The brown bear 20 yards away is living its best life. The gravel road provides an elevated perch to watch, with great awe, a bear in a creek up to its neck, standing on its hind legs, as hundreds of migrating salmon swirl and swim by. For this sizable animal, the eddy is both cold plunge and buffet. Nearby, untold numbers of silvers stack up in a shallow stretch, unable to pass over the rocks despite their thrashing and tail beating. When the next rain comes, the creek will rise and these salmon will be able to move farther upstream as they instinctively head back to the location where they hatched.

“It’s incredible,” says Joshua Badder, co-owner of Wild Strawberry Lodge in Sitka, Alaska. “The life that they have… and the life they give.”

It’s late August in Sitka. With the exception of the gunmetal gray peaks of the nearby mountains, everything is verdant. Unlike the distant, northwestern expanses of the Frontier State, Southeast Alaska (a three-hour flight from Seattle) is a temperate rainforest that’s home to a rich and diverse biomass. Bear sightings are constant. Bald eagles are as common here as seagulls in South Florida. And this time of year, the salmon run inspires anglers to join a phenomenon unlike any other in nature. 

“It’s hard to explain. It’s like magic,” says Badder. “Thousands and thousands of these fish run upstream. It draws in the birds, the bears, and the people. Being in those streams in your waders, surrounded by these fish, is surreal. There’s nothing like it in the world.”

Alaska’s Wild Strawberry Lodge in Sitka

For Badder, it’s also surreal that he now has a front row seat to this magical migration. In February, Badder and his friend and business partner Justin Karleski bought Wild Strawberry Lodge. The two lifelong outdoorsmen and former heavy equipment salesmen were at their favorite pizza place back home in Kansas City, Missouri, when their broker called to inform them that after eight months of negotiations, the deal was done. They were now the owners of a legendary getaway that’s been a Sitka staple for more than 30 years.

“Did I ever dream of owning a fishing lodge? No. But it’s pretty awesome that this came to fruition,” says Karleski. Within days of the deal’s closure, Badder and Karleski were packed and headed to Sitka to get to work. 

Alaska is well known for its salmon fishing lodges, which range from homespun to luxurious. Wild Strawberry feels like you’re staying at a relative’s home. Located in the heart of Sitka a short walk from the marina, Wild Strawberry offers expertly organized multi-day, immersive fishing charters. The fleet consists of aluminum pilothouse boats built for the rough and tumble waters of Baranof Island. But the payoff is considerable. “Each client is leaving the Sitka airport with 50 to 100 pounds of fish,” says Badder. (The culinary yield of a processed salmon is 45 percent.) While king and silver salmon make up the bulk of the poundage, lingcod, halibut and rockfish are a regular part of the mix.

Best Fishing in Sitka Alaska

While trolling used to be the strategy of choice for salmon fishing, these days it’s all about mooching. The rig consists of a two-hook leader, mooching sinker and cut herring. The captain sets up a good drift, marks the salmon on the MFD, and directs the anglers to drop the bait to the target depth and reel up slowly. (All the reels have line counters so anglers can dial in their depth.) From here, it’s not a matter of if, but when.  

Once you’ve limited out on kings and silvers, the entrails of a few pinks end up as bait for the barn doors. “Everyone has their own favorite fish. For me, in salt water, the obsession is halibut,” says Badder. The strategy is simple: Open the bail until you feel the thump on the bottom, reel up twice, and start jigging. “It’s the elusive fish that might get away, or maybe you’ll catch a state record,” Badder says. “What I’m sure of is you’ll have a great time doing it.”

One misty morning, a few members of our crew pile into Karleski’s side-by-side (which are street legal in Sitka). The drive goes from asphalt to gravel to dirt to untamed wild. The UTV crawls over downed trees and through mud pits. The destination is one of Karleski’s secret spots: a waterfall that empties into a quiet, elevated pool. Trapped by the water level and waiting for more rain, the salmon swim in circles. Armed with fly rods, we cast into the pool while precariously balancing our deck boots on wet rocks. If you saw this scene in a movie, you’d swear it was CGI. A natural vignette that seems impossible. 

“Is this heaven?” I ask.

Karleski chuckles. “Close,” he says. “It’s Alaska.”

