Number of Hooks Allowed for Sand Dabs vs. Halibut

March 3, 2016

Question: How many hooks can be used when fishing for sand dabs? I was planning on using a Sabiki rig. How many hooks can I have on such a rig? Also, how many hooks can I have on my line while fishing for halibut? Is there a limit to the number in either of these situations? (Chris )J.

Answer:  There are no hook restrictions unless salmon, rockfish, cabezon, lingcod or greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos are onboard. If any of those species are onboard, then only two hooks may be used.

Wrong answer. There is a new reg, 2 hook limit is now in effect for pacific halibut.

Wrong answer. There is a new reg, 2 hook limit is now in effect for pacific halibut.

Actually it's eight if they are talking ca halibut, but yes for pacific halibut only 2 hooks and 1 line

Do pacific and ca halibut live in different bodies of water?
Wonder how such a rule would be enforced

Do pacific and ca halibut live in different bodies of water?
Wonder how such a rule would be enforced

It would be based on which fish you have in your possession.

Do pacific and ca halibut live in different bodies of water?
Wonder how such a rule would be enforced

It would be based on which fish you have in your possession.

It would probably be best to just use 1 line with 2 hooks whether targeting ca or pacific hali.

Pacific halibut aren't common south of Mendocino county. Up this way people usually target Pacifica much much deeper then they target California.

Where is there a limit on the number of hooks for California halibut?  I don't see anything restricting number of hooks except for the species Carrie listed plus pacific halibut.

Where is there a limit on the number of hooks for California halibut?  I don't see anything restricting number of hooks except for the species Carrie listed plus pacific halibut.

I am not seeing that either.

The answer has been revised.

Answer: There are no hook restrictions for sanddab or California halibut, but if Pacific halibut, salmon, rockfish, cabezon, lingcod, or greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos are onboard, then only two hooks on one line may be used (California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 28.65 and 28.20) . The gear restriction for Pacific halibut of no more than two hooks on one line is new this year (see pages 38-39 in the 2016-2017 Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet for the updated regulation).

So are you just to assume that you can use as many hooks as you want because it does not say anything in section 28.15 Halibut, California but it does say only 2 hooks in section 28.20 Pacific Halibut.

You don't have to assume, it's in the regs:

28.65. GENERAL. Except as provided in this article,  fin  fish may be taken only on hook-and-line or by hand. Any number of hooks and lines may be used in all ocean waters and bays except:

The exception for pacific halibut is not listed in 28.65, but it is in 28.20. The other restrictions are listed in 28.65. Inartful drafting but it is in the regs.

Awesome thank you for clearing that up.

So if I am reading 28.65 correctly  I can have 3 hooks when Halibut fishing in Paradise

Hook restrictions in the bay?

Hook restrictions in the bay?

Yes
28.65. GENERAL. Except as provided in this article, fin fish may be taken only on hook-and-line or
by hand. Any number of hooks and lines may be used in all ocean waters and bays except:
(a) San Francisco and San Pablo bays between the Golden Gate Bridge and the west Carquinez
Bridge, where only one line with not more than three hooks may be used.