How to Use a Fish Descender: Rockfish Release Device for Fish Caught in Deep-Water

Captain Cody Wabiszewski

As a charter captain who has worked in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska, I have learned that properly releasing fish caught in deep water is essential for conservation. When fish are brought up from depths over 50 feet, they often suffer from barotrauma which is a condition caused by the rapid expansion of gases in their swim bladder. In this article, I will discuss how to properly use fish descenders to safely release these fish back to their depths.

Types of fish descenders and rockfish release devices

Understanding Barotrauma in Fish

When a fish is reeled up from deep water, the decreased pressure causes the gases in its swim bladder to expand dramatically. This can result in:

  • Bulging eyes
  • Stomach protruding from the mouth
  • Inflated swim bladder
  • Inability to swim back down

Without proper intervention, these fish will float on the surface and eventually die. The good news is that with the right technique and tools, many of these fish can survive if properly released.

Why Use a Fish Descender?

Fish descenders are specialized tools designed to return fish to deeper depths where the increased pressure will recompress the expanded gases in their bodies. This gives the fish a much better chance of survival compared to other methods.

In my experience guiding fishing trips, I’ve found that even fish with severe signs of barotrauma can recover when properly returned to depth. deepwater release studies have shown that fish released with descenders have over a 98 percent survival rate in water depths up to 236 feet.

In some regions, using fish descenders isn’t just good practice – it’s the law. In Alaska, for example, it’s illegal to use a vent tool on rockfish, and every boat must have a rockfish release device (fish descender) on board. Similarly, federal waters from North Carolina to Florida require anglers to have a fish descender available.

Fish Descenders and Rockfish Release Devices

Seaqualizer Fish Descender

seaqualizer deep water release device for rockfish grouper and snapper

The Seaqualizer is becoming the most popular rockfish release device used in Alaska. It works by clamping the top or bottom lip of the fish with the lip grippers. The other side is connected to a weight or downrigger ball. Each device can be released at three different depths, 30, 50, and 70 feet for the shallow device, 50, 100, 150 feet for the standard model, and 100, 200, 300 feet for the deep model. There are three groves in the back that adjust the release depth. All the way out is the shallower setting and pushed in is the deepest setting.

A small rockfish in 100 feet of water or less will probably only need a 1 pound weight sink. Large yelloweye rockfish and snowy grouper caught in 200 feet or more will likely take 3-5 pounds of lead weight to sink. If the depth setting is not deep enough the fish will rise back to the surface and die. It is hard to recover the fish again when on anchor. The fish should be sent down as close as possible to the original depth. Here is a chart showing some of the types of rockfish.

The video above shows how to use a Seaqualizer deep water fish descender. It has an underwater video of the rockfish being brought back to depth. This helps demonstrate that fish with serous barotrauma such as an inverted stomach, bulging eyes, and an inflated swim bladder can survive if properly released. This has been done in many videos showing that when the expanded air is compressed back to its original size the fish can survive. Venting a fish brought up from deep depths would not be enough to allow the fish to swim back down. That is one reason why a fish descender must be used.

Sheldon Fish Descender

shelton fish descender

The Sheldon release device is another popular type of fish descender, especially for fish under 5 pounds. It works by adding a 1-3 pound lead weight to one end. The fish lip is placed on the hook and the weight brings the fish deep. After a long count depending on the depth, the rig then starts to be brought back up, and the fish slides off the hook. At this point, the air within the fish will be back to a small volume, and the fish should be fine.

2 pound weight with sheldon fish descender style rockfish release device

The picture above shows a fish descended with a lead ball weight attached. On the other end is a swivel which has the line coming from the fishing rod.

The video below shows a fish with barotrauma being released with a deepwater release device. This is a large yelloweye rockfish and three pounds of weight is needed to sink the fish.

Crate Box Fish Descender

Modified egg crate as a fish descender or rockfish release device

This is a unique way to build a custom fish descended. It is a milk crate with a clear plastic top. On the bottom, the rebar is attached to add weight. A rope is used to lower and raise the crate. This is nice as it is a dedicated system to release rockfish. Disadvantages are that it takes up room in the boat and can be lots of work to hand pull this every time a rockfish is caught especially at deep depths.

In the video above I show many different types of rockfish release devices. This was filmed at a rockfish release device seminar in Sitka Alaska. This was a Alaska Department of Fishing and Game event to educate fisherman on the proper way to release rockfish.

Rock Lee’s Fish Descender

Rock Lee spring loaded fish descender release device

Rock Lee’s Fish descended is a great way to release rockfish. The only problem is they can be difficult to find for sale. It works by attaching the fish to the front grippers, a weight to the bottom clip, and a fishing line to the top clip. Once the fish has reached the desired depth pulling up sharply on the line opens the front gripper so the fish comes off.

The video below is a great example of how many types of fish descenders work. A GoPro underwater camera is used by the anglers to show the fish recovering as they are brought back to depth. It also shows them swimming away safely.  In the video, the homemade inverted jig, milkcrate, Rock Lee’s device, Seaqualizer, and Sheldon fish descender are all shown.

Fish Saver Pro

fish descender descedning device for deep water release

Fishsaverpro is a simple rockfish release device. The weight is attached to the bottom loop and the line is tied to the top ball bearing swivel. The hook itself does not have a barb which allows the rockfish to easily slide off once the fish descender reaches the desired depth. This is a simple device but works well. It is a similar design to just using a hook or inverted jig. However, having a swivel to attach the top line is nice. The rig without weight is about 6 inches in length so this is a larger setup than just using an inverted hook with a snap swivel. A snap swivel can be added to the bottom loop to make adding and removing weight be an easier process.

Homemade Inverted Jig Fish Descender

rebar with hook for custom unverted jig style rockfish release device

This is a homemade inverted jig made with rebar, a hook, and stainless steel cable. The large piece of rebar is the weight that makes it sink. Anglers can also use a large jig and tie the line to the u-shape in the hook. The barb should be removed from the hook so the fish will slide off easily. Rebar is not stainless steel so it can leave rust marks on the boat and should be rinsed with fresh water. This jig is sealed in plastic to help prevent this. Having an actual fish descender is better but if it gets lost using a jig is a quick way to improvise and safely release fish that are caught in deep water.

Fish Lip Gripper Custom Fish Descender

fish lip gripper for custom deep water release device

A fish lip gripper can be used to make a nice custom fish descended release device. This is done by attaching the line to the top handle, weight to the bottom handle, and rubber bands around the handle if the gripper opens too easily. It works by securing the fish in the lip gripper and sending it down near the depth the fish was caught at. Then the angler pulls up on the rod and the grippers are forced opened and the fish is safely released. It takes a little work to modify the lip gripper but this is a quick and easy way to release rockfish, grouper, and snapper.

