The One That Got Away

[djphaneuf]

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

Step 1: Catch your first giant halibut.
Step 2: Get excited because you got it next to your boat.
Step 3: Think to yourself, "These things aren't that bad." Lace game clip through gill and maybe even pet the halibut as it smiles at you.
Step 4: Regret Step 1
Step 5: Next time remember step 2b: Gaff and strike head of halibut with blunt object with follow-up shots as necessary. Feel free to scream like a girl as you accomplish step 2b. Also feel free to remember Sammons post on "hook removal" as Step 6 if you are using a trap rig.

I followed most of these steps except mine was more like:

1. Catch first giant halibut (hope there is another like this but bummed because this was fish of a lifetime).
2. Get excited because it is next to the boat and you have it gaffed.
3. Think to yourself, "this thing is huge, what do I do now, better at least get the game clip on it.".....how did you know I petted the halibut?
4. Game clip is on so lets get it out of the water before the sea dogs come after my prize fish.

The rest was a blur but next time I will reduce the drag and have a blunt object to beat it to death with. Lesson learned the hard way. Never even thought about getting the hook out because it pretty much swallowed my squid and iron and I knew better than to stick my hand anywhere near its mouth.

Holy crap! I watched step 6 and think I would opt for the cut the line and go to the emergency room method before I let my buddy yank a treble hook out of me. At least they said it was not for use above the neck or when caught in main blood vessels