Hali Tides & Moon

Hello NCKA Hali slayers,
How do you choose the best tides and moon for Hali fishing in the Bay Area (OP, ARW, etc.)? And how, if at all, do you adjust your gear/technique to them (e.g., heavier sinker on higher tide coefficient)

From what I know, Hali habitat is sand, and they hunt when visibility is good (clear water, enough light). I also heard they like warmer water (so should be targeted in shallower water, but how shallow?).
So if this is true, then tides with lower coefficients following a dark night would be ideal because the Hali wouldn’t have enough visibility to hunt during the night, and during the day the low tide coefficient would help maintain the water clear, and trigger their bite. I’m not sure if my logic is right though.

Any thoughts? Recommendations?

I’m not super experience in halibut fishing. From my few excursions I’ve learned that the fishing tends to be better with smaller differences between low and high tide. I’ve also seen lots of halibut caught from 5 FOW to 25 FOW.

For me, the best tides and moon occur when I have the day off and no other responsibilities. 

For me, the best tides and moon occur when I have the day off and no other responsibilities. 

That's what I'm talkin' bout'...

That’s a good thread:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=93269.msg1051979#msg1051979

And it mentions this article:
https://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/article/Other-fish-down-but-a-great-May-for-halibut-on-3213032.php

Which says that tides with 3-4ft coefficient are the best.

I think you're overthinking it. The smaller the tide, the better. I haven't noticed any correlation with moon phase over the years, but nights with no moon will have bigger tides, so there's that.
Deeper water or more current=more weight. Have caught them from 4 to 70 FOW. Lower visibility=gear closer to the bottom (shorter dropper).
Warm water is good-heat waves sometimes trigger hot bites.

For me, the best tides and moon occur when I have the day off and no other responsibilities. 

Ha!  For me, the best conditions always occur when I do have other responsibilities and cant go! 

For me, the best tides and moon occur when I have the day off and no other responsibilities. 

Ha!  For me, the best conditions always occur when I do have other responsibilities and cant go!

Haha. So true

For Santa Cruz, the smaller the tide swing, the better and I’ve heard that the water temp needs to get to about 60.

There have been a ton of halibut the last couple of years, so if you get out there, you’ll catch some. But those monster 45+ inchers don’t grow on trees...

For Santa Cruz, the smaller the tide swing, the better and I’ve heard that the water temp needs to get to about 60.

There have been a ton of halibut the last couple of years, so if you get out there, you’ll catch some. But those monster 45+ inchers don’t grow on trees...

Thanks!