Halibut Kayak Fishing 2016?

this is a great thread.  that is all.   

Maybe I missed it in here somewhere but do yourself a huge favor and take your kayak out without gear the first time in salt. I don't really know what kind of launch you are looking at but make sure you are comfortable in the surf. Both going in and out, might save you a lot of money donating to the ocean.

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Yakbass - thank you! I do not carry much gear with me. One rod with leash, paddle with leash, milk crate (strapped with bungees) with tackle box, anchor, etc. cooler also bungeed. All small stuff are in middle console, other safety gear, ropes, carabiners, scupper plugs, food, drinks, etc. - in front hatch.

I tried so hard to not get involved here...  But reading back thru the thread I can't hold off...

Eugene, no dis-respect intended but you're scaring me dude.
That's a lot of gear and a lot of rope when you're playing tag with your kayak underwater.

I totally understand your desire to bring home a halibut but next to fishing for great whites and threshers, halibut are the most dangerous fish (to fishermen) in the PNW.  On top of that, they reside in some of the most dangerous venues in the PNW.

Please, work your way up. 

Please, work your way up.

Spot - thank you! Ok, maybe you are right. I will think about going to Area 5 next week... By the way, if I put a 20 lbs trolling motor - will it make any difference?

Thanks for taking that in the spirit it was offered!

A trolling motor would help you conserve your energy but it's one more thing that'll be trying to kill you in the surf.

If you really want to get that hali, do some research on Port Angeles.  Also, loose all that non essential gear.

"One rod with leash, paddle with leash, milk crate (strapped with bungees) with tackle box, anchor, etc. cooler also bungeed. All small stuff are in middle console, other safety gear, ropes, carabiners, scupper plugs, food, drinks, etc."

Get a harpoon or a flying gaff (not a full length gaff), a buddy to paddle out with and a VHF.

You don't just throw a halibut into your kayak.  You subdue them in the water, cut their gills and let them bleed out.  Once on your kayak either tie them nose to tail or strap them down firmly to your deck or you will likely by swimming back.

It's still a dangerous pursuit for a newer kayak fisherman but at least you won't have to worry about the surf launch.
You'll only have the wind, tide, current, halibut and powerboaters trying to kill you. 

-Mark-

I would strongly second the opinions of Spot, et al, and add that a couple/three years of fishing for lingcod, rockfish, etc. would be highly beneficial before trying for halibut.  That will give you a fair bit of time in the saddle, and learning surf launch/landing and gear management on the water.  Halibut is seductive as the payoff for landing one is huge.  But don't let greed cloud good judgment.

Much as I desperately want to fish halibut this year I'm not sure I'll make it.  Missed last year and the year before due to schedule.  I've kayaked and fished so little the last 2 years that I'm not sure I'm as ready now for halibut as I was 2 years ago.  I might just hold off until next year when I'll have a much better schedule and I'll hopefully have gotten enough seat time in to feel like I'm in good enough physical shape to handle a halibut trip.

Maybe I missed it in here somewhere but do yourself a huge favor and take your kayak out without gear the first time in salt. I don't really know what kind of launch you are looking at but make sure you are comfortable in the surf. Both going in and out, might save you a lot of money donating to the ocean.

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Yakbass - thank you! I do not carry much gear with me. One rod with leash, paddle with leash, milk crate (strapped with bungees) with tackle box, anchor, etc. cooler also bungeed. All small stuff are in middle console, other safety gear, ropes, carabiners, scupper plugs, food, drinks, etc. - in front hatch.

When I surf launch for lings and whatnot I have 1, sometimes 2 rods depending on what I'm doing, all of my lures and other fishing items like extra leader material, swivels, bonker, etc are in the crate, I have a game clip and hawg trough, and some water and snacks.  If it's a hot day, and I think there's going to be seals around I'll take a cooler with ice strapped to the bow.  If it's a cool day I'll just dunk the fish frequently (or just leave them in the water if no seals are around) while on the game clip to keep them cool.

For salt water an anchor is generally pointless.  You don't need a full tackle box.  A small plastic box that keep half a dozen or so jigs/lures sort of organized is all you need.  You only need to carry a relatively small number of options (2-3 each of 2-3 different jig weights is usually plenty).  It's not like on a power boat where you have room for a whole shop's worth of gear.  You need to be minimalist in a lot of ways with your gear. 

I tie off to the carry handles.  The bow straps don't impede vision - I hardly see them when I'm focussing on a further distance ahead while driving.    And this is the way I intend to carry my kayaks when we go Halibut Kayak Fishing in 2016 (just to stay on topic).  The prius is kinda like a Harbor Freigt trailer with an engine.

Quick return to securing kayaks on the roof. I too plan for lines to fail, for whatever reason. My configuration on a Toyota Sequoia is (upside down carry):

--two straps holding the boat to the rack to do 90+% of the work
--'split' bow line from the bow handle to each front tow hook (narrow diameter line that is irrelevant for vision), mostly to keep the bow from swinging in a strong cross wind or if I lost the front rack tie, also prevents the boat from sliding backwards
--one line from the side carry handle back to the rear crossbar to prevent the boat from sliding forward in a 'panic' stop and lancing whatever made me stop short

All lines are snug to prevent vibration loosening and the hull getting momentum if something happens, but not overly tight.

I no longer use a stern line, and with my setup any two lines can fail and I can bring her in for a landing without the hull going airborne. Having a long platform (the Sequoia) helps hold the boat more securely, but it will be nice when I can get to a lower load height (trailer, Subaru,...)

ymmv.

Just another tip I want to throw in: Do not ever use scupper plugs in the ocean! Those scuppers are there for a reason.
I'm with Mark. Halibut tends to be the double black diamond of the Northwest kayak fishing realm.  No other fishery has tested my abilities and physical endurance like this has.

Just another tip I want to throw in: Do not ever use scupper plugs in the ocean! Those scuppers are there for a reason.
I'm with Mark. Halibut tends to be the double black diamond of the Northwest kayak fishing realm.  No other fishery has tested my abilities and physical endurance like this has.

rawkish - thank you! Honestly I never used supper plugs at all. When I bought kayak I took them out and put to the hatch where they still laying)