The video below shows the custom fish descender in action. It is made by Oregon Fish and Wildlife. Several different types of rockfish are released using the device. An underwater camera is used to show the fish recovering from the barotrauma as it is brought back to depth. In some cases, the eyes are popping out of the head, and as the fish is brought back to depth the eyes and inverted stomach go back into the fish’s body and it swims off.

Effective Descending Techniques for Different Fish Species

Different species respond differently to barotrauma and may require specific handling:

Rockfish

Rockfish are particularly susceptible to barotrauma and should always be carefully descended. In Alaska waters, I’ve found that:

  • Smaller rockfish (under 5 pounds) in waters under 100 feet typically descend well with 1 pound of weight
  • Larger yelloweye rockfish often require 3+ pounds of weight

Grouper and Snapper

These species commonly suffer barotrauma in deep reef environments:

  • Use heavier weights (2-5 pounds) for larger fish
  • Lip grippers like the Seaqualizer work particularly well for these species

Walleye and Freshwater Species

Yes, even freshwater fish can experience barotrauma when caught from deep water:

  • Typically require less weight (0.5-1 pound)
  • Can often be successfully released with simple hook-style descenders

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In my years guiding fishing trips, I’ve seen people make these common mistakes when using descenders:

  1. Insufficient Weight: Using too little weight is probably the most common error. If the fish doesn’t sink, add more weight.
  2. Improper Depth: Not returning the fish deep enough. If a fish resurfaces after release, it wasn’t taken deep enough.
  3. Too Much Delay: Waiting too long before descending the fish. Act quickly once the fish is brought aboard.
  4. Poor Attachment: Not securing the fish properly to the descender, causing premature release or injury.

Fish Vent Tool

A fish vent tool may seem like a good tool to use to release fish. These devices use a hollow needle to puncture the fish in the swim bladder to release expanded air within the fish. If only the swim bladder is inflated and not other organs such as the eyes, this method can allow the fish to swim back to depth and some anglers think the fish is going to be ok. However, studies have shown this is often not the case. Even a small puncture can cause an infection resulting in the fish dying.

Alaska Fish and Game made it illegal to vent rockfish when fishing in Alaska. It is required that a fish descender is on the boat and used when fish are caught in deep water. In federal water from North Carolina to Florida anglers are required to have a fish descended on the boat as well and are not to use a vent tool. The fish descender must be readily available and have at least 16 ounces of weight to meet the Federal requirements. However, more weight is often needed.

Anglers Choice Vent Tool

fish vent tool with needle

Fish vent tools are one-way that anglers can remove excess air from a fish that is brought up from a deep depth. The hollow needle is inserted into the swim bladder by lifting a scale and then puncturing the fish. Studies that were done in the gulf showed that vent tools were somewhat helpful with survival rates. However, most people now agree that using a fish descender rather than a vent toll leads to much higher survival rates of fish. I would strongly discourage anglers from using vent tools when releasing fish. It is the lazy way to do it and leads to a high mortality rate of the fish. It is much better to use a fish descender and bring the fish back close to its original depth for a proper release.

Yandia Fish Venting Tool

fish vent tool for fish swim bladder

This vent tool has a handle the looks like a screwdriver. The needles are between 5 and 6-inches in length and are made of stainless steel. Each needle is hollow in order to vent the air from the fish. To properly vent a fish the swim bladder needs to be punctured with the needle. Never puncture the stomach, intestines, or eyes that might also be bulging from the fish. The needed should be worked under the scales and into the swim bladder. It should remain in the fish until all the air is released.

That is the proper way to use a vent tool. However, the fish survival rates are not good when a vent tool is used. It is much better to use a fish descender to bring the fish back to depth. This takes a little more time but is much better for the conservation of gamefish.

Common Questions about Fish Descenders

What is a fish descender? 

A fish descender is a weighted device that is used to bring a fish back to depth. Some fish will have expanded air inside them when reeled in from a depth greater than 50 feet. Using a fish descender gives the fish the best chance of survival. Small fish under 5 pounds caught in under 100 feet of water depth can typically be sent back down with a 1-pound weight. Larger fish caught deeper can require significantly more weight to sink. Sometimes sending the fish down using a Seaqualizer on a downrigger ball is the best option.

What is a fish vent tool? 

A fish vent tool is a hollow needle that can puncture the swim bladder of the fish releasing most of the air inside the fish. This is done so the air inside the fish that expands when brought up from deep water can be released. This has limited effectiveness though and a fish descender is a better device to use. Some studies show that venting the fish and then using a fish descender is best. In my opinion, it is best to not puncture the fish with a vent tool and release it close to the depth it was caught at using a fish descender.

Do fish Descenders actually safely release fish? 

Yes, deepwater release studies have shown that fish have over a 98 percent survival rate when a fish descended is used in water depths up to 236 feet deep. Some people claim they do not work cause fish re-surface after using the device. The device did not work properly if the fish surfaces again, this is true. However, this is likely due to the fish not being brought back deep enough so it was still too positively buoyant and could not swim back to the bottom.

What is better to use a fish descender or vent tool?

Based on the research studies I reviewed it is much safer for the fish if a fish descended is used. A venting tool can have higher survival rates than not using a vent tool. However, for fish caught at deep depths over 100 feet with significant signs of barotrauma, a fish descender is needed. In Alaska and in federal waters in the South Atlantic ocean, it is required to use a fish descender and not a vent tool.

Do all types of fish need to be sent back with a fish descender?

All types of fish do not need to be vented or released with a fish descender. Halibut and flounder have a swimbladder but it does not typically have enough air in it to prevent the fish from returning to the bottom. Some types of fish such as sharks and rays do not have swim bladders. If you catch a fish and it is floating at the surface after release chances are that it has air built up within it that is not allowing the fish to swim down. Most fish that are caught deeper than 60 feet will need to be released with a fish descender. Common species that suffer from barotrauma include walleye, tilefish, snapper, grouper, and rockfish.

References

1) Wilde, Gene. (2009). Does Venting Promote Survival of Released Fish?. Fisheries. 34. 20-28. 10.1577/1548-8446-34.1.20.

2) Hochhalter, Samuel & Reed, Daniel. (2011). The Effectiveness of Deepwater Release at Improving the Survival of Discarded Yelloweye Rockfish. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 31. 852-860. 10.1080/02755947.2011.629718.

3) Fisheries, NOAA. “NOAA Fisheries Announces Gear Modifications for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery.” NOAA, 12 June 2020, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-gear-modifications-snapper-grouper-fishery.

4) Possessing Venting Tools and Descending Devices When Fishing for Reef Fish, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 25 May 2017, gulfcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/E-5-Options-Paper-for-Venting-Tools-and-Descending-Devices-1.pdf.

