader. I would go with more like 3 feet between the 3-way and the flasher. Imagine all that gear dangling from the tip of your rod while you try to net/gaff a fish with something like 7 feet of line still out.

I realize some of the descriptions on the web call for that 5' leader, but as kayakers we often have to shorten them up. If the leader is too long in relation to the length of your rod, you won't be able to reach the fish to net/gaff it.

I thought it's illegal to gaff in SF Bay?

I thought it's illegal to gaff in SF Bay?

Just the short ones.

Oh, so SF Bay is not "inland waters". Cool.

1.53. INLAND WATERS. Inland waters are all the fresh, brackish and inland saline waters of the state, including lagoons and tidewaters upstream from the mouths of coastal rivers and streams. Inland waters exclude the waters of San Francisco and San Pablo bays downstream from the Carquinez Bridge, the tidal portions of rivers and streams flowing into San Francisco and San Pablo bays, and the waters of Elkhorn Slough, west of Elkhorn Road between Castroville and Watsonville.

That's a pretty long leader. I would go with more like 3 feet between the 3-way and the flasher. Imagine all that gear dangling from the tip of your rod while you try to net/gaff a fish with something like 7 feet of line still out.

I realize some of the descriptions on the web call for that 5' leader, but as kayakers we often have to shorten them up. If the leader is too long in relation to the length of your rod, you won't be able to reach the fish to net/gaff it.

3 feet it is! thanks for the advice

I set up a 3 way swivell with a ball weight, 5' of leader to a 3" flasher and a double hooked squid rig, which i will be attaching anchovy too.

I'll try the bobber method for jack smelt and if it goes well have my second rod drop shotting live bait, will report back tomorrow!

One pole only in San Francisco and San Pablo bays. The Napa river is another subject altogether. 

I set up a 3 way swivell with a ball weight, 5' of leader to a 3" flasher and a double hooked squid rig, which i will be attaching anchovy too.

I'll try the bobber method for jack smelt and if it goes well have my second rod drop shotting live bait, will report back tomorrow!

One pole only in San Francisco and San Pablo bays. The Napa river is another subject altogether. 

Is this a regional rule? I have my two rod stamp but didn't know there are areas only one rod can be used.

I set up a 3 way swivell with a ball weight, 5' of leader to a 3" flasher and a double hooked squid rig, which i will be attaching anchovy too.

I'll try the bobber method for jack smelt and if it goes well have my second rod drop shotting live bait, will report back tomorrow!

One pole only in San Francisco and San Pablo bays. The Napa river is another subject altogether. 

Is this a regional rule? I have my two rod stamp but didn't know there are areas only one rod can be used.

The two rod stamp only applies when fishing in fresh water. The ocean district allows unlimited poles. It also has pole restrictions in certain areas and or when fishing for certain species. San Francisco and San Pablo bays are restricted to one pole. Also daylight hours only when fishing from a boat I believe. Look for gear restriction on the species you plan to target. It seems the most popular are restricted.