Halibut Fishing off Washington & Canadian Coasts

 

Precautions:

The main thing here is to evaluate your boat, your fuel capacity, your marine electronics, your boating experience & your own ability before you haphazardly set out to fish these waters.  A storm can come up rapidly after you are out on the water & you need to have the ability to evaluate the sea conditions & react accordingly.  This can be disastrous if you make a wrong decision 15 to 35 miles offshore.   It is not cowardly to pull your gear & head for shore as soon as you sense something is wrong.

 

NEVER go without a auxiliary motor of some kind.  Even a 5hp will allow you to navigate enough to have steerage & may even get you back close enough to get help, &  is one heck of a lot better than trying to paddle a boat that is large enough to be out there to start with.

NEVER go out without a VHF radio.  Channel 16 is the main Coast Guard communication channel.  Channel 68 seems to be the main recreational "chatter" channel.

 

NEVER go outside into the open ocean as far as this fishery requires without a partner boat.  It is best to run in pairs at least.

 

Know the tide & wind conditions before you leave.  Carry a tool box & spare parts for your boat & motor.  A extra fuel / water filter is on the recommended list among the other normal things.

 

Also, from personal experience, if you are having mechanical problems, have your hip pockets in the air & your head in the bilge, smelling bilge water & fuel fumes, with the boat bobbing around, even the hardiest have been known to get seasick.

 

Sorry for the blurry picture below, but when you ask a fisherman on the dock to take your picture, you take what you get.

 

Rod & Reels:

Most any semi-large reel that has the capability of holding 300-500 yards of line will work.  The old standby Penn Senator 113  seems to be about right while the 114 will do, although it is somewhat larger.  Lately the Penn 330 or 340's have proven their worth.  However the 330's gears & drag may a little on the light side. One thing that may help out on about any reel, especially if it is a newer higher crank ratio, is to change the crank handle & add a longer “power handle”.  This will give you more cranking advantage. 

 

Some dedicated fishermen will purchase the electric adapter & convert their reels to 12 volt power, using the power off their salmon downrigger plug in.

 

Since the advent of the spectra type lines, most halibut fishermen use this in about 80 to 100# range.  The Power Pro seems to be a good choice, but Fireline is also used.  If you go to a lesser test size, the diameter is so small that reeling in a large fish, the line simply buries itself into the other line under it on the spool.  This then, the next time the fish runs, can create a "birds nest" fouled reel spool & line breakage.

 

Rods used are usually a 5'6" to 7’ roller tip boat rod, or what are sometimes called stand-up Tuna rods.  The shorter the rod gives the fish less leverage & less strain on you fighting & or cranking in a heavy fish.  When you buy one of these rods, check to see the clearance of the roller to the tip sides.  The older rods were a sloppy fit here, as the older line was heavier, now with the new smaller diameter spectra lines, the line can jump off the roller & get wedged in the roller tip, cutting the line.   Some of the newer roller guides have a "Vee" wheel with a narrow groove in the center, this tends to keep the line centered.    These rods are made by most rod manufacturers, & the economy Ocean City or Shakespeare seem to work quite well.   There is really no need to go out & buy expensive gear for the few trips the average fisherman makes for halibut each year or two.  You can even find good used rods & reels.    If after you have tried this fishery a while, then you may decide to upgrade.

 

Terminal Gear:

Number one, keep the hooks sharp.  

There are a couple schools of thought here.  One is the old standby, the halibut spreader bar is used quite often.  This is a 1/8" stainless steel wire that is bent in and ell shape.  The larger ones are 20" long on one side & 8" on the other.   At the corner of the ell, is a loop that is attached to the mainline.  A 2# cannonball is attached on the short arm, & it is best with a short length of 30# mono as a breakaway if it gets hung up. 120 # mono or a wire leader about 18” to the end the long arm.   A large bait hook of about 7/0 - 9/0 is then attached to this leader.   If you plan on using circle hooks, then you need to wait until the fish takes the bait & starts running with it.  He needs to swallow the bait & be GOING AWAY when you set this hook.  Canada has a 35 oz. sinker maximum.

