4 Best Lures For Halibut Fishing

Trying to figure out what the best lure for halibut fishing is? Maybe you want to know what the best bait for halibut fishing is in general. Luckily, I’ve already written an article on halibut as a species and the best ways to target them. Today, I’ll analyze the best lures for halibut fishing and show you some other methods to catch them.

Surf Fishing for Halibut

The most important thing to keep in mind when targeting halibut is the time you have to put in. You’re likely not going to catch one every time you go out. Halibut are extremely elusive and that’s part of what makes them so prized. For that reason, if you’re putting in the time, you’re going to want to give yourself the best bet to catch one. So what is the best lure for halibut fishing?

Best Lures for Halibut Fishing

These are the best lures for catching halibut from the beach. Read more about each to see how I prefer to fish them and rig them.

#4) The Lucky Craft FM 110

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One of the best lures for catching halibut in the surf is the Lucky Craft FM 110.

The LC FM110 comes in many different colors. Here are a few of the most proven colors: metallic sardine, zebra sardine, pearl white, aurora black, cherry berry, sexy smelt, and anchovy. There are tons more colors and the truth is, almost all of them work.

LCs have a proven reputation as some of the best lures for halibut fishing and as some of the best lures for surf fishing in general. Perhaps even more impressive, is their versatility. I’ve caught many different species with different styles of fishing on both of these lures. From leopard sharks, to perch, to halibut and even yellowtail, these lures get the job done no matter where you’re fishing and no matter what you’re fishing for!

#3) Shimano World Minnow 115 SP (with Flash Boost)

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The Shimano WM 115 SP’s most unique facet is it’s “Flash Boost” technology. This is essentially a small piece of aluminum implanted within a translucent-bodied lure via spring-loaded fastenings. With even the most subtle of movements, the aluminum will vibrate, thus emitting reflections through all sides of the lure, even during pauses.

For an in depth article on this lure, read my review of the Shimano WM lure.

See general features below:

• 115mm / 4.5 inches
• 5/8 oz
• Flash Boost Technology
• Scale Boost Technology
• Depth: 4-6 feet

Swim Action

The swim action of this lure is the best of any jerkbait on the market. Yes, it’s better than the Lucky Craft, it’s better than Caivo, Calissa, and better than our local lure/bait makers. The best way to work this lure in my experience is a slow, steady retrieve. I have a lot more to say about the action, but for that, head on over to the full review of this lure.

Casting

The Shimano WM 115 SP is solid in terms of casting. I would put it right in line with the LC Fm 110. I did notice, however, that it’s very worth-while to give it a little shake prior to your casting in an effort to balance the weights properly to allow for optimal casting. There was a noticeable difference between when the weights were vs. weren’t balanced.

#2) Keitech Fat Swing Impact

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As you likely know, swimbaits and jerkbaits are very different and they require different tactics, techniques, and usually call for different terrain/structure. If you aren’t familiar with the differences, see my in-depth review on jerkbaits vs swimbaits and when to use each.

Essentially, swimbaits are more versatile and allow you to fish areas that jerkbaits would snag. When I fish this Keitech 4.8 inch swimbait, I’m treating it exactly as I would the next lure on this list.

Swimbait Hook

The best swimbait hook for this lure is between the Mustad KVD Grip-Pin Soft Plastics Forged Hook (1/8 oz, 5/0) and the Gamakatsu Weighted Superline Spring Hook (1/8 oz, 4/0). They’re strong, compact, and have weight to help keep the lure upright. When I use these hooks, I use a Texas Rig with a 1/2-ounce or 1/4 oz bullet weight. The rougher the conditions, the heavier the weight I use.

What are the benefits to a weighted swimbait hook? Well, aside from further casts, they keep your lure and hook balanced and upright. If you were to instead use a normal unweighted swimbait hook, your lure would roll. Now, I know a few anglers who don’t mind the roll and who do very well for themselves, but I like the weighted swimbaits and I like a balanced, upright lure.

Catch Co BioSpawn ExoSwim Paddle Tail Swimbait

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Catch Co’s Biospawn Paddle Tail Swimbait. This was the first lure I put 100% confidence in simply because I trusted my eyes. I tried it out in the shallows, it looked great, and what do ya know? That first time using it, I caught my personal best white seabass!

Along with its phenomenal action, the Biospawn Exoswim 4.75-inch swimbait is more durable than the Keitech. This allows you to fish hot bites a lot better with fewer tails bit off and mangled baits.

Ever since they broadened their color selection, I’ve committed to them as my number one best lure for halibut fishing and my number one swimbait for surf fishing. In terms of durability combined with swim action, it doesn’t get much better that the Biospawn Exoswim.

Best Swimbait Hook for the Catch Co BioSpawn ExoSwim Paddle Tail Swimbait

Again, the best swimbait hook for this lure is between the Mustad KVD Grip-Pin Soft Plastics Forged Hook (1/8 oz, 5/0) and the Gamakatsu Weighted Superline Spring Hook (1/8 oz, 4/0). They’re strong, compact, and have weight to help keep the lure upright. When I use these hooks, I use a Texas Rig with a 1/2-ounce or 1/4 oz bullet weight. The rougher the conditions, the heavier the weight I use.

Pros for Using Lures in the Surf

It’s a one time cost that can catch you hundreds of fish. The quality of your catch is HIGH. The fish that bite on these lures are predators to say the least! You don’t need to keep buying bait and it’s a very active style of fishing.

You don’t need to rely on sand crabs being there and especially in the winter time, they’re a reliable choice. Also, I’d argue the potential for a crazy catch increases when you use lures as opposed to sand crabs.

Cons for using LC Lures

This specific lure is a little pricey and it absolutely sucks to lose one on the bottom or on the rocks or even to a fish! You’ll put in a lot of time and it can be frustrating sometimes.

Best Bait for Halibut

Using bait for halibut fishing is also an option. of course, the best possible option would be to use live bait like grunion, smelt, or mackerel of some sort, but, many of us don’t have that luxury. The next best thing? Frozen anchovies! This method as proven to be just as effective in catching halibut as the Lucky Craft has. You will also catch many more rays, small sharks, and other by-catch using this method.

Pros for Using Bait

Using frozen anchovies has many upsides in comparison. If you’re looking for quantity, bait is the way to go. Bait will result in guitarfish, stingray, bat ray, croaker, small sharks, and halibut. While it isn’t halibut specific, it does attract halibut much more than sand crabs ever would.

Cons for Using Bait

It is NOT halibut specific. You will catch many other species (likely before you catch a halibut). It’s no less appealing than LC lures, it’s just easier for other fish to hit before a halibut can “ambush” it. You have to make continual purchases and they do smell a little but it’s not anywhere near as bad as squid. Also, it’s tough to cast out while making sure the bait doesn’t fall off. I recommend using what’s called a “stinger hook” for this reason. You tie about 3 inches of line directly on the arch of your first hook and tie another hook to that. You can then hook the bait twice and you’ll also have 2x the chance of hooking your target fish.

If you decide on bait rather than a lure, I recommend going to a local Asian fish market of some sort and buying a frozen pack there. The best thing to do would be to try out both methods for yourself as you may find you prefer one over the other. Either way, I hope this information helps you out and if you have any questions at all, feel free to comment or contact me directly. I’m here to help!