Advanced Floattube Halibut Techniques using Artificial baits

"In search of Big Butts" part 2
By Michael Klasno

In part one of this article we discussed Conditions, location and Equipment. Now down to the good stuff. When I started compiling the information for this article I spoke with a lot of experienced halibut fishermen. Most had great equipment, rig & live bait techniques suggestions. But few had great success using artificial unless they were tipped with frozen squid. So I started talking just to experienced float tubers like Steve & Greg Cope and Chris Moody. Following are just a few of the artificial lure tips and techniques that these successful halibut fishermen use to get the keepers we all are in search of.

 

When the Brothers Cope hit the beaches around Long Beach, Ca. The halibut of the area are in deep trouble. These two guys are on the water every weekend, they are so serious about their float tube fishing that they keep a water proof fish log with them on the water and record ALL of the fish they catch. It includes conditions such as, water temps, bait used, and fish count, every aspect is covered. We discussed different techniques and when I asked Steve what was his best tip, he was quick to answer. "The technique we use is almost always the same. We drag 3" grubs and swim baits rigged on 1/16 or 1/8 oz. leadheads along the bottom." Greg was just as quick to ad that the painted leadheads, complete with eyes work best. "We just cruise up and down the beach usually zigzagging between the shore and the swim buoys until we find a zone that is holding fish." said Greg "When you catch a fish in a certain area you should work that spot for a while because there are usually more there." When I asked them about the use of scent attractants such as Smelly Jelly, sardine oil or the other paste the brothers were in agreement, Sometimes yes and sometimes No, "You have to experiment and see what the fish want on a particular day."

 

One of their other tips you might want to try if you are getting a lot of short bites is to put your reel in free spool. When a fish starts biting just let the fish run with the bait for a little bit before setting the hook. This technique works best when using a scent, which seems to make the fish hold the plastic longer. Greg finished our conversation with these words of encouragement. "Even though we catch a lot of halibut as well as other fish, catching a keeper halibut on plastics does not come that often. Try to stay focused and treat each bite like it is the keeper. That way when you get that fish, and it will happen someday, you are not surprised and do something to cause the fish to get off.

Most weekends Chris Moody can be found prowling the back bays or beaches of southern California from San Diego to Santa Monica. Chris has caught many halibut and uses some of the same techniques mentioned above, but tends to use a Texas rigged swimbait or curltail on a short sliding sinker setup most often. He uses a weight just heavy enough to keep contact with the bottom. "I use a mixture of my own paste when ever I fish the saltwater" says Moody. "With the Texas rig and a short leader I know I am in the zone, and the scent helps attract fish. I can let the fish eat it or set the hook quickly depending on the current conditions." Chris' favorite color for halibut is white, sometimes with a splash of red or pink but most of his keeper halibut have been caught on white.

"In the summer when the water temp gets up in the high 60's low 70's I target the flatties in Los Alamitos Bay and Huntington flats with this rig. The tide swings there are sometimes as much as 8'. The halibut and flounder can be found in water as shallow as 2 foot. I use light line, 6-8# and shorten the leader to 18" on the Texas rig. You can pick up fish all day long on this rig and a keeper is just a cast away.

Landing and Handling

If you are fortunate enough to hook a legal flattie the next thing you need to know is now to land it. Make no mistake, when first hooked the butt is in charge. He will make his first run and mostly you will just sit there in awe. If he stays hooked and when and if he stops, your job will be to turn his head up and towards you. This accomplished you will be in for a good fight. You should apply short strokes with a medium drag. Your drag should be set to let him have line when ever he makes a fast run, just keep his head coming. Do Not, try to over power these early runs. Most of the fish lost happen when the fisherman tries to be the boss too early. The rest of the lost fish come when the fisherman thinks he has his trophy when he sees color. The fallacy with this?, it's also the first time the halibut see the tuber. He will turn his head and make a quick run and as he does he rubs those sharp teeth against the line and "Good Bye."

Hopefully, you have hooked the halibut in the mouth and he is biting down on the hook or leadhead. If this is the case you can relax a little, but don't get over confident, there is still a lot to do. If you believe this is a legal halibut the smartest thing to do is net the fish. This is best done, by sliding the net into the water under the fish and guiding the fish over the net. When in position, lift the net as you lower pressure on the fish's head. He should slide into the net without much trouble. HAH! This is sometimes easier said than done and may take a couple of tries. "

Another thing to keep in mind is handling the fish once it is caught. You can easily injure a fish as well as yourself if you don't handle the fish properly." says Steve Cope. "You should handle the fish as little as possible by wetting your hand or using a wet rag to grasp it just behind the head and gill cover. I try to avoid using a net unless I am sure it is a keeper and I am going to eat it. Using a net tends to split the fishes tail."

If this is a Big Halibut the best way to land him is with a gaff. All southern california float tube and kayak fishermen should be carring a small, 18" - 36" gaff with a cord loop at all times. From a right hand fishermen prospective; Once your fish has made his final big run and you have worked him back to your float tube, insert your hand through the cord loop and take a secure grip on the gaff. With the rod in your right hand and the gaff in your left, position the gaff below the fish and target the head area around the dorsil fin. With a quick fluid motion come up with the gaff and follow through with the motion. If you miss, hopefully you don't catch the line, DON"T panic! Just ty again. If you nail him clean hold on tightly because he is going to be pissed. If you hit just the right spot, the brain stim I believe, the fish will go limp.

If you or your fishing partner doesn't have a net or a gaff and the fish is a sure keeper your only other choice is to beach the fish. Here you hope that you are close to the shore and the fish is hooked in the mouth. If not, you are in trouble. Watching a float tuber beaching a big fish is sometimes the funniest sight to see. Be careful and have a sense of humor. Beaching the fish can be accomplished by keeping pressure on the fish and guiding it as you kick to the beach. Once into shallow water you can stand and if possible exit your tube. Use the waves to get the fish onto the beach and capture him. Warning, beaching your catch should be a last resort, carry a net AND a gaff.

If you are lucky enough to get a legal halibut on artificials from your tube, try to get a picture of it and e-mail it to us. We would love to hear your story. I want to thank Steve & Greg Cope, & Chris Moody for their help with this article. I hope this information helps someone in their future angling experience.