How to Catch Rockfish – Fun and Easy Fish to Catch

Rockfish are caught in the Pacific Ocean and are found in large numbers from southern California to northern Alaska. Personally, I have fished for rockfish in Sitka Alaska and Juneau Alaska on bottom fishing trips when running charter boats. There are 130 different species of rockfish. Rockfish are frequently caught when fishing for halibut, ling cod, and salmon.

Using herring is a sure way to catch rockfish. Herring can be used on a mooching rig, halibut rig, chicken rig, or placed on the tip of jigs and lures. When trolling for salmon with downriggers it is common to catch rockfish on hoochies and spoons. Swim jigs and bucktail jigs are good artificial bait to catch rockfish. Yelloweye rockfish are commonly caught when halibut fishing in water deeper than 200 feet. Make sure to have a rockfish release device on the boat to properly send fish caught deep back to depth.

Captain Cody Wabiszewski with a rockfish caught on a salmon rig

Rockfish are one of the most common and easiest types of fish to catch in the north pacific. However, there are over 130 types of rockfish and some rockfish are rare to catch. The basic strategy for catching rockfish is to first mark them on the fish finder. When targeting rockfish it is common to fish in less than 100 feet of water.

In Alaska, these fish are placed into two categories, pelagic and non-pelagic rockfish. Common Pelagic rockfish are dusky rockfish and black rockfish. Pelagic rockfish are often caught in water ranging from 40-200 feet deep and swim in large schools around rock-piles and reef structures.

Non-pelagic rockfish are typically found in deep water from 100-600 feet deep near any bottom structure. These fish are less common and include the quillback rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and shortraker rockfish. Most pelagic rockfish that get caught are 7-30 years old compared to non-pelagic rockfish that are typically 15-75 years old but can live to be over 190 years old.

Rockfish are a fun target when catching lots if fish is the goad and they are also a great eating fish. It is important to locate rockfish with a fish finder before dropping baits. This is especially true when anchoring in one spot. If you are drifting you can locate fish while you drift. Depending on the current rockfish will move around rock piles and humps. Fish can be piled up on the hump, down-current, up-current, or on a certain depth on a ledge. It is important to move around initially and find the fish!

Finding Rockfish

Rockfish are relatively easy to target and are a great eating fish. It is important to locate rockfish with a fish finder before dropping baits. This is especially true when anchoring in one spot. If you are drifting you can locate fish while you drift. Depending on the current rockfish will move around rock piles and humps. Fish can be piled up on the hump, down-current, up-current, or on a certain depth on a ledge. It is important to move around initially and find the fish!

Rockfish can be caught from zero feet deep to over 1800 feet deep. Most rockfish are in 20-400 feet of water along rocky bottom structures. They are often found in large schools suspended in the water as well. Pacific rockfish are found from northern Alaska all the way to southern California.

Fishing Methods for Rockfish

Mooching Method

herring for rockfish bait

A mooching rig is typically baited with herring. This is a common technique used for salmon fishing but also works the best for rockfish when fishing in under 200 feet of water. Rockfish can be caught on almost any structure you find in the water. Typically I look for a shallow peak in about 60 feet of water with deeper water around the peak. While drifting over the peak I look for rockfish on the fish finder on the bottom or suspended above the bottom. This tells me what depth to target the rockfish when mooching. Typically the schools of rockfish are suspended 10 to 40 feet off the bottom. The large non-pelagic rockfish are usually right on the bottom in water deeper than 100 feet.  In the video below I show how to hook up the bait and how to mooch.

Mooching Leader

mooching herring leader for rockfish fishing

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This is a pre-made 40-pound leader with a 4/0 and a 5/0 hook. The length is about 6-feet. Each hook is tied to the leader with snell knots. The herring is hooked on using the front hook. The hook is placed through the membrane on the bottom jaw of the fish. It then comes around to the other side of the fish and is placed through the center of the head securing it in some meat. The back hook can hang free or be placed in the top of the back behind the dorsal fin. Having the trailing hooks helps with the bite to catch ratio. When you get a bite while mooching you need to reel up any slack quickly.

Mooching Slider

mooching slider for rockfish rig

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This red 1-1/2 inch slider is where the lead weight is attached. This slider is placed above the bead swivel on the mainline. Sometimes this slider is black but red is the most common color. A gum pucky can be placed in front of the slider but this is optional. The long side of the slider goes toward the bead swivel on the rig. The swivel makes it so mooching weights can be quickly put on and off the rig. When traveling from location to location the weight usually stays on the rig and is wrapped around the reel of the fishing pole.

Six Bead Swivel

six bead chain swivel for rockfish mooching rig

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A six-bead swivel is the most common type of swivel used on a mooching rig. Any quality swivel could be used. I have used a ball-bearing barrel swivel and it works great as well. The swivel helps minimize the line from getting twisted as the bait spins. The mainline is tied to one end of the swivel and the leader is tied to the other end of the swivel.

Round Ball Sinker Weight

lead weights for rockfish rigs

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A lead weight of 6 or 8 ounces is used when mooching for rockfish. Banana weights were common for years but most people are using round weights these days.  The swivel on the slider rig is placed through the metal ring on the weight. This is a quick way to add and change weights throughout the day. In a current, the 6-ounce weight is best as it is easier to reel up. In a strong current 8-ounces is often needed to reach the bottom.

Circle Hook Bottom Rockfish Rig

the best bait on a circle hook

The best bait to catch large pelagic rockfish is lots of fresh bait on a circle hook. This is how we fish for halibut but sometimes we have to move and do not fish certain areas because we would catch too many rockfish. This rig also lets you fish deep and in strong currents. In the video below I show exactly how to make this rig. Typical bait includes herring, pollock, pink salmon, squid, and octopus. When targeting rockfish you want the bait to be very close to the bottom. If you are targeting halibut and lingcod the bait should be about 15-feet off the bottom which should reduce the number of non-pelagic rockfish that will be caught.  Rockfish show up good on the fish finder right on the bottom. If the bottom is varying in-depth and not flat chances are there will be rockfish in that spot.

Circle Hook

rockfish circle hook size 14

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A size 14 hook is perfect for rockfish. Typically I use a size 16 hook because I am mostly halibut fishing and then also catch rockfish. I tie a perfection loop and put the loop through the eye of the hook. This makes the hook tip role into the fish’s lip. I explain and show how to make the rig in the video below. These hooks do not rust and stay pretty sharp. If you use the same hook for a month straight I would recommend sharpening the hook. This rig is fished best fished with a 30-50 class conventional fishing reels.

Round Lead Cannonball Weight

lead weights for rockfish rigs

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This weight comes in sizes from 1 ounce to 4 pounds. These round weights work perfectly for bottom fishing. I typically use a two-pound weight. A one-pound weight typically works in under 200 feet of water. If there is a really strong current a three-pound weight is needed to keep the rig on the bottom. If anglers have a hard time reeling up heavy lead weights an electric fishing reel can be used.

