Blind Squirrels and Halibut

There is a nice article in this weeks WA F&H about shallow water halibut.  The guy fishes an average depth of 50-80 feet in the western Straits (Sekiu to Neah Bay) with catches as shallow as 30 feet.  He looks for sandy areas near rocky peaks.  Basically the halibut come in shallow to feed, and the creatures living on the rocks are food.  Often times he'll catch greenling on the rocks then livebait them on the sand flats just off the rocks.  Note that they are still somewhat structure oriented so perhaps trolling blind in the open flats might not be worth your time.  Maybe head straight to the structure, fish it for rockfish when on it, then keep working it a bit longer as you drift off it in the hopes of finding a butt.

-Allen

There is a nice article in this weeks WA F&H about shallow water halibut.  The guy fishes an average depth of 50-80 feet in the western Straits (Sekiu to Neah Bay) with catches as shallow as 30 feet.  He looks for sandy areas near rocky peaks.  Basically the halibut come in shallow to feed, and the creatures living on the rocks are food.  Often times he'll catch greenling on the rocks then livebait them on the sand flats just off the rocks.  Note that they are still somewhat structure oriented so perhaps trolling blind in the open flats might not be worth your time.  Maybe head straight to the structure, fish it for rockfish when on it, then keep working it a bit longer as you drift off it in the hopes of finding a butt.

-Allen

Yeah I read about that too. Doing rock fish and some hali fishing on top could make that drive pretty much worth it.

Z

My friend Jim (new member "InSeine" on this board) is in town this week and we'll probably hit the Willamette or MC on Friday for some salmon/sturgeon/smallmouth/largemouth/walleye/panfish potluck ATOY point building and we're hoping to follow that with some ling/rockfish/cabezon/halibut points on Saturday.   The plan is to garner about 1600 points by Sunday.   

 

Ye of little faith Roy,

I can't help it if I happen to live somewhere where I can potentially fill out almost the entire AOTY card in just two trips.  Actually, I forgot to mention that I could potentially pick up a summer steelhead on Friday as well.  Then I just have to sit back and wait for the coho to show up in the fall.

Honestly though, I'm hoping to finally put some serious AOTY hours on the water in the next two days.  I think adding 500+ pts isn't out of the question.

Brian

Honestly though, I'm hoping to finally put some serious AOTY hours on the water in the next two days.  I think adding 500+ pts isn't out of the question.

Brian

Hmmm ... me thinks it is time for me to get myself on the board.  Can't let you guys have all the fun.

-Allen

#$(*&)_)  Just got word from the -ex.  Apparently her "purse party" takes presidence over Halibut fishing......  Women.  A purse party?!?!?

Oh well, suppose I ought to be happy that I get Sundays.

BTW:  Here's another article that mentions shallow water halibut fishing: http://www.finefishing.com/1saltfish/northwest/getready.htm

CBY beware... this guy has some fishy mojo. You should get on his good side and mooch some intel.

Sounds like it's game on B. Briiiing it on!!

Z

CBY beware... this guy has some fishy mojo. You should get on his good side and mooch some intel.

Sounds like it's game on B. Briiiing it on!!

Z

I've got a buck that says he doesn't top 500.  Who's in?

I've got a buck that says he doesn't top 500.  Who's in?

Spot, does this mean I won't be able to ask you for some reliable intel on where to go rockfishing on Saturday?

CBY beware... this guy has some fishy mojo. You should get on his good side and mooch some intel.

Sounds like it's game on B. Briiiing it on!!

Z

I thought i was on his good side...

CBY beware... this guy has some fishy mojo. You should get on his good side and mooch some intel.

Sounds like it's game on B. Briiiing it on!!

Z

I've got a buck that says he doesn't top 500.  Who's in?

 I got a buck that says Jim gets more points than Brian.   

-Allen

I've got a buck that says he doesn't top 500.  Who's in?

Spot, does this mean I won't be able to ask you for some reliable intel on where to go rockfishing on Saturday?

Depends on how many takers I get.   

 I got a buck that says Jim gets more points than Brian.  

-Allen

Damn Allen, you beat me to it.  I was gonna download all 2 bits of my fishing knowlege on Jim and offer the same bet.   

Allen and Mark:

Thanks for your vote of confidence. I dare say I am overdo to kick B's butt, but he may not let me come back if I did. 

Jim