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Pro Staff Question - Is Tuff White Dacron Or Monofiliment Line Best For Halibut Fishing
Paul Smith's Answer
Hugh,
Thank you for your question to Bass on Hook.
First let me start off by saying I too am an avid salmon angler/guide on the west coast of Vancouver Island (Nootka Sound).
I haven't fished the Victoria area for halibut yet though.
Tuff Line Braided and Tuff Line White Dacron are two different beasts and I personally like to use Tuff Line braided because of the diameter to lb test ratio when compared to mono or even Dacron.
You can have a lot of line on your smaller reel with out the weight and worry that comes from a larger diameter line.
I started out using Dacron line because of the price difference, but soon found out that it has a tendency to chafe itself and break when a larger hali is hooked.
I've never noticed any bite differences with colour of lines when fishing for halibut.
Tuff Line Brand Fishing Lines Cost More
Tuff Line on the other hand is more expensive, but in this case you really are getting what you pay for.
Mono can be used also, but you must remember it will stretch over a longer distance and requires more skill in feeling the bite especially when fishing for Rockfish or Lingcod.
You will also require a larger reel (Peetz or Penn) to hold mono while a smaller reel (hence lighter) is preferable for Tuff Line.
My advice to you would be to find a flexible rod and reliable reel that you can fish with without wearing out your arms.
I use an older 6'6" Penn Bottomfish rod and medium Penn Bait Casting reel for all our bottomfishing charters and the combination works well.
Penn makes another great lever drag rod and reel combo as well as excellent bait casting reels.
I also like to take my spin casting rod and reel along in case I feel like throwing a buzz bomb when my arms get tired.
60-80 lb test Tuff Line is a good place to start and once you start getting into some bigger fish that start breaking line you can move up.
I've heard there are some nice barndoors out on the banks especially up Sooke way so good luck!
Hope this helps and keep enjoying Bass on Hook.
Keep those rod tips up and tight lines!
Paul
