Having never fished for halibut before I am hoping some of you more experienced fisher people can point me in the right direction by answering a few questions. I've already found the halibut.net and salmonuniversity.com sites so I know a little about techniques and areas. What I'm looking for is guidance on areas where I can focus my efforts to learn about the fishery.

1) Where do you recommend I focus my efforts? As I see it my choices are Sekiu, Port Angeles or Sequim. Neah Bay is ruled out due to boat size.

2) What are water/weather conditions like near Port Angeles and Sequim relative to Sekiu. I've boated Sekiu in the fall in pursuit of coho so am using that area as a point of reference.

Thanks in advance for any advise/opinions.

James

What about tomorrow evening's PSA meeting?

Halibut is on tap. I'm planning on being at the meeting.

You were at the one where the downrigger was raffled off.

Before you rule out NB, what size boat are you in? A lot of nice fish come off the "garbage dump" just a mile or so from Waadah Island in 20-30 fathoms of water. On a calm day, you should feel comfortable in anything 15 or larger. We fish with a guy out on "the finger" whose in a 15 Arima; but then again, he's crazy.

As for CQ, you can catch butts off the mouth of the Hoko.

Tuesday April 8th at 7:00 pm at the Edmonds Yacht Club . it is in the same building as Anthony's Homeport restaurant on the back side facing the water. Terry Rudnick is the guest speaker and will have a slide show and tell how to catch trophy halibut. We are raffling off a Lamiglas Halibut Rod and a Penn GTI340 reel filled with 80# Tuff Line Plus (Thin diameter) complete with spreader bar, Steel leader with hooks and 9" B2 squid. Free admission.

Are we passing out maps to table top?

Hey everyone thanks for the responses. Anymore...I'd love to hear them.

With regard to Neah Bay, I have a 16' open boat that handles bigger water reasonably well. Just trying to keep myself out of trouble and thought it would be easier the farther East I went.

I didn't have any idea there was a PSA meeting tonight, but will try to make it.

If you really watch the weather and tides well, you can do Neah Bay even to swiftsure. I wouldn't consider it during the May opener because the weather changes so rapidly. During the summer, if the conditions are right, it can be like glass all the way out. Just have an alternate plan in case its bumpy. I really learned a lot from the Salmon U. classes, consider that for next winter. The PSA meetings sound good too.