Targeting big predator fish like halibut requires the use of specialized fishing tackle. Having the best halibut lure in your tackle box will increase your chances of landing a monster fish.
Artificial lures can work great for catching halibut and other trophy fish. They are convenient, and easier to use, and many of them come already rigged.
My favorite is the Real Fish 10″ Sanddab Lure for its versatility.
There are lots of options available, so in this guide, I have shared five of the best halibut lures to have in your fishing tackle. These lures are very lifelike and will trick fish every time.
Pay attention to the pros and cons so you’ll know which option best suits your fishing preferences.
Let’s get started.
Best Halibut Lures – Reviews & Buying Guide
Best Overall: Real Fish 10″ Sanddab Lure
Product Overview
Whether you are targeting halibut or lingcod, this set of four realistic-looking Sanddab lures are incredibly effective and have been described as a lingcod killer.
Real Fish gives anglers a lure that lets them jig, troll, cast, or even shake, depending on their preferred fishing method.
The 10-inch lure (head to tail) weighs a little over 7 ounces and is pretty easy to set up, making it a great pick for newbie anglers. Although it might seem like something meant for beginners only, the lure is quite popular among professionals.
Featured Spec
- Color: Natural, Green Pumpkinseed, Sole, Pearl White
- Material: Plastic
- Weight: 7.13 ounces
Pros
- Easy to use
- Variety of colors
- Lightweight, soft plastic lure
- Realistic sanddab body and movement
- Pack of four offers value for money
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Tail is easily bitten off
Product Review
If you’re looking for a soft plastic lure that can really help you catch halibut and other big fish, then you need to check out the Sanddab Jig Lure from Real Fish. As someone who’s spent countless hours fishing for halibut, I can confidently say that this lure is a real game-changer.
First off, the Sanddab Jig Lure comes in a pack of four and is available in a variety of colors, including white, natural, sole, and green pumpkin. This gives you the flexibility to choose the best color for the specific fishing conditions you’re facing.
One of the things I love about this lure is how easy it is to use. All you have to do is insert your jighead into the mouth, pull the hook, add a stinger treble hook to the tail, and you’re good to go. The lure has a realistic movement that simulates the natural jigging and trolling motion of real sanddab or flatfish, which is incredibly effective at attracting fish.
And the tail is where the real magic happens. Real Fish designed the Sanddab Jig Lure with a tail that produces attention-grabbing action. This is what really helps increase your chances of getting a strike. The lure’s soft plastic body also makes it easy for fish to bite and hold on, which means you’ll have more time to set the hook and reel in your catch.
One thing to keep in mind is that the tail can get bitten off pretty easily, but this isn’t a dealbreaker. You can easily attach a large grub with a tail to the stinger hook and keep fishing with a replacement tail.
All in all, the Sanddab Jig Lure is an excellent soft plastic lure that can help you catch halibut, lingcod, rockfish, grouper, snapper, and other big fish. And when it comes to fishing for halibut, this lure is simply one of the best out there.
Also Available From: Real Fish Bait
Runner-Up: Alwonder LED Fishing Lures Kit
Product Overview
If you prefer spoon lures, you might want to look at the Alwonder LED Fishing Lure Kit. Inside the kit are 10 LED spoon lures made of hardened plastic designed for deep drop fishing.
Each lure in the kit measures 2.36 inches and weighs a mere 1 ounce. They are designed with flashing lights, realistic fish eyes, and heavy-duty split rings for attaching the hook and line.
This is undoubtedly one of the best halibut lures when it comes to electronically operated lures, and it is highly effective for trolling a variety of predator fish.
Featured Spec
- Color: Alternating Red, Green, White
- Material: Hardened ABS Plastic
- Weight: 1 ounce
Pros
- Great for saltwater and freshwater
- Targets a wide variety of big fish species
- Automatic on and off LED
- Highly effective for attracting predator fish
- Waterproof design
Cons
- The battery cannot be recharged
- Limited to 200 hours of battery life
Product Review
As an avid angler, I know how important it is to have the right lure to attract predator fish species like halibut, bass, trout, tuna, and walleye. That’s why I love Alwonder’s LED Fishing Lure Kit. These lures are engineered to simulate the movement of hurt fish by leaving a convincing fake blood trail that’s irresistible to larger fish.
The secret behind the blood trail is the alternating flashes of red, green, and white LED lights. For best results, I recommend trolling slowly to give the illusion of an injured fish struggling to swim. I’ve had great success using these lures, especially when targeting halibut and walleye.
One thing that sets Alwonder’s LED Fishing Lure Kit apart is the long-lasting battery life. With up to 200 hours of continuous use, you can fish all day and night without worrying about the battery running out. And if you’re ever unsure about the battery power, you can easily test it by pressing two wires to the back of the LED lure eyes. The flash intensity will indicate if it’s time for a replacement battery.
I also appreciate the water-activated sensor feature, which automatically turns on the LED light when the lure is submerged in water. This saves me the hassle of having to turn the light on and off myself. And with the waterproof closed design, the electrical components are well protected from water damage, ensuring the lure lasts for many fishing trips to come.
