Halibut bait or lure of choice

[casper5280]

I have been out 7 trips this year and have not got a halibut. I have put more time in this year fishing for halibut then any other year and still nothing. Looking back over my logs I have managed about 2-3 halibut a year, and that has been with very little effort, must admit some of those were from Swiftsure Bank. I have been in the right places, as I have been anchored near some of the top guides sometimes. I have tried drifting sometimes, but prefer to anchor. I have been using 10"-12" hootchies with sent containers and bait. I have also used just baited hooks. Powerbait Grubs and a leaded head. And still nothing. So just wondering what some of you that have been catching them are using. Or any other tips you care to share.

 

[Ofishal]

I like a big cicle hook and a big ole chunk of octopus, or pink salmon

 

[Steelhead S2]

x2. But I am no expert. Really like salmon.

 

[spring fever]

I'm using a Pirates Den squid which comes with a double flashing LED Light inside. It only comes with a single 5/0-6/0 hook of questionable pedigree and again the line is questionable-so I rerig with quality line,swivel,and hooks. I use a salmon belly or Octopus for bait. I am not a halibut fisherman by any means and I'm sure there are more sophisticated ways to catch them but this hooked up 2 real quick and I could get back to what I'd rather do-Salmon fish. Don't know where you are but Berry's bait , Gone fishing and Harbour Chandler carry them plus a few more stores. They are pretty new!

 

[VanCity Tyee]

Salmon belly

 

[IronNoggin]

I'm more of a Drifter when chasing flat ones. And a Firm believer in location!

Tried a lot of things over the years for them...

If NO Dogfish around - I've found squid, salmon belly/heads and whole (large) herring or pilchards do a very good job.
When the doggies are a problem, pretty much run spreader bars and the big white Power Grubs exclusively.

Good Luck!

Cheers,
Nog

 

[peetz]

Herring outfished salmon bellies ... 3-0 yesterday for us

 

[Yak]

Herring on a spreader bar has caught most the halibut on my boat. Although I do prefer to fish lead head jigs as I find spreader bars twist up and entangle everything within 20 feet of them...

Yak

 

[scott craven]

Yup, herring, salmon bellies, and Mackerel
have never used grubs, although i'm sure they work.
When there's dogfish around, theres usually Halibut also.
you just have to wait for a current where the dogfish
have trouble staying on the bait.

 

[Sharphooks]

The bait of choice used by some of the commies I talk to (not in any particular order):

1) Octo
2) Chum heads (split)
3) whole pinks
4) Illex squid (Argentine origin preferred)
5) whole round pollock
6) Humboldt

herring is assumed because that's always available, but larger (200 grams) preferred

Lot of guys starting to inject oil---I just shipped a few pallets ---the charter guys to the north of you go through piles of it

 

[wolf]

Good ol herring naked has its own scent I seem to do ok oh and fresh octy is good as well.

 

[NautiGirl]

body parts of skippers who anchor too close!

 

[Hook'Em Hard]

I believe they eat anything just keep trying. Herring is a favorite for most but not required.

 

[greenhornet]

I like to use a power bait grub with a piece of salmon with it,works really well and put on lunker lotion,salmon and you have a winner....

Tight lines
Billydoo

 

[TheSookesOfHazzard]

I use a similar set-up as you casper; hootchie and bait. So far this year Herring and Mackeral seem to be catching the same amount of fish. I've also threaded on some Octo about the other bait in case the main bait gets stolen. Adding scent seems to help, but I use it more to cover up human scents. Good tides this week giver another go!

 

[boomer]

What's with the extra picture on profile

 

[Barnacle Bill]

For those of you that use herring for halibut, do you brine it, or just use it fresh? ...............BB

 

[fishnrod]

Anchor. Wait for them to come to you. Nothin beats pink bellies and a little bit of "Butt Juice"

 

[wolf]

Right out of the package thawed sent down the best when we could get it by far was gorge herring it had a smell all of its own and hali loved them personally you cant beat "natural" smell most of these after market scent stink of things ive never smelt before its sort of like a "fear factor" sort of game to see who can take a big sniff with out puking LOL LOL. trust me in saying if there is fish in an area they will bite halibut are predators they will almost eat anything .

Good luck Wolf

 

[peetz]

x2 on the Gorge herring .... the good ol days when you could actually get as many as you wanted