Landing a halibut without a gaff? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

todd one · 08-28-2013, 11:06 PM

Catching Halibut is pretty new to me. Before this summer I had never caught one over 23 inches. I was lucky if I caught one or two a year. Now I've caught on to catching them. I've been releasing most of the smaller ones (under 25 inches). Those I can usually lift right on the boat with no problem. Now I want to start releasing some larger ones, after I photograph them. I just don't know how to land them with out gaffing them. Anyone have any experience with catching and releasing halibut?

Tapatio · 08-28-2013, 11:34 PM

Get a foldable net, takes just as much space as a gaff. Just get the right kind to not split the tail

kauaiboy04 · 08-29-2013, 08:42 AM

i've heard the rubberized type nets are the best, or the soft mesh kind. using the thin rope type nets can and will split the tails of the halibut, causing tail rot and eventually killing the fish.

ful-rac · 08-29-2013, 08:52 AM

use a lip gripper, unhook then release, and take a photo if you dare....I would just release and have the gopro going...

GregAndrew · 08-29-2013, 10:22 AM

It is not a good idea for you or the fish to try to bring a large one into your ysk for a photo. You will damage or lose gear when they go balistic. And they will damage themselves trying to get free. Get your camera out as you bring them up, cause there is no rush. Or , as Tony mentioned, turn on the video and snap a shot yakside and release.

beef78 · 08-29-2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

use a lip gripper, unhook then release, and take a photo if you dare....I would just release and have the gopro going...

Use a lip gripper and get a good grip on the tail before you try to pull it out of the water. Make sure everything is lanyarded down. Halibut get ridiculous.

todd one · 08-29-2013, 03:42 PM

Thanks guys, your input is appreciated. Sounds like the easiest thing to do is gaff it and keep, it if it's to large to lift out of the water. Of all the keeper size halibut that I've caught this summer, I couldn't imagine taking the hook out with it in the water. I'll just continue to do what I've been doing. Hope to see you guys on the water soon.

08-28-2013, 11:06 PM	#1
todd one Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 364	Landing a halibut without a gaff? Catching Halibut is pretty new to me. Before this summer I had never caught one over 23 inches. I was lucky if I caught one or two a year. Now I've caught on to catching them. I've been releasing most of the smaller ones (under 25 inches). Those I can usually lift right on the boat with no problem. Now I want to start releasing some larger ones, after I photograph them. I just don't know how to land them with out gaffing them. Anyone have any experience with catching and releasing halibut?

08-29-2013, 08:42 AM	#3
kauaiboy04 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sandy Eggo Posts: 215	i've heard the rubberized type nets are the best, or the soft mesh kind. using the thin rope type nets can and will split the tails of the halibut, causing tail rot and eventually killing the fish. __________________ http://socalkayak.blogspot.com

08-29-2013, 08:52 AM	#4
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	use a lip gripper, unhook then release, and take a photo if you dare....I would just release and have the gopro going... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-28-2013, 11:34 PM	#2
Tapatio Junior Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 11	Get a foldable net, takes just as much space as a gaff. Just get the right kind to not split the tail

08-29-2013, 10:22 AM	#5
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	It is not a good idea for you or the fish to try to bring a large one into your ysk for a photo. You will damage or lose gear when they go balistic. And they will damage themselves trying to get free. Get your camera out as you bring them up, cause there is no rush. Or , as Tony mentioned, turn on the video and snap a shot yakside and release.

08-29-2013, 03:42 PM	#7
todd one Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 364	Thanks guys, your input is appreciated. Sounds like the easiest thing to do is gaff it and keep, it if it's to large to lift out of the water. Of all the keeper size halibut that I've caught this summer, I couldn't imagine taking the hook out with it in the water. I'll just continue to do what I've been doing. Hope to see you guys on the water soon.