Faroe Islands halibut bashing 2006

**rik_j** · 13-12-2005, 21:53

Well, I'm going to the faroe islands in may 2006

We will take the ferry (a pleasant 2 day trip - each way

) and stay in Fuglefjord to the north east.

Any tips and recommendations?

**Scrudgy** · 13-12-2005, 23:41

Don't think I've seen anyone posting about Faroe Islands before Rik.

Really look forward to hearing how you get on when you return though.

**robertlangford** · 14-12-2005, 07:18

Okay ;so your going from Hanstholm withthe new Smyrl Line ferry or is there a new connection?
What makes you think that there are a lot of halibut there?
When are you going?
Robert

**rik_j** · 14-12-2005, 08:36

Yep - we are going with smyril line from hanstholm.

The skipper were very confident in catching halibut for us, apparently there is multiple sounds where trawls are not allowed, which again means very healthy fish stocks. I plan to live bait for the halibut, but I know some of the others have bought penn's halibut jigger. I refuse to pay £10 for a big squid though. Anyway we aim for a mixed fishing, both cod and coalfish jigging style and hopefully a chance to do real deap sea fishing, like 500meter+.

We are going in late may, which should be the best compromise between good weather and good fishing.

**robertlangford** · 14-12-2005, 09:12

Hi.
That sounds very promising. Forget that H.Jigger. They're a rip off!
They aren’t made to catch fish just anglers!
I've had a lot of success with Svenskapilk's both in Norway and in the Faroes. A coalfish flapper is a really good bait also. It also sorted out the bigger cod for me on my trip.
Do you know about the self hooking rig?
This works very well in all situations where there are masses of small fish, particularly coalfish. It has the advantage that you are presenting your bait where you hook it which is exactly where predators are looking for it.
How many of you are going?
Robert

**rik_j** · 14-12-2005, 10:41

I have used live baiting on Røst also, but it was just catching a small coalfish and wait for it to be eaten by a bigger fish

I have never seen that "self-hooking" rig you are talking about, but I would like to.

I got some svenskapilks, but would have more if they weren't so damn expensive, especially when they get heavy. I agree that they are good, but they are perhaps a little too lively for my taste, they tend to catch other anglers lines.

The trip is organised for 10 anglers, but since the the booking hasn't started yet I don't know exactly how many are going. I would expect all spaces to be booked very fast though. The overall cost for ferry, accommodation and fishing is £300, and then there's expenses like food and drink.

**robertlangford** · 14-12-2005, 12:22

Originally Posted by rik_j

I have used live baiting on Røst also, but it was just catching a small coalfish and wait for it to be eaten by a bigger fish

I have never seen that "self-hooking" rig you are talking about, but I would like to.

I got some svenskapilks, but would have more if they weren't so damn expensive, especially when they get heavy. I agree that they are good, but they are perhaps a little too lively for my taste, they tend to catch other anglers lines.

The trip is organised for 10 anglers, but since the the booking hasn't started yet I don't know exactly how many are going. I would expect all spaces to be booked very fast though. The overall cost for ferry, accommodation and fishing is £300, and then there's expenses like food and drink.

Yeah the self hooking rig does just that but its a bit more effective than a big hook.
It simply involves putting a big sturdy treble behind a small Gummi-Makk; see image. I use VMC xtra strong 6/0 trebles but with really big halibutt you may want to think about using Owner trebles. It's not rocket science.
I've fornd that the lighter Svenskapilk's are best for Halibut and don't generally have much trouble with other lines. Partly because I usually don't fish in large groups but also as I generally dont use any other hooks. That keeps it simple. The price sounds good. Did you arrange everything yourself or do you use a travel agent?

**rik_j** · 14-12-2005, 13:17

I get your point with the rig, I have tried something similar earlier, just the other way around, a small makk sliding above the treble, but didn't find it very succesful.
We usually use Mustad duratin trebles in size 8/0 for everything, they are in the same league as the VMC's just a tad cheaper.

I'm saving up for a big order from Askari (Reels, booms and other accesories) so I might as well add some vmc hooks and some more svenskapilks.

We are a small club that focus on sea fishing only, we got around 20 trips annually, most in denmark but with one or two trips to other locations. We got a member from the faroes who have arranged the deal with the commercial fisherman and then we have just booked the ferry. I suppose you won't be able to get that price with a travel agent.

**robertlangford** · 14-12-2005, 13:59

You probably couldn't do that price with an agent, but sometimes they surprise me. Good quality Mustad are just as good. It's just that the VMC's are more readily available over here but the Permasteel are very good hooks.
Have you run across a guy called Hans F Hansen? He organised my Faroe trip. Smyrl line got in touch with him and he 's a great bloke and very knowledgeable. Do you know him?

Robert

**rik_j** · 14-12-2005, 14:14

No, I can't say I know him, but I know that smyril line offer guided fishing trips as well. I think (not sure) that it's through this agent: www.greengate.fo, but it was much too pricey for us. If we had booked with them and wanted the same time on the sea (i.e. 10-12 hours daily at a minimum) then the price for our trip would double.
The main problem with faroes charters were their fishing time, some only offering as little as 6 hours a day.

To be honest we don't go all the way to the faroes just to sit and watch the birds (edit: those who fly, I may add

).