Green Braided Twine Leader

braided nylon twine for rockfish rigs

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Size 36 braided nylon twine works great for making leaders. This is often referred to as ganyen line. This spool comes with 541 feet of rope. In the video below, I show how to tie the knots with this twine. The exact line I was using was in the video was Ashaway tuna leader, green in color. This tuna line had a solid braided nylon core with a strength of 150 pounds. It comes in 1 pound spools for around $50.

Barrel Swivels

barrel swivels for rockfish rigs

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A size 2/0 barrel swivel works for two of the swivels of the custom bottom rig. Any large barrel swivel would work. One of these swivels is tied between the mainline and the twine. The other swivel is tied to the monofilament line and is attached to the snap swivel on the end of the twine. This makes it so the bait can be quickly changed out. Typically I have several of the bottom leader hooks baited up and ready to replace the old bait when a fish is caught or the bait is checked.

Snap Swivels

snap swivels for rockfish rig

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Size 6/0 snap swivels are used to attach the lead weights and to attach the bottom leader to the twine. Any large snap swivels would work for this. Always make sure the swivels are closed before dropping the bait.

Heavy Monofilament Leader Line

rockfish leader line for rockfish rigs

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A clear 100-pound leader line is used for the bottom leader. Rockfish and halibut are not leader shy and many people including commercial fishermen just tie the hook directly to ganyen or twine. I like to have a clear leader. I have had the 100-pound line break a few times when leadering large halibut that I was trying to release.

In the video above I show how to tie the best bottom rigs for big rockfish and halibut.

Catching rockfish salmon and halibut in Alaska

Chicken Rig Method

chicken rig for bottom fishing

The most common way to bottom fish all over the world is to use a chicken rig. This rig has a weight on the bottom and two hooks that are tied about two feet apart using dropper loop knots. The mainline is attached to the rig with a barrel swivel. The weight on the bottom can be tied to or wrapped around a perfection loot knot.

Rockfish typically eat herring, sand lace, other rockfish, and crustaceans. Cut herring is a great bait to use for all types of rockfish. If the baitfish in the area are sardines, anchovy, or smelt that would be a good option as well. Cut the bait into one or two-inch pieces and put a chunk on each hook. When targeting bigger fish put the whole baitfish on the hook. Rockfish typically bite as soon as the bait is on the bottom. So be ready to set the hook and check the bait after getting a bite, especially if you do not get a bite for a while.

Circle Hook for Bottom Rig

octopus circle hook for rockfish bottom rig

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A circle hook works well because it is hard to feel the bite of small rockfish to properly set the hook because of the large weights typically needed. With circle hooks, the fisherman does not need to set the hook. Size 5/0 is good for small rockfish and 8/0 is good for large rockfish.

Seguar Fluorocarbon Leader Line

seagur leader line for rockfish rig

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50-pound Seaguar leader line for the leader material. In reality, expensive fluorocarbon is not needed for rockfish. Any 50-pound fishing line that is available will work. If you are just going to catch rockfish even a 20-pound line would work. Eventually, a big fish will bite though so I like using a 50-pound line for bottom rigs.

Crane Swivels

afw crane swivels for rockfish chicken rig

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Thes AFW mighty crane swivels in 310-pound strength are good for making chicken rigs. One of these swivels is used to tie the main line to the leader line.

Bottom Rig Weight

lead weights for rockfish rigs

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For chicken rigs, one ounce to one pound weights are typically used. It depends on the depth of water and the strength of the current. If the current is really strong a 2-pound weight might be needed. If the rockfish are small it might be hard to feel a bite with a two-pound weight on the line.

In the video above I show how to tie the best dropper loop for chicken rigs.

rockfish caught on a double bottom fishing rig in Alaska

Jigging Techniques for Rockfish

Jigs are good to have in the water because the jigging motion attracts fish and keeps them hanging around the other lines as well. If you do not need large weights to fight the current, a jig with a teaser would be my number one rockfish rig.

Swim Jig With a Teaser

lighhouse lures mega bite rockfish jig

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The mega bite jig is 9-inches in length and weighs 14-ounces. This large jig is good for big non-pelagic rockfish. I would recommend placing a teaser hook about 18 inches above the jig. This is done by tying a dropper loop in the line and sliding the loop through the eye of the hook. I show how to do this in the video below. A piece of cut bait should be added to the teaser hook. This adds scent and will probably catch more fish than the jig itself.

I would recommend placing a teaser hook about 18 inches above the jig. This is done by tying a dropper loop in the line and sliding the loop through the eye of the hook. A piece of cut bait should be added to the teaser hook. This adds scent and will probably catch more fish than the jig itself.

dusky rockfish and quillback rockfish

Swim Jigs

mega bite max purple morris 6 ounce jig

These swim jigs are 8 inches in length and weigh 6 ounces. There are 9 different color patterns. Four of the color patterns are glow in the dark which helps attract fish in deep water.  The two hooks on the bait help the bite to catch ratio. These jigs are perfect for catching rockfish in under 100 feet of water.

These jigs look similar to herring a common fish for rockfish to eat. A teaser hook can also be tied above these jigs. Pieces of cut bait such as squid can be placed on the hooks to add scent to the jig. Also, pro-cure herring scent gel can be applied to the outside of the jig to add scent.

Yelloweye rockfish and halibut caught in alaska

Curly tail Jig

squirrely shirley 8 ounce rockfish jig

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Gibbs Delta 8 ounce jig with a white lead head and a white tail. This is a very popular jig for bottom fishing. This works well to catch rockfish, halibut, and lingcod. Again I would recommend placing a teaser hook with bait about 18-inches above the jig. This jig has a sleek profile and sinks quickly.

Cody Wabiszewski with black rockfish and yelloweye rockfish caight in Sitka Alaska

Tsunami Holographic Rockfish Jig

tsunami holographic sand eel sand lance halibut jig

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The Tsunami holographic sand eel jigs are good to use for rockfish around sand flats and gravel flats. Sand lance live in these areas and look very similar to this jig.

It comes in sizes of 6-inch 3/4 ounce, 7-inch 1 ounce, 8-inch 1-1/5 ounce, and 9-inch 2-1/2 ounce. Color options are black-back and olive-back both of which have a reflective green holographic appearance.  These jigs can also catch halibut and salmon.

Bucktail Rockfish Jig

spro bucktail jig for halibut fishing

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Bucktail Jigs are a widely used jig to catch many types of fish including rockfish. These jigs come in 8 size options ranging from 1/2 ounce to 5.5 ounces. Good color options for rockfish include spearing blue, red-white, chartreuse, blue shad, and sand eel green. The best way to add scent to this jig is with a Gulp curly tail grub.

