Halibut in 2023

[Gentrys]

I know it's not cheap to take the boat out for Halibut fishing.  If anyone has an open seat this coming season, keep me in mind.  Happy to help pay for costs.  I usually try to do a day with a charter company out of Westport. 

[C-Money]

I would really like to go out after halibut as well. I book a seat on a charter boat. Never been out private/friends. Deep Sea added a few more boats this season. Hoping Ocean Sportfishing office can stay a float.

[Gentrys]

Yep, just charter boats for me also.  Went with Mark Coleman last year and various boats with Westport Charters and Deep Sea Charters in years past.  Weather doesn't always cooperate but we still manage to get on fish and have a good time.
Just wanted to see if there's anyone out there that might have an available seat this year on their boat.
Going rate on charter boats is now $400 - $500 for halibut.

[Crunchy]

Halibut fishing is addicting.  Caught my first, second and third this last year out at Westport.  Just picked up a second gaff, harpoon and buoy and ready to rock come May.  Why did I wait so long to give it a try.

[hiway_99]

I will have some open seats this year.  Especially if you can fish on a Thursday.  I fish out of la push and run a charter.  I have a north river 3100sxl and all electric reels.  Would be more then happy to offer a hunt wa discount. 

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[Gentrys]

Thanks Hiway99 for the offer.  Never fished out of La Push before.  Definitely something to consider!

[Ghost Hunter]

Tagging

[pnwbestlife]

I haven't fished halibut out of westport yet, but I'm planning to do it this year. I have a 23 ft north river that's properly equipped. I usually have a crew, but if I have an open seat, I love to take new (to me) folks out. I usually fish on week days though and avoid weekends. If you have knowledge of halibut out of westport, that's a big plus, especially nearshore opportunity. I don't plan on fishing the super deep stuff.

[C-Money]

I booked a bottom trip on opening day. No halibut opportunity, but I'm ready to fish now. Always wanted to fish Westport in March. Would love a giant ling...

[Fidelk]

I haven't fished halibut out of westport yet, but I'm planning to do it this year. I have a 23 ft north river that's properly equipped. I usually have a crew, but if I have an open seat, I love to take new (to me) folks out. I usually fish on week days though and avoid weekends. If you have knowledge of halibut out of westport, that's a big plus, especially nearshore opportunity. I don't plan on fishing the super deep stuff.

I have fished halibut/lingcod (on small charter boat) out of La Push. Always limit out. Out about 30 miles. Takes about 90 minutes to get there. There are usually lots of boats arriving in the same patch of ocean. I've seen Westport party boats out there which was about a 4 hour run each way (and less time on the fishing grounds). And you are fishing in 600-700 feet of water......modern braided line is amazing and allows you to feel the bottom in those depths.

[Fidelk]

I booked a bottom trip on opening day. No halibut opportunity, but I'm ready to fish now. Always wanted to fish Westport in March. Would love a giant ling...

Personally, I prefer lingcod eating over halibut. A bit more versatile to cook.  I think your chance to catch a large ling improves the further out you go. Consider a charter trip for halibut and lings.......there are large lings out where they fish for halibut. There are also a lot of them.......so release the ones that are smaller than your desired size.

[Stein]

I agree, I would take a ling over halibut any day of the week  But, it's sure fun to fish for both provided you aren't using 10# of lead in 600 feet of water.

[Fidelk]

I agree, I would take a ling over halibut any day of the week  But, it's sure fun to fish for both provided you aren't using 10# of lead in 600 feet of water.

The setups provided by the charter captain were 2 lbs. of lead. I tend to use my own jig (less than 2 lbs. with a 10/0 treble hook and "juiced" with Smelly Jelly).....but close enough to the weight being used by others to avoid tangling. It's been a real killer on both halibut and lings. Having fished the rocky bottom off the Northern California coast, I'm amazed that I still haven't lost that jig.......which probably indicates that the bottom out there 30 miles and 600 feet deep is more of a sand and/or gravel bottom. I'm surprised that kind of bottom holds both halibut and lingcod.

[Stein]

The last halibut I caught was on rocky bottom which really surprised me.  That was inside Puget Sound though.  I always thought they laid on sand like their smaller relatives, shows what I know.

I suppose they go where the food is #1 and then the bottom they prefer #2.

[Duckslayer89]

The last halibut I caught was on rocky bottom which really surprised me.  That was inside Puget Sound though.  I always thought they laid on sand like their smaller relatives, shows what I know.

I suppose they go where the food is #1 and then the bottom they prefer #2.

Commercial fishing we always laid sets down on rock piles. A lot of the halibut we caught had bright red belly’s and some were really scratched up from swimming along the coral and rocks.