How to Catch Halibut - Drop Shot Technique - San Diego Fishing

There are various techniques to catching halibut, however the drop shot rig is my all round favorite. In this video you will see the kind of setup I use when targeting the elusive halibut
Fish on @ 2:30
Gear :
-7 ft medium fast action shimano clarus rod
-Lexa 300 spooled with 10 lb izor
-4" white ice super fluke by Zoom
- Size 1 worm hook by Mustad
Follow me on Instagram @ r0dneymarquez

[@ShaglusZ]

Thanks for respecting the fish brother and treating them well. It's important and the sign of a true hunter. Thanks for the tips!

[@IrieAdventures]

I love your attitude, always having a good time, and educating while you go! Keep it up brother!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

IrieAdventures thanks !!! fish on brother

[@alexanderpaul9991]

The release at the end was sick! This dudes a real angler that wants his fishery healthy! Hats off to you bro!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

I try :)

[@nqi87]

Hey Rodney I used the white ice fluke on the dropshot in carlsbad and the halibut were on it like a drug addict...a juvenile 9 inch and a 16 incher...thanks for the tips they really work! I released them while saying "seeya buddy! Thanks for letting me catch ya"....

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Yay! im glad it worked for you!

[@toxicrain.18]

nqi87 carlsbad ? man im up in oside gotta try it!!!

[@larryspalenka6640]

I concur! Always awesome to release these beautiful creatures (unless you're starving). Bravo!

[@WARBAITS]

One of my fav videos

[@glenbonner559]

Used your advice today on the bay and caught 3 species including a little halibut, in about 2 hours with the white Berkley grub on a drop shot! Awesome advice!!!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Heck yea! super glad it helped! good luck out there my friend. Tag me on instagram: rodneymarquez, id love to see the photo

[@chismahu23]

I've seen this video multiple times and it never gets old! drop shotting always comes through when the bite is tough. white ice and smokin shad are my favorite colors... keep it up brother!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks Eduardo! Im glad this technique works out for you :D

[@jimbo4612]

Perfect set up... only thing to add is a nice amount of Pro-cure anchovy gel to the zoom fluke as halibut really key in on anchovies as a primary food. The pro-cure leaves a scent trail which the other halibut will follow in on as well. Its not uncommon to find a school of halibut and get them into a frenzy with the pro-cure anchovy gel. White zoom flukes are awesome,,, i prefer the bigger 5 and 1/2 inch super fluke with a paddle tale as it tends to attract bigger size halibut. with the bigger paddle tail. The vibration i have been told verses the standard split tail is the difference. You get less hits but a lot more legals on the 5 and 1/2 inch size. for super calm water and clean bottom like pictured here also running a 3/8th's to 1/2 ounce darter head set up, is pretty dam lethal for halibut as the lead head/fluke combo swims about a foot off the bottom which is the perfect strike zone. Let the darterhead fall to the bottom then small 6-8 inch bounces off the bottom. @ 25 a lb for but fillets it was kind to let this legal one go.. hope your rewarded with a 20lber . Super video

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks for this Jim bo! I need to try this darter head setup. on my next adventure Ill make sure to try this out. Where do you fish for your halibut? you located in California too ?

[@rocknrollratfink]

jim bo you sound like you know your stuff too!

[@jimbo4612]

I work with a few companies on product development, developing better products for Inshore Saltwater,angling. The ZOOM SWIMMIN super fluke in white pearl Stock # 116-045 is my go to for surf and bay California halibut. I rig them with a Mustad ultra-point 4/0 bullet head lead-head in white Stock# REF BUH120. The lead is bullet shaped but its still rigged darter head style, perfect on the retrieve for swimming about a foot off the bottom. The other traditional lead-heads with a large enough hook like the big hammer series clunk to the bottom to fast , the gap of the hook is to wide and the hook length is to short causing missed hits. A pack of 5 Zoom super flukes runs about 4-5 dollars and the Mustad jigs run about $6.00 for a pack of 3. Would also suggest running a piece of #15-20lb Floro-carbon line as leader as the bigger flatties have serious teeth.

