Summer halibut season offers change of paceSubscriber Exclusive

Anglers are getting a late-season chance to catch halibut. But there may be little enthusiasm for the fishery, given that it is peak season for salmon. Anglers are getting this second chance for halibut because the spring weather brought such rough conditions in the ocean that often the boats could not leave port. The season, which opened Saturday, will run through the month of September, unless the quota is filled earlier. In addition to both Marine Areas 1 and 2, many Puget Sound marine areas will also be open. This is the second year that there was enough quota left after the spring seasons that the additional days have been allowed. The 2026 halibut catch quota of 1.65 million pounds was the result of an allocation the International Pacific Halibut Commission approved on Jan. 22 for fisheries in Washington, Oregon and California. Anglers had caught only about half of that by the end of the spring season. The quota for Marine Area (Ilwaco) 1 is 19,299 pounds. For Marine Area 2 (Westport), a much larger area, the quota is 65,857 pounds. “We had some poor weather earlier in the spring, and that has allowed us to have these extra days,” said Wally Coon, the skipper of the Salty Dog, a fishing boat that is a member of the Sea Breeze Charter fleet in Ilwaco. “This spring was just atrocious, so it was not a comfortable ride out,” he said, “But most of our boats got their fish every day” Coon said there is some uncertainty as to how good the fishing will be, or if the anglers will show much interest. “It’s kind of right in the prime salmon and tuna seasons, so I don’t know if it’s going to be a hot seller,” he noted. “We figured if there were people that wanted to go, we’d send a boat out.” The fish have also seen some pressure recently from commercial fishers. “I don’t think it’s going to be popular, since it’s after the commercial fishers have been out a couple of times. They typically scoop up a lot of halibut. “We have heard it’s not very good after that, but we still want to go out there and give it a shot.” There are still plenty of big halibut out there, though. “I was actually out yesterday fishing ling cod in the canyon, and we pulled up a 40-pound halibut.” Halibut anglers in Marine area 1 usually fish the Astoria Canyon, a deep-water cleft off the mouth of the Columbia River. But Coon said there are other good spots they would target if anyone wants to try. “There are several places out there that we go to,” he said. “The canyon only offers one location. We will also fish two or three different locations north of the canyon. That’s where we think the halibut are going to be.” Coon reports that the average halibut caught along the southern Washington coast will run about 20 pounds, but there are some out there up to 40 pounds, and even bigger. These are deep-water, bottom-feeding fish, and they are strong fighters. They are also one of the most sought-after fish in the Pacific, prized for their flaky, light flavor. When bought from sea food outlets, they are one of the most expensive white-fleshed fish to be found. These halibut are found deep, from 400 to 800 feet, Coon said. “It depends on the location, but we usually start in about 800 feet of water, and then we will let the drift push us back about in to about 600 feet,” he said. “Then we reel up and start again. In water that deep, they can usually only run about six rods at a time. “You just can’t put out 7, 8, 9, or 10 rods in that deep water. The tangles get insurmountable, unless its dead calm out there, and you know how rarely it gets dead calm in the Pacific.” When there are more than six anglers aboard, they have to take turns. Coon uses electric reels, which makes it far more fun. Working a 30-pound fish up from 800 feet down is an almost herculean task. When it comes to the business end of the line, Coon said it really doesn’t matter much what you use, as long as it smells good. “Halibut are scent feeders, and they just drift back and forth as they follow the scent trail up to the bait.” The usual offering starts with a black label herring on a double hook rig, but that is just the start. “We will wrap it with a variety of flavors that the halibut seem to get attracted to,” Coon said. “We use salmon or tuna bellies or little chunks of squid. We also use bait scents. Pro-cure makes a product that we can inject into the herring that leaves a scent trail.” “Halibut are not too discriminating,” Coon added. “Down where they are at, they really can’t see the bait. It’s pretty dark, so it’s all about smell. They do not really care what it looks like if it smells like food. “Once the fish lock in on the bait, they inhale it, and off to the races we go.” Coon does warn his would-be customers to be prepared for the conditions, which can turn rough quickly, even in summer, and they should expect it to be wet. “If people want to come out and fish with us, I would really stress to be prepared for the weather,” he said. “Bring rainproof clothing, tops and bottoms, and bring waterproof boots. You are going to get wet. “It’s shocking what the elements are like out there, so be prepared. The weather changes very fast out there.” Also, if you are prone to sea sickness, take Dramamine before you go. “We hate to see trips ruined because people are so sick they can’t even stand up,” he said. “But the trip doesn’t end. We keep going.” Most anglers this time of year are targeting the salmon runs. But if you tire of the slew of boats, and the frenetic pace, you might try taking a trip for halibut. It is a quieter fishery, and what you take home for the table is certainly worth it.

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