Started as a live bait or cut bait guy, fast forward and now I'm pouring my own swimbaits. Artificials are so much more rewarding of a fishing experience. Glad you gave it a go for some Hali!
I much prefer this kind of fishing over almost anything else. Hard to beat live bait for consistency, but like you mentioned, this way is so much more fun, and you almost never have to deal with by-catch except the odd striper.
Gabe is a good fisherman, he has talent. It is good to learn a new type of tackle. I live in trout country this technique can be applied from a boat, from the shore or in the river current. As soon as my favorite lake and river ice off I will give it a try.
your welcome, thanks for watching. I am most excited to get back out there when the water warms a little to swim bait fish for the halibut. Tons of fun!
Swimbaits - my favorite way to fish for flatfish. My experience has been if they are biting the tails then the size and/or color is not matching the baitfish they are feeding on. Take a look at Tsunami Swim Shads they come in sizes from 2" to 9" with regular weights and heavy weights for deep water... and a lot of baitfish imitating colors. The weight is integrated into the bottom of the head making them ideal for bottom bouncing. The fish often take them by the head when you have the right lure tied on.
Have seen a guy using a swim bait and he out fished everyone on the charter boat. It was amazing first time over 25 years fishing for halibut seeing someone use a swim bait and out fished live bait.
@@mattgg1216 if im casting out swimbaits i use any medium heavy/fast action bass rod. If im jigging/drift/troll,I use a shimano trevela medium jigging rod. Any medium heavy bass rods/ ugly stick will work for all fishing methods.
yeah i hear ya. Its nice sitting around doing nothing. The reward is feeling the fish bite hard with rod in hand. 2nd part of day we were not casting. Thanks for watching
We used to wireline troll for Stripers and Halibut way back in the day. Since there is zero stretch in the wire, the bite would try yanking the rod out of your hands.
I was out there early o Saturday, at 8:29 I got 2 fish by 8:30 I have 7 halibuts and a stripe bass on the boat,my boat is the red boat out there and we fish by the Oakland airport
There's lots of pressure on SF Bay halibut; you're fishing among a "flotilla" of boats. With the present regulations, do you think this is sustainable for the halibut?
limit is going to 2 on june 1. No doubt its taking a hit. 2 years ago salmon was closed until June, i remember as many boats. Covid was in full swing so lots of people were fishing during that time. But yeah its taking a hit
@@ChrisPfish2 Limit should be 1 under 22 and and 1 over 22; save those old. big high producing females. Biggest fish are females. DWG needs to do some aerial surveys just to know how many boats are out there.
I caught a 28 inch also on a swim bait, but I actually put it on a halibut rig. Instead of using a 6 oz weight, I put a 6 oz jig head with a Berkeley grub tail. Single hook trailing with live anchovy and the halibut bit the swim bait. It feels so different
@@chucheponce7222 oh u were drift or troll fishing. I thought u mean u were bait and wait fishing from the shore for some reason. But yea John skinner has lots of underwater vids using just a bucktail while trolling around
With salmon closed for the year, are you seeing significantly more boats fishing halibut? Looks busier but I have no reference. If there is a notable increase in pressure, I wonder if halibut stocks will also take a tumble and create problems in future years.
yeah there is more boats. Same amount as 2021 when salmon was closed till June and covid made more people fish with stuff closed and time off work. June 1 the limit goes from 3 to 2.
You will double your catch with a scented bait. Try berkley 6" or 8" grubs. Pink Shine, White Glow, Fire Tiger or Chartreuse. I promise you won't regret it
This is literally the only way I have caught hallies out there. But I troll with a weight on a three way dropper leading the lure, just off the bottom, Berkeley flats is a good area.
Me I only hit the table when the sand bass or bass in general poison levels go up from their fins or if you see halibut spots more of a skinnish color then I'll freeze the lines to let the uncertainty role over tight spools 🤙
I haven't used bait for three years. Bait is too much of a hassle. I very seldom catch under sized halibut. Look at all the boats. You better catch them before they're gone.
