There’s no doubt that the waters of the Golden State are prolific, and Halibut deserves its place among the prized catches. Not only are Halis abundant both in Northern and Southern California, but they’re also fun to target and absolutely delicious. Add to that the fact that there are plenty of Halibut fishing charters in California to choose from, and what’s not to like?
There are two types of Halibut you can go after, California and Pacific Halibut. California Halibut are more widespread but significantly smaller than their Pacific counterparts. Pacific Halibut you’ll mostly find in NorCal, usually further offshore – and they can get really big, with their weight going well into triple digits. This makes them very desirable because every experienced angler wants to land a “barndoor” Halibut.
Another advantage of Halibut fishing is that it’s not particularly difficult. These flatties are bottom feeders and they’ll gobble down just about anything edible that crosses their path. All you need to do is find them, drop live bait or a lure to the bottom, and slowly drift it along to get a Hali’s attention. Then just wait for them to pounce – it usually won’t be too long.
Remember that fishing for Pacific Halibut in Northern California is seasonal. The dates for seasonal closures vary every year, so get informed before you hit the water or talk to your charter captain before you book – they’ll let you know what you can expect to catch. The California Halibut fishery is open year-round throughout the entire state.
A lot of places along the California coast offer excellent Halibut action and have plenty of professional fishing guides who can take you to it. San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, the Channel Islands, and Santa Catalina Island are all prime locations for your Halibut fishing adventure!
