Crissy field

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beutelevision

Guest
#42
Caught two halibut the past two days at Crissy Fields, 25.5" and 22". Bite is still hot!
That is great to hear! I caught one on Monday - 21.5" - so it went back to grow up a bit. I'm hoping to get out there next week.
 
I

ILYA

Guest
#44
I use a single #6 octopus hook. I tie 30lb braid to a #6 octopus hook, and then I use a large sewing needle to thread the braid from the tail to the main hook. I tie the braid to the base of the main hook and then soak it with super glue. I've had really good success doing this with Storm 360GT Searchbait Minnows in the 4.5-inch size. They're a bit more expensive than Big Hammers but they seem to hang up less on seaweed. I think it is the shape of the head.

For both fish, the trap hook was in the lip or jaw. See the closeup below.

For the retrieve, I typically do a slow retrieve making sure I feel the bottom, then a pause and then a twitch. The bites are usually in the pause or just after the twitch. The bites are just a tap. They are almost hard to tell apart from the lure just hitting a rock. But there is usually something different about the bite, it's just a bit sharper. It's hard to describe, but after making a thousand casts, you just know that it is different. I usually wait for a moment and then slowly load up the rod until I feel the weight of the fish.

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I use a single #6 octopus hook. I tie 30lb braid to a #6 octopus hook, and then I use a large sewing needle to thread the braid from the tail to the main hook. I tie the braid to the base of the main hook and then soak it with super glue. I've had really good success doing this with Storm 360GT Searchbait Minnows in the 4.5-inch size. They're a bit more expensive than Big Hammers but they seem to hang up less on seaweed. I think it is the shape of the head.

For both fish, the trap hook was in the lip or jaw. See the closeup below.

For the retrieve, I typically do a slow retrieve making sure I feel the bottom, then a pause and then a twitch. The bites are usually in the pause or just after the twitch. The bites are just a tap. They are almost hard to tell apart from the lure just hitting a rock. But there is usually something different about the bite, it's just a bit sharper. It's hard to describe, but after making a thousand casts, you just know that it is different. I usually wait for a moment and then slowly load up the rod until I feel the weight of the fish.

View attachment 833

View attachment 834
Good job!
What kind of jighead did you used and how heavy?
Thank you!
 
B

beutelevision

Guest
#45
Good job!
What kind of jighead did you used and how heavy?
Thank you!
I use the jighead that comes with the Storm searchbait minnow - either the 1/4oz or 3/8oz size. I fish mostly the 1/4oz size with a 4.5" body in hot olive or smelt colors. I can cast that size maybe 50 or 60 feet, which seems to be enough.
 
I

ILYA

Guest
#46
I use the jighead that comes with the Storm searchbait minnow - either the 1/4oz or 3/8oz size. I fish mostly the 1/4oz size with a 4.5" body in hot olive or smelt colors. I can cast that size maybe 50 or 60 feet, which seems to be enough.
Thank you!
 
B

beutelevision

Guest
#48
How come ever time I go all I get is skunk, did you fished the west or east field?
I fished and have caught halis at both ends of the beach this year. I don't have an answer. I've noticed that most of my bites have come on a reel-and-pause style of retrieve. This morning I had two bites, but they felt more like jacksmelt whacking the lure than halibut. Halibut bites are real subtle and really easy to miss. Just keep at it. This is a good year for halibut.
 
#50
I fished and have caught halis at both ends of the beach this year. I don't have an answer. I've noticed that most of my bites have come on a reel-and-pause style of retrieve. This morning I had two bites, but they felt more like jacksmelt whacking the lure than halibut. Halibut bites are real subtle and really easy to miss. Just keep at it. This is a good year for halibut.
What I meant to say is one side have more structure=bait fish than the other.
 
#52
I am a rookie fisherman, only 8 under my belt...but for halibuts I only used one technique..... bounce/reel slow off the bottom works before. .......No keeper in 3yrs now
8 years?? Granted there’s always more to be learned every time you go out, but that’s a pretty substantial amount of time.

What are you throwing? Have you tried downsizing? Are you standing in one spot or are you covering ground? Are you looking for and fishing optimal tide windows? Do you only fish Chrissy? Are you looking for current seams/structure/ambush points?
 
#53
8 years?? Granted there’s always more to be learned every time you go out, but that’s a pretty substantial amount of time.

What are you throwing? Have you tried downsizing? Are you standing in one spot or are you covering ground? Are you looking for and fishing optimal tide windows? Do you only fish Chrissy? Are you looking for current seams/structure/ambush points?
Yes 8 yr, 3/4 oz jig with 5” swimbait, no have not try down sizing at crissy field. For halibut I’m always on the move, mostly 2hr before the top of tide and a little after, but as of late I fish when ever I can. No I fished ARW most for halibut, I’m having hard time reading the current on the beach/surf.
 
#54
I prefer much heavier jig heads... more like 1.5 ounces up to 2 ounce. The reason for me is that I find Halibut respond to the swimbait moving more quickly on the drop. The heavier the jig, the faster it will fall to the bottom. So a quick and firm pull up, then I find they hit it on the drop. I make sure it hits bottom before popping it up off the bottom. Also, I can cast farther and cover more territory with a heavier swimbait. So just my two cents, but I've caught over 20 keepers so far this season. There are definitely better Hali jiggers than I, but I do get results with the heavier stuff.
 
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ILYA

Guest
#56
I prefer much heavier jig heads... more like 1.5 ounces up to 2 ounce. The reason for me is that I find Halibut respond to the swimbait moving more quickly on the drop. The heavier the jig, the faster it will fall to the bottom. So a quick and firm pull up, then I find they hit it on the drop. I make sure it hits bottom before popping it up off the bottom. Also, I can cast farther and cover more territory with a heavier swimbait. So just my two cents, but I've caught over 20 keepers so far this season. There are definitely better Hali jiggers than I, but I do get results with the heavier stuff.
If I am casting 2oz lure as far as possible, how strong should be leader to prevent breaking?
And what kind of leaders withstanding better to dynamic loadings?
At least 11 lb not good enough - lure has flied out.
Should be some compromise between thickness of leader (bigger diameter - less biting) and resistance to breaking.
Thanks
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#57
Depends how much punishment your lure takes. Might be a good idea to retie knots every trip because of the beating the knot takes from bouncing the lure.