 

The spreader bar is used to keep the bait from tangling with the sinker when it is being owered to the bottom.  And the halibut do not seem to shy away because of the spreader bar.  There is also the theory that if you bounce the bar & sinker on the bottom it attracts the halibut.  This has been called "ringing the dinner bell".  If you have a 4’- 6'  swell, then just allow the swell to bounce the bar on the bottom.

 

The bait when used on the spreader can be about anything.  Use what is available, if no fresh bait, then buy black label “horse herring” (the largest available).  The thought that, big bait - big fish, & this seems to tend to be true many times here.  Along with this you can add a plastic worm to make a larger attraction.  Bait can also be salmon gills, belly meat with fins, or ling cod skin, mackerel, fillet of true cod, squid & octopus.  Some halibut fishermen raid the gut bin on the docks the night before they head out.   You can also inject herring oil to the bait.  This is fine unless you get into a bunch of dog-fish sharks.

 

The one thing that you probably should consider is that if you are using bait, let them take it before you set the hook.  Don't set the hook on the first bite as with fishing this deep you want the fish to take the bait good, & not pull it out of his  mouth.

 

The jigs can be many different types, from the old homemade type pipe jigs, to the lead-head jigs in sizes up to 32oz.  The lead-head will need a  plastic swim-tail added.  These swim-tails can be about any color, but glo in the dark or white or  seem to be used the most.    

 

When fishing jigs, the best out there are Younquist Jigs, these are made in Paulsbo WA, by an ex-commercial halibut jig fisherman.  And are available thru a few stores  who specialize in halibut tackle around the Puget sound area.  It is a good idea to use monofilament of near the 60# to 80# size between the spectra mainline & the terminal gear, as the spectra line is VERY HARD to beak if it gets hung up, EXPENSIVE TOO.  Put a 24oz led-head on the bottom, up about 24” tie a dropper & add a swim-tail & hook, (no lead).  What this does is makes the lead jig the weight & the upper hook will probably catch the fish as it is more visible, since the lead jig is on the bottom.   The lead jig is what attracted the fish with the bouncing the bottom, but the upper one was what the fish saw & took.   At times it has proven beneficial to add bait to the jig to add to the size of the lure & create a scent trail especially if you are fishing in deep water.

 

The combo of these may be best, as if you are fishing only bait, & get a bite, you do not know if the bait was stripped off or not.  You then wait a while to see if the bite returns, if it does not then a decision has to be made, do I pull this heavy gear up 250' to 500' just to see, or do I wait a while longer?  No matter what your decision, if you pull it the bait will still be there, & if you did not, then it is probably gone.   However if you fish a combo, you still have the upper jig/swim-tail working. 

 

One thing though if you do use 2 baits/lures, you should be prepared to possibly bring 2 fish up at the same time.   This can prove to be muscle tiring, but interesting.

 

Another method of getting & or keeping your gear down:
If the tide & or wind makes it hard to keep your gear down at a decent angle, put your motor in reverse & back into the wind.  A problem here is sometimes it gets difficult to keep the boat backing straight.  Also be sure you keep the lines out of the prop.

Some anglers will use a downrigger to get the bait down in the deeper depths.  This can be used in conjunction with anchoring, trolling or back-trolling.  I would only consider this in an area that was relatively level & a gravel bottom, as hang-ups in rocky locations are not easy to deal with especially with water conditions not being ideal to start with.  

In Canada this may also get around the 35oz max weight limit.

 

Fighting Belt & Harnesses:

When fighting larger fish you will need a fighting belt, which has a socket in front that the rod butt fits into.  This saves many bruises on the body.  Also there is a separate shoulder harness you can get that just snaps around you & has straps that snap into the rings of the reel.   With this harness the strain of holding the rod is transferred to the shoulders.

 

The key to fighting large fish, is to slightly squat, lean forward & reel down, when you straighten up lean back slightly.  This simple movement takes some strain off your upper body, & greatly aids in cranking the large fish up from deep water.

