Targeting Hali with Luckycrafts & Crocs from da Tube?

These are the common players when targeting halibut from the sand..
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Obviously, the BH swimbaits also work.

But.. I don't seem to see tubing reports of 'buts caught on the LC or the kroc? Or even tried? Seems like people like the BH swimbaits, jigs, DS, etc. Is there a reason the LC110 and the kroc are not good choices from the tube? Is it the technique of the retrieve? Whatchy'all think? What are your GO-TO techniques and lures when targeting halibut on the float tube? I suspect there are some big legal 'buts in the LAB and LBC, just not sure how best to go get 'em. -J.

From the tube i prefer LIVE DINES!

But they can be a PITA. Big Hammers and T&C's usually do the trick for me. Honestly...for some odd reason i stopped throwing LC's and krocks a long time ago...not sure why. The kroc is awesome and from the tube would be great.....but the LC seems like a bad choise because of tge depth that is swims at. From the surf you can get that bait in the strike zone no problem...from a tube this could be hard although it seems a lot easier to use that bait from the tube at the LAB.

I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

MASSfisher wrote:From the tube i prefer LIVE DINES!

But they can be a PITA. Big Hammers and T&C's usually do the trick for me. Honestly...for some odd reason i stopped throwing LC's and krocks a long time ago...not sure why. The kroc is awesome and from the tube would be great.....but the LC seems like a bad choise because of tge depth that is swims at. From the surf you can get that bait in the strike zone no problem...from a tube this could be hard although it seems a lot easier to use that bait from the tube at the LAB.

Thx Brian! Yeah, live dines seem like PITA.. but I'd try it sometime. Where do you get them? I guess a bait barge? I know you also do some trap rig squid for halibut, right? I think you had email or PM'd me a pic or just a written description of that, but I can't seem to find it now.

Can you resend it? or better yet, share it here? No rush... anytime. Thanks man! -J.

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

ooohf! .. good point!
pun intended.. "hisssssss!! SH*T!!!"

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

I agree, those hooks are easy to snag the tube. Be very careful

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

If I fish with crank baits I usually will dump the fish in my floating fish hold and carefully remove the hooks. I will fish the crank baits when ever I move to another area, kinda like trolling,..

Lok Dog wrote:

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

If I fish with crank baits I usually will dump the fish in my floating fish hold and carefully remove the hooks. I will fish the crank baits when ever I move to another area, kinda like trolling,..

I am going to start fishing the cranks and jerk baits more this season. I like the fish hold idea. Keeps the tube out of harms way more? Good idea man thanx!

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

x2, i have been throwing them but yet to hook up. I have nervousness just throwing them outside of the tube after getting hook once.

miller wrote:

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

x2, i have been throwing them but yet to hook up. I have nervousness just throwing them outside of the tube after getting hook once.

Amen brother. I have some hook shy issues going on myself. Hee hee, I'm a big baby. Ask Ed.

waxon67 wrote:

miller wrote:

waxon67 wrote:I have a nervousness about all those hooks around my tube. But ya, I have just felt it was a depth issue. The Kroc's I have considered before but I just forget to throw them.

x2, i have been throwing them but yet to hook up. I have nervousness just throwing them outside of the tube after getting hook once.

Amen brother. I have some hook shy issues going on myself. Hee hee, I'm a big baby. Ask Ed.

those hooks are sharp and they hurt I have gotten 2 hooks in my hand befor from those awesome lucky crafts, not fun when the fish is on the 3rd hook

Ok. Awesome tips! It also occurred to me sometime some areas, those three trebles might rake and snag eel grass more? Anyways, sounds like luckycraft, not so lucky! I'll try tossing the Kroc. Any other tips? -J

you can add a sliding sinker (small) to your line ahead of your crank to increase depth and action. If you add a somewhat heavier sinker and set up a leader you can bounce off the bottom and possible keep the crank closer to bottom and in the strike zone.

Need to know what feesh you really want to target. Lizzies love to hit cranks. So do smelt.

Something to think about is barracuda like to hit lures like this. I have caught one in NP but not on a crank. Areas like we fished last Sunday might be good zones to try this when the water warms up a bit more.

I have done some crank mods and added BH swim tails to them. Need to try them out!

Docrunner wrote:Ok. Awesome tips! It also occurred to me sometime some areas, those three trebles might rake and snag eel grass more? Anyways, sounds like luckycraft, not so lucky! I'll try tossing the Kroc. Any other tips? -J

Switch the Kroc treble out to a single hook.
Less snags.

Those LC's used to be all the rage for Halibut from the surf but I honestly have never had any luck with them and the 3 hooks is a pita to deal with, I have acutally had more luck with the Rapala salt water X-Raps and the Yozuri pins-magnets for Hali.

Someone had noted that BPS makes a lure almost identical to the LC's for about 1/3 the price and to remove the middle hook to improve the action and make releasing easier.

As far as crocs the only thing I have ever caught on a croc is a seagul that tried to hit it on the cast.