Halibut Terminal Tackle

200 pound mono, 10 years old ... if stored in a dark place, I'd use it.   

-Allen

what about using wire leaders? I also have some rolls of 30, 60, 100 and 200lb from my Ulua gear. I would think that a 30 lb coated wire lead should hold up to the teeth.

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Thanks, Allen!  Those are some goooooood tips!

X2. BTW do you see much different in the behavior of PacButts here in Wa compared to Ak?

200 pound mono, 10 years old ... if stored in a dark place, I'd use it.   

-Allen

what about using wire leaders? I also have some rolls of 30, 60, 100 and 200lb from my Ulua gear. I would think that a 30 lb coated wire lead should hold up to the teeth.

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I'd size up.  A butt doing a headshake when on the leader can snap 30 no problem.

-Allen

Thanks, Allen!  Those are some goooooood tips!

X2. BTW do you see much different in the behavior of PacButts here in Wa compared to Ak?

I don't know.  Last time I caught a butt in WA was years and years ago off a boat.  The fishing was totally different back then.  Big ol' horse herring and pounds on lead.

Actually, not totally different.  Banging a big copper pipe jig was common (still is!).  Big broomstick rods and non-stretch dacron.

These techniques have served me well in Prince Williams Sound and near Ketchikan.  Note that Ketchikan is actually closer to WA than to PWS so this is really over a large range.

I do notice that the 10" jigs tend to weed out the smaller micro-butts.  You mostly get 20# and up.  Same areas fished with smaller jigs produced markedly more little guys.  You don't really have that problem in WA/OR as there aren't as many of these micro-butts.

-Allen

As one of a few who actually landed a Butt in Wa. from the yak last year, here's what I used.

Is there an NWKA hall of fame for posts? If not, there needs to be!

In regards to steelon, I haven't had very good experiences with it. I've broken off the 45# every time I've hooked into a big fish. Seems like fishing for halibut in WA you often get 1 shot (if that). I wouldn't trust steelon. Their teeth are gnarly, but not like a shark's. IMHO heavy mono is the way to go. 200+.

+1 w/Rory. Heavy mono in that range from 100lb test. Wa does offer but few chances for a hookup so make it count.

I picked up some of the blue tuna cord leaders.