 

Landing the Fish:

With fish under 25# you can net or gaff them & hit them over the head MANY times with a fish bonker.  Above that size weight, and at least in the 40# & up size, you should consider a harpoon or a flying gaff.  If you are inexperienced in harpooning, it may be best for you to practice on the 25-30# fish.  The practice here may well be worth the effort when you happen to catch the big one.  

 

These harpoons have a 4-6' extendable handle with a 3/8" stainless straight shaft extending out about 12", a detachable head, of a couple different head designs, that simply slides onto this shaft, with a wire cable of a couple of feet to an eye.  Into the eye is snapped a 1/4" nylon rope about 25’ long.  This rope end can then be attached to a 15”+ round anchor/mooring float.   The harpoon head is attached to the line & the float is attached to the other end of the line.

 

In use, the harpoon head can be held by a couple of fingers of the forward hand, or onto the shaft with a couple of rubber bands, (these break away when the fish is hit).  Depending on the size of the fish, if it is over say 75#, before you hit the fish, throw the float over the side close to the boat & out of the way of the fish, but for the time being have someone hang onto the rope to ensure it does not all get over the side & possibly tangle in the fishing line.   Be sure there are no tangled feet & that the line can be quickly thrown over if the fish is large & you can not hold her.  The person harpooning may be able to handle the fish without the use of the float, but if not, they should be ready to quickly throw everything over the side & let the fish fight the float. 

In using the harpoon, the fisherman fights the fish with the rod, & when it is subdued, bring the fish up, but be careful not to bring it’s head out of the water, as this seems to excite them into going back to the bottom.   You need to give the harpooner  a good chance to place the harpoon in the proper spot.  Have the harpoon over the fish 6”-12” and aim for just  behind the gill cover & the below backbone.  Some prefer above the backbone, but if you hit it here, be prepared for more resistance in the meat & lots of resistance if you happen to hit the backbone itself.  You however do not want to hit her lower in the main belly area as the harpoon may well pull out.  Thrust the harpoon quickly & expend lots of energy as the harpoon head has to go ALL THE WAY THROUGH the fish the FIRST TIME.  When the toggle type tip is thru the fish, it will turn sideways below the fish, & will not come out.   If the fish is large & you can not hold it by the harpoon line after the harpooning, then throw the line over the side,  let the fish & attached float go.  The fisherman should be prepared to loosen his drag at the instant the harpoon hits, as if the fish runs, it may break the line at a knot.   It just makes sense to still have the fish attached to the fish line even though it may be harpooned.

 

There are a couple of other devices that will help landing her.  One is the Flying Gaff, which is a shark hook of about a size 19/0 that is attached to 10-15' of 3/8" nylon rope.  Depending on how deep you boat is, you may be able to reach the halibut without a handle on the hook.  In use, if the handle is used, this shark hook's rope is wound onto one end a 4' wooden handle, with the rope wound around over the hook & lower handle so that it can quickly be disconnected by pulling on the long end of the rope.  This gives you the advantage of a handle to use to place the hook in the fish & then when you pull the handle & or the rope, the rope will unwrap & you then have just the rope with the hook sunk into the fish.  You want to place the hook in the fish's mouth with the point coming out between it's eyes.   Another thing that can be worthwhile is a farmers hay hook, (the Dee handle type).  This can be used as a gaff later when trying to get the fish onboard & it has more of a gripping area than an ordinary gaff.

 

This Flying Gaff can also be attached to a separate float & used by itself instead of a harpoon.

 

In Washington waters a firearm can be used to dispatch halibut.   Some use a 38 Special pistol, while others swear by a 410 shotgun.  The "Snake Charmer" is a nice little shotgun for this.   Do not try to take a firearm into Canada.

If it is a large fish, after securing it, but while still in the water, you can then cut the gills to bleed it out, run a rope thru the gills & out the mouth, without getting your hand in the mouth.   Some fishermen make up a old broom handle with a fork on one end, this is used to push the bleed out rope down thru the fish's mouth & our a gill cover.  Tie the fish off beside the boat until it is bled out.  However be watchful for blue sharks, as you may have to bring the fish aboard sooner than anticipated.  If you have to bring it in the boat & there is a chance it still has some life, you can tie a rope from the gills back to the tail & pull the fish’s tail up into a bow, & tie it off.  This method will keep the fish from flopping on the deck.   A large mad fish can raise havoc on the deck of any boat.