Planning a Trip to Sitka, Alaska

When to Go: Peak season is June 1 to August 31. 

How to Get There: Alaska Airlines offers direct jet service year-round from Seattle, with a flight time of approximately three hours. Delta Airlines also operates one daily flight from Seattle. 

Cost: Wild Strawberry’s base package is two days fishing and three nights lodging for $2,525, plus taxes. The all-inclusive package includes airport transport, meals, tackle and rain gear, fishing licenses, and processing/shipping your catch. 

What to Expect: A wide array of weather. Fog, drizzle, wind, intense sun, rain, chill—that’s just one of the ways a summer day can unfold in Southeast Alaska. You’ll likely go from bundled up under foul weather gear in the morning to stripping down to a T-shirt and pants by the afternoon. Even with all the wardrobe changes, the sock hat was the one item I consistently wore all day, every day.

The post Sitka’s Salmon Bonanza appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The frigid seas of the Gulf of Maine are home to a diverse blend of bottom fishing opportunities, with species such as cod, haddock, and pollock routinely filling anglers’ boxes. However, famed Atlantic halibut are also once-again beginning to show in increasing numbers. 

Recognized as the largest member of the flatfish family, the Atlantic halibut inhabits a broad range, stretching from the icy waters of Labrador and Greenland across to Iceland, and down through the Canadian Maritimes. Within U.S. waters, Atlantic halibut are most frequently encountered by anglers in the Gulf of Maine. These demersal fish inhabit the seafloor at depths ranging from a few hundred feet to deeper than 6,000 feet. 

The largest Atlantic halibut on record was caught by a commercial angler in the early 1900s off the coast of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. It weighed more than 600 pounds even after the head had been removed.

The Crash of the Atlantic Halibut

Throughout the late 1800s, the growing population centers of the Northeast drove an increasing demand for fresh fish. In response, commercial fleets focused on Atlantic halibut for its impressive size, sweet flavor, and signature flaky texture. Records show that at least 12 million pounds of Atlantic halibut were harvested annually in the Gulf of Maine during this period.

Atlantic halibut are an extremely slow-growing species that require 10 years to reach sexual maturity and can live past 50 years of age. Over time, the extreme fishing pressure began to take its toll, and the U.S. population of halibut had all but crashed by the 1940s. 

Little effort was made to restore the fishery until the early 2000s when the New England Fishery Management Council stepped in to put in place a rebuilding plan, through tactics such as seasonal and year-round area closures, limited commercial and recreational harvest, and annual catch limits, the goal remains to get the population back to a target level by 2055. Yes, that’s another 30 years. 

Atlantic Halibut Rebounds

For an insider’s take on the current state of halibut fishing in the Gulf of Maine, I had the chance to connect with Capt. Bruce Sweet, of Sweet Dream Fishing Charters, based in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Sweet and his team routinely target Atlantic halibut along the Fippennies Ledge section of the Gulf of Maine, an underwater shoal located around 65 miles northeast of Gloucester. 

While the fishing is not consistent, Sweet says, “Over the last 15 years or so, the fishing is trending up; they are hardly abundant, but you are hearing about more and more being caught.” These days, strict recreational regulations continue to help Atlantic halibut maintain growing population levels, with only one fish measuring at least 41 inches able to be harvested per boat, per trip. 

Sweet also highlights that the surge in halibut activity has drawn increased interest from anglers, particularly as New England groundfish species have seen decreased bag limits for the past few years. 

Tips and Tactics for Targeting Halibut

For Sweet, the peak of his halibut fishing season occurs toward the end of May, into early July. The biggest reason for this is that once the Gulf of Maine hits a water temperature of 60 degrees, the area becomes inundated with dogfish and blue sharks that make getting any fish to the boat nearly impossible. 

Offshore shoals with depths of 200 to 300 feet, featuring gravel bottoms or scattered boulders, are great areas to start. While most halibut are caught as bycatch during pollock and haddock trips, targeting areas with abundant bait and other biomass is important. Along with Fippennies Ledge, anglers might also consider making the trip to Jeffreys Ledge off the coast of New Hampshire, where commercial tuna fishermen and recreational ground fishermen occasionally hook halibut that rise from the bottom to strike suspended live baits.

