Oregon Coast Halibut Gear

Hello Everyone,

I've been reading and watching videos about Oregon Coast Halibut fishing from a kayak, and am looking into investing in a new rod and reel, but not sure where to start.

I am looking for some advice on:

1.  If fishing Pacific City, Depot Bay area, (assuming these are the right places to go?) how far off shore do you fish for halibut?  Is it reasonably reachable in a Hobie Outback Mirage?
2.  How deep of water are you typically fishing?
3.  How heavy of a rod and main line do you need?

I'm also assuming a fair amount of line and a good drag system are must haves as well.  Not sure if the same outfit can work for Ling cod and Rockfish or if I will need two setups?

Any advice you can provide would be great.

Thanks.

I like having 3 setups with me when I head out to the ocean for bottom fishing.  I bring a light setup(sort of like a heavy bass fishing setup) that currently is a Lexa 100HL and a bass crankbait rod.  I bring a medium setup that I use for jigging in greater than 40 feet, which is currently a Lexa 300 with a power handle and a Saltiga G Jigging rod(medium power, medium-fast action, rated for 15-40 lb. line).  Finally, I like having a heavy setup that is meant for targeting big lings and halibut.  I don't have it (yet ) but I am looking at another Lexa 300 power handle and another Saltiga G Jigging rod, but this one is extra heavy power, rated for 55-120 lb. line.

The Lexa 300 reels have 22 lbs. of drag and sport a light weight, low profile design that fits nicely in your hand.  They come off the shelf with big carbon fiber drag washers and the power handle really feels nice when reeling in big fish.  They can hold 180 yards of 55 lb. braid, which is plenty of line for targeting halibut from a kayak IMO.  The Lexa 400's are rated for 25 lbs. of drag and can hold 300 yards of 55 lb. braid.  They are a bit more bulky and heavy though.

Clearly, these are my plugs for Daiwa gear, but my main recommendations for a setup meant for targeting halibut are:
-Rod: heavy or extra heavy power, fast action, rated for at least 50 lb. line.
-Reel: Lots of drag(20+ lbs. is desired), line capacity of at least 150 yds. of 55 lb. braid, gear ratio of at least 5:1.

You could use this setup for jigging for lings, but you may not have as much fun with the lings you catch.  Reeling in a mid-twenties ling on this setup won't feel like much but you won't have to worry as much about them pulling you down into the rocks. 

Off the Oregon coast most people target halibut from a kayak in less than 200 ft. but usually more than 80 ft. (~1 to 3 miles off shore) although it is certainly possible to catch  them in less than 80 ft.  I use 55 lb. braid for my mainline when fishing for big lings and halibut.

Rawkfish,

Thank you for this great info.  I like the three setups Idea.  I think I'm covered on the light and medium, but your recommendations on the heavy gear are greatly appreciated.  I'm hoping to pick up some new gear at the Saltwater Sportsmans show this weekend.

Thanks for your advice.

Hey CD, if you're not familiar with fishing that far offshore from a kayak I might suggest you join one of the open invites or create your own open invite for some company.  I know I'm not the best person to preach the buddy system as I spend a lot of solo time offshore but you'd probably learn a lot and be better prepared for a future solo hunt.

Oh yeah, and everything that Rawky said.  Boy can fish!

-Spot-

Pretty much everything Rawkfish and Spot said are spot on.  I will like to add be prepared for a long, hard day, a 4 to 6 mile out and back can end up over 10 really easily especially when the wind, current and/or waves are not cooperating.

Any gear that you can run 6-12 oz on will work. I like 6'6"-7'6" foot rods. Plan on being able to put in a 12 mile day.

With that said I have seen more kayak halibut caught within a mile of shore and less than 100 FOW.

My Washington halibut was caught on a 1oz jig .....
Basically it comes down to time on the water.

I don't have any experience with halibut other than one successful charter trip I took  or kayak fishing for halibut.  But I have a 7 ft tiger stick with shimano Tr 2000 ld that I use for sturgeon and I am sure it would take on any halibut just as easy.  This is my suggestion.  I like the reel specifically because it has 33 lbs max drag and it is also a lever drag reel instead of star drag and probably the most inexpensive ld reel you can get. just my 2 cents.

Thanks for all of the great feedback.  I definitely want to be with a group of experienced guys if traveling that far off shore.

Looking forward to the group meet ups for some fishing.

Don't get caught up on drag numbers. Anything over 8-12 pounds is overkill on a kayak. Your main concern is a reel strong enough to crank up a heavy weight from deep.

Don't get caught up on drag numbers. Anything over 8-12 pounds is overkill on a kayak. Your main concern is a reel strong enough to crank up a heavy weight from deep.

Bing Bing Bing!!!  We have a winner.

For that matter, anything over about 20lbs of drag would simply take the rod out of your hands or pull you out of your yak.  33 lbs of drag on a 7' leverarm = 231 foot pounds of torque.

-Spot-

Don't get caught up on drag numbers. Anything over 8-12 pounds is overkill on a kayak. Your main concern is a reel strong enough to crank up a heavy weight from deep.

Bing Bing Bing!!!  We have a winner.

For that matter, anything over about 20lbs of drag would simply take the rod out of your hands or pull you out of your yak.  55lbs of drag on a 7' leverarm = 385 foot pounds of torque.

-Spot-

Not if you've got the G.I. Joe-kung-foo grip! 

I havent lost the set up in the river yet.  Maybe I have a kung foo grip or maybe I need to catch bigger fish but I am sure I don't ever set the drag to 33 lbs.

I think that maybe the first time I have seen FG and spot agree on something.

Not if you've got the G.I. Joe-kung-foo grip! 
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If you have a grip like that....maybe it's time to find a fisher-woman...
Just sayin'

Related: Amazon has a Penn 309 equivilent (not sure why it's not labeled as a 309, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is) for $51.18 shipped right now. That's a heck of a price on a great reel.

http://www.amazon.com/Penn-General-Purpose-350-Yard-30-Pound/dp/B003BY4Z3U/

Edit: I needed another sturgeon setup anyway, so I ordered one of these. It is indeed a Penn 309m. I'm guessing they get away with selling it cheaper by not mentioning the model or something. Now to decide on line...