 

Where to Fish.

There seems to be more than one of schools of thoughts here.

 

The best seems to be locate a somewhat flat gravel bottom, in a reasonable water depth, usually around 300’, while some may be 600'.  Most of the nautical charts show the structure of the bottom.  This method also will tend to have less hang ups.

 

The other thought is to find a pinnacle, or high flat & fish that.  The problem I have seen here is that these tend to be more rocky & more hang ups & loosing gear.  You will more likely catch Lings, & Yelloweye in locations like this.  With the Washington/Oregon coasts shut down for taking of Yelloweye you will need to think ahead just where you will be fishing.

 

According to Al Seda who managed Big Salmon Fishing Resort in Neah Bay in 2000, the best for inside halibut of the year is if you can get a tide with low run off  in May, is to fish the "Garbage dump".  This location is in the straits, between Wadda Island & Tatoosh. Island.  This area has traditionally had nice halibut in the 150# range pulled from it this time of the year & can be fished with with smaller boats with less fuel capacity that required if you plan on hitting some of the "outside" spots.  He says that after this time, then the large fish seem to move out.

 

The best for a newby, is to get known GPS locations from other fishermen, however many of these have been shared over the years & it seems that some the numbers have gotten mixed up or are not even on the water.  If you do, check them out on the charts.  A few for Washington waters in the Neah Bay area are, Garbage Dump, and there seem to be 2 other locations referred to the Garbage Dump.  Some fishermen are now calling them A, B, & C  or 1, 2 & 3.  There is one SW of Tatoosh Island known as Table Top,  & area north of the LaPush closure.  There are some others that are out up to 50 miles, but the average small boat fisherman would not be interested in these because of the long run & possibly not enough fuel capacity on the boat..

 

West & south there is a halibut closure.    It is shaped like a big C with the center open for halibut fishing.  The open area is about 5 miles wide & 4 miles north & south. The opening GPS is 48-11-00 / 124-58-00 on the NE corner, 48-11-00 / 125-11-00 on the NW corner, 48-04-00 / 125-11-00 on the SW corner, & 48-04-00 / 125-59-00 on the SE corner.  Most of the depths here will be from 85 fathom (510') on deeper.

 

 

Farther south yet into the Westport area, the main area fished here will be the shelf at the NE corner of Grays Canyon.  There is a flat area there before it drops off that is about 95 fathoms.  Some boats also fish north in 300' off Pt Grenville.

 

When to Fish:
The best time to fish would be a calm day at slack tide.   Many times this does not fit in the equation.   The reason for a slack tide & calm waters is that when you have to go down up to near 600', that means a lot of lead to get down & keep it down.   With the tide & or current running you may need more weight & this also means a lot of effort to just reel up the extra weight itself from that distance.

 

Many dedicated halibut fisherpersons will leave the harbors at 5 AM.   This usually means you leave before breakfast.  They will take enough lunch to also function as breakfast in between fighting the fish.  Being out there early also gives them time to catch & release some of the smaller halibut, in hopes they will pull a larger one.   My personal opinion is that if we retain the first fish 25# or over & then see how many bites we are getting & the size they are to make a judgment call as to whether we look for larger fish or take smaller ones if that seems to be the typical catch. 

 

Then after the halibut are limited out, then they head for rocky structure & try to fill the fish box with sea bass & Ling Cod before heading back in.

 

Washington Regulations:

The yearly halibut season with quotas for each marine area established by the Pacific halibut Commission.  The opener date may vary from area to area, but it generally starts about May 1.  These seasons will run until the quota is reached in poundage for that particular area, which in some heavily fished areas may only be 2 weeks.  The daily limit in Washington waters is only 1 halibut.

 

Each marine area in Washington State may well have different regulations, as to season opener dates, closed days of the week, size limit, etc.  Therefore look at the regulations carefully.  Area  #1 & #2 are open 7 days a week, while  #3 & #4 are closed  Sunday & Monday, area #5 & #6  are closed Friday & Saturday.  Area #1 has a minimum size limit, while the others do not.

