| Halibut fishing is extremely popular for two | | | | will most likely get a bite than those that |
| reasons. One, that its white flaky meat makes | | | | resemble tastier looking "treats" like a small fry on |
| for good eating. Two, these fishes are huge - and | | | | hook or a dripping mackerel head. The same is |
| we all know catching huge fish makes for good | | | | true when it comes to Alaskan halibut species. |
| story telling. Seriously speaking though, trying to | | | | Some may be literally gorging on the abundance |
| land a halibut can be an exhilarating affair. Alaskan | | | | of marine crabs. |
| species can grow to a staggering 400 pounds, | | | | Any brightly colored lure that moves like a crab |
| while its North American counterparts (particularly | | | | will very likely coax the shy giants to have a |
| those that grow in Californian waters) grow to a | | | | nibble. It's easy enough to figure out what the fish |
| size that is not that far behind. Spending the day | | | | is going for at the moment. Simply take a general |
| out to catch these really gorgeous fishes can | | | | survey as to what the most abundant smaller |
| certainly yield great results, if you know how. | | | | marine life is in one area. The more plentiful these |
| However, fishing for this odd-eyed beauty is not | | | | "baits" are; the more chances that you will get |
| as simple as tossing it a line and crossing your | | | | more bites and a heavier catch. |
| fingers. There are certain tricks on how to tickle | | | | Keeping the catch or not |
| the halibut pink. | | | | There are some anglers who like to keep their |
| Choose your bait with care | | | | catch, and there are those who prefer to have a |
| 1. First of all, halibuts are opportunistic feeders. | | | | few pictures taken and return the fishes to their |
| They will try to take a nibble (or more likely, | | | | watery domain. Depending on where you are |
| pounce) on anything that looks remotely edible. | | | | currently throwing your lines, catches are |
| This is the reason why many people will try just | | | | sometimes limited to 2 per person. This allows for |
| about any lure to get the halibut to bite. However, | | | | a sustainable sport fishing practice, and helps keep |
| some fishes will certainly get to biting, but not | | | | the area stocked with large halibuts. |
| that often as you might hope for and the bigger | | | | If you are the latter type of angler, it would suit |
| prizes will most likely stay away. So how to you | | | | the fishes better if you use circle hooks (as |
| coax the sand dwelling, heavier-than-normal halibut | | | | opposed to J-hooks) to land a bite; and fine |
| to bite more often? Well, you have to consider | | | | meshes as nets when you are hauling in the |
| the delicacy of the moment. Most predatory | | | | catch. The circle hooks will make the fishing |
| water feeders will lose caution if they are offered | | | | process less damaging to the mouth parts of the |
| something that they are currently enjoying. | | | | fish. The fine mesh makes it less damaging to the |
| For example: some Californian halibut species may | | | | delicate tail of the halibut. Any injury in those |
| have been feeding on squid for the past few | | | | areas will mostly likely cause the halibut flesh |
| seasons, and squids remain bountiful in the area. | | | | decay, and the fish is bound to die in the water |
| Any lure that resembles these aquatic creatures | | | | sooner than anyone wishes for. |