West Coast Halibut Fishing
West Coast Halibut, also known as Pacific halibut, are the largest flatfish in the world. They can weigh as much as 300 kilograms and can reach 2.7 meters in length! West Coast Halibut are found on or near the ocean bottom, over sand, mud or gravel banks.
The coast of British Columbia is home to the Canadian portion of the west coast Pacific halibut fishery.
Peregrine Lodge is located in Naden Harbor, Haida Gwaii and has some of the best BC halibut fishing on the west coast.
Peregrine Lodge is an all-inclusive fishing lodge, providing guests with 10 ½ hours of guided-fishing per day. Whether you are a seasoned angler or beginner, a guided-fishing trip at Peregrine Lodge will guarantee a BC halibut fishing trip of a lifetime!
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, is home to record size BC halibut. They are strong swimmers and are able to migrate long distances.
Characteristics of West Coast Halibut
West Coast halibut have diamond shaped bellies and are one of the largest fish species. They have a large mouth and well-developed teeth on both sides of their jaws. Interestingly, halibut have both eyes on only one side of their body. On its side with the eye, they are dark brown and on their blind side, they are a lighter white and irregularly blotched.
Halibut spawn in the winter months, from November to January. A female halibut can lay as many as 2.7 million eggs which will drift into shallower waters and eventually hatch into fish.
Halibut season runs from spring to late fall. Most adult halibut tend to remain on the same grounds, making only a seasonal migration from the shallower feeding grounds in the summer, to deeper spawning grounds in the winter.
Halibut that run through Haida Gwaii are migratory, with smaller fish showing up first, followed by larger fish in the summer. These halibut are generally fished in the deep waters and you can expect to catch them throughout the day.
The growth rate of halibut depends on the location and conditions they live in, but female halibut grow faster than male halibut.
BC halibut is prized for its delicate, sweet flavour. The flesh is firm and flaky, making it a popular fish to cook and eat.
Halibut Fishing
Halibut fishing is more technical and the hook-and-line method is most commonly used to fish BC halibut. Most halibut are caught in water anywhere as deep as 90 to 600 feet!
The mighty halibut is incredibly powerful, giving sport anglers an engaging tug-of-war battle before finally being reel in. It is important to be fishing the right tides because not all tides are suitable to fish halibut.