 

There is one confusing item under (1999 Species Rules)  this says "halibut may not be landed in a port closed to halibut fishing".  It took 2 e-mails to WDFW enforcement before I got a specific YES back that we can legally catch Canadian halibut with a Canadian license in Canadian waters & return to Neah Bay on Sunday, (area #4, which is closed Sun. & Mon.).  This language is confusing & needs to be changed.  Under this same heading it also states "Only one line with up to two hooks may be used.  It also states, halibut may be shot while landing with a gaff or dip net."

 

The 2003 Specie Rules now say,   "May not be  landed in a port closed to Halibut fishing except halibut lawfully caught in Canada; fisher must have Canadian license."

 

There are some halibut sanctuary closure areas off the coast, (both Canadian & US) so it may be beneficial to use your GPS & chart plotter to locate the corners of these closures.

Also for the year 2001 WDFW has imposed a limit of 1 or 2 (depending on how you read it) yelloweye, (commonly called red snapper),  in your bag limit as part of a declining population.  This can pose a problem as these fish can be located in the same general deep water area as halibut.  When you bring one of these up from this deep water, it's air bladder will generally turn inside out & pop out the fish's mouth.  The word is that if you throw them back, in time, the air bladder will return into the fish.  However during this time the yelloweye will have it's movement impaired & can become prey for seagulls.  The first thing seagulls will do is to pick the fish's eyes out & then the belly.   There was concern in 2002 as to taking yelloweye as incidental catch for hailibut in the 2003 season & a proposal to eliminate halibut fishing in water deeper than 40 fathom, (120').  This seems to have not been implemented, but the closure off LaPush done instead.

 

2003 saw  retention of 1copper rockfish in Washington, but illegal to retain any yelloweye.

2004 it was illegal to retain either of the above.

 

Since yelloweye are like rockfish & have swim bladders, it is advisable that you release them unharmed.   This means that when you are fishing for halibut, that you are usually going deeper than the magical number of about 60', so when you bring them to the surface, the bladder will pop out of their mouth.   I have even seen their eyes get glazed & pop partially out if from deeper depths like at 400'.  

There are some methods of returning them slowly in a plastic milk box to depths of below 60' & allow them to acclimatize & then they may swim off.   For an article explaining this CLICK HERE.

 

Another method is to lightly puncture this protruding organ with a needle or fish hook.   I have seen this used & am not endorsing it.

 

The more scientifically approved method is called "Venting", in which you use a hypodermic needle to just puncture into the belly cavity right behind one of the pectoral fins at a slight forward angle.  Do not push it far enough to puncture the stomach or intestines.   When the needle enters the body cavity, you can see the belly deflate, & hear the gases escape.   Once the pressure is released the fish will retract the parts in question & recovery has been proven effective.   CLICK HERE for an article on Venting.

 

The above is explained as:  Spiny finned fish have closed swim bladders that help produce sound & maintain buoyancy plus they hold nitrogen, oxygen & carbon  dioxide.   When these fish are reeled up from the deep, the gas molecules expand & rupture the bladder.  The escaping gases then fill the body cavity, forcing the eyes to bulge & the intestines to protrude out the mouth.  If the gases are not released (or vented), the fish can't submerge, which makes it an easy target for predators.

 

I for one can not condone ANYONE to continue to kill fish, while continuing to fish, just for the sport of it.  These fish that are just thrown over the side are prime targets for seagulls or seals.  With the bladder extended, they can not dive under the water, as it is like a person with a life vest on.  The gulls will first pick out the fish eyes, & next will pick out the bellies.

 

Plus, if we continue to kill Yelloweye as incidental  or by catch, it will be a reason to totally shut down the halibut season 

 

Canadian Regulations:

Number one, DO NOT have a firearm on your boat if you intend to go to Canada.   As you can not shoot halibut in Canada, much less have a unregistered firearm in your possession.

 

The Canadian limit for halibut is 2 per day with 3 in possession.