[@rocknrollratfink]

jim bo Those jigheads sounds cool I'll check them out. I do feel like I get a lot of short tail bites on the bottom and I bet those would help me catch more bass and halibut both! I considered a stinger hook but don't want to gut hook short fish. Sounds like a good way to get more fish! THANKS!

[@robbieh.9435]

Thanks for not adding music to your video and great job on catching those halibut!

[@9484Anthony]

As soon as I heard your voice I subbed. I can’t pay attention to someone with a boring voice. Awesome vid! 👏

[@ferabkhan1859]

Saw you videos for the first time very informative thank you learned a few things from thank you and as always awesome videos.

[@thegoodfriendsnetwork]

Excellent tutorials... been using them, haven't caught one yet but uts does catches other fish... maybe I need to head down. To San Diego... cuz LB, Seal Beach, Bolsa are pretty slow on Halibuts

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks for the kind words man! You should do well in san diego during the warmer months of march and apirl :) halibut do love those warmer waters

[@papajohn8536]

Hey rodney, love your channel man. You offer some great GREAT tips. I just wanted to share that I caught my first 2 short hali's at north island fishing pier in the navy base literally the day after i had watched this video 😂 i copied this exact same setup (with the exception of texas rigging my fluke) and it has just been working so well for me since, especially with the spotties, calicos, and sand bass. I had lost my love for fishing plastics, just because I've had bare luck with swimbaits but this really turned things around. Big thanks to you brotha!!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

These are the comments I love reading :) I am so glad this worked out for you! That pier is awesome to fish too! -Rod

[@blakegrigorian401]

Your videos are an inspiration. Thanks for all you do man!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Blake Grigorian thanks :) I needed this

[@803brando]

i catch jack smelt from the harbor with a sabiki rig, catches a halibut on every cast with live/fresh dead smelt about 5 inch long.

[@bad1487]

Was using this rig in Dana Point yesterday while fishing the main channel. Second cast was an 18 inch halibut. Thanks for sharing your technique!

[@zerotrace7281]

Props to you on promoting catch & release!!!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks :)

[@G59FTP782]

I used this rig last year and got my personal best 36in Halibut but I use a 7 in zoom fluke on spinning gear light tackle

[@namllenium00]

C&R and then sharing the knowledge, you are awesome!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks yo! I try and help as much as I can :) that's what fishing is all about

[@manuwelaboy5027]

That was hella cool, I just got to Cali and this vid is telling me to hit the beach! I haven't caught a Cali-Hali in 20+ yrs., when I pulled one out of Dana Point pier. I live in Denver,Walleye and Catfish are my quarry now. You've done it now, I blame you for my fever! Woot woot! I'm hooked! P.S. Keep on fishing ,bruddah, so good for the soul. Mahalo nui loa

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

hahah! I hope you catch a halibut ! good luck to you bro!

[@kennylim136]

Always appreciate you sharing the rig...

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks :)

[@baldjuan23]

Great vids. Been watching you for a while. I always end up going to Bass Pro for some of the gear you use and it pays off. Thanks again

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+BaldJuan23 thanks man! BPS is an awesome store ! Hoped you enjoyed the video

[@RustyHook-gf2su]

Great video...love how passionate you are about fishing...tight lines

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks buddy! fish on

[@Anachronosos]

Great video....I swear I was at a police physical exam with someone that looked suuuuuper similar to you. Thanks for the tips!

[@AlexRamirez-vz1vj]

i saw this video and subscribed. i think i had a huge halibut on my line the other day and it broke my 17lbs leader on 20lbs test braid. i was sad to loose it but so happy to have had a chance to fight one from my kayak. i got really sunburnt though but i already packed some sunblock for this weekend. i will checkout all your videos if you have more. please make more. you are awesome.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks Alexx , sorry for that loss of that big halibut! Im glad you have the mentality of being optimistic. To me thats what fishing is all about. Glad you like my videos! Ill try and make more. Do you have any preference on my future videos?

[@jaimecruz1337]

Awesome fishing ! thank you for all the great advice

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks for watching! wish you luck out there!

[@urkinduhdorky]

been doing some research on how to catch hali good video bro! just got into fishing. Would you prefer bait caster or would I do fine with a spinning reel? also I'm using jighead with 4 inch hammers would that work?