Overall, I highly recommend Alwonder’s LED Fishing Lure Kit for any angler looking to catch predator fish species. It’s an innovative and effective lure that’s easy to use and produces great results.
Alternative: Megabass Halibut 90 Saltwater Lure
Product Overview
Made in Japan, the Halibut 90 has a sardine/minnow-like design. It is a fast sinking lure, with a deep diving action, due to its relatively heavy weight.
The one-of-a-kind shaped bib is designed to create rolling actions that attract halibut at the bottom of the ocean.
Megabass equipped the Halibut 90 with features that target predators hunting sardines. This sinking lure weighs 0.95 ounces and works with two treble hooks. As the name suggests, it is best used for saltwater fishing.
Featured Spec
- Color: GLX Pink Rainbow
- Material: Plastic
- Weight: 0.95 ounces
Pros
- Excellent distance casting lure
- Impressive balance and stability in the air
- The pronounced bib reaches depth quickly
- The small profile works great in all conditions
- Great for catching flounder
Cons
- Might not be easy to find in stock
Product Review
I recently had the chance to try out the Megabass Halibut 90 Saltwater Lure, and I have to say, it’s one of the best lures out there if you’re looking for a long casting distance. As an avid angler, I’m always on the lookout for lures that can get me the results I’m looking for, and the Halibut 90 didn’t disappoint.
One of the things I love about this lure is its unique design. The angled bib allows it to quickly dive to great depths, making it perfect for targeting juvenile mackerel or flounders. And its dense, sardine-shaped body gives it excellent balance and stability, even during long casts or in unfavorable weather conditions.
But what really sets the Halibut 90 apart is its tungsten fixed balancer system. This system ensures that the lure can cover great distances without tumbling, making it one of the best long casting lures I’ve ever used.
During steady retrieves, the pronounced bib creates a strong wobble and rolling action that’s perfect for attracting halibut and other flounders that are on the hunt for bait sardines. And the lure’s heavy weight makes it sink quickly, allowing it to get to the action quickly.
Overall, I think the Megabass Halibut 90 Saltwater Lure is an excellent choice for any angler looking for a versatile and effective lure for catching halibut, mackerel, flounders, and more. If you’re looking for a lure that can really perform, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Also Available From: The Hook Up Tackle
Alternative: Dr.Fish Saltwater LED Fishing Squid Lure
Product Overview
Dr.Fish Saltwater LED Squid Fishing Lure might interest you if you liked our runner-up option, but want something even fancier with longer battery life.
Rated for up to 300 hours of battery life, this squid lure outlasts many other LED lures available on the market.
Not many fancy lures are offered for such a low price. But cost aside, this is one of the best soft lures for halibut as far as saltwater LED lures are concerned.
Featured Spec
- Color: Green LED
- Material: Vinyl
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
Pros
- Very affordable
- 98% lifelike appearance
- Pre-rigged heavy-duty swivel, hook, and leader
- Durable design
- Luminous skin effective at night
Cons
- Crimp tends to come off easily
Product Review
After using Dr.Fish’s Saltwater LED Fishing Squid Lure myself, I can confidently say that it truly lives up to its claim of mimicking a real squid. The soft yet durable vinyl material withstood the bites of some seriously tough monster fish species without tearing apart.
The built-in LEDs located at the head and skirt of the lure light up the body completely, which gives a more realistic effect. Dr.Fish also incorporated luminous material on the skin of the lure to make it glow in the dark, which was a neat feature to have when fishing at night.
The lure is fitted with a 150-pound ball bearing swivel and a sinker to provide a swimming action that helps increase the chances of a strike. The lure comes ready to fish, rigged with a hook and leader, and with the LED already activated, making it easy to use straight out of the box.
I found that dropping it in the water instantly turned on the LED, which automatically turns off once you remove it from the water. Although the battery life is impressive, it’s best to place the lure under sunlight for a day to make it even brighter, especially if it has been stored in a dark environment for a while. Overall, Dr.Fish’s Saltwater LED Fishing Squid Lure is an excellent addition to any angler’s tackle box.
Also Available From: Dr Fish
Alternative: Real Fish 6″ Sanddab Lingcod Jigs
Product Overview
For a smaller size of Real Fish’s offering, consider this 6-inch Sanddab Fishing Lure designed for targeting grouper, bass, lingcod, croaker, rockfish, and of course, halibut.
This small-sized Sanddab is one of the best soft plastic lures for halibut. And although it is lightweight, the lure has a decent durability.
While this particular option comes in a natural color, the lure is also available in white, sole, and green pumpkin shades.
Featured Spec
- Color: Natural
- Material: Plastic
- Weight: 1.38 ounces
Pros
- Affordable price
- Looks very real
- Targets a variety of larger fish species
- Suitable for various fishing techniques
- Lightweight lure
Cons
- Jig hook might tear through the plastic
Product Review
If you’re on a tight budget like I was, or just looking for a smaller-sized lure from Real Fish, the 6″ Sanddab Fishing Lure is a great option for targeting halibut and other predator fish. I’ve tried out different lures from Real Fish, and I find that purchasing a single lure instead of a pack with many lures makes more sense to me.
