The 3 S's
Take me fishing, I'll show you. Just kidding... 100 fisherman, 100 different styles.. So whats the best? We all know it's based on factors like weather and conditions, eqipment used, what bait you have available, but most importantly is the amount of patience the boat has collectively.
1 - Just as real estate is valued by location, location, location.. Halibut fishing uses the same principal, if you're drift fishing or anchoring take the time to position yourself by sounding it out. Full stop near a Kelp bed, Rock, or Nav Aid and take a way point also then see which way the tide and wind take you from it. Compare whats actually happening to the tide chart, generalize whats going to happen for the duration of the fishing. Position yourself accordingly.
2 - I'll use my rig as an example. 80 lb braided line to a barrel swivel with 1lb ball on a scissor clip, 3' - 4' 130lb mono attached to same barrel swivel, 16/0 circle hook with barrel swivel in the eye. Manually, in a vice add a slight off set in the cirlcle hook.
3 - I'm not an Octopus, or Squid fan for Halibut bait as I feel it attracts more unwanted species but I'll use it at first to clear out any Spiny fish. Use Salmon. Imagine a palm size portion of a fillet, cut through the center down to the skin but not through it, cover it in scent at this point if you want, fold it together skin to skin. put the circle hook through the most aerodynamic end, piercing the two layers of skin. Add a coho head and send that baby down.
4 - I'm an anchor guy, I'll sit there all day if the tide lets me. Fishing any more than a 2lb ball on a 45 degree angle is pointless, call it a day or go Salmon fishing.
The 3 S's. Sound Smell Sight
Sound - Leave the rod in the rod holder, no jigging! Constantly adjust the line so that the ball hits the ground once every 5 - 7 waves. Seldom.
Smell - We are sending down nice bait, the tide will carry the scent downstream hopefully attracting the targetted species.
Sight - The sound and smell has caught the attention of a hungry Halibut, now it see's it. Go time!
There is a 4th S:
Set - Reel to set, your reel's drag was set so that you need a lot of arm strength to pull it off the reel. Now your rod is bending and it's quite obvious theres a fish on. Leave the rod in the holder, grab the reel by cupping your hand over the left side and reel, using this method will allow you to control the wobble effect of reeling and free up your index finger to guide the line on to the spool evenly. Level wind reels should be left South of the border. Look at the spool as you reel, I've seen guys reel wildely and get nothing because the lever was out of position or the drag was set too low. The circle hook is Self Energizing, constant pressure sets these hooks. A jerk type set will rarely work, lowering the rod allows loss of tension and the fish is gone. Reeling to set keeps constant pressure, use the waves to pull the fish up, reel down the wave, wave pulls the fish up, reel down the wave........ once the fish is set, pull the rod and go for it. If it's really big, or the person doesn't have the strength, put the top foam of the rod on to the gunnell, butt in the crotch, left hand cupping the reel........
This method is tried, tested, proven on hundreds of large Halibut with guests on a guided boat that were very experienced or have never fished before.