@@ChrisPfish2 the 2 per day limit is a bit short-sighted in my opinion, even if it’s a step in the right direction. I feel that it would be more effective if the new regs actually addressed commercial vessels, as rec anglers are just a drop in the bucket in comparison. Just my opinion, as I understand these are complicated issues with a lot of nuance.
Its not a bad thing but for sure awareness watched like what happen with the crabs first red was in and sand was out now sand is only in and red is out so just a discussion for the commercial locals and consumers to discuss
and with live bait you get lots of shorts swallowing or getting hooked in there gills right? They will swim back down when you release them but soon after die.
Started as a live bait or cut bait guy, fast forward and now I'm pouring my own swimbaits. Artificials are so much more rewarding of a fishing experience. Glad you gave it a go for some Hali!
thats a great story. Make a white with chartreuse tail lol. Thanks for the comment
@@ChrisPfish2 I have! haha that combo kills it down in San Diego too. Throw an underspin jighead on a cloudy day for that little extra flash!
I much prefer this kind of fishing over almost anything else. Hard to beat live bait for consistency, but like you mentioned, this way is so much more fun, and you almost never have to deal with by-catch except the odd striper.
Thanks for the comment, yeah tons of fun. All what you said and I never felt so clean after a day of fishing.
A trap hook will snag hella bat rays and bullshit too, so much for the WSB you thought you hooked!!!🤣🤣🤣
Love it, one of my favorite styles of fishing. Nice job Chris!
Definitely feeling the action is far more exciting.
yeah and they bite real hard.
Wow! What an amazing trip! So much fun!
That was a different experience, but an amazing and educational one. Awesome Chris. Alonso
Thanks for watching
Hey, Chris, thanks for all the videos. You're an awesome dad!
Gabe is a good fisherman, he has talent. It is good to learn a new type of tackle. I live in trout country this technique can be applied from a boat, from the shore or in the river current. As soon as my favorite lake and river ice off I will give it a try.
AWSOME! THANK YOU FOR THE WORK!
your welcome, thanks for watching. I am most excited to get back out there when the water warms a little to swim bait fish for the halibut. Tons of fun!
Love me some swimbait action. New Sub!
Nice job, Chris!
There is nothing better than halibut on a swim bait. The most fun you can have if the bite is good
I was there at the same time and i saw your boat. good catch!
Nice you finally got on them. Looks a lot more fun I for sure need to try that. Great video
oh its a blast!
So many boats🤯
That is hilarious!! I know I’m gonna give that a try!!! Good job guys
Way to go Chris...
Great idea to have swim baits on the boat, in case there are issues getting bait.
Epic action
Swimbaits - my favorite way to fish for flatfish. My experience has been if they are biting the tails then the size and/or color is not matching the baitfish they are feeding on. Take a look at Tsunami Swim Shads they come in sizes from 2" to 9" with regular weights and heavy weights for deep water... and a lot of baitfish imitating colors. The weight is integrated into the bottom of the head making them ideal for bottom bouncing. The fish often take them by the head when you have the right lure tied on.
Thanks for uploading
Trying to get on that boat with ya...I'll pay for gas ..def my favorite fish vlog
Good fish on bro...
The white and chartreuse swim bait is always a solid choice!
What length of swim bait do you recommend for halibut?
Awesome video. Love your videos. Keep it up bro.
I appreciate it, thanks for watching!
I see you just tying the swimbaits to straight braid…I guess I never needed to waste my precious floro leader on Hali 😂
That seems like a good and less hassle way to go 👍
yeah, i was doing better then friends drifting live bait that day. Thanks for watching
Have seen a guy using a swim bait and he out fished everyone on the charter boat. It was amazing first time over 25 years fishing for halibut seeing someone use a swim bait and out fished live bait.
up here in humboldt bay, we only use swimbaits. Its so much more fun jigging/casting than trolling.
Hey, what rods do you use
@@mattgg1216 if im casting out swimbaits i use any medium heavy/fast action bass rod. If im jigging/drift/troll,I use a shimano trevela medium jigging rod. Any medium heavy bass rods/ ugly stick will work for all fishing methods.
