Also known as
- Halibut US
- White Halibut US
- Giant Halibut US
- Righteye Flounder US
Identification
A massive flat-bodied deepwater predator of the cold North Atlantic — wide muscular profile delivers extraordinary pulling power and brutal sustained resistance. Females out-size males dramatically.
- Both eyes positioned on the right side after juvenile eye migration
- Dark chocolate to olive-green upper side, pure white underside
- Concave tail edge — a key separator from other large flatfish
- Very large mouth extending well past the eye
- Numerous sharp curved teeth on both upper and lower jaws
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Oceanic
Behaviour
A massive bottom-dwelling predator of the cold North Atlantic working sand, gravel, and clay bottoms in deepwater channels (200-500m, 3-5°C / 37-41°F) along shelf edges and between offshore banks. Strong age-related diet shift: smaller fish work crustaceans and worms on the bottom; trophy fish are obligate fish-eaters that occasionally rise into mid-water to chase herring and cod. Active across daylight hours; feeding peaks on slack water at the turn of the tide.
Diet: Herring, Cod, Haddock, Mackerel, Squid, Octopus, Large Crabs
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Drift Fishing
The signature Norwegian Lofoten and Senja approach — slow-drift over deepwater banks and shelf edges presenting a 30-50cm soft-plastic shad on a 500-1000g lead-head jig, or a whole mackerel/herring on a wire-tied stinger trace and 12/0-14/0 non-offset circle hook. Heavy jigging rod, 80lb braid, 200lb wind-on leader. Drift speed 0.5-1.5 knots; rig must tick the bottom continuously.
Bottom Fishing
An anchored or held-position approach over a known mark or seabed feature in 100-300m — present a whole mackerel, herring, or coalfish on a sliding-boom rig with a 1-2kg lead and a 12/0-14/0 non-offset circle hook on a 200lb wire-tied trace. Stout 5'11-7' standup rod, lever-drag conventional reel, 80lb braid. Keep the bait pinned to the bottom in the strike zone.
Jigging
A productive vertical approach over deepwater marks — drop a 400-1000g pirk, butterfly, or speed jig and work it with sharp lift-and-fall snaps within 2-3m of the bottom. Glow-finish jigs excel below 200m. Stout jigging rod, 65-80lb braid, 200lb wind-on leader. Tip the assist hook with a fresh herring or mackerel strip to add scent.