The massive specimens of the past are still a distant memory. Sweet reports that most fish caught by his clients weigh between 50 and 60 pounds, with the largest of his career surpassing 90 pounds. As a result, using the right gear to bring large fish up from deep water is essential. Anglers typically target Atlantic halibut with traditional three-sided Norwegian jigs, often accompanied by a series of teasers, ranging from 12 to over 20 ounces to account for current — requiring heavy conventional tackle to impart action and maintain bottom contact.

While the full recovery of the Atlantic halibut population remains uncertain, strict regulations and careful management are driving the species’ resurgence, giving anglers the opportunity to target these remarkable fish once more. With continued efforts, one day it may not take a trip to Alaska for U.S. anglers to wrestle with the king of flatfish.

The post The King of Flatfish appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

About 100 miles southwest of Juneau in southeast Alaska (the state’s Panhandle), Sitka sits at the edge of the north Pacific on Baranof Island. To the north and east, the rugged islands and mountains are all Tongass National Forest and Wilderness Area. The island remained part of Russia until 1867. Signs of that are still in evidence, such as St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

A major port for commercial fishing, Sitka is also a center for tourism and, with a considerable fleet of charter operations, sport fishing. Salmon are the main draw; while it’s possible to catch five species of salmon here, Chinook (king) and coho (silver) are the primary targets, along with halibut and other bottom fish.

While there are no roads in or out of Sitka, 14 miles of local roads offer many spots to fish without a boat — lakes and streams for trout and grayling, and coastal areas for salmon (notably pinks) and trout (particularly Dolly Varden), but also with catches of king salmon, sea-run cutthroat and other species.

Along with Sitka’s great fishing, it’s reasonable to expect to observe or encounter a range of marine wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, eagles, sea lions, bear, sea otters and more.

Planning a Trip

When to Go: With the climate less than appealing for visitors much of the year, mid-May through mid-September is the real tourist season in Sitka, when the population swells and things get quite busy.

For anglers, timing is significant. That is, those looking for trophy king salmon (30 to 40 pounds) will focus on June and July. Anglers hoping to get in on the main run of coho — smaller than kings but more numerous and wild battlers on lighter lines — will book in July, August and September. Mid to late summer also gives enthusiasts shots at sockeye, chum and pink salmon. Halibut can be taken throughout the summer, along with many species of rockfishes. Lingcod may be kept only mid-May through mid-June and again mid-August through November.

Where to Go and How to Get There: Although boating to Sitka is possible, the vast majority of visitors fly in with regular air service from Seattle on Alaska and, seasonally, flights on Delta as well.

You’ll find a number of hotels in Sitka, with an online search, along with some resorts that cater particularly to sport fishermen. But the number is limited and with such a short season, competition for bookings is fierce. If you can commit nine to 12 months ahead on a reservation, the chances of getting your first choice should be pretty fair.

One of the first places you should consider is Kingfisher Charters and Lodge. The lodge provides comfortable accommodations right on Sitka Sound. Their charter fishing specializes in salmon (kings and silvers), halibut, lingcod and rockfish. Windy or not, they have a trip planned and species to target. If you’re looking for a new species to catch, consider the tasty sablefish — Sitka is one of the few places in the U.S. where it’s not too hard to catch one.

What to Expect: Granted, mid-summer days may be sunny and hit 70 degrees, but for the most part, expect cooler and gray days, with rain seldom out of the picture (even May through July, when precipitation is the least). When heading out on the water, two essentials: foul weather gear and, to adjust to ephemeral conditions, layers. And good rubber deck boots will serve you well.

While quite a few charter/guide boats operate in Sitka, once again, advance booking is wise. Most charter boats have dry, heated cabins from which anglers have the option to watch downrigger rods in the cockpit in inclement weather. It’s also possible to rent boats — such as a 21-foot aluminum Hewescraft Pacific Cruiser — for self-guided fishing.

While in states like Florida, anglers are off the hook (so to speak) for licenses if fishing with a licensed skipper, in Alaska any angler over 16 must have a license when fishing. You can buy a license or explore the options.

