| Halibut fishing is somewhat limited in available | | | | bait works best, especially bait that is pungent and |
| locations, if you want the best catch. Knowing | | | | can spread through the waters to attract fish. |
| where to look is half the battle of making a | | | | You'll also want to change the bait every 20-30 |
| successful halibut fishing excursion. Keep in mind | | | | minutes when halibut fishing to keep the smell |
| that halibut prefer cold, deep waters, mainly off | | | | fresh and attract more bites. Though weights of |
| the northwestern coast of the United States and | | | | up to two pounds may be required to keep the |
| Canada. | | | | bait on the bottom in very heavy winds, you |
| Of course, the other things that are important to | | | | should always use the least amount of weight |
| guarantee a great catch are having the right bait | | | | necessary for the best results. |
| and using the right gear. To get you started, here | | | | In terms of the best halibut fishing locations, there |
| are some tips on finding the best sources for | | | | are six places that rate at the top of the list. |
| halibut fishing, where you are guaranteed a good, | | | | Neah Bay Washington on the United States side |
| large catch, as well as some inside information on | | | | of Swiftsure Bank is a great place to find |
| the best gear and bait to use in the process. | | | | excellent halibut fishing. Here, during open season |
| Of course, there are several ways to send bait | | | | (call for information on seasonal fishing), you |
| to the bottom (halibut are bottom feeders that | | | | should target waters between 200 and 600 feet |
| typically dwell in waters at least 100 feet deep, if | | | | deep, and you are more than likely to produce |
| not more), but the most important tactic to | | | | your daily limits of halibut. |
| remember is to use heavy lead. This is the only | | | | You may also wish to visit Craig, Alaska, where |
| way to keep the bait on the bottom in the heavy | | | | halibut fishing is enormously successful. Per the |
| winds that pervade in areas where halibut is | | | | Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce, the |
| plentiful. | | | | average catch is .6 halibut per hour, a remarkable |
| You may want to try using heavy monofilament | | | | number of fish. This means greater return with |
| for halibut fishing, and with this, a sliding weight | | | | less time invested, a great way to be sure to |
| system will work best. This lets the halibut mouth | | | | make a profit. Another great halibut fishing |
| at the bait without ever feeling the weight on the | | | | location is the Queen Charlotte Islands. On the |
| line. It is important to remember, however, that | | | | west side, you'll find outrageous numbers of |
| this method requires that the fish find the bait by | | | | jumbo halibut swimming in the deep waters |
| smell rather than by sight. This means that live | | | | around the bay. |