Rockfish Jig Point Wilson Dart

halibut jig candlefish point wilson dart

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The Point Wilson Dart candlefish jig is a popular verticle jig in the north pacific to catch rockfish, salmon, and halibut.  It comes in sizes ranging from 2-1/4 ounces to 6 ounces. Good color options for rockfish include blue-gold, green nickel, and green-yellow. This dart jig sinks fast and the 6-ounce version can fish up to 250 feet deep in most currents. The treble hook works well at hooking rockfish.

Using Hoochies and Squid Skirts

gold star mother of pearl twinkle skirt for hoochie rig

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This gold star Mother of Pearl Twinkle Skirt is a must-have beneath all hoochies. Alone is looks like a fly or a sand lace. When added to a hoochie it gives thickness and flash to the bait. The plastic dome at the front also spaces the hoochie further forward on the hook. Otherwise, beads are needed for spacing.  I put this on a mooching leader with two snelled hooks. This could also be placed on a single open eye hook using a barrel swivel and bead for spacing.

Goldstar Hoochie For Rockfish

gold star ultra violet green hoochie squid bait

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Goldstar green glow hoochie skirts. These 4 1/4 inch squid baits work great to catch both rockfish and salmon. These can be placed on a mooching rig or on the dropper loops on the chicken rig. Rockfish are pretty aggressive and will bait most baits. The advantage of a hoochie over cut bait is that it will not come off the hook. When using live bait after 10 seconds on the bottom you normally catch a fish or have the bait stolen. Having bait and hoochie makes it so you still have bait in the water.

Rockfish Ball Jig with a Hoochie

ball jigs with hoochie stinger for halibut fishing

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Flue ball jigs are a good way to fish for rockfish. These can be fishing on salmon mooching rod and reels. The jig consists of a chrome weighted head connected to a hoochie with two hooks. Bait can be added to the hooks.

Size options for these jigs are 1-ounce, 2-ounce, 3-ounce, 4-ounce, 5-ounce, and 6-ounce. Each set comes with six jigs in colors of gold-orange, root beer, orange, black-purple, and bright pink. Placing a teaser bait above the jigs is a great way to fish for rockfish and can allow more than one fish to be caught at a time.

Proper Handling and Release of Rockfish

Rockfish have a swim bladder that does not vent. When reeling fish up from deep depths rockfish suffer from barotrauma. This is when the swim bladder expands and even the eyes of the fish can pop out of their sockets due to the pressure change. The fish is going to die unless it is brought back to depth with a fish descender. There are many fish descender devices.

The state of Alaska requires that all rockfish caught at depth are released with a rockfish release device. People are also encouraged to practice fishing techniques to reduce the number of unwanted rockfish to be caught. This can be done by fishing for other species first. Also when fishing for halibut and lingcod the bait should be kept 10-15 feet off the bottom. It has been shown that less rockfish will be caught and will not affect the catch rates of halibut or lingcod.

Rockfish Release Devices

Seaqualizer Fish Descender

 

seaqualizer rockfish release device

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The Seaqualizer works by attaching the fish to the clip, adding weight, and tying the other end to a fishing pole. The fish is sent back to depth and when the fish reaches 100 feet, 200 feet or 300 feet the gripper opens and the fish is released. The depth it opens at varies depending on the selected setting. This is the best way to release fish that are caught in deep water. If the rockfish is large the seaqualizer will need to be clipped to a downrigger weight and descended using the downrigger.

In the video above I show the many different types of rockfish release devices.

Simple Fish Descender

fish decender

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This simple fish descender works well for releasing small rockfish with a one-pound weight. If the rockfish are two large even a three-pound weight will not get them to sink. This is when the Seaqualizer needs to be hooked to the downrigger to descend the rockfish.

Fish Vent Tool

fish venting tool

Fish vent tool or needle. Do not use a fish vent tool. It is illegal in the state of Alaska. This works by placing the needle under a scale of the fish to release or vent the air from the swim bladder. The fish should then be able to swim back to depth. Studies have shown that the survival rate is much higher if a fish descender is used to bring the fish back to depth without puncturing the fish with a needle. The main problem with venting a fish is the injury might not heal and the fish will die. Often times the puncture area becomes infected.

Types of Rockfish and Their Characteristics

Yelloweye Rockfish

Yelloweye rockfish are a common type of rockfish to catch and get up to 3 feet long which would be about a 40-pound fish. Female yelloweye rockfish have over two million eggs and give live birth. This fish is sometimes called a Pacific red snapper but is not the same species of red snapper commonly caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Alaska is the best location to catch Yelloweye rockfish.

Captain Cody with a huge yelloweye rockfish caught in Alaska

Quillback Rockfish

Quillback rockfish are common non-pelagic rockfish to catch and get up to 2 feet long. It has sharp venomous quills on its dorsal fin and also gives live birth.

Dusky Rockfish

Dusky rockfish are a very common fish to catch and get up to 20 inches long which would be about a 10-pound fish. Female dusky rockfish have over 100,000 eggs and give live birth.

Rockfish as Food

Rockfish is one of the best-eating fish in the north pacific. Similar to grouper it is often sold in restaurants. Rockfish do not have a high fillet weight to total fish weight. For comparison halibut get a 65 percent yield, salmon get a 76 percent yield and rockfish get a 49 percent yield. This is comparing the weight of the fish gutted to the filet weight with the skin on. These rates do vary based on the size of the fish.

Black rockfish get the highest yield percentage at 56 percent. Recreational anglers can keep three of these per day in Alaska and black rockfish are often targeted when salmon or halibut fishing is slow. Non-pelagic rockfish have a much lower quota, for example, only one yelloweye rockfish can be caught per angler per year. This is because these fish have a slow growth rate and long life.

Frequently asked Questions
Is rockfish the same as red snapper?

Yelloweye rockfish are sometimes called the pacific red snapper. In my option, they look more like a bright orange grouper than red snapper from the Gulf of Mexico. Red Snapper and yellow rockfish are two different species and are not the same fish. Another common name mistake is that people on the east coast call striped bass, rockfish. Striped bass look completely different from rockfish.

Is rockfish a healthy fish to eat?

Yes, rockfish is a healthy fish to eat as it is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Rockfish should be consumed in moderation though as it contains moderate levels of mercury. Black rockfish or seabass is the best type of rockfish to eat in my opinion. Rockfish are commonly served in restaurants and are a popular fish to eat.

How much weight is needed when fishing for rockfish? 

The amount of weight needed to catch rockfish varies depending on the water depth. In less than 100 feet of water, a 4-6 ounce weight can be typically be used. In strong currents and deep water, 1-2 pounds of weight is needed to get the bait near the bottom where the fish are typically located.

Using heavy weights can make feeling the bite and setting the hook difficult. Using small circle hooks and less weight when possible makes fishing for rockfish easier and more fun, especially when fishing with kids! There are specific limits for each type of rockfish so be prepared to use a fish descender or fish shallower water once a limit is reached to ensure that the released fish survive.

