Landing a halibut without a gaff?

[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