 

 Also, if you fish Canadian waters & catch a bottomfish, you can come back to US waters, but you CAN NOT stop to fish.  You have to come directly to the US port.  You could drop off your Canadian fish & then go back & fish US waters however.

 

If you fillet the fish, the skin has to remain on the flesh to identify the specie.

 

In Canadian waters off the Strait Of Juan De Fuca there is a halibut sanctuary—(NO FISHING).  This is located by GPS  readings on all four corners.  It may be wise get a GPS unit that also has a chart plotter, & to put these readings into your unit so that you see just where you are in relations to the sanctuary.  You can motor thru this area, but you can not stop to fish.  Even if you are fishing near, hook a fish & drift into the area, it is a NO-NO.  If you are out there near it, you may be visited by a Canadian hi-powered Zodiac, asking if you know where you are.  It is as if they are using a satellite to watch this water.

 

The US & Canadian Fisheries have a working agreement whereby either can check the catch of either side of the border

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You can, if you have a Canadian fishing license, leave from a US port, fish in Canadian waters, & return without reporting to Customs.  The key here is if you do not touch Canadian shore, even dropping anchor is considered touching their shore.

 

Canadian 2001 non-resident fishing license is $34 for a 5 day license, (which can be post-dated).  And, $108 for a yearly non-resident license.  These prices are in Canadian dollars.  You can not mail order these licenses, you have to buy it in Canada.  As of mid year 2003 they said you would be able to purchase Canadian licenses on the internet, however things have not went as planned.  It seems now 2006 that you can get most all of your freshwater licenses on-line, but not the saltwater non resident.

 

For those of you who live in the western part of the state west & south of Puget Sound, you may want to go to Victoria to purchase your license, the following is how to do it.  Take the MV Coho ferry out of Port Angeles on the early morning trip.  The way most fishermen do is to go as a walk on passenger, take the wife along & send a few hours in Victoria, & catch the next ferry back.  Check the ferry schedule on http://www.northolympic.com/coho/ , the first ferry leaves Port Angeles at 8:20AM, and the crossing takes 95 minuets.

 

Or if you are limited on time & want to take the same ferry back to PA on it’s return run, you have about 20 minuets.  Make haste are the words.  Before the ferry docks in Victoria, be on the forward right hand deck near the passenger walk off door.  They will have it roped off, but get as close as possible.  They usually allow the physically handicapped to exit first, be right behind them.   You may have to be aggressive here & if anybody says anything just say you need to get off as early as possible so you can get a Canadian fishing license & be back for the return trip, (another fisherman may overhear you & wanting to do the same thing, you can then team up taking the same cab).  Have your drivers  license ready when you hit the customs counter, one of their questions will be your reason to be there, tell them you are going to buy a Canadian fishing license & want to be back on the returning ferry trip. 

 

RUN out of the door, up the low flight of stairs past the official greeter with the bearskin hat, take a right & head south for the street.  Hail the first cab you see waiting there.  Tell him/her that you want a Canadian fishing license & want to go to Robinson’s Sporting Goods, (which is about 8 blocks) & you want him to wait for you so you can be on the returning ferry.  They have done this many times & can just about bet on where you are wanting to go before you get in the cab by the excited, wide eyed, running maniac they see coming toward them. 

 

The only problem can be if others are buying licenses as you get inside the store, if so, express you concern to the clerk.  If you are not getting a yearly non-resident license, you will have to specify the dates you want the fishing days  to be.  If you do not specify, they will date it starting the next day.

 

Hop back in the cab & head for the waiting ferry.  The cab fare is usually $8 Canadian, so if you give them a $10 US they are happy as can be.  You will make it back & thru customs just in time to be aboard with a few minuets to spare.?

 

Another option is to take the wife up & park your car in a lot at Port Angeles,  go over as a walk on passenger, but plan on staying & coming back on the next returning ferry.   This gives you & her something to do wondering around the tourist trap near the harbor.  There are many things to see.   A wax museum, under water garden, horse & buggy rides, 3 wheeled tricycle cabs, artists that will sketch your picture & a multitude of things to see & do.   And good food.