Mooching

Mooching involves drifting with the current while presenting bait in a natural way. Ideal for halibut and striped bass, this technique uses herring or anchovy as bait. 

Gear Setup: 

Rod: 7’ to 8’ rated for 20-30 lb. 

Reel: Spinning or conventional reel with 200-300 yards of 20-30 lb line (mono or braid). 

Line: 20-30 lb main line, preferably braid with a fluorocarbon leader. 

Terminal Tackle: 

Leader: 20-25 lb fluorocarbon, about 6-8 feet. 

Hook: Size 1/0 to 3/0 circle or octopus hook. 

Weight: Sliding sinker (1/2 oz to 3 oz) above a swivel. 

Rigging Tips: 

Attach a sliding sinker above the swivel, then tie on the fluorocarbon leader with the hook. Hook your bait lightly through the nose or back, letting it drift with the current, staying alert for bites.

Drop Shot

Effective in deeper channels, drop-shotting allows bait to hover off the bottom, making it a great choice for striped bass and halibut. 

Gear Setup: 

Rod: Medium-heavy rod, 7 feet, rated for 15-25 lb. 

Reel: Baitcaster or spinning reel with 150-200 yards of 15-25 lb line. 

Line: 15-25 lb braid with a 12-20 lb fluorocarbon leader. 

Terminal Tackle: 

Leader Length: 12-18 inches from the hook to the sinker. 

Weight: 1/2 oz to 1 oz drop-shot weight. 

Hook: Drop-shot or circle hook, size 1 or 1/0. 

Rigging Tips: 

Tie the hook with a Palomar knot, leaving a long tag end for the weight. Use soft plastics or live bait, drifting or holding position to keep the bait just off the bottom.

Live Bait

A highly effective choice, live bait (like anchovies or smelt) is excellent for both species. 

Gear Setup: 

Rod: Medium-heavy, 7’ to 8’ rated for 15-30 lb. 

Reel: 3000-4000 size spinning or conventional reel with 150-250 yards of 15-30 lb line. 

Line: 15-30 lb braid with a 15-25 lb fluorocarbon leader. 

Terminal Tackle: 

Leader: 3-6 feet of 20-25 lb fluorocarbon. 

Hook: Size 1/0 to 3/0 live bait hook. 

Weight: Sliding egg sinker (1/4 oz to 1 oz). 

Rigging Tips: 

Attach the sinker above a swivel, with the hook on the leader. Hook live bait through the nose or back. Position the bait near the bottom for halibut or higher in the water for striped bass.

Gulp Artificial Bait

When live bait isn’t available, Gulp artificials can be a great substitute for attracting both halibut and striped bass. 

Gear Setup: 

Rod: 7’ rod rated 10-20 lb. 

Reel: 3000 size spinning reel with 150-200 yards of 12-20 lb braid. Line: 12-20 lb braid with a 12-15 lb fluorocarbon leader. 

Terminal Tackle: 

Jig Head: 1/2 oz to 1 oz. Gulp 

Bait: Jerk shads or grubs in 4”-6” sizes, matching local baitfish colors. 

Rigging Tips: 

Thread the bait onto the jig head for realistic movement. Use a slow, lift-and-drop retrieve to mimic injured prey, which works well for both target species.

General Rod, Reel, and Line Recommendations

Rod: A 7’ to 8’ medium-heavy rod rated for 15-30 lb offers versatility. 

Reel: 3000-4000 size spinning reel or baitcaster, with line capacity for 150-200 yards of 15-30 lb line. 

Line: 15-30 lb braid for strength and sensitivity, paired with a 12-25 lb fluorocarbon leader for added invisibility and abrasion resistance.