[@seaweedkid5059]

a 3oinch halibut jumped out of the water for my crank bait I freaked out

[@ideacafe07]

seaweedkid if

[@jackrpool]

Thanks for all the tips Rodney! Cant wait to go for some Halibut in Encinitas!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

no problem ! glad I can help. Give me a holler on instagram if this technique worked for you !

[@frankiefernandez5252]

THE BEST TUTORIAL I'VE SEEN..THANKS

[@Nate_Squared]

Met Rodney today. Cool ass dude, and even hooked me up with some tackle!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

:D I hope you catch your hali

[@gregvanmouwerik7194]

Thanks for giving so much info ! Great video. I have been making a lot of mistakes I see now.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks man , really appreciate the good vibes! good luck out there!

[@sungku5116]

nice video bro. just subscribed. where in san diego do you go?

[@alberthue2934]

Very informative you guys make it look so easy. LoL Thanks

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Albert Hue thanks !!

[@jimk619]

Thanks for the tips Rodney. I went fishing today but came up short (at Mission Bay Drive bridge near Hyatt and Hospitality Point, river and bay sides) A few strong bites so that made it all worthwhile. Are you successful catching halis during the winter season? I heard from a spear fisherman that they are most active during March which supposedly is their spawning season. Thanks again for the tips and keep up the good work.

[@RUDYAKAHALIBU77]

Great vid buddy and nice realease , took off like bullet RRRRrrrrrrrrah!!!

[@patrickiskool12345]

Do you have better success with flukes or grubs (like the gulp swimming mullet)? I've fished hard with the gulp swimming mullet, tons of bass yet no flatties yet. Considering switching to the fluke on the dropshot.

[@aeiocapitolla1746]

your the best! gratz on winning the t.o.w tournament!

[@southerncaliforniafishingl478]

respect homie glad u released that keeper Hali. may the fish gods reward u

[@alexdelgadillo1569]

thanks Michael in going fishing tommorow opfully I get a halibut

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

any luck ??

[@alexdelgadillo1569]

Nope I cought a yellow pech and lots of sea bass

[@brandost2969]

nice video again rod. love it how stoked you get on fishing. it looks like your way back in SD bay I probably would of let it go too I don't trust eating fish outta that dirty water. I'm up in Luecadia let's hit the jetties in cbad.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+Brando St Thanks man, love fishing :) I like your upload as well! Cbad is putting on a show right now with the halis

[@BasicFishingNZ]

awesome video lol might try out using the dropshot rig at some point.

[@neiljohnchronicles]

Good stuff... made it simple, but informative.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks Neil , that's what I was going for

[@wrxhentaispeed6457]

Rodney, how do you prevent your drop shot from snagging on rocks? fishing up here in orange county from shore...am i just fishing in un-ideal areas?

[@danlearned9728]

Rodney, been a long time fan of your videos. Very inspiring and encouraging. Quick question... I am constantly getting snagged on rocks or underwater weeds so I wonder if using an EWG worm hook rigged Texas style would be as effective and reduce snags?? Also, those beautiful lil' bass caught in the S. D. River. Do you think they'd be safe to eat or better to release??

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Hey Dan thanks for watching all this time :D really appreciate your support. I have a friend that works for the city that tested out the water quality of the San Diego River. He recommended not to eat anything from there, and to wash your hands after touching the water

[@osiris725]

hey man great videos !!! What knot do you use to tie the hook ?

[@noahmanmano]

Yewwww nice job rodney your channel deserves more subs!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks! ;D

[@alejandrollamas692]

Awesome catch and release policy...letting other catch that fish again in the future.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+Alejandro Llamas Thanks man , thank you for watching

[@ZH-sv4kj]

Classy move brotha.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks man :)

[@Gusoutgoing]

Nice catch and release ! thanks for share your video.

[@nqi87]

Rodney, you know where the best fishing holes are....is this all near mission bay somewhere? is there a good website that gives the low down on great spots? I feel like that's like 90% of succesful fishing - knowing that the fish are there to begin with

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

do you know of sdfish.com ? there is a forum on there where they give insights on some of the best fishing spots in San Diego and mission bay

[@gpcaudillo7818]

Great video

[@vladmadrilejos1657]

awesome magaya nga baka mka tyamba. tips can i do this sa pier.

