buts from the shore

[rravare]

Im new to light tackle surf fishing and need some advice for targeting Halibut(Best spots to fish, best bait or plastic & technique) and any other information would be appreciated
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[tubeN2]

If you can get some live bait, do it. Anchovy or Sardines work awesome on a sliding live bait rig. If that is not feasable then go with the plastic.

From the shore you may want a 1/2oz to 5/8oz lead head. Natural colored or deep blue. Hook that onto a Channel Island Chovy Worm King and drag it across the bottom of any calm shore line.

Some of the best spots are at Cabrillo beach near the 22nd street landing, Mothers Beach in the Marina Del Rey or even in the slough at Seal Beach near the Naval Weapons Center. There are many other calm areas but those seem to be the best for good size butts.

I'm sure that some of our other members can also offer some other good spots as well.
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[JapanRon]

Hey there rravare,

Welcome to BFT and the California board. TubeN2 pretty much said it! As a slow starter, you might fish mother's beach down below the 2nd street bridge just off PCH. Lots of saucer size halibut in there. You'd do better with a float tube and a bunch of smelt you either catch yourself or buy a big fish tackle on PCH!

JapanRon
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[gvanzant]

rravare:Since you are new to the Butt attack let me give you one method that has been a killer in the past. You can catch-em in the surf but they are easier to target from rock jettys. Two places have been killers in the past. The north Huntington Harbor or (ammunition dump jetty) The north Alamitos Bay jetty. Equipment: 5 gallon bucket; small bait snagging rig, no.#14 hooks; 6-8 pound mono on a small spinning rig; sliding egg sinker 1/2 ounce; no #4 or no #6 Octopus hooks and a gaff. Fish very close to the beach. Snag small smelt from the rocks where you plan to fish, put them in the bucketuntil you have a couple for bait. Cast no more than 20 yards out and slowoooooooowly work them back. Most every butt stops your bait directly at your feet. I have caught many many 10 to 20 pounders over the years.In both of these places the current flows out to sea from shore. Halibut love to lay at the base of the rocks and ambush smelt or grunion as the current takes them out to sea.
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[rravare]

Thanks to everyone for your input, Im going out on sunday to give it a shot. What time of day is best? or does it matter. I plan on having my line wet by 6am after a quick stop by bigfishtackle for bait and directions. Ill let u all know how it went thanks again
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[gvanzant]

Good luck. You might need it on a Sunday. The anglers you find on the rocks will be mostly guys that go through Big Fish Tackle for bait. Big Fish sells live smelt, all you need is a bucket. I guess it's always best to fish early and late in the day but the tidal movement is really important. The best tides are those that are having maximum surge. They usually occur between a very large high tide to Low tide period or vice versa.PS Walk out the rocks to the fence that blocks further advancement. Your mental attitude should be that of a hungry butt so look for them very close to the rocks.Long casts are not necessary.
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[rravare]

Luck was not on my side, but its ok Im learning. I tried to get to edge where you mention but it was pretty full already when I got there. Also Big fish did not have any live bait and I was unsucceful in catching my own. I think Im going to have to go during the week. I also tried a few of the other mentioned spots(mothers beach alamitons etc.). After talking to the other anglers out there it seemed to be a slow day for everyone. I will be trying again Wednesday evening.
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