More adventurous (and financially flush) enthusiasts can book a floatplane to fly to lakes and rivers for char, steelhead and trout. Besides fishing, visitors can hike through forests and to glaciers; many wilderness trailheads are accessible from downtown Sitka. There’s also bicycling, sea kayaking, “flight seeing,” hunting and more. Also consider a taxi (or a tour) to reach the Fortress of the Bear, a unique and fascinating facility, as well as the Alaska Raptor Center.

Helpful Links

• Kingfish Charters and Lodge
• Visit Sitka

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“In a state where I can go to jail for not taking enough meat off the ribs of a moose I hunt, or I can receive a ticket for taking a king salmon out of the water if I catch one while trout fishing, Alaska’s ‘Big Trawl’ has been documented chucking dead bycatch over the side of their boats. This action by commercial trawlers is completely legal under current regulations.” — Cody McLaughlin

Alaskan Bycatch By The Numbers

What is bycatch? For the uninitiated, it’s when a fisherman catches a fish species they didn’t intend to or, in the case of factory fishing vessels, can’t sell and have to discard. According to NOAA’s website, “Bycatch is a complex, global issue that threatens the sustainability and resiliency of our fishing communities, economies, and ocean ecosystems.”

The group of commercial trawlers in Alaska, what I call “Big Trawl,” produce millions of pounds of bycatch each season. We’re talking wasted and dead iconic gamefish such as halibut and salmon, species that have enormous economic value to local communities and recreational anglers.

FACT: Since 1991, 1,774,800 king salmon have been documented as trawl bycatch in Alaska. To break it down further, 1,117,800 of those fish came from the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and 657,000 of them came from the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This data was compiled from weekly bycatch reports.

It is important to note that those numbers are just observed bycatch — and only 15 percent of bycatch is observed on these vessels. Estimates of complete trawl bycatch are likely 10 times higher than current documented numbers. That’s because trawl regulators don’t factor in unobserved bycatch — all the fish, crab, plants, coral and marine life mowed down by the net that doesn’t make it to the surface to be tallied. Currently, regulators slot in “0” for unobserved bycatch.

In addition to king salmon’s observed bycatch, Big Trawl in Alaska has reported wasting 141 million pounds of bycatch per year over the last 10 years. The numbers don’t lie — commercial fishing operators throw away millions of pounds of fish every season. And its harmful effects are staggering. On the other hand, recreational anglers continue to see their seasons shortened in efforts to save salmon and halibut populations. The difference in how commercial and recreational sectors are managed is maddening.

A Quick Halibut Fishing Comparison

For context, charter boats in Southcentral Alaska can’t keep halibut on certain Tuesdays or Wednesdays from June to August to help save the resource. And there’s been minimal howling from the small-business sportfishing operators. The entire Southcentral sport charter halibut quota for 2023 is 1.89 million pounds.

Meanwhile, Big Trawl has already dumped 3.14 million pounds of halibut as bycatch year-to-date in 2023. As of late June, they’ve shoveled over the sides of their vessels nearly double the quota for the entire sportfishing fleet. Plus, trawlers are still allowed to fish in designated halibut nursery areas of the Bering Sea, places where everyone else is banned from halibut fishing in order to protect young fish.

A Weak Response By Regulators Angers Fishermen

Salmon numbers are down at an alarming rate. Where do regulators fall on the issue? In a move many see as too little and too late, federal fisheries managers created a Federal Research Task Force to find the cause of the decline.

Sport fishermen have taken it on the chin through all this. We’re entering the second summer with the legendary Kenai River closed to king salmon fishing. This fabled river fishery is synonymous with the king salmon species. The current IGFA all-tackle record chinook is 97 pounds, 4 ounces, caught on this river in May 1985 by angler Les Anderson. In 2009, a potential replacement world record was caught and released on the same river.

Other world-class fisheries in Alaska also saw increased regulations. The Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers are both closed to subsistence fishermen who depend on the resource for food security. King salmon retention in lower Cook Inlet was reduced from 2 to 1 on March 2, before the run even started. The fishery was later closed in all Cook Inlet salt waters. On top of all of this, at least one misguided environmental group is asking that chinook salmon receive endangered status over crashing stocks, after succeeding in stopping trolling efforts in Southeast Alaska because endangered orcas. (A U.S. appeals court eventually halted the lower court ruling, allowing the trolling season to start on July 1.) 