[@nathandavis1991]

Hey rodeney my name is Nathan and I want a baitcasting pole where do I get it from but not an expensive one

[@alexdelgadillo1569]

do you think I could catch a halibut with my bass pole

[@axellopez5611]

hey man im new to fishing what is a good time of the year to catch these fish ?

[@TheMiniRider7]

awesome video man!! do you recommend any places to help me catch a halibut in san diego?

[@albertchen6398]

Drop shot worked. I caught my first decent halibut with a 4" plastic worm (Dana Harbor). I could not land this thing because I was next to the fuel dock with railing. Do you use a crab net?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Yeah use a crab net , cause landing halibut does get tricky. However I usually like catching them without any nets hehe

[@TheFishCatcher]

Nice video very informative and nice catch

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thank you! thanks for commenting

[@andrewbeard5173]

I like your video but I have one question: The area I fish at for halibut it is pretty mossy is there any way I could prevent my bait from getting moss on it?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Yeah I'd try a offset worm hook , and fish it weed less on a drop shot rig . try that out . you can also try weed less swimbaits too . hope this helps .

[@PhilC_Adventures]

great video!!

[@natedawg0405]

Does this setup work for catching other fish or just halibut?

[@thatjuanguy2726]

Awesome video

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks man :)

[@drrckhamilton]

Hey, what's up Rodney? Thanks for your videos man. Really helpful as I am just starting out, not fishing, but more and more specifically targeting halibut. I am wondering, how exactly are you tying your hook to the line? I'm literally in line shopping for the zoom fluke, hooks and weights. I want to have at least one rod/reel combo set up so that I can just grab it, throw it in my car and go Hali-hunting whenever. Thanks again man.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Palomar knot for drop shot rig :) thanks for watching ! please give a shout out and tag me if you catch your hali :D

[@drrckhamilton]

Yeahhhhh, for sure man. Thanks again for the tip.

[@necessities-1235]

Dude awesome video

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks Jesse!

[@randycantu5539]

Great fishing attitude!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks for the positive vibes :D

[@LegendarSky8]

best halibut tutoring video NA

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks , what does NA mean haha

[@naranjo3504]

nice .dropshot does it again...yeeeeee

[@marioandmichellesantiago2509]

Super helpful!!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

hope you catch a halibut!

[@CastNDestroyAngling]

nice.. gonna try that method and if i do catch i will give you a shout out.. 👍

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+Cast N Destroy Angling looking forward for the shout out :D

[@candaceisthebestyang6874]

Awesome video...

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks man !

[@BCVLising]

Thank you for this video....used this bait and caught 2 halibut....i didnt use the drop shot technique so that way i can.change jig right away....do u think thats ok?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

youre welcome :D yup works fine!

[@marianoenriquez5183]

good stuff buddy catch many more

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks! I am going on a skiff tomorrow . I hope I can get good footage!

[@ArvinG]

In the beach pier how far should I go to catch a halibut? near shore, mid, or at the very end of pier?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Most of the time the halibut are right before the wave breaks

[@solraymond]

Cool vid

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+Big Ray Thanks big ray!

[@Cdbarron727]

what knot do you tie? Ive heard different knots should be used for different lures/baits. Whats your opinion on this??

[@avid2112]

Use a palomar knot,and then thread the running line back down through the eye of the hook. In this manner the hook will ride with the point up. There are tons of drop shot rigging videos here on you tube., Good luck!!

[@MrGonzo4000]

Great video......well done.

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Thanks Michael :D

[@Opaleye]

Nice helpful video! thank you!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thank yoU!

[@shanehoward9756]

What’s best way to tie hook to line?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

I like Palomar knot I showed it in one of my previous Halibut videos, Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aILIanaleLCqbtU

[@Between_the_numbers]

Anyone know what spot this is ?

[@zachgoodbody]

Hey boss, where some decent areas in SD to halibut fish? I'm normally go off vacation island but only find spotted bass

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

StuntDrivin4U I do pretty well along the shore of harbor and shelter island. try to find Sandy spots vs eel grass . good luck !

