Beyond the barndoor halibut ledges, chicken halibut in the 10 to 20 pound range can be found. This area is much easier to find and easier to fish due to its shallower, flat, less snaggy surface. Which ever part of Middle Bank you choose you will still need to find it. Even though it's a large bank it can be difficult to find without other boats already on top of it. Several fishing methods will work at Middle Bank. jigging and spreader bars and bait are the most popular methods of fishing halibut here.
Jiggers find that leadhead jigs with plastic worms or plastic scampis work best.
Luhr Jensen B2 Squids, giant Crippled Herring, Buzz Bombs, and Pt. Wilson darts in 6 to 18 ounce sizes also work well for halibut here. Make sure that you constantly hit bottom while jigging, this will help attract halibut and imitate food fish like the sandlance. Custom-made Trophy leaders made of tuna cord work best when bait fishing. Spreader bars also work well and allow halibut fishermen to quickly lower their bait to the bottom without constantly tangling their herring and leader on the mainline or catching those pesky dogfish so common to our marine waters.