Citizen anglers are finally taking a stand. The STOP Alaskan Trawler Bycatch Facebook page just reached the 25,000 member milestone in recent weeks and receives support from conservation groups in the state. You can also directly support organizations such as the Alaska Outdoor Council, fighting these issues on the ground. In addition, Salmon State has started a helpful “stop bycatch” take-action tool for concerned anglers.

Cheap Protein for China at the Expense of Iconic Fish

What’s the driving force behind commercial trawlers? How can cheap pollock take precedence over salmon or halibut? (Salmon costs consumers a whopping $20 to $40 per pound in the grocery store!) In a word? China. The Amendment 80 bottom trawl fleet is the top halibut bycatch offender. All participants in that fleet are registered in Seattle, with more than 80 percent of their catch going directly to China for cheap protein. They also ship $45 per ounce pollock roe caviar over for China’s growing population of billionaires. The rest, essentially, goes to McDonald’s as Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. McDonald’s claims its fish are 99 percent sustainably caught, and the pollock fishery might be doing fine, but the bycatch fisheries are cratering.

So what’s the recourse? In short, anglers and conservationists concerned about this issue need to let policyholders know where they stand. The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) has the power to stop this. Congress needs to consider acting, and it will take more than just Alaska’s representatives to get this done. That means contacting your state’s federal representatives to let them know the waste and destruction of Alaskan salmon and halibut fisheries is unacceptable.

Lastly, the governors of Alaska and Washington (where the trawl fleets are regulated) have influence here, especially over the makeup of the NPFMC and the future direction of commercial fishing. Both states are sportfishing destinations. The sportfish wasted by commercial trawlers negatively impacts the economies of these states. Visiting anglers will not bring their tourism dollars if there are no salmon.

As I have said on more than one podcast this month, this issue deserves every angler’s attention. Commercial trawlers catch or waste the majority of king salmon while recreational anglers continue to get pushed out of fishing opportunities. If you’re looking to catch a wild king salmon, you should hop on a plane to Alaska in the next five years before these historically mighty runs of fish disappear.

About the Author: Cody McLaughlin is a noted conservationist covering public policy issues related to hunting, fishing and the environment. He currently serves on the board of the Alaska Outdoor Council and is a former board member and lead spokesman of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, representing the state’s 1.2 million sportsmen. McLaughlin recently launched Trout Stream Studios as an executive producer for podcasts and livestreams in the hunting and veterans’ affairs spaces.

The post Bycatch Is Killing Legendary Alaskan Fishing appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Some anglers might think of California halibut as lazy bottom feeders. But that’s far from reality. This flatfish species can become an active and aggressive predator, as well as an ambush hunter. Though not reaching the size of Pacific (aka Alaskan) halibut, the California halibut can grow to weights in excess of 50 pounds. The California state record currently stands at 67 pounds, 4 ounces.  

Fishing techniques for catching California halibut include drifting with live bait and working lures along prime bottom areas. Yet one of today’s most effective methods involves slow-trolling lures and baits near the bottom using a heavy cannon-ball sinker that intermittently bounces along the ocean floor, giving rise to the name for this technique—ball-bouncing.

Salmon Origins

Credit discovery of this method to anglers trolling for salmon off the California coast with cannon-ball sinkers. Some found that presentations trolled near the bottom, though intended for salmon, were hooking halibut.

Soon, California anglers from San Francisco Bay in the north to the coastal waters off Dana Point in the south began to target halibut with this type of trolling—especially when salmon season closed—and gradually refined details such as the lures and baits to make the technique even more effective for enticing the tasty flatfish to strike. It takes experience to get rigging, line depth and trolling speed right, but once perfected, no technique more consistently works for catching big ­halibut.  

In this video, editor Jim Hendricks walks us through rigging a ball-bouncing setup.

Rig It Right

While there are a number of variations, a ball-bouncing terminal rig generally consists of a three-way swivel tied to the main line. At the bottom of the three-way swivel is a 12- to 15-inch length of 30-pound-test monofilament with a 1 1/2- to 2-pound cannon-ball sinker tied to the bitter end. To the middle leg of the three-way swivel tie a 4- to 5-foot length of 40-pound monofilament with a 6- to 8-inch chrome dodger—this creates a commotion that draws halibut in to investigate. A trailing lure (more on this later) is tied with 40-pound-test about 15 inches behind the dodger.

