Affordable Alaska Fishing Guide for Discount Alaska Fishing!

All About Alaska (Pacific) Halibut

The Pacific (Alaska) halibut (Hippoglos-sus stenolepis) was called “haly-butte” in Middle English, meaning the flatfish to be eaten on holy days. Because of the reproducing cycle of the halibut ,there is only one known genetic stock of halibut in the northern Pacific.

General description: Halibut are more elongated than most flatfishes, the width being about one-third the length. Small scales are imbedded in the skin. Halibut have both eyes on their dark or upper side. The color on the dark side varies but tends to assume the coloration of the ocean bottom. The underside is lighter, appearing more like the sky from below. This color adaptation allows halibut to avoid detection by both prey and predator.

Life Cycle of the Alaska Pacific Halibut

Life history: Halibut spawning takes place during the winter months with the peak of activity occurring from December through February. Most spawning takes place in deep waters of 200 to 300 fathoms. Male halibut become sexually mature at 7 or 8 years of age, and females attain sexual maturity at 8 to 12 years. Females lay two to three million eggs annually, depending on the size of the fish.Halibut are the largest of all flatfish. The largest ever recorded for an Alaska halibut was a 495-pound fish caught near Petersburg, Alaska. 

Fertilized eggs hatch after about fifteen days. Free-floating eggs and larvae float for up to six months and are transported up to several hundred miles by currents of the North Pacific. During this stage, many changes take place in the young halibut, which rise to the surface and are carried to shallower waters by prevailing currents. In the shallower waters, young halibut then begin life as bottom dwellers. Most young halibut ultimately spend from five to seven years in rich, shallow nursery grounds as in the Gulf of Alaska and Cook Inlet.

Younger halibut, up to 10 years of age, are highly migratory and generally migrate in a clockwise direction east and south throughout the Gulf of Alaska. Halibut in the older age classes tend to be much less migratory. Older fish often use both shallow and deep waters over the annual cycle, however they have much smaller “home ranges” than younger, more migratory fish.Younger halibut, up to 10 years of age, are highly migratory and generally migrate in a clockwise direction east and south throughout the Gulf of Alaska.
 

Alaska Fishing for Halibut

The Alaska halibut is the most sought saltwater sport fish species in the State of Alaska. The State of Alaska sport fish record for the Alaska halibut is 440 pounds. This excellent tasting flatfish is highly prized for eating and sport.
 The best way to sport fish for this great eating and great fighting Alaska fish is to use the services of a professional charter captain his boat and gear. The knowledge of these professionals is directly related to the success you will have on your Alaska halibut fishing trip. Depending on underwater terrain the Alaska halibut can be found in water from 50-500 feet deep. Alaska Halibut sport fishing tackle is highly specialized and most charter captains guard their techniques and fishing spots very closely. Generally speaking, Alaska halibut are caught on heavy duty, but limber rods with small pulleys as guides, and heavy duty level wind reels with 60- 120 lb test lines are common. Baits are usually herring, octopus or salmon belly although jigs in the hands of an experienced angler can produce excellent results. Less experienced anglers will usually lose a rod when they hook their first Alaska halibut by jigging. All in all Alaska halibut is not only a great sport fish it is a great food fish.

Alaksa Halibut Recipes

Baked Halibut with Coconut and Cashews

1 lb. halibut fillets, finely chopped
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup grated fresh coconut
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 canned mild green chilis, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. curry powder
2 tbsp. unsalted cashews, chopped
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Saute coconut in 1 tbsp. oil until lightly browned.  Saute onion in remaining oil until tender but not browned.  Add garlic, chilis, salt, and curry powder and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add coconut, nuts, and halibut.  Cook 2 minutes. Cool slightly.  Mix lemon juice with eggs and add to skillet. Divide halibut mixture amoung 6 oiled 7-inch squares of aluminum foil.  Wrap tightly and place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Serves six.

Halibut Pot Roast

3 lbs. fresh halibut
1 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
6 carrots
6 medium onions
2 cups celery, choped
6 medium potatoes
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups water

Roll halibut in flour and brown in oil on all sides in a large frying pan. Place vegetables around halibut and season with salt and pepper. Add water, cover and bake at 350 degrees until halibut flakes.

Remove roast and vegetables to hot platter.  Thicken liquid in pan and serve over halibut. Serves six.

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