How to land a halibut - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

kurt · 02-15-2010, 12:41 PM

You skipped Part I: Hooking a Halibut. I need that one. Good tips.

prowlerdude · 02-15-2010, 01:19 PM

Being halibut challenged on the Kayak I hope to put these ideas to work

Billy V · 02-15-2010, 01:41 PM

Adi,

This is a very important and accurate piece of advise, as it differs from what we are used to while fishing for yellowtail.
"As you run the gaff through the belly, keep the fish in the water, don’t lift her up on board. Reach for your game clip and run it through the gills. I find it easier to enter through their gills, and come out with the clip through their mouth."

Show us your Trap Rig set up.
-Snelled live bait hook to the treble trap hook.
-----------------------

GregAndrew · 02-15-2010, 02:55 PM

Some good chit there. I could not believe the difference between belly gaffing and anywhere else til my Halibut Guru told me about that. Of course, if you are into on the water showers and hyperactive fish, then by all means, stick it somewhere else. Another good point my guru made was that you should bring the fish up on the side of the yak with your dominant hand. It is much easier to gaff and clip when it is near your most coordinated hand, and you are not reaching all the way across your body to do it.

GregAndrew · 02-15-2010, 03:27 PM

My Guru (Buttchaser) John dropped what he was doing to come over and get some pics while I was working a fish up. Little did he realize that he was going to be giving a free lesson on the proper way to land a big Butt. I have landed a couple of nice ones, but never so smoothly and effortlessly as with his coaching. And for his effort, he got a nice shower from the fish splashing after I had popped the gill on it. Here I am just after the initial hookup

John: You want to bring him up on your right side for the gaff if you are right handed." Ok.

John: "Get your game clip ready." Notice it on my lap already open.
John: "Now go for the belly with the gaff." Got it, although in my excitement I did lift him up a little higher than I needed to.

John: "Slide the clip up under the gill plate and out the mouth, then snap it shut."

John: Make sure your game clip is tied off securely before you take out the gaff." It will be soon as I attach the secondary cord.

John: "Ok, now remove the hook, then the gaff and pop a gill (Put your hand under the gill plate, grab a gill and yank)."

Now pose like you knew what you were doing the whole time.

By far the easiest Halibut landing I have ever had to that time. Just be ready for some fireworks when you put the head back in the water. New PB 40.5 inches and 24.13 pounds. For all his trouble coaching, all John got was a shower when I popped the gill.

T Bone · 02-15-2010, 03:36 PM

NICE ONE! Thank you very much BTW.Dylan says thanks too.

02-15-2010, 12:41 PM	#1
kurt Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: 2 inches above sea level Posts: 503	You skipped Part I: Hooking a Halibut. I need that one. Good tips. __________________ "All I got was a rock"

02-15-2010, 01:41 PM	#3
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Adi, This is a very important and accurate piece of advise, as it differs from what we are used to while fishing for yellowtail. "As you run the gaff through the belly, keep the fish in the water, don’t lift her up on board. Reach for your game clip and run it through the gills. I find it easier to enter through their gills, and come out with the clip through their mouth." Show us your Trap Rig set up. -Snelled live bait hook to the treble trap hook. ----------------------- Last edited by Billy V; 02-15-2010 at 02:16 PM.

02-15-2010, 03:36 PM	#6
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	NICE ONE! Thank you very much BTW.Dylan says thanks too. __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

02-15-2010, 01:19 PM	#2
prowlerdude Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Clairemont Posts: 116	Being halibut challenged on the Kayak I hope to put these ideas to work

02-15-2010, 02:55 PM	#4
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Some good chit there. I could not believe the difference between belly gaffing and anywhere else til my Halibut Guru told me about that. Of course, if you are into on the water showers and hyperactive fish, then by all means, stick it somewhere else. Another good point my guru made was that you should bring the fish up on the side of the yak with your dominant hand. It is much easier to gaff and clip when it is near your most coordinated hand, and you are not reaching all the way across your body to do it.

02-15-2010, 03:27 PM	#5
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	My Guru (Buttchaser) John dropped what he was doing to come over and get some pics while I was working a fish up. Little did he realize that he was going to be giving a free lesson on the proper way to land a big Butt. I have landed a couple of nice ones, but never so smoothly and effortlessly as with his coaching. And for his effort, he got a nice shower from the fish splashing after I had popped the gill on it. Here I am just after the initial hookup John: You want to bring him up on your right side for the gaff if you are right handed." Ok. John: "Get your game clip ready." Notice it on my lap already open. John: "Now go for the belly with the gaff." Got it, although in my excitement I did lift him up a little higher than I needed to. John: "Slide the clip up under the gill plate and out the mouth, then snap it shut." John: Make sure your game clip is tied off securely before you take out the gaff." It will be soon as I attach the secondary cord. John: "Ok, now remove the hook, then the gaff and pop a gill (Put your hand under the gill plate, grab a gill and yank)." Now pose like you knew what you were doing the whole time. By far the easiest Halibut landing I have ever had to that time. Just be ready for some fireworks when you put the head back in the water. New PB 40.5 inches and 24.13 pounds. For all his trouble coaching, all John got was a shower when I popped the gill.