How do you catch vermilion rockfish?

A vermillion rockfish looks very similar to yelloweye rockfish. These are caught with the same baits and jigs as other rockfish. To target this specific type of rockfish anglers will have to find areas with a high population of vermilion rockfish. It is hard to know where this will be though unless you fish lots of different spots and notice a spot that frequently catches this type of rockfish. In Sitka Alaska, I know a good spot with lots of vermillion rockfish in about 100 feet of water.

How old do yelloweye rockfish get? 

Different types of rockfish have different lifespans. The types of rockfish that live the longest are the shortraker rockfish which live about 120 years and the rougheye which live around 140 years.  The oldest rockfish ever caught was a shortraker that was about 200 years old.  Yelloweye rockfish have lifespans up to 121 years old.

How big do rockfish get? 

The world record shortraker rockfish was 44 pounds 1-ounce pounds caught in Cross Sound Alaska in 2017. For yelloweye rockfish, the world record is 39 pounds 4 ounces caught in Whalers Cove Alaska.

How to Catch Halibut in Alaska: Fun and Effective Methods

I have fished for halibut in Juneau Alaska and Sitka Alaska. Halibut are the prized fish of the North Pacific Ocean. Halibut get huge, fight hard, and are great eating fish! Fishing for halibut can be difficult or easy depending on location, time of year, and currents. What makes fishing for halibut difficult is that they are usually very deep and like to bite in strong currents. This means that a lot of weight is needed.

Halibut and yelloweye rockfish caught in Alaska

Halibut are typically caught by anchoring the boat and using lots of bait to act as chum to attract the fish. A good scent trail can bring halibut to the boat from miles away. A good scent trail can bring halibut to the boat from miles away. The longer you wait the more likely halibut are to come and the fish tend to get larger as time passes on the same spot. About three hours is typically spent on a halibut fishing spot. Drift fishing is not typically as effective but does work to catch halibut.

Effective Halibut Fishing Methods

Halibut are typically found on gravel flats, sand flats, or located near what people in Alaska call rock piles but what I would typically refer to as a hump or underground mountain.

Halibut fishing in Sitka Alaska

Halibut Fishing Techniques

When drifting heavy jigs or mooching rigs with herring can be used to fish near the bottom. When anchoring, it is good to keep lots of scented baits down to leave a scent trail. Baits can include herring, pollock, salmon bellies, salmon guts, pink salmon, squid, and octopus. If only one or two poles are used a chum bag on the bottom is a good idea to keep a scent trail going. Having someone jigging also helps keep some action in the water, which also helps attract fish.

Mooching while anchored is a good idea as you can catch salmon on the way down and halibut once the rig is near the bottom. Listed below are the top lures and baits for halibut. Large non-pelagic rockfish and lingcod are often found in the same area as halibut and these baits also work well to catch them.

Making an Effective Halibut Rig

In my experience, having the right rig is crucial for halibut success. The best halibut rig combines a circle hook (which helps with their slow bite pattern), appropriate weight for the depth and current, and strong leader material.

Circle Hook with Halibut Bait

Circle Hook(14/0-16/0)

Halibut circle hook size 14-16

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A circle hook is a great way to catch halibut because the fish bite slowly and it can be hard to get a good hookset with a j-hook. I typically use a 16/0 hook because it can hold a lot of scented bait that acts like chum. Although a 16/0 is large it can still catch small 20-inch halibut. If you are targeting small halibut a size 14/0 circle hook is probably best.

The circle hook is just part of the rig. A lead weight and swivels are also needed. The rig is made with a 100-pound plus monofilament line and a 150-pound gangen line. This is a great rig to catch both halibut and lingcod.

Lead Weight (16-36 oz)

lead weights for halibut rigs

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A 16-ounce lead weight is good for shallow low current halibut fishing. A 32-ounce ball is what I typically use when halibut fishing in 200-400 feet of water. If the current is really strong I will switch to a 48-pound lead ball which is 3 pounds. This 3-pound weight makes it difficult to reel in even without a big halibut on the line. Fishing for halibut is done using conventional fishing reels. The rod and reel are placed in a secure rod holder while reeling. When fishing really deep some angels even use electric fishing reels.

The lead ball can be attached to the swivel on a custom halibut rig. The weight can also be attached to the bottom of a spreader bar if that is being used.

Braided Nylon Twine (#36 size)

braided nylon twine for halibut rigs

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This is a green ganyen line that is perfect for making halibut leaders.  Size 36 is a good size for halibut leaders. It does not say the exact strength but should be over a 100-pound test.

This twine is very similar to what I was using in the video above. This line is more flexible which is nice but you might need to melt the ends of the line to prevent line fray.

The exact line I was using was Ashaway tuna leader, green, which is a solid braided nylon cord with a line strength of 150 pounds. This comes in 1-pound spools for around $50.

Barrel Swivel (Size 2/0)

barrel swivels for halibut rigs

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These barrel swivels work great for the custom halibut rig. One swivel attaches the gangen to the mainline. The other barrel swivel attaches the mono leader to the snap swivel.  Size 6/0 is a large swivel which is nice for a halibut rig.  Halibut are not leader-shy so large terminal tackle can be used.

Another barrel swivel option would be a Rosco Nickle barrel swivel in the 6/0 size. These are commonly used in commercial fishing.

Snap Swivel (6/0)

snap swivels for halibut rig

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Two snap swivels are used for each custom halibut rig. The first swivel attaches the large lead weight. The snap swivel makes it so the lead weight can be easily taken off between trips. A round one-pound or two-pound weight is typically used.

The second snap swivels allow the leader with the hook and barrel swivel to be taken on and off the rig. This is nice because the rig can be baited quickly and sent back down. It is important to always have bait on the bottom to keep the scent trail going which brings the halibut toward the baits.

Monofiliment Line (100 pound)

halibut leader line for halibut rigs

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A leader line with a 100-pound test is what I use when halibut fishing. I tie a perfection loop on one end to attach the circle hook and tie the other end to a barrel swivel.

This line is a good value. There is no need to use a fluorocarbon leader because halibut are not leader shy. Jinkai Premium monofilament leader can also be used as a quality low-cost leader line for halibut bottom rigs.

Captain Cody Wabiszewski with a huge halibut

In the picture is a large halibut caught in Sitka Alaska, using pink salmon, squid, and herring for bait.

Mooching Rigs for Halibut

A mooching rig on the bottom is probably the best halibut rig out there to catch halibut that are under 38 inches in length. A hoochie can be added to the fishing rig or it can be fished with only a herring. If the current is very strong like it is in Juneau Alaska you will need to add more than the typical 6-ounce weight of a mooching rig.

