California Halibut (paralichthy californium} A member of the left eyed flounder family the halibut is a much sought after food fish that ranges from Magdalena Bay ,Baja California to British Columbia. The halibut is found typically in fairly shallow water on sandy bottoms near structure. The largest California halibut caught on rod and reel is 58# 9 ounces while its larger cousin the Pacific Halibut from northern waters is 459#. Most halibut are caught while drift fishing and although there are some very specialized techniques the most common ways that I have experienced are a reverse dropper loop or sliding sinker. On the reverse dropper your hook is on the bottom and the weight is a bought 18 inches above. This lets your bait stay just above the bottom and is eaisly seen by the halibut and also helps to keep tangles down. I always use a circle hook when fishing this way because you always seem to catch a lot of short halibut for every keeper and this allows you to release them unharmed. When using the sliding sinker I use a swivel 18 inches above the hook to keep the weight off the hook. This rig also works well when halibut fishing anchored . Cast out and retrieve slowly back to the boat. Halibut can be very soft biters so always be ready to free spool if you feel a light tapping and let them eat the bait. A medium light out fit with the rod 6 to 7 feet and a reel that will hold 200 yards of 15 to 20# test works well. Hook size will be determined by the bait with sardines and squid a 1/0 0r 2/0 working well and smaller bait such as anchovies a #2 or 4.

Nice SanClemente Island halibut