This lure is designed to be nearly identical to Real Fish’s best overall pick, with the same body material and realistic movement that bigger fish simply can’t resist. The tail action also adds to the lure’s attractiveness and increases the chances of getting strikes.
What I appreciate about this option is that it is cheaper than the 10″ model and comes in a single pack, which allows me to save a few bucks without compromising the quality of my fishing gear. And speaking of quality, the 6″ Sanddab Fishing Lure is made with durable materials that can withstand the bites of fierce and toothy predator fish.
One thing to note is that the measurement includes both the body and tail, so it’s not just the body that’s 6 inches long. Knowing this helped me avoid any confusion or disappointment with my purchase. If you want a sanddab that’s longer than this option, you might want to go with Real Fish’s best overall pick.
Also Available From: Real Fish Bait
Halibut Lures FAQ
What lures to use for halibut?
Some of the best lures for halibut include:
- Artificial squid: A soft-bodied artificial squid is widely used for catching halibut because the fish can easily sink its teeth into the soft plastic. To make this even more attractive, you can place the artificial squid into a Ziploc bag with your live bait for a couple of hours to get the scent all over the lure.
- Jigs: Jigs are weighted, making them great for catching halibut. In most cases, the sinker or lead weight of the jig comes with a hook. This allows you to add live bait if you want.
Bottom line: reaching great depth to catch halibut requires the right type of fishing lure. If you don’t have a halibut-specific lure, you can use some of the lures for targeting salmon to catch halibut.
However, you want to make sure the lure is used with live bait. Also, make sure the salmon lures you plan to use do not generate excessive movement. Typically, halibuts are found in calm waters and excessively jerky motions aren’t very effective in attracting them.
What is the best way to catch halibut?
The first thing to do when targeting halibut is to scout your location. Generally, halibuts are found in current-calming zones of the water, such as rock formations, the bottom of the sea, valleys, and depressions.
Next, choose a lure or bait that attracts the fish. Mackerel heads and squid are two common live baits that halibuts find difficult to resist. If you are working with artificial lures, such as any of the options on this list, it is a good practice to add scents to the lure and line to help attract the halibut.
Remember to use a lightweight but strong type of fishing line. Low-quality lines will snap easily under the strength and size of giant halibut. But you want to avoid stretchy and heavy-duty lines. That’s because these types of lines are difficult to reel in once the hook is set.
If possible, go fishing for halibut with a group of friends. Although this will mean more completion, it increases the bait and adds more chum to the fishing area. This will improve the chances of catching a halibut.
Here are some other tips and tricks for catching halibut:
- Use sharp hooks: Nearly everyone knows that sharp hooks are best for fishing, but you’ll be surprised by the number of anglers who use dull hooks. That’s because many people don’t bother to change their hooks even after a few fishing trips. An extremely sharp hook increases your chances of catching fish, even when they don’t bite hard or aggressively.
- Consider additional scent: If you are not using live bait, it is a good practice to use additional scents on your lures. For better results, consider choosing scent-injected lures.
- Fillets are better than steaks: Use fillets when fishing halibuts. Fillets tend to get more bites and even aggressive ones compared to when you use steaks.
- Be patient: Lastly, you have to be patient when targeting halibut, especially if you are not jigging. You must wait for the fish to eat your bait before setting the hook and not just when you get strikes.
Can you jig for halibut?
Yes, you can jig for halibut and it is, in fact, one of the common ways that anglers catch the fish throughout the year.
Jigging is one of the fishing techniques that closely imitate the swimming action of baitfish deep at the bottom of the ocean. And halibut typically chase after baitfish with these types of movement.
However, jigging for halibut requires a bit of a different approach, considering the depth where they are found and their massive size. In addition to a large conventional reel, you will also need a heavy-duty vertical jigging rod.
For best results, consider jigging for halibut around underwater boulders and rocky ledges. Remember to keep the jig near the bottom throughout.
What depth do you fish halibut?
In most cases, halibut can be found at depths between 40 and 80 feet below the water’s surface.
However, it is possible to catch larger-sized halibut at a much greater depth than 80 feet in some cases. But the chances of catching a halibut beyond 120 feet at quite slim.
Unlike many other trophy game fish, halibut are usually found at deeper levels and fishing for this large species is better done from a boat.
Conclusion
In this guide, you have seen some of the best halibut lures to add to your tackle box.
Whether you prefer jigging for halibut or want to go the more common route and use circle hooks, you will find a lure on this list that suits your purpose.
In most cases, a set of lures gives you more flexibility in terms of color. These can come in handy when you are planning to fish in different weather or water conditions. If this is something that appeals to you, consider going with our best overall pick.
The Alwonder LED Fishing Lure Kit is also available as a set of lures, although all the lures come in the same multi-color LED light.
Regardless of the lure you choose, you can be sure that all the options on this list will increase your chances of getting more strikes. Remember to try live bait with these lures for better results.
Alternatively, use scents to improve the realism of the lures since halibuts are more attracted to scents than excessive movements.
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