WORLD RECORD 159lb 8oz
TOP VENUE
The location where Steve caught this huge halibut is literally a stone’s throw away from the apartments at Saltstraumen Brygge. Renowned for its big halibut, this mark also produces some really big cod and coalfish. In actual fact, the current world record shore-caught coalfish, weighing a massive 50lb, was caught from this particular mark in 1995.
One thing that makes this location in Saltstraumen so special is the fact it’s located next to the world’s largest maelstrom. A maelstrom is an amazing natural phenomenon, which in basic terms can be described as a fierce vortex of water that creates huge whirlpools. The velocity of the maelstrom eases up for one hour either side of low tide. Such an energy of water creates a nutrient-rich ecosystem full of baitfish, in particular herring and small coalfish, which are a staple diet for big halibut.
The underwater terrain is perfect, consisting of rock ledges falling away on to a clean sandy bottom. This is also a popular destination for boat fishing, again in the narrow margin when the maelstrom eases up. Interestingly,
