Halibut or ling fishing in the sound?

Have any of you fished ling (or even halibut) out of your kayak in the sound? I've only had my kayak out in the sound a few times the last couple summers for salmon, but would be interested in a ling/halibut adventure this spring if there was a group I could get pointers from and tag along with.

I've done a fair amount of cold water paddling in the upper Midwest, but this sound thing is still pretty new to me.  I would love to hear some details and advice from anyone that has done it.

Thanks.

I can't give any insight on the Halibut.  Lings can be found anywhere in the sound with structure.   When targetting bottomfish, you can't fish deeper than 120 feet.

When targetting bottomfish, you can't fish deeper than 120 feet.

Is that by WDFW regulation?  All bottom fish including halibut? 

Demonick, that's a very good question and one I'd like to know as well. According to the 2010-2011  WDFW regulations, it appears that the 120' depth rule is true for inside the Puget Sound. I didn't read about any exceptions to the rules, like there is with the 30 fathom rule when fishing for Halibut when it is open out at the coast. I know on the days that I was out in area 9 last year there were a lot of people fishing deeper than 120', but my brother and I were successful for halibut in the 90-120' range. I'm sure once the 2011-2012 regs come out we'll get more clarity on the issue.
-Michael

When targetting bottomfish, you can't fish deeper than 120 feet.

Is that by WDFW regulation?  All bottom fish including halibut? 

Bottomfish - fishing for bottomfish (including lingcod) in waters deeper
than 120 feet is now prohibited. The reason for this restriction is the
need to reduce the catch of rockfish from deep water. Studies have
shown that rockfish caught and released from waters deeper than
120 feet suffer high rates of mortality. This depth restriction does not
apply when fishing for salmon or halibut; however any bottomfish you
catch must be returned to the water.

Speaking of Halibut, here's some relevant info from the Times yesterday:
Halibut seasons will mirror those of 2010

There's no mention in the article of the marine zones further south in the sound, unfortunately.

... Studies have shown that rockfish caught and released from waters deeper than 120 feet suffer high rates of mortality. This depth restriction does not apply when fishing for salmon or halibut; however any bottomfish you catch must be returned to the water.

Thanks!  Whew!  Relief.

So does anyone actually fish halibut or lings by kayak in the sound?

I'd be interested in meeting up with others if anyone is interested. Or if nothing else, does anyone have specific tips or stories from their own halibut/ling fishing?

I enjoy the solo aspects of kayak fishing at times, but am a little timid out in the sound still.

I hope this to be my first season targeting halibut (weather and schedule permitting), but there are quite a few of us here that target lings in the sound. You just have to find the structure. If you can locate rock piles, wrecks, or anything of the sort from 20-120 FOW you'll find lings. Big curly tailed grubs or scampi (6-10" or even bigger) seem to be most people's goto method. If you can catch a little sole or greenling they'll make excellent live bait dropped on basically a mooching rig. The amount of weight depends on the size lure/bait, depth, and current. I like to go as light as I can keep on target. usually between 1-4 oz. Keep an eye out, and I'm sure you'll see posts pop up for group invites.

Thanks rav - appreciate it.

I'm trying to get my hands on the right gear for when the season is actually upon us. Being new to saltwater fishing, I feel like I am always playing catch-up.

For lings, could I use a 10 foot casting rod I typically use to sling spoons for steelhead (only moderate action)? Or do I need a stiffer rod? Is it ok to use my Shimano Curado in the salt? I've only used old spinning reels for pinks in the saltwater thus far.

Is a wetsuit critical? Anything else to think about?

I've got a tarpon 14 rigged with depth finder, a couple good paddles, plenty of freshwater gear...just not a lot of specific salt gear. Also, is there a recommended stringer/cooler method for keeping lings?  I've seen plenty of those seals checking me out the few times I've paddled in the sound...

Thanks!

Your 10' steelhead rod is prob a little light. You can absolutely use a Curado in the salt if you give it a good freshwater bath as soon as you get off the water. I would recommend something more in the 7-9' MH range paired with a 6600 Abu ambassador (or similarly sized reel) spooled with 40lb braid and a 30lb mono or floro leader. Lings and cabezon will try and swim back into the structure you hang them on, so you need some backbone and weight to get them up. Braid will help you feel what's going on down there, and with it's smaller diameter you can go a little lighter on the weight and still keep your jig on the bottom. Last year was my first season targeting ling, but I boated a few underlings, and one oversized on this set up in the south sound. My oversize inhaled a 13" sole on a mooching leader off a wreck in about 40 FOW.

There are multiple threads about what to wear and a million diff ideas about when to wear what, vs what's safe. Not saying I'm right or wrong, but here's what I wear. A Stohquist B-pod drysuit in cold or bad weather conditions. A 3mm wetsuit paired with waterproof pants (to keep water out of my lap), or just waders when it's cool, but calm and sunny. In dead of summer I'll just wear board shorts and a t-shirt if I'm out with other boats and close to shore. If I plan to paddle for several miles, out alone, or in the ocean it's always either wet or drysuit. Of course any of the above are always paired with my PFD. I'm also Fit and very confident in my ability to self rescue.

Oh yeah, the cooler. This is what I use

http://www.seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=696&idcategory=69

I have the 36" version. Wholesale sports in Lacey has/had them for $20 a piece. I don't trust hanging fish overboard with the seals either. A lot of people use game clips either thrown overboard or in their tankwell. The 36 will handle any legal ling the sound can throw at you due to the slot size. Might be a little tight if you land a 40"+ in the ocean  plus a couple of rockfish to join it.

If you can catch a little sole or greenling they'll make excellent live bait dropped on basically a mooching rig.

Any game fish can not be legally used for bait.  I'm thinking that both of these species are considered game fish.  In liu of a live game fish of any sort (which would almost for sure be a VERY good bait) I've used what they call frozen horse herring and they have worked for me.  That horse herring is just slang for a really big herring, usually 10 to 12 inches.  You will surely need to salt cure them in some way to toughen them up for the task that you're asking.

Another idea that seems to work pretty well for bait is to stuff one of those hollow, nite-glow, rubber squid with whatever number of salt cured herring.

Fishin-T

Hey Fishin-T, you need to check your regs again.  That no live bait thing is for fresh water only.

Both greenling and sole can be used as live bait. I'll find it in the reg later when I have a little more time.