Halibut fishing San Juan Island question

So I'll be going to the San Juan's here next week and will be fishing for halibut on Thursday have never fished for halibut before what should I use and what area should I target. Will only have a couple hours to fish since I'm leaving that morning also. I will be camping at San Juan County Park. Haro Staits. Thanks SG

Simple gear, Large jigs (8-20 oz) or squid/herring on a spreader bar with a 16 - 24 oz weight. 

Fish humps, ledges and drop offs in 50-300' of water.

You can view NOAA charts of the area using their online viewing tool.

When using a spreader bar, use a hefty leader, even metal, for the bait, use a break-away leader for the weight. You will be making contact with the bottom with the weight. If/when it snags you want to be able to break it off easily. I use 10# leader for an 8oz weight.

And your bait leader should be shorter than the spreader bar arm to avoid getting your bait wrapped around the mainline

Ensure you understand the tidal current predictions very well for whenever you plan to fish. It looks like the currents get ripping through there very easily. It also looks like it drops off quickly to well over 700 ft deep just off that boat ramp so you'll likely want to stay closer to shore.

And your bait leader should be shorter than the spreader bar arm to avoid getting your bait wrapped around the mainline

I wish I knew this. I kept getting tangled up

So I'll be going to the San Juan's here next week and will be fishing for halibut on Thursday have never fished for halibut before what should I use and what area should I target. Will only have a couple hours to fish since I'm leaving that morning also. I will be camping at San Juan County Park. Haro Staits. Thanks SG

Might want to think about just targeting lingcod?

So I'll be going to the San Juan's here next week and will be fishing for halibut on Thursday have never fished for halibut before what should I use and what area should I target. Will only have a couple hours to fish since I'm leaving that morning also. I will be camping at San Juan County Park. Haro Staits. Thanks SG

Might want to think about just targeting lingcod?

I haven't fished for halibut in the San Juans yet, but have caught lings and Cabezon off of Henry Island and Smugglers Cove on the west side of San Juan Island. This area doesn't seem to get the attention from PB fisherman of other areas in the San Juans, and should hold halibut too. Be careful of the current in the Haro Straight! It runs like a river both ways, and large shipping vessels go through the area as well. Best of luck!
Kevin

Might want to think about just targeting lingcod?

This!

The currents in the SJIs are rough to say the least. Be careful!

So were you successful? I've thought about trying that area as well.

Good luck! Keep us posted!