Humpday butts?

Got the day off tomorrow and the weather looks beautiful.

Anyone else going out tomorrow? Thinking about heading to Alameda unless I can figure out somewhere closer to Vallejo.

Ebayfisher and I will be out tomorrow.  Location tbd but somewhere in the east bay.  PM me if you want to join us.

- Kevin

PM sent

How’d it go for you guys?  Debating the rock wall tomorrow and for sure next weekend.

How’d it go for you guys?  Debating the rock wall tomorrow and for sure next weekend.

I think it got posted on the 2019 Ocean and bay halibut report thread...

I got a 29" and more_fish got a 30".

Also 4 leopards to 36", one lingcod, and one cabezon was caught.

How fast do you troll/drift?

Do you keep the ball on the sand or let it bounce?

Trying to get out for some halibut.

Thanks.

In general:
Drift if you are fishing live bait and use the minimum weight to keep it on the bottom (I like 2oz). 

Troll between 3-5 mph and use more weight the deeper you go.  I like 6oz for a lot of the bay but some will use up to 16oz and cover a lot of ground.  Let your weight bounce (aka constantly checking depth).. we like to call it "ringing the dinner bell"

In general:
Drift if you are fishing live bait and use the minimum weight to keep it on the bottom (I like 2oz). 

Troll between 3-5 mph and use more weight the deeper you go.  I like 6oz for a lot of the bay but some will use up to 16oz and cover a lot of ground.  Let your weight bounce (aka constantly checking depth).. we like to call it "ringing the dinner bell"

Everyone has their own technique and each fishing area has methods that work better than others.  I've never fished OP and have only done ARW twice.  The bulk of my halibut experience is solely at Richmond, SHS, Paradise, and Tomales Bay.

I troll 90% of the time, live bait or dead bait.  I like to keep moving.  My troll speed is usually around 1-2mph.  If the current is hauling, then I will just drift with it to get my desired speed.
My weight depends on the tidal change, depth I'm fishing, and which rod/setup I'm using.  In the bay, I typically use 3oz but have gone up to 6oz on a big tide day if I'm fishing less than 25ft of water.  In Tomales, I usually go with 4-5oz and up to 9oz when fishing up to 45ft of water. 
My techniques won't be exactly perfect for you.  I've logged so much time on my setups to tailor them for me depending on where I'm going. 

Nice.

I use an Ugly Stik Tiger Med/heavy. Do you think it will be ok or should I get something else?

Nice.

I use an Ugly Stik Tiger Med/heavy. Do you think it will be ok or should I get something else?

Hate to make you spend money...that will work to get you started...for most fish I think most yakkers are using m to ml rods that hold up to 50lb braid...Shimano trevala...tiger stick ML...others will pipe up with options, but get that one you got rigged up and go fish...

Nice.

I use an Ugly Stik Tiger Med/heavy. Do you think it will be ok or should I get something else?

That'll work.  Since you have a heavier rod, you'll likely end up using slightly heavier weight to get that rod tip bouncing on the bottom.  I'm a believer of use what you got and it really depends where you're going.

Once you get things dialed in, then consider spending some money.  I have a few slightly lighter setups than your Ugly Stik that I can sell if you want to buy something cheap. 

In general:
Drift if you are fishing live bait and use the minimum weight to keep it on the bottom (I like 2oz). 

Troll between 3-5 mph and use more weight the deeper you go.  I like 6oz for a lot of the bay but some will use up to 16oz and cover a lot of ground.  Let your weight bounce (aka constantly checking depth).. we like to call it "ringing the dinner bell"

I have a hard time picturing 4 or 5mph and maintaining contact with the bottom without using a boat anchor for a sinker...

Nice.

I use an Ugly Stik Tiger Med/heavy. Do you think it will be ok or should I get something else?

That'll work.  Since you have a heavier rod, you'll likely end up using slightly heavier weight to get that rod tip bouncing on the bottom.  I'm a believer of use what you got and it really depends where you're going.

Once you get things dialed in, then consider spending some money.  I have a few slightly lighter setups than your Ugly Stik that I can sell if you want to buy something cheap.

I think I have a medium 7’. I’ll check. I know my bass poles are lighter action but I’m not sure of the lure weight capacity.

Appreciate the help.

Rob

I dont troll too much - seems I'd end up -bounce that weight into a trophy butt have it shut down imho......drift...keep the bait 5-7' high ,so they have to commit to feeding and eave their bed to get up to the bait..then its goes into the vacuum, I do bounce a lot when moving ,a hundred ft or so, to not have to reel up , but my best results come when I find a quiet area with no one coming or going for a bit ,and the quiet comes back... slicks mark temp changes and current changes so i do little circles in the areas waters colors change.. also I drift around grebe or puffin they chase the bait the butts are after...puffin will mark the fish as they work with them (or against) to get missed baits..imho