Pot-of-Gold Halibut Tournament

[BeachBear]

The breeze is blowing gently. Birds are working in the distance. And the bite is hot. At times like this being out on the water is a peaceful realm. Few things in life are truly as pleasurable as this, except maybe getting paid $$$ to do it. The Pot-of-Gold Halibut Tournament is under way and jackpots, weekly jackpots, passes, passes for a year and the Pot-of-Gold are huge awards available. This year’s Pot-of-Gold is estimated to be $4,000.

I researched halibut techniques, interviewed ICON regulars, and Pot-of-Gold anglers hoping to give you a chance at winning. You’ll read various techniques and learn some pros and cons of each method. Your discussions with other anglers on board, personal experience, and your time on the water will shape these techniques to make them work for you.

DROPPER LOOP

The dropper loop is an all-time classic. It’s been proven to be an effective fish killer for years for experienced and inexperienced alike. As a matter of fact last year in the tournament an inexperienced angler that didn’t have his own rod and reel rented one, fished a dropper loop, and came away a jackpot winner. A great thing about the dropper loop is that it presents the bait above the sea floor. However, the weight does not slide allowing a halibut to feel the weight and spit the hook, if it hasn’t been significantly hooked.

http://www.animatedknots.com/dropperloop/index.php
http://www.hookupsportfishing.com/fo...or-a-loop.html

REVERSE DROPPER LOOP

This dropper loop is for shallow water and upper portions of the water column. Since you’ll be drifting in shallow water, it’s a good choice. Bait will be presented above the seafloor, but once again the halibut could detect the weight and spit the hook, if it’s not significantly hooked.

http://www.hookupsportfishing.com/fo...or-a-loop.html

SPIDER HITCH

The spider hitch acts similar to the dropper loop by putting the weight at the bottom and bait on top. The weight can be quickly changed if you use a swivel. The bait also doesn’t get as tangled as much as a dropper loop can be and seems to have better bait presentation. However, it takes some practice to get use to making. Using a larger loop in the process is a good start as when cutting you can always go smaller, but never larger. Once it’s cut, it’s cut.

http://www.thaifishingguide.com/fish...tch_steps.html

3-WAY SWIVEL

If making loops just isn’t your thing then that’s where the 3-way swivel comes in. Use each section of the swivel to attach; mainline, hook, and weight. Once you want to change a section, just cut that section off and attach your new choice. However, people have had them break. Also, the edges of the swivel can be its own worst enemy and cut the line with a good fight from the fish. You could lubricate the swivel with WD-40 to get better swivel action. Of WD-40’s list of hundreds of uses, fish attractant is listed as one of them. If you want a dry no scent lubricant you can try some RZ-50. This rig also comes with the possibility of the halibut feeling the weight before being significantly hooked.

CAROLINA

The above listed methods all have the possibility of the fish feeling the weight. The Carolina was designed to not let the fish feel the weight. The line will pull through the weight when moved. However, changing the weight on the Carolina isn’t as quick as a dropper loop can be. That is unless you attach a snap swivel. With the snap swivel you get quick change capability leaving you more time to fish. The set up is simple; main line, weight, bead, #3 or #4 swivel, then your rig.

BOUNCE BALLING

I called Berth 55 and asked if Bounce Balling was allowed and a counter person said, “Yes.” However, I’d check with the desk again before leaving and ask the captain if it’s allowed on the boat. The bounce ball kit costs $28.95. You need to be at a certain speed to get the desired affect and tangles with other anglers is expected. Private boaters will usually use bounce balling as they don’t need to worry about tangling other anglers. The ball is designed to fall off and into the ocean when you catch, but that can be changed. The bounce ball is designed around the principle of big risks equal big rewards and the catch is supposed to be huge. A big catch is what you’ll need for the jackpot and to enter the Fish-Off.

TRAP RIG

“Stingers”

Most anglers will be using trap rigs. If the nose hook won’t get them, hopefully this will. A size 4 is recommended and 3x at that. Be sure that it is hooked well into by the anal fin. The trap rig can be achieved a few ways. First, you can snell the hook and leave a long tag end to attach the treble hook. Second, you can attach a pre-rigged treble to the eye of the hook. And you can attach the treble set-up to the ring of a ringed hook. However, a twist can happen fouling up the whole thing. The important thing though is to remember to leave slack in the treble line. If it’s too tight, then the baitfish isn’t going to get the proper movement, swim weird, and not get bit.

STORE BOUGHT

There are already made trap rigs available to purchase. Just open the package, follow the directions inside, and off you go. However, line from these is suspect as they may have been on the shelves a little too long, have inferior line, or are poorly made. A good thing about them though is that some have adjustable stinger lengths making bait adjustment fast giving you more time to fish.

TIPS

*Choose good bait fish. The better the bait, the better the presentation.
http://www.hookupsportfishing.com/fo...d-on-bait.html
*Keep a very loose drag and be sure it’s nice and smooth. You want the halibut to bite and not feel anything at all so it won’t spit the hook.
*Don’t hook set or pump like you got a tuna. Just reel in slow and steady, the halibut will come.
*Once at the boat, keep the halibut’s head in the water. Having it shake above water can lead to a spit hook.
*15-20# mono top shot to allow stretch when the halibut headshakes. No need to pop the line or rip the hook out. Fluoro can be used for the leader and treble.
*Sideways nose hook the bait. It keeps it alive a lot longer and makes for a livelier bait.
*At least a 4 oz torpedo to keep the sardine from swimming off. When adding weight use just enough to keep the sinker on the bottom.
*If you want to use a trap rig, have a few trebles already with line attached and ready to go.
*With a fast drift a short leader, about 2 ft. With a slow drift a long leader, about 3 feet.
*Fish with Sean Morgan as captain. Both captains of the tournament boats are good, but you can’t beat experience. Sean has more experience and that’s hard to beat.



Special thanks to Fishermen's Hardware Long Beach for allowing me to take pictures, interview, and study in the store. Special thanks to all who gave information, advice, tips, and insight. Tickets are expensive, tackle is expensive, and learning by yourself can be even more expensive. But, having the right knowledge helps make the trip productive and speeds up the learning process. Special thanks to all the web sites used for putting out great information, if I got paid for this I'd give you some. No, I can't even get you a discount nor do I get one.

[BeachBear]

Thanks for the fix When do writers get to edit?

[BeachBear]

Here are the rules.
http://www.longbeachsportfishing.com...s/POG%2007.htm

Here is the landing web site.
http://www.longbeachsportfishing.com...ates/index.htm