Some anglers like to use live bait such as a sardine or small Pacific mackerel instead of a lure, employing a 3/0 to 4/0 hook pinned sideways through the bait’s nose. Still others like to use dead baits such opalescent squid.

Don’t Drag It

Ball-bouncing requires a trolling speed that, with the right amount of line, allows the cannon-ball sinker to bounce on the bottom two to three times per minute. The rationale is that an occasional thump in sand or mud attracts attention from a flatfish that follows the pulsating dodger to investigate, then finds the lure or bait swimming behind.

Trolling speed can be affected by wind or current, but it’s really the lure speed through the water that’s critical. With conventional outfits spooled with 50-pound braid positioned in the gunwale rod holders, use the rod tips to gauge the correct speed. They should pulsate smoothly if the dodger is swimming correctly side to side. The tip will also spring upward every 20 to 30 seconds—a sign that the weight is bouncing on the bottom at the correct intervals.

Generally speaking, speeds range from 1.5 to 2.5 mph, depending on the size of the dodger and lure, and you want enough line out to bounce on the bottom ­occasionally. Too much line leaves the weight ­dragging along the bottom, evidenced by the rod tip jerking up and down erratically.

Lures and Baits

Long-time California angler Capt. David Bacon employs an array of lures, but one of the most trusted is a 4- to 6-inch hoochie skirt pre-rigged with a small plastic piece that fits inside the head of the hoochie to maintain it’s shape (known as a gumpuckie) and a hook such as an Owner 3/0 to 5/0 Aki Light. Some anglers add a 1/0 treble trailing hook (aka stinger) to help improve the hookup ratio. The hoochie skirt slides on the leader to accommodate the addition of a natural bait (such as a dead squid) or a soft-plastic bait under the skirts.

Some anglers like to run two hoochie skirts—one inside the other for extra bulk. Aboard Bacon’s boat, for example, he often inserts a 4¼-inch glow-in-the-dark skirt inside a 6-inch purple or pink skirt. Hoochies have no action of their own, but the dodger imparts a side-to-side swimming motion.

Bacon also likes to use the 5-inch Sand Dab from Kustom Kraft. This ­soft-plastic flatfish imitation is typically rigged with a single 6/0 Owner Aki Twist hook protruding from the back, so the artificial swims just like a sand dab, a small flatfish common off the coast of Southern California.

Finding Halibut

Though California halibut haunt depths down to 200 feet or more, the maximum depth for effective ball-bouncing lies around 100 feet. Anything deeper puts too much of a bow in the line to reach the bottom while slow trolling.

Prospecting is the name of the game, but this trolling technique allows you to continually cover new water until you find a fish. Yet once you hook a halibut, you often find others. While inexperienced anglers might keep moving along after they catch a fish, it’s a good idea to troll back over the same area to see if other fish are around.

Read Next: Best Spots for California Halibut

Getting Bit

When a halibut bites, the rod usually bows over hard. Yet sometimes the bite proves subtle with only a slight bend in the rod tip, an indication that the fish has grabbed the lure, but is swimming with it in the same direction as the boat is moving. When you see this, pick up the rod and wind down quickly, then set the hook.

California halibut—even the big ones—are not dynamic fighters, and so you can often ease the fish up to within gaff or net range with steady, gentle pressure. Don’t pump the rod, as this can trigger head shakes that rip the hook loose. Some fish uncork a last-minute run when they see the boat, so keep the drag fairly loose to accommodate a sudden sprint. 

With a big California halibut lying across the deck, you’ll quickly become a firm believer in the slow-trolling technique known as ball-bouncing.

The post Ball-Bouncing for California Halibut appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

When it comes to halibut, Alaska grabs most of the attention. But another halibut fishery thrives in the lower 48, farther down the Pacific coast; it’s one that many traveling anglers overlook: California halibut.