@@paoslee thx
I’ve always used a 3/4 oz done very well with it.
yeah exactly that is the weight you want. Nothing heavy so it doest sink super fast
Limited on swim baits yesterday as well brother! Rock wall and oyster point
awesome, thats the way to do it!
What length do you recommend on the swimbaits?
Impressive!
Holding the rod is way more fun. On the east coast I use similar set up with gulp for fluke
Nice job guys
Thanks Oleg, you gonna try? I am telling you, the bite feels very hard and works good.
@@ChrisPfish2 ok
Funny hook up and walking backwards 😂😂
your funny
In San Diego bay I have used a dropshot and Kalens White and chartruse lunker grubs.
Nice video, 👌🏾
Good job guys on your catch I guess if your into casting that’s awesome 👍🏼
yeah i hear ya. Its nice sitting around doing nothing. The reward is feeling the fish bite hard with rod in hand. 2nd part of day we were not casting. Thanks for watching
Sure looked like a fun way to catch those halibut. I was wondering if you used some sort of scent on the swimbaits it would have helped even more?
zero scent. I was thinking about it too, didnt have any bait fish scent, just like garlic, bloody tuna.
How was the fillet on the sandy skinned then how was the flavor of the fish compared to the other??
Nice!!!! Where do you guys launch? thinking about trying to get out in the bay never been!!
What type of bait caster did gabe have?!
We used to wireline troll for Stripers and Halibut way back in the day. Since there is zero stretch in the wire, the bite would try yanking the rod out of your hands.
I still have 2 wireline setups Learned it from Remo his father used to own meatball bait...
@@jaycarmichael435 The Rockpile, Shag rock, South Tower etc. Those were the days, Stripers were alot bigger back then also.
@@jaycarmichael435 If you still have a few hoochie setups and a 17' Montauk, we should go for old times sake
I had 2 17 foot whalers..
what rod and reel combo is gabe using? i know its a fenix but i heard theyre known to break a lot.
I was out there early o Saturday, at 8:29 I got 2 fish by 8:30 I have 7 halibuts and a stripe bass on the boat,my boat is the red boat out there and we fish by the Oakland airport
Thats great, good job
Hi Chris, Where did you fished in the Bay?
There's lots of pressure on SF Bay halibut; you're fishing among a "flotilla" of boats. With the present regulations, do you think this is sustainable for the halibut?
limit is going to 2 on june 1. No doubt its taking a hit. 2 years ago salmon was closed until June, i remember as many boats. Covid was in full swing so lots of people were fishing during that time. But yeah its taking a hit
@@ChrisPfish2 Limit should be 1 under 22 and and 1 over 22; save those old. big high producing females. Biggest fish are females. DWG needs to do some aerial surveys just to know how many boats are out there.
What knot were you using? Loop knot?
Great action, swimbaits work for anything my go to.
By the way what radio channels do they use in the bay
19. thanks for watching
Thank you Chris I will be heading out to South bay on the 30th.
I caught a 28 inch also on a swim bait, but I actually put it on a halibut rig. Instead of using a 6 oz weight, I put a 6 oz jig head with a Berkeley grub tail. Single hook trailing with live anchovy and the halibut bit the swim bait. It feels so different
yeah they bite the swim bait with anger. Interesting idea with the bait. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
@@ChrisPfish2 I had to try that grub tail after seeing a guy catch a 41 inch halibut from shore on a drop shot rig at the Richmond Marina. It was huge
Damn that's crazy. I was thinking of doing that too. It must have bitten while u were reeling in?
@@itzyabui no, it actually bit while the rod was on the rod holder. That’s what made it more exciting, even the captains were excited
@@chucheponce7222 oh u were drift or troll fishing. I thought u mean u were bait and wait fishing from the shore for some reason. But yea John skinner has lots of underwater vids using just a bucktail while trolling around
Hey great job Chris what size swim bait were you using 4” 5” 6” ? Looked at Amazon in your description and it gives choices?
Can you share what reel and rod is the baitcaster your friend is using????
Gabe the slayer. Chris, you were a little jumpy on that 1st bite.
i was anxious haha
Are those different than Scampis? Looks the same.
long white eel with a neon hook. 5-7in baits 3/4oz jighead
Hey You should try a stinger hook to catch the ones that bite just the tail.
