Landing a halibut without a gaff?

[619-SWIM-DOG]

Just a couple of weeks ago I caught mt first legal halibut from the yak. He ended up being 27" . Since I was not sure with the size I ended up just keeping him a little under the water line and then taking my fish clip and running it thru his mouth out the gills and clipped it shut. I worked we'll and if it would have been short then an easy release.

[William Novotny]

My first legal halibut was caught on a kayak and I was completely unprepared. All of my research was focused on how to catch them and I completely forgot about the landing part. No gaff, no net, and a 27" butt on the line, I waited for him to not thrash around and slipped my fingers inside his Gill plate and slipped him onto my kayak between my legs. (Did I mention this is how NOT to land a halibut). The fish wasted no time striking back and new exactly where to hit me. He chomped down about 2" below the old coin purse on my inner thigh. Ouch. Those guys have some chompers on them. He let go fairly quickly but not without leaving me with a ring of puncture holes the size of a coppenhagen can that layer turned to a black and purple bruise. Igained a new respect for halibut that day. If you don't plan to keep them, a fine mesh net is the ticket. If you plan to keep them make sure your game clip is ready and open and your gaff is in reach before they are boatside. Then gaff, gameclip in, take out hook, repeat

[todd one]

Originally Posted by William Novotny

My first legal halibut was caught on a kayak and I was completely unprepared. All of my research was focused on how to catch them and I completely forgot about the landing part. No gaff, no net, and a 27" butt on the line, I waited for him to not thrash around and slipped my fingers inside his Gill plate and slipped him onto my kayak between my legs. (Did I mention this is how NOT to land a halibut). The fish wasted no time striking back and new exactly where to hit me. He chomped down about 2" below the old coin purse on my inner thigh. Ouch. Those guys have some chompers on them. He let go fairly quickly but not without leaving me with a ring of puncture holes the size of a coppenhagen can that layer turned to a black and purple bruise. Igained a new respect for halibut that day. If you don't plan to keep them, a fine mesh net is the ticket. If you plan to keep them make sure your game clip is ready and open and your gaff is in reach before they are boatside. Then gaff, gameclip in, take out hook, repeat

I just got a game clip I haven't used it yet. I got tired of wrestling with them while trying to avoid the teeth. I clubbed the last one with a lug wrench and that didn't kill him.

[todd one]

Originally Posted by 619-SWIM-DOG

Just a couple of weeks ago I caught mt first legal halibut from the yak. He ended up being 27" . Since I was not sure with the size I ended up just keeping him a little under the water line and then taking my fish clip and running it thru his mouth out the gills and clipped it shut. I worked we'll and if it would have been short then an easy release.

Yes I saw that a couple week ago. You got it at Mission Bay. Mission is still producing. I got a 24, and I saw two 28's and a 38 caught yesterday at Mission.