Mooching Herring Leader (Double Hooks)

mooching herring Leader for halibut fishing

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This is the basic mooching leader used with dead herring to catch salmon and halibut. This is a 40-pound leader with a 4/0 and a 5/0 hook. There are three mooching leaders per back.

The rig has two hooks that are tied together with snell knots. I also use these leaders to troll with herring on downriggers. On a good day of fishing, I will use 10-20 leaders that get damaged by fish teeth.

Mooching Slider (1 1/2 inch)

mooching slider for halibut rig

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This slider for the sinker is perfect for mooching or getting bait to the bottom for halibut fishing.

A gum pucky can be placed in front of the slider if inexperienced anglers will be using the rod and might reel the slider into the tip of the fishing pole.

Six Bead Chain Swivel

six bead chain swivel for halibut mooching rig

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This is the best swivel to use with a mooching rig. The six-bead version is what I use when salmon and halibut fishing. One end goes on the line of the fishing pole the other end goes to the leader line. The mooching slider is placed above the swivel.

Round Ball Sinker Weight

lead weights for halibut rigs

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This is the weight used to get the herring to the bottom. When mooching for salmon a 6-ounce weight is typically used. For halibut, I like to use the 8-ounce weight to help it stay near the bottom when there is strong current.

Captain Cody Fishing for Halibut in Alaska

In the picture is a halibut that I caught in Sitka Alaska. The halibut is about 35 inches long and 20 pounds. It was caught on a salmon mooching rig in about 200 feet of water.

Jigs for Halibut Fishing

Mega Bite Swim Tail Jigs (14 Ounce)

mega bite swim tail halibut jigs

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The Mega Bite swim tail jig is made by Lighthouse Lures which is a big name in halibut lures. These jigs come in many great colors and come with two extra swim tails. The extra bodies come in handy because halibut love to chew on things.

Glow hurricane, purple crush, and white Russian are great color options. I would also recommend adding some bait to the hook for scent purposes. A piece of the salmon stomach, squid, or octopus would be perfect.

My Dad and I with a large halibut we just caught

In the picture is a nice halibut my dad caught while fishing in Sitka Alaska.

Mega Bite Max Halibut Swim Jig

mega bite max purple morris 6 ounce halibut jig

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Lighthouse Lures Mega Bite Max Shad Swim jigs weigh 6 ounces and are 8 inches long. These jigs are scented but additional pro-cure scent gel can be applied to the outside.

Color options are purple morris glow, perch ultraviolet, Georgia brown ultraviolet, and derby winner glow. Having two hooks within the jig is great for halibut as they can have a slow bite and be difficult to hook. Being a 6-ounce swim jig the effective fishing depth is up to around 150 feet depending on the current. This size jig also works to catch salmon, lingcod, and rockfish.   

Big Eye Glow Halibut Jig

big eye glow halibut jig

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This is a great all-around 16-ounce jig. It has a glow head and the body flutters great in the current. Bouncing a jig of the bottom can attract halibuts and help put them in feeding mode. This style jig also comes in a 24-ounce version.

Again add a scented bait to the tip of this just such as herring, a piece of salmon, or squid.

Mega Bite Halibut Deep Drop Jigs

johnson lure mega bite deep drop halibut jigs

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The Jonson Lure Mega Bite is a deep drop jig. It comes in heavy sizes of 14-ounce and 20-ounce. Color options include white savage, red herring, orange tiger, green tiger, green herring, and blue herring. Bass Pros Shops has a similar 14-ounce halibut deep drop jig.

These jigs work to catch large rockfish, lingcod, and halibut. The jig looks like a herring which is a favorite food for all large predator fish in the north pacific ocean. Both jig sizes should be able to reach bottom depths of 300 plus feet. Jigging is best done with large saltwater spinning reels or topless conventional fishing reels.

Mudraker Halibut Jigs

gibbs dela mudraker halibut jig

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Mudraker jigs come in weights of 1-pound and 1.5 pounds. Color options of the skirts are pink-white, blue-white, green-chartreuse, and red-black glow. All of the jigs have a chrome coated weight. The weight has a built-in scent chamber for gel scents.

Halibut pipe jigs are similar to Mudraker jigs. Lead-filled copper pipes with hooks that come out of various pouts are used t make halibut pipe jigs.

Octopus as Halibut Bait

Octopus is known to be one of halibut’s favorite food. The East Rain Artificial Octopus Swimbait comes in weights of .81 ounces,  6.35 ounces, and 9.88 ounces. Color options are white, yellow, purple, orange, brown, and black. 

Octopus is not an easy fresh bait to get for fishing. Sometimes when cleaning a fish octopus can be found in the stomach and used for bait. A good way to add scent to this bait is with pro-cure octopus gel.

Large Octopus Tentacle that was fond in a ling cod and used for halibut Bait

This is a giant pacific octopus tentacle that got spit up by a lingcod that we caught. We used the octopus for bait and caught a huge halibut with it. Octopus is one of the best baits for halibut.

Glow Squid Halibut Bait

dr fish glow squid halibut bait

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Glow-in-the-dark squid baits are commonly used when halibut fishing. The total lure weight is 2-1/2 ounces so it needs to be sent down with extra weight. Adding pieces of actual fresh squid to the hook is a good idea. Bass Pro Shops sells an 8-ounce, 12-ounce, and 16-ounce weighted squid rig in a large variety of colors. There is a scent ball that allows the scent to be added which is important when halibut fishing.

squid for bait

The Dr fish lure version has a glow-in-the-dark body material and a built-in water-activated LED that flashes. Good color options for halibut are white and green. It also comes in red and blue. This lure can be used during the day or at night.

Spreader Bar Halibut Rig

Halibut Spreader Bar

spreader bar for halibut bottom rig

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The spreader bar is used to hold the weight and have a short strong leader attached. This rig makes it less likely to tangle when fishing near the bottom. The weight connect to the bottom swivel and a short leader with a circle hook connects to the top swivel.

Circle Hook(14/0-16/0)

Halibut circle hook size 14-16

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A circle hook works well for hooking halibut and keeping them hooked.  Size 10/0 is good for small halibut and size 16/0 is good for big halibut. The large hooks are good for holding lots of scented baits.

Lead Weight (16-36 oz)

lead weights for halibut rigs

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One or two-pound cannonball sinkers can be used for the halibut spreader bar rig weight.

500 Pound Clear Leader Line

heavy leader line for spreader bar halibut rig

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This 500-pound monofilament leader line is good for keeping halibut on the line. Sometimes the 100-pound line will break when pulling on big halibut at the surface. If you know you are trying to catch big halibut then this heaver leader material is a good idea. A heavy line like this needs to be crimped not tied with a knot.

