| Make no mistake about it. Halibut fishing can be | | | | of the day fishing. As a rule, halibuts start biting |
| year-round. Alaskan and Californian waters are | | | | shortly after mid-morning and just a few hours |
| stocked with fish that almost anyone can have a | | | | before dusk. So if you are comfortable in your |
| great fishing season anytime. However, the key | | | | fishing gear and on your boat, you can maximize |
| to making the season successful is to catch one | | | | your time on the water. |
| or two of the bigger games. After all, what is a | | | | However, if you are getting too warm for your |
| better way to end the season than landing | | | | clothes (in Californian weather) or your tootsies |
| yourself a 400-pound monster? It does not | | | | are almost falling off (Alaskan weather) you will |
| matter if this is your first time fishing, or that you | | | | become too impatient and lose all the really good |
| are a seasoned angler, or that you are doing this | | | | bites. Also, make sure that the actual day you |
| on a professional basis. There are ways to ensure | | | | are planning to be out on the water is cloud and |
| that you will get a great halibut fishing season this | | | | potentially rain free. Halibuts tend to stay less |
| time round. Here are some tips: | | | | prone to hunt when the weather turns foul. |
| Acquaint yourself with the local fishing regulations. | | | | Acquaint yourself with the fishing environs. You |
| Seasoned anglers and professional fishing | | | | have your bait. You have your hooks. You have |
| enthusiasts know that nothing will defeat your | | | | been sitting on your boat doing everything |
| purpose faster than being poorly prepared to face | | | | humanly possible for the halibuts to start biting. |
| the fishing season. The one mistake most first | | | | But the thing is: nothing is biting - not the Pollock's, |
| timers make is concentrating on the hooks and | | | | not the cods and certainly not the sand dwelling |
| baits to use. Although these are indeed important | | | | halibut. Although technically, any bait can land any |
| to any fishing trip, the primary consideration | | | | fish, halibuts have been known to be "selective" |
| should always be the actual fishing ground. | | | | predators. They do not just pounce on anything |
| There are many regulations and local laws | | | | that comes floating. They may take a nibble, but |
| surrounding specific fishing grounds. Some may | | | | that does not mean you will be landing the fish on |
| impose a strict 2-catch-per-person rule. Others | | | | your boat anytime soon. |
| may ban certain fishing paraphernalia or bait. | | | | The trick is to serve the halibut something that |
| Others may be limiting the number of actual | | | | resembles the available fish food in the area. If |
| fishing enthusiasts out on boat on a particular day. | | | | brightly colored marine crabs are bountiful in the |
| Make sure that you know precisely what the local | | | | area, you might want to try one or two |
| conventions are, especially if you are on a | | | | fluorescent baits. If squid is abundant, you might |
| catch-and-release "license." | | | | want to switch to baiting your lines with chunks |
| Acquaint yourself with the local weather situation. | | | | of fish meat, intestines and gunk. These do not |
| Halibut fishing on a balmy Californian weather is | | | | necessarily attract the halibut, but these do |
| different from doing the same activity in a balmy | | | | attract the squids. Sooner of later, the halibut is |
| Alaskan weather. Weather is a huge factor | | | | bound to score on an attached line, lunging for its |
| especially if you intend to spend the greater part | | | | meal. |