I watch all your videos. I'm down to try this. Looking for link now for the soft baits now.
Thanks for watching, it wont disapoint.
how long where the white green swimbaits?
4 inch.
Hello Chris, thanks for another great video! What length do you recommend on the swim baits for halibut fishing?
3-5 inch. Thanks for watching
How many inches long was the Berkley gsps paddle tail swim bait?
when did the two limit come into effect?
it does in June 1. Thanks for watching
@@ChrisPfish2 we went out and slayed them last week my friend said it was at two already...keep slayin!!
what size swimbait were you using if you don't mind me asking
4" thanks for watching
I thought you used swim bats before and caught them last year. I could be wrong.
With salmon closed for the year, are you seeing significantly more boats fishing halibut? Looks busier but I have no reference. If there is a notable increase in pressure, I wonder if halibut stocks will also take a tumble and create problems in future years.
yeah there is more boats. Same amount as 2021 when salmon was closed till June and covid made more people fish with stuff closed and time off work. June 1 the limit goes from 3 to 2.
You will double your catch with a scented bait. Try berkley 6" or 8" grubs. Pink Shine, White Glow, Fire Tiger or Chartreuse. I promise you won't regret it
Boy this guy must gaff a lot of under size halibut !!
There is a definate benefit to running soft plastics you can cover more water
yeah lots of benefits. Only negative would be if you want to sit around. Thanks for watching.
I just read the caption that was a year ago. I’m bad.
This is literally the only way I have caught hallies out there. But I troll with a weight on a three way dropper leading the lure, just off the bottom, Berkeley flats is a good area.
All right Chris!!!!😢 Where's your partner (Eric) We enjoyed you teaching him how to Gaff, Every time we miss a gaff We call each other Eric😊
He had a second kid back in November. he is a family man now. Thanks for watching
Nothing like feeling a fish slam your lure while retrieving it.
I am hooked! haha
Chris lots of fisherman are having problems with remote kicker steering. If you here of any one whos steering has frozen let me know.
I can’t believe u can keep such small halibut
Smaller fish always taste better👍
Me I only hit the table when the sand bass or bass in general poison levels go up from their fins or if you see halibut spots more of a skinnish color then I'll freeze the lines to let the uncertainty role over tight spools 🤙
Add a treble or j hook stinger with braid or Dacron to the main hook and you will miss less bites
love that idea, thanks
Dont set the hook at the first bite. That's why u keep osing the tail without hooking. Esp. when the lure is so big.
I haven't used bait for three years. Bait is too much of a hassle. I very seldom catch under sized halibut. Look at all the boats. You better catch them before they're gone.
yeah limit changes to two June 1 which you probably heard. Thanks for watching
@@ChrisPfish2 .. thank goodness… you fools are destroying the halibut class…keeping every damn fish you can keep.. pathetic
@@ChrisPfish2 I did not know that. I fish Humboldt Bay out of Eureka. I hope they make it 2 per day here too. I really enjoy your channel.
@@ChrisPfish2 the 2 per day limit is a bit short-sighted in my opinion, even if it’s a step in the right direction. I feel that it would be more effective if the new regs actually addressed commercial vessels, as rec anglers are just a drop in the bucket in comparison. Just my opinion, as I understand these are complicated issues with a lot of nuance.
Not catching them cause the reel handle is on the wrong side. 😅
Its not a bad thing but for sure awareness watched like what happen with the crabs first red was in and sand was out now sand is only in and red is out so just a discussion for the commercial locals and consumers to discuss
JOHN SKINNER
Can I have located please
Sure,buddy. Omaha.
Oyster Point probably.
You know halibut cannot regurgitate, digest or poop out all those bit off tails, right? Sadly, they eventually die from full stomach & starvation
and with live bait you get lots of shorts swallowing or getting hooked in there gills right? They will swim back down when you release them but soon after die.
Damn bro you been using bait to long gotta work on the hook set with lures. Lol
Damn bro
Watch John Skinner and next time pull the hook and drift the boat.
There is enough plastic in the ocean. You should try fishing ethically
I know Bob garbage man maybe we could let him go