Halibut Terminal Tackle

got a recommendation on brand of mono? I do have a crimper I brought from Guam. I think I have some 10 yr old 100 & 200 lb mono that I used for making trolling rigs might still be good

I just get whatever is cheap.  Mostly Ande.

-Allen

Tuf-Line doesn't get snapped like mono and it's easy to spot when you get a worn area. I go to Fisherman's and have them pull me a few yards off of the bulk spool, so I don't have to buy a whole package for leader.

got a recommendation on brand of mono? I do have a crimper I brought from Guam. I think I have some 10 yr old 100 & 200 lb mono that I used for making trolling rigs might still be good

I just get whatever is cheap.  Mostly Ande.

-Allen

cool... Ande is what I have, I'll try it out even if it is 10 yrs old

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

200 pound mono, 10 years old ... if stored in a dark place, I'd use it.   

-Allen

Since we're talking terminal tackle for butts, I thought I'd share a few more tips that I've found pretty good up in Alaska, both in Prince Williams Sound out of Valdez and the trips to the Ketchikan area.

1) Glow.  Use something that glows.  If using bait, use a glow hootchie over it.  At the very least, large glow beads.
2) Go Big.  Biggest lures/baits you're comfortable using.
3) Smelly.  Juice everything up, then double dose just for grins.
4) Large sweeping strokes on the jig.  I hit bottom every time (dinner bell) on the down stroke with my rod tip just above the water.  Then stroke the full length of the rod.  I believe the long stroke simulates fleeting prey and triggers a bite.
5) Lighter rods.  Well, what I'm really interested in here is the action.  I use a fast action 15-25 rod that really is well, it's overloaded by 8 ounce weights.  The heavy weight sort of take the fast action out of the  rod.  When jigging the rod tends to load up, then the lure darts off the bottom as the spring in the rod takes over.  I've used heavier rods and am convinced you don't get the same action.
6) Spectra.  Use it, especially at the 200 foot depths.  Otherwise your jigging is just stretching the mono.
7) Find structure, don't waste your time on the flats.  Find a hump, bump, ledge, anything out of the ordinay.
8 ) Avoid the pests.  Hit doggies or arrowtooth?  Move.  You're likely on mud bottom anyways.  You're looking for gravel.  If you're not popping an occasional rockfish too, you're likely on the wrong spot.
9) Hit your GPS when you hookup.  Where you find one, you'll find more, sometimes a lot more.  Work the area hard.
10) Have fun!

-Allen

Thanks, Allen!  Those are some goooooood tips!

Another Alaska tip -- when you get into the sharks, reel up and move on.  Seems to be a downside to scent from what I've experienced in the dory...

This is a great thread.  I am actually printing it out to save for future reference.  I especially enjoy hearing what the Alaska guys have to say since I instantly think of Alaska fishing when ever I see a video / photo of huge Halibuts being caught.   

Another Alaska tip -- when you get into the sharks, reel up and move on.  Seems to be a downside to scent from what I've experienced in the dory...

Yup.  See #8.  doggies = dogfish = sharks.

-Allen

Great input guys.  Much appreciated.  If I was being really lazy, would a pre-made 18", 45# steel wire leader work? 

Great input guys.  Much appreciated.  If I was being really lazy, would a pre-made 18", 45# steel wire leader work?

What kind of steel?  If single strand, I'd avoid it for butts.  They head shake too much and I'd be worried about kinkage.  If you're talking one of the braids, sure, why not.

-Allen

This stuff, definitely multi strand.  Berkley Steelon Leaders

This stuff, definitely multi strand.  Berkley Steelon Leaders

Yup.  That stuff is braided.  Note, you'll still need to be careful about the 45# strength.  I'm specifically thinking about the end game when you have the butt on leader.  Those powerful head shakes will make 45# seem light.

-Allen

This is a great thread.  I am actually printing it out to save for future reference.  I especially enjoy hearing what the Alaska guys have to say since I instantly think of Alaska fishing when ever I see a video / photo of huge Halibuts being caught.   

+1 on that.  Thanks for all the info.

As one of a few who actually landed a Butt in Wa. from the yak last year, here's what I used.
Since most of our Butt fishing takes place in deeper waters(100'-250')and sometimes great current speeds(depending where you are fishing)you need enough wt. to stay on the bottom.
I use 65lb braid for mainline loaded on a Penn Senator 113H with a Shimano Trevala jig rod
TVC-66H. The rod is actually very light and will handle the largest of Butts and Dinos. I do use a spreader bar(Butts only) with anywhere from around 12-16oz on up to 2lbs(pita as Allen said).Depends on the current. You need to stay in touch with the bottom. I freespool alot and try to jig slightly to insure being very close to the bottom. If it's sandy,you can almost drag the bottom but in rockier terrain just act like your Steelie drifting with the occasional tap-tap. Use your sonar to keep track of depth changes too. Can't remember what
leader mono wt I used but somewhere around 80-100lb with a BIG SQUID(glows are great & white worked well)double J-hook(circle hooks you have to be more patient with) and a Horse herring with the 1st hook thru the lower jaw and then out the top of the head. Wrapped it all including trailer hook with Magic Thread. Use scent if you want. Other options have been mentioned in above member comments. All great. Another great resource is to go online to Salmon University. Great resource. Just my 2 cents. Good luck to all you Buttheads.