Going on a trip to westport for charter boat trip tommorow, bottom fishing

[datruthab123]

I have not been fishing up where, and only been here a year but this will be my first trip in wa, boat leaves at 0700 , I have been bottom fishing in MD/VA area and loved it but Im see the species are a little different here, I have several rods most medium to heavy action about the fishing is probably similar im guessing, the charter boats is with ocean charters, any advise on tackle, bait the area , just any info for a new guy here in WA would be helpful , thanks.

[dogtuk]

if you are going bottom fishing i would get some lead head jigs 3-6 ounces and some rubber worms white, green, red, black, i would use the biggest worms i could get and i would buy some point wilson darts  white this should be enough to get you some fish good luck   

[Drop Tine]

If your going with a charter they should have everythig you will need. Bait,poles etc. Went out the past few years the entire boat limited out within an hour. good luck.

[popeshawnpaul]

I like lead heads, but if you are going out of Westport you are going to be too deep for 3-6oz leadhead jigs as advised above.  Those work great for lings in less than 80 feet, but not out at the halibut/ling grounds out there.  You'll mostly be catching halibut, lingcod, and rockfish.  Trade as many halibut for lingcod as you can with unsuspecting fishing people on the boat as they taste much better.  You will need a heavy rod and I would suggest 90lb Tough Line Plus.  The rest the charter should rig you up with.

One thing...if you really want to piss off the charter and go for some big halibut, bring along a small to medium sized salmon head for bait.  Rig it with two hooks and let the fish have it.  The charters generally go into "quantity" halibut holes in an effort to limit everyone as quick as possible.  That means 1 halibut that will probably be 10-15 lbs.  Putting on a salmon head guarantees you that only a 40 lb halibut will bite it and you might get big fish for the boat.  Good luck and get as many of the halibut cheeks as possible.  They are like a fine scallop.

[datruthab123]

Like I told you all Im relatively new , but I thought halibut is out of season and are medium to heavy action rods ok for fishing to fish up here , and line what type of line. by all means educate me