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Weather
& Tides (links
below)
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Before planning your halibut fishing trip,
halibut.net suggests you first check the phase of the moon during your
trip and then the tides for the area and weather. The phase of the
moon will effect your halibut fishing as well as any other
bottomfishing you might try. A full moon will cause higher, swifter
tides that make it difficult to keep your halibut baits or halibut
lures on or very near the bottom. This doesn't mean you won't catch
halibut, it simply means you will have to use different halibut
fishing techniques. For instance, anchoring for halibut can be very
effective, even during the strongest tides of the month.
The largest halibut I've taken to date, a
whopping 325 pound trophy halibut, was taken during the strongest tide
of the month. We anchored our 25 foot boat in a known halibut bed and
then lowered our whole salmon heads to the bottom, with the aid of
four pound leads. Our anchorage was 320 feet deep. It would not have
been possible to stay on the bottom without the use of 80 pound test
superbraid line, (thin diameter, strong breaking strength) or without
the heavier lead.
For years everyone has said you will catch
more halibut during slack tides. This is true only because that's
typically when the majority of halibut anglers pursue halibut.
However, the expert halibut guides know they can fish for halibut and
catch halibut during any tidal phase, if they go to the right spot.
| Tip:
When planning your halibut fishing trip, try to plan to take
advantage of the two best times to have your halibut baits or
halibut lures on or near the bottom: |
| #1 High
slack |
| #2 Low
slack |
| Many locations throughout
the Pacific Ocean, where Pacific halibut are numerous and where
they are scarce, you'll find areas that produce only one tidal
phase. For instance, your best halibut fishing buddy might give
you his best halibut fishing GPS numbers, that produced limits
of halibut last week. Great, you plug the numbers into the GPS
and go the halibut hotspot and fish for hours without so much as
a bite. Why?
Look at the chart of the area, then
note when your buddy experienced great halibut fishing action.
If he was there during an outgoing tide chances are the location
won't produce unless you fish the outgoing tide. Upon close
inspection of the chart you might figure out where in the area
to try next. For instance, if the known halibut hotspot only
produces on an outgoing tide, you should look for an area that's
deeper, in the opposite direction of the tidal flow. The same is
true for the opposite tide. I've often found small banks in the
Pacific Ocean loaded with halibut on the incoming tides, here's
why. The main halibut beds in many areas, depending on time of
year, (deeper early in the season, shallower later in the
summer) are located in deeper water. As the tide pushes toward
the east (incoming) it moves baitfish onto shallow banks,
creating a perfect opportunity for halibut and other bottomfish
(salmon included) to feed on numerous baits. Also watch for
deeper water areas and canyons closer to shore when planning
your outgoing tide halibut trips.
Hopefully you'll find an area rich with
halibut willing to bite your favorite halibut bait or halibut
lure. Regardless of where you choose to fish, you should always
keep a logbook of your activity. This simple practice will
enable you to figure out what you did right or what you did
wrong during your day of halibut fishing. If you own your own
boat, it's always a great idea to hire a guide for at least one
day. There knowledge and skill will help you to learn the unique
qualities of any halibut fishing area throughout the Pacific
Ocean, regardless of which fish you pursue. Good
Luck!
Weather
Most weather forecast aren't accurate
along the coastal areas beyond about 48 to 72 hours. The Pacific
Ocean weather patterns can change quickly so be prepared and
don't take chances. Not even the biggest trophy halibut is worth
risking your life. Stay safe... |
We hope you enjoyed
visiting
|
Copyright
John
L. Beath 2000 halibut.net a division
of Pacific Lure Communications |
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