Atlantic halibut

Getting started

Your first try for Atlantic halibut

One recommended starting point: bait fish, shad and jig from a boat or from shore. More methods are listed under “How to fish”.

1. 1. Place and time

   • Halibut often lie on sand and gravel bottom, hunting baitfish such as herring and saithe. Shallows and current-swept sounds where the baitfish gather are good spots.3,4,5Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang4ExperienceKlikk.noSlik lykkes du med jakten på kveita5ExperienceJakt & FiskeJakten på høstkveitaAll sources on this page
   • Best in May–Nov.

2. 2. Tackle

   Hook

   A strong hook or circle hook, preferably with an assist hook or stinger hook towards the tail, because halibut often take the prey from behind.3,5,6Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang5ExperienceJakt & FiskeJakten på høstkveita6ExperienceFiskeavisenKveite fra land, del 2All sources on this page

   Rod

   Alvestad uses a 7–8 foot rod of 30–40 lb in shallow water and a short stand-up rod of about 6 feet and 50 lb in deep water. Jakt & Fiske recommends 6–8 feet with a soft tip.3,7Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang7ExperienceJakt & FiskeKveitefiskets hemmeligheterAll sources on this page

   Leader and line

   Flawless line and leader, and good knots. Lasse Bøe uses 0.90 mm mono as a hook leader, and Jakt & Fiske a two-metre leader and a banana sinker with a circle hook.3,5,6Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang5ExperienceJakt & FiskeJakten på høstkveita6ExperienceFiskeavisenKveite fra land, del 2All sources on this page

   Gulp on the shad

   Alvestad threaded a Gulp worm onto the hook of the shad, and believes the smell and taste made the difference between fish in the boat and just bites.3Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stangAll sources on this page

3. 3. How to do it

   • →Present the bait throughout the water column. Let it go down to the bottom, reel it up a few metres slowly, stop, and repeat. Halibut often hunt pelagically.3,4,6,7Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang4ExperienceKlikk.noSlik lykkes du med jakten på kveita6ExperienceFiskeavisenKveite fra land, del 27ExperienceJakt & FiskeKveitefiskets hemmeligheterAll sources on this page
   • →Halibut often taste the bait before taking it. Wait until you feel weight or a pull on the rod before you set the hook.3,4,7Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang4ExperienceKlikk.noSlik lykkes du med jakten på kveita7ExperienceJakt & FiskeKveitefiskets hemmeligheterAll sources on this page
   • →From a boat you can fish from a drifting boat or troll along the bottom, to cover larger areas.3,4,7Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang4ExperienceKlikk.noSlik lykkes du med jakten på kveita7ExperienceJakt & FiskeKveitefiskets hemmeligheterAll sources on this page

Where

Where to find Atlantic halibut

Technique and tackle

How to fish for Atlantic halibut

When

Season and time of day

• →Big halibut are easiest to get in touch with from spring to autumn, when they move into shallower water. Autumn is regarded as a good time for big halibut.3,4,5Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3ExperienceAsgeir AlvestadTips og triks for å fange kveite på stang4ExperienceKlikk.noSlik lykkes du med jakten på kveita5ExperienceJakt & FiskeJakten på høstkveitaAll sources on this page
• →North of StadNorth of Stad (62°N) it is prohibited to fish for halibut from 20 December to 20 April inclusive.2Source×Rule from the authorities · Applies to: North of Stad2AuthorityFiskeridirektoratetFreda og delvis freda artarAll sources on this page

Rules

Minimum sizes and closed seasons

About the fish

Identification and life history

Identification

• →The largest of the flatfish.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonkveiteAll sources on this page
• →The flesh and the skin on the blind side are usually snow white.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonkveiteAll sources on this page

Size

• →Halibut grow fast and become sexually mature at 8–10 years of age. After 14–15 years they are over two metres and can weigh over 100 kg. Individuals of nearly four metres and over 300 kg are known.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonkveiteAll sources on this page

Diet

• →Hunts actively for other fish, for example tusk and herring, but also eats squid (akkar), starfish and other bottom-dwelling organisms.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonkveiteAll sources on this page

Experiences

Tips from people who have fished for Atlantic halibut

Sources

What this page is based on

The numbers in the text refer to the sources below. Fishing tips must be confirmed by at least three independent sources. Read about our source requirements.