Facts About Pacific Halibut
Northern Halibut, Alabato and Right Halibut are all common names for the Pacific Halibut which is scientifically known as the Hippoglossus Steolepis. This is the largest flatfish found anywhere in the Pacific Ocean. Their coloration is helpful with their hunting habits, ranging from a gray-brown tone to dark brown and they frequently have lightly colored spots on them. This fish is a bit unusual as they have two eyes on one side of their face which face upwards at all time, resulting in the downward site sporting no eye and being slightly lighter in color.
Male Pacific halibuts are fairly small; they typically do not get much larger than 40 pounds though they may be as long as 55 inches. Female halibut on the other hand are significantly larger – they can weight more than 470 pounds. The life span of the male and female are significantly different as well, with the males living approximately 25 years while the female may live as many as 45. Because of this, the females tend to grow larger during growing stages and their longevity alone can explain the fact that there are more females than males.
Young Pacific halibut use their strong teeth to feed on small crustaceans. Full grown Pacific Halibut are not only powerful swimmers but they have a diverse diet that includes larger crustaceans, squid, crabs, shrimp, Pollock and turbot. These fish often surprise their prey by hiding out in a sandy spot along the bottom of the body of water. Because of their color, this allows them to blend in and remain largely unseen. As prey go by, the Pacific halibut erupts from the bottom, grams their meal and leaves nothing but a cloud of sand in its wake.
Pacific halibut may occasionally be found in small bays where the waters are very cool, especially in northern areas. Since they do prefer colder water, they can be found in areas stretching from the Bering Sea south to California. For hunting and spawning, the Pacific Halibut can travel upwards of 2000 miles to find their favorite areas. They will always be found in rather cool bodies of water regardless of where they travel.
Along the areas along the Pacific coast, halibut and salmon are a means of subsistence. Because of this, halibut is closely monitored to avoid over-harvesting. In British Columbia, fisheries have cut back on production in a critical commercial fishing area. When you are able to angle for halibut, the best baits are generally mackerel, squid, herring, as well as other small fish. These fish fight like mad, and because of that, a good strong tackle will be required for the angler who is after halibut. Once the halibut is hooked, it will generally put up a struggle to stay on the bottom, but they are not very aggressive once hooked. Keeping bait floating above them will convince them that the prey is coming across them making landing them easier.
When you are getting prepared for a saltwater fishing adventure, having the proper equipment is essential. Some of the most popular products on the market include okuma fishing reel, van staal reels, and shimano spinning reels.
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