| During the summer of 2006 in Larsen Bay | | | | fish using this style, in the 20-40 pound |
| Alaska, the staff at Kodiak Island Resort | | | | range, with our biggest topping out at 87 |
| decided to experiment with different tactics | | | | pounds. |
| for catching halibut. The traditional method | | | | |
| using terminal tackle with 16/0 circle hooks, | | | | The one down side from light tackle halibut |
| 2-pound sinkers and 130-pound Dacron line | | | | fishing is your inability to control the |
| that have always produced fish. The down side | | | | numerous "barn door halibut" that like this |
| to this style of fishing is it is tiresome | | | | style of fishing as well. On more than one |
| holding heavy rods and reels. Fishing with a | | | | occasion big halibut chomped down on our |
| fully rigged halibut outfit requires a lot of | | | | offerings and refused to return our gear. In |
| strength and energy we decided to try and | | | | fact they would take the hook, sinker and |
| change all of that. | | | | line (completely dump the reel) without even |
| | | | saying thanks. |
| After various experiments we tried a Florida | | | | |
| style grouper rig for halibut and were | | | | If you don't mind missing a few big ones but |
| surprised with the results. Fishing thirty | | | | want to increase you catch while expending a |
| pound monofilament, seven foot Star rod, a | | | | lot less energy try Florida style grouper |
| three ounce egg sinker and 7/0 Mustad J-hook | | | | tactics to catch Alaska Halibut. |
| consistently outfished the traditional | | | | |
| halibut rig. The results were so overwhelming | | | | The halibut fishing around Kodiak Island is |
| that often times the light tackle would | | | | so good you can split your time fishing |
| produce bites and catches of 4 and 5 times | | | | terminal gear for the barn doors then |
| the rate of the traditional tackle. | | | | switching over to catch the 20-40 pound |
| | | | chickens for the dinner table. Kodiak Island |
| We found using an octopus tentacle, about | | | | Resort will provide you with both |
| eight inches long, for bait, proved deadly to | | | | opportunities to catch halibut. |
| the unsuspecting halibut. We caught countless | | | | |