Though this species doesn’t grow nearly as large as the Pacific halibut that swims in Alaska, the Golden State flatfish can be quite a rod bender. In addition, the California species (Paralichthys californicus) possesses more of an oval body shape than the Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), which has a body more akin to an elongated diamond. The posterior of the California halibut’s tail fin also features a mild “W” shape.

The California species largely inhabits the ocean waters off the Golden State and northern Baja California and is rare in the Pacific Northwest. In contrast, Pacific halibut are only occasionally caught in waters off of California; they’re found most often off of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.

The International Game Fish Association all-tackle record 67-pound-5-ounce California halibut came from Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Southern California. An even larger ’but — weighing 72 pounds, 8 ounces — was captured at California’s Santa Cruz Island by a spearfisherman.

Just like Pacific halibut in Alaska, the California version makes great tablefare. California halibut inhabit a wide range of depths along the coast and offshore islands—from the surf zone to 200 feet or more. These fish attack live baits and lures, and can stage powerful runs and head-shaking battles.

Read Next: Fishing the Bays of Southern California

Peak seasons differ by region. In southern California, anglers focus on spring and fall. In the Channel Islands, June and July top the list. In San Francisco, June is the prime month.

Here are six of the top spots from south to north where you stand a good chance of catching California halibut, and most of them are within easy reach of boating anglers.

San Diego Bay

Long Beach/Los Angeles Harbor

Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina Island

Santa Monica Bay

Santa Monica Bay

Channel Islands

San Francisco Bay

The post Best Spots for California Halibut appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Salmon Surprise

Crazy Fish

A Piece of North Pacific Wilderness

Welcome to Central Coast Adventures

A Run South to Lines In

Deadly Weapon

Downriggers Make a Difference

A Different Way to Fight Fish

A More Familiar Way to Fight Fish

Nice Morning for a Long Run

Spread Rig Hangs a Halibut

Next Up: A Flattie on a Storm Swimbait

Almost Maxed Out

On to West Sport Fishing

Opulence Gone Wild

Self-Guided Fishing

Early Morning Crowd at Cheney Point

Classic Plug-Cut

Purpose-Built Boats

Another Hefty Coho

Dredging Deep Yields Surprises

Toothy Monsters

Voracious Predator

Protected Waters Teem With Fish

Astounding Variety

Inbound for the Outbound

Riding Shotgun

Thanks for the Memories

A Tale of Two Great Fishing Lodges

Planning a Trip — Timing

Planning a Trip — Flight Ops

Planning a Trip — What to Bring

Don’t Leave Your Light Tackle at Home

Nocturnal Invader

The Board Tells the Tale

Heli-Jet: In and (Quickly) Out

A Tail of a Whale

The post Double Shot for Salmon appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The post Extreme Kayaking for Huge Sharks, Halibut and More appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Norwegian Atlantic halibut

A 513-pound Atlantic halibut catch reported late last week out of Norway might have smashed the all-tackle world record for the species — 418 pounds, 13 ounces (also caught in Norway).

German angler Marco Liebenow told Mail Online that he fought the 9-foot fish for an hour and a half. When the fish came boatside, it was way too big to haul aboard their 19-foot boat, so he and three friends towed it to shore.

The trip had been organized by tour company Angelreisen Hamburg to Kjollefjord, Norway on the Barents Sea.

Liebenow told Mail Online that he has submitted the paperwork to the International Game Fish Association and is awaiting a response.

The post Giant Atlantic Halibut Caught in Norway appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Talk about your heart-stoppers! We’ve all probably had exhilarating moments with sharks and barracudas bolting from the depths to swallow or viciously attack a hooked fish, but when an enormous Orca crashes the party for these anglers, the adrenaline factor is explosive.

The recorded discussion during this halibut catch is hard to follow (and there’s a touch of coarse language). There’s also no clue where this happened. But you can certainly hear the surprise in the angler’s voice at the appearance of that enormous dark shape. The orca also seems quite wise to the hook, as it grabs the back half of the fish and swims away.

This is not the first time we have heard of orcas pestering hooked fish, though. Last November, Sund’s Lodge at Malcolm Island reported about a video it posted in August 2012, showing an orca attempting a salmon grab. Perhaps, like bottlenose dolphin, these orcas are getting a bit used to human presence.

The post VIDEO: Angler Surprise! Orca Grabs Halibut appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.