[@StayWildJoe]

Hey Rodney, i've been watching your hali videos religiously. Gone 5 times with no luck, other than a couple small calico/spotties. I'm drop shoting the same way you are on the same white flukes. I'm determined to catch a nice sized hali, what am i doing wrong? Literally doing what you're saying in the video. it happened to be peak high tide when i went, at aqua hedionda. I'm driving all the way from temecula so it's disappointing to not catch. I appreciate any input. thank you!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Hey Jomarrrr, Yeah man you are doing everything right, Its all about persistence. Really try being mobile, hitting every possible sandy bottom you can. Try one spot for 15 min and move on to the next spot, cast and repeat. I may Have made catching a halibut easy, however it is not. Took a lot of work and patience to catch halibut in addition with filming it as well. Id say try low tide to high tide transitions and try tides4fishing.com and check out the best times for fishing. Generally I like morning , low to high tide transitions. And put a little fish scent on it, eaither hot sauce or unibutter

[@StayWildJoe]

Tried again today with no luck, 12-3pm high to low tide transition same rig with some hot sauce. still no bites, the fish hate me or something. where else can i fish for hali in the area?

[@jbrads289]

Hey is that a lexa 300 and what rod are you using? Thanks!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Shimano Clarus medium fast action 7 foot rod

[@xxsuperawesomeironmanxxhi8642]

white works because it's high visibility without looking unnatural

[@Nate_Squared]

Nice. I need to get on that!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

the bite is heating up now :)

[@gonzophoenixaz7853]

How do you find or know if it's a sandy bottom

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

you can feel the "smooth" vibration of the rod tip when fishing the drop shot

[@davidrogers220]

Would you use the same set up for surf or would you use the Carolina rig set up?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

3 techniques I would use for the surf: shallow dive lucky craft, carolina, and then drop shot . In that order is my preference for the surf

[@davidrogers220]

I will be fishing Pismo Saturday. So I will definitely try that plastic I have four different colors I use for bass never came to mind to use in the surf. Thanks for the info

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

np! have fun and good luck !

[@cameronking2803]

do you know we're to get live bait in san diego for shore anglers

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

You can try and get some by using sabiki rig. if in you're in north county there is a bait barge in oceanside harbor where you can buy live bait

[@cameronking2803]

Ok thanks for the tips your vids are realy good

[@zhaunzy]

Hi Rodney, any chance i could throw you some bills, or maybe buy you lunch and a couple sculpin and you teach me some tricks to slayin hails out here. Just asking Brotha?? btw love the vids good edict and fun!

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

thanks I hoped that video helped ya . basically what I've shown here is my trick to catching these halibut. I've used spinnerbaits 3/4 oz before and done well with it too

[@LegendarSky8]

Hey man ZOOM has regular fluke and super fluke, are they work the same?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

I used the super fluke . however I've used the regular 5 inch fluke and do well. hope this video helped

[@ELJefeE7]

how often do you change your gulp bait after your cast?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

as long as it swims nice and true, than i keep re using the same gulp.

[@diegoa2563]

nice

[@kobedonaldson6308]

can u do a review on trout magnets?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+Kobe Donaldson Unfortunately the trout season is over. Ill do a trout magnet review next trout season ;D Thanks for watching!

[@alexdelgadillo1569]

hopefully*

[@j-wilky]

shout out to bass pro shops

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

:D

[@j-wilky]

I'm gonna try the drop shot/zoom jig method here in the next couple days. Need to stop off at turner

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+justin wilkinson let me know how it goes :) wish you luck buddy

[@tranv3785]

Hey could you use this while trolling?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

Yes you can , I troll these with a good drift. Make sure your weight hits the bottom, if not go heavier 2oz weights are particularly good for 40+ depth

[@markfabian3516]

Where in San Diego is a good spot to fish for halibut

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

From shore or from boat?

[@markfabian3516]

From shore

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

carlsbad agua hedionda, harbor island , and shelter island are my favorite public shoreline fishing for halibut

[@connorrodriguez4126]

when will you go to dixon lake

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

+Connor Fregoso Adventures unfortunately not any time soon. I have transitioned to fishing/filming for Spotties/ Halibut/ Tuna fishing :)

[@isaacboy05]

Where is this spot ?

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

South San Diego Bay Private dock :D I know the owner