How to Rig Live Bait for Halibut

Halibut season generally runs from early May to late June. With the window of opportunity small, you will want to make the most of your fishing by using the best bait. Use live bait as your lure for halibut and have a prosperous season of halibut fishing. Choose from a few different types of live bait for the best chance at a great catch.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing pole
• Fishing line
• Three-way swivel
• 8-oz. sinker
• 3-foot leader
• Live shiner perch
• Live anchovies
• Live herring
• Treble hook
• Octopus hook

Instructions

1. Tie the fishing line to one part of a three-way swivel. Tie a foot of line to the second part of the swivel and tie a sinker to the end. Tie a 3-foot leader to the third part, with a live bait hook on the end of the leader.

2. Locate the holes on a shiner perch that look like nose holes. Slide the shiner perch on the hook horizontally through the two holes.

3. Rig anchovies to the hook by slipping them on the hook vertically through their snouts.

4. Use herring as bait by tying a treble hook to the end of the leader. Snell an octopus hook to the leader. Attach the treble hook to the octopus hook and slide the live herring on the treble hook through its head.

5. Catch a short striking halibut by tying a 3-inch line from the knot on the hook. Tie a number 6 treble hook to the 3-inch string; use this hook to snag the short striking halibut.