The first time I went halibut fishing in Southeast Alaska was almost a decade ago. I didn’t know what to expect but I was excited. I would later find out that just being on the water in the majestic Alaskan setting would exceed my expectations, let alone fishing in such a gorgeous place.
I had heard that Halibut fishing could be tough. The seas could be rough, the fish might not bite or the rain might put a damper on the day. Over the years, I have experienced rough seas, no bits and a lot of rain but I have also experienced the thrill, joy and excitement of hooking a halibut and reeling it in!
Biggest Halibut I Have Caught (so far)
The largest halibut that I’ve caught was 197 lbs! Two times my size. After leaving the fishing lodge in the morning, we stopped to pick up fresh bait. Pulling up close to a dock, we dropped our sabiki rigs into a ball of herring and quickly caught enough bait for the day. We motored onto our fishing spot, anchored for the day and started fishing for halibut.
We anchored in a shallow location and kept our eyes on the tides. In Petersburg, I’ve witnessed tides as extreme as 14 feet (I think they can get up to 20+ feet). The tides are extremely important when you are halibut fishing since they are bottom feeders. When the tides change, they sweep food across the bottom of the ocean floor for them to feast on.
DIY Halibut Fishing in Petersburg Alaska
If you’re interested in DIY halibut fishing or if you’re heading to a self-guided fishing lodge, this article will give you the basics to help you out. If you’re reading this post, then I’m guessing you have the basic knowledge of fishing and using a boat (but if not, feel free to send me a message and I can help answer any questions you might have) so I’ll focus on halibut-specific tips.
Tips for Halibut Fishing in Petersburg Alaska
Which Halibut Hooks to Use
One of the most common ways to hook a halibut is via a Circle Hook. The halibut must swallow the circle hook without you pulling your line. If you pull your line, the hook will be pulled out of the halibut’s mouth. However, if you’re not incredibly patient (like myself), consider jigging for halibut with a J hook (or even a treble). With a J hook, as soon as you feel a bite, you can yank the rod.
Halibut Bait
The most common halibut bait that I witness being used across Southeast Alaska is an oily fish called a herring. A silvery fish that travels in groups, herring are often used for halibut – fresh or frozen (the halibut don’t seem to mind!). A couple of the other baits that I have used are squid or salmon bellies.
Where to Fish for Halibut
A lot of charter guides will fish for halibut in deep waters quite a distance from the shoreline in depths of anywhere between 200 – 600 feet of water. They have been (and continue to be) quite successful. On the other hand, I have had a lot of success fishing in shallower waters – anywhere between 20 – 120 feet of water. I caught the 197 lbs halibut (pictured above) in about 30-40 feet of water.
Where to Find Halibut
Halibut like to sit on the edge of a slope, either at the top of the slope (just like the top of a hill) or a the bottom of the slope (at the bottom of the hill). Since they are a flat fish, they lay on the ground waiting for the tides and currents to deliver their meals. One of the best ways to find a decent place to start halibut fishing is by the amount of elevation on a map. Look for places that get super shallow or super deep very quickly.
Reading an Alaskan Map | Understanding Fathoms
If you’re not an experienced boat captain or angler in Alaska, I’d like to share one piece of advice that may save you a lot of time / effort. Most maps of the waterways in Southeast Alaska are measured in fathoms. A fathom is equivalent to 6 feet. For example, if you see the number ‘10’, it means that you’re in 60 feet of water (not 10). I spent almost 3 years in Florida fishing and all of our nautical maps were in feet so this was new to me.
Share Your Tips and Tricks to Catching Halibut in Southeast Alaska
Have you been halibut fishing in Southeast Alaska recently? Catch a big one or have a fun story? Feel free to share with us! We always love hearing about a great adventure!