Finding Halibut Fishing Locations

The best fishing spot will depend on the halibut fishing location. At different times of the year halibut can be at various depths from 20 feet to water to 600 plus feet of water. Late spring and early summer good halibut fishing can be found in 100-250 feet of water depth. As summer move on halibut tend to move deeper but this really depends on where you are fishing.

In some locations fishing humps, rock piles, and mounds can be effective. Personally, I like to try and find sand flats or gravel flats. The large flats are marked on charts but don’t be afraid to looks for your own good spots. Anchor the boat up current of the flat so scented bait will bring any halibut sitting on the flat to the baits. Try and avoid rocky areas as their will likely be too many rockfish stealing the baits.

Keep at least one good scented bait down at all times such as herring, squid, pollock, salmon guts, or chunks of pink salmon. Each angler can only use one rod so it is nice having four angler fishing to add lots of scent. In less than 200 feet of water, halibut can also be caught with herring on mooching rigs.

Artificial lures such as heavy-jigs, swim jigs, Mudraker jigs, deep drop jigs, and pipe jigs can all be effective. It is very important to have some scent on the bottom at all times though. Bouncing lures of the bottom can send out vibrations that also attract halibut which frequently lay on the bottom.

Halibut and king salmon caught in May in Sitka Alaska

In the picture above are four halibut and two king salmon that were caught in Sitka Alaska.

Common Questions About Halibut Fishing

How do anglers pick a good halibut fishing spot?

Gravel flats are often marked on charts. The other way to find them is to use the depth finder while slowly motoring around to find an area that is flat compared to the surrounding area. If it is rocky there will not be as many halibut and you will probably catch many rockfish which will decrease the amount of scent on the bottom.

The current around rock piles can cause eddies that trap bait. On rock piles, the halibut stay near the bottom where it begins to get flat and try to ambush prey. Halibut tend to sit on one side of the rock pile, typically the up current side of a rock pile. If you find a good spot where halibut are biting on a hump it will probably only be good in that specific spot when the tide is flowing in the same direction.

How do you mooch for halibut?

Mooching for a halibut is done with a salmon mooching rig with a herring. The rig is dropped until it hits the bottom and is then brought up a few feet. In heavy currents, the rig will have to be continuously dropped back to the bottom. This works best once the large scented baits have brought halibut near the boat. Sometimes the smaller active bait gets halibut that are not biting to bite.

Are halibut a good eating fish?

Yes, halibut is a very good eating fish and typically costs between $20-30 per pound at the store. It is a tender white flaking meat that does not taste fishy. Halibut have a good fillet weight to total weight retention of around 40 percent of the round weight of the total fish. Larger fish do have higher weight retention. Smaller halibut under about 50 inches are the best eating halibut. The meat gets a bit tough and rubbery with a very large halibut.

Depending on the fishing location or halibut zone will determine the number of fish and size of fish that can be kept by commercial vessels, sportfishing boats, and recreational boats. In Sitka, Alaska the size limit for sportfishing vessels was 1 fish per angler and it had to be under 38-inches or over 80 inches. However, we did not catch a fish over 80 inches all season and would have let it go even if we did. Only a certain number of boats have sportfishing halibut permits so it can be difficult and expensive for a charter operation to get one. Recreational fishermen with their own boat just need a standard Alaska fishing license.

What is the best time of year to catch halibut?

The best time of year to fish for halibut is in the summer when halibut are in under 600 feet of water. If you are in a location with a good halibut fishery like Sitka Alaska, Homer Alaska, or Seward Alaska halibut can be consistently caught from May through September.

What depth should you fish for halibut?

In the summertime, halibut can be caught from 20 feet of water to 600 feet of water. When fishing off the Pacific coast halibut fishing can be better at certain depths from month to month. Sometimes anglers have to adjust their strategy if halibut fishing is slow. Typically though once the fish are found they can be consistently caught.

What is the best bait for halibut fishing?

The best bait for halibut is salmon guts and octopus. Since octopus is a hard bait to get salmon guts are my preferred halibut bait. Typically I will try and catch salmon in the morning and keep the guts in a 5-gallon bucket to use for halibut fishing. Other good baits include squid, pollock, herring, sole, flounder, and pink salmon. A scented gel can be applied to the outside of jigs.

Halibut fishing is similar to shark fishing with chum. The fish have a good sense of smell and can follow a scent trail from a very far distance away. Sometimes halibut bite right away and sometimes it takes up to an hour for them to start biting. The longer amount of time spent on a spot the better the chances of catching a bigger halibut.

What is the best tide for halibut fishing?

Halibut bite best with a changing tide where the current is not too fast or too slow. Generally, around 45 minutes after a tide change all the way to 45 minutes before the tide change the halibut bite will be good. In most cases, anglers just do not want to fish the slack tide. However, in inlet areas like Juneau Alaska where the tides can be very strong fishing closer to a tide change can actually be best.

The most important thing regardless of whether it is an incoming tide or outgoing tide is to properly position the boat based on the tide direction to be on the fishing spot. If the anchor drags the bottom or the boat is positioned wrong it can make for slow fishing. The best way to determine the direction of the tide is to power off the boat and wait a minute or two to see which direction that boat drifts. This method works well as long as the tide direction is not about to change.

What pound line is best for halibut fishing?

The best line for halibut is a braided line over 80 pounds. Halibut are not leader shy and many people even use a thick rope as leader material. It is common to catch smaller halibut under 38 inches or 25 pounds on a fishing line that has a 30-pound test. However, if a big halibut bites the gear will likely not be able to catch the fish. Most halibut reels are 30-50 class conventional fishing reels such as the Shimano Tyrnos. These are spooled with an 80-pound to 100-pound braided line and then a 100-pound plus ganyen or monofilament leader is used to attach the hook.

How big do halibut get?

The IGFA world record halibut was 459 pounds and was caught out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska in 1996. Halibut over 275 pounds are considered barn doors or monster halibut. There was a 515-pound halibut caught in Norway in 2017 that was 102 inches in length.

Halibut can live up to 55 years. Female halibut get much larger than male halibut. Once a male halibut reaches about 45 inches it can switch from a male halibut to a female halibut. Almost all halibut over 45 inches are female.

A 38-inch halibut is about 25 pounds, a 50-inch halibut is about 60 pounds, a 60-inch halibut is about 110 pounds, a 70-inch halibut is about 180 pounds, and an 80-inch halibut is about 275 pounds.

Should anglers keep a large halibut?

Anglers should try and not keep halibut over 50 inches in length. This will help keep the breeding female halibut around and allow for high numbers of halibut to be caught in future years. All halibut over 50 inches in length are females and are at least 8 years old and could be over 20 years old.

Female halibut do not reproduce until they are 12 years old. All halibut over 70 inches are big breeding halibut that are important to keep halibut stocks in high numbers. Also, large halibut over 50 inches in length do not taste as good as smaller halibut.

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