A question I should have asked yesterday - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Cbad Mike · 05-02-2012, 02:43 PM

Today I finally hooked a nice halibut.

1st good on from my kayak! It freaked out when it saw the net so since I knew that I wanted to keep it I used my gaff and pulled it onto the kayak. The hook came out when I got it on deck. I quickly snapped a photo of dinner and then realized that I needed to kill it. During the FOURTH stab in through the head it freaked out, tried to bite me, and then jumped back in the water and swam away.

I feel like a f#cking idiot!! I've landed plenty of fish in boats and on docks where the fish had no where to go but am new to kayak fishing.
So the question that I should have asked yesterday before I caught it is what is the best way to kill a halibut quickly so it doesn't bite my junk or worse yet, jump back in the water like today? Just to plan ahead this time, maybe I can add the same question for other types of fish too?
Thanks,
Mike

xpresso2am · 05-02-2012, 02:45 PM

Club it!, game clip it...

blitzburgh · 05-02-2012, 02:47 PM

Two words;

Game Clip

.

It's OK man, stuff happens. Get yourself a game clip and some rope and watch videos posted by Greg Andrew

.

RK · 05-02-2012, 03:02 PM

1. As fish approaches at color
REDUCE DRAG and KEEP ITS HEAD UNDERWATER.
2. with head underwater GAFF IN THE BELLY ZONE this will paralyze the fish.
3. keep a cool head and do not lift fish out yet, run secured game clip through gills and mouth.
4.slide hali across deck of kayak and place opposite leg over tail end of fish while applying pressure to game clipped end.
5. TAKE OUT BAT AND DESTROY HEAD..................
(should only take about 200 shots)

Discalimer:
This is only for the big specimens but after that you shouldnt really have much of a problem.

addicted2sp33d · 05-02-2012, 03:39 PM

Maybe this is a noob question, but why do people pull the gills on WSB and YT, but not Halibut?

Seems like gill-pulling would be effective for all fish species.

RK · 05-02-2012, 03:47 PM

GILL, GUT, ICE
for 24 hours or more ensures the highest level of quality with the final product....

ful-rac · 05-02-2012, 03:52 PM

Right....Halibut needs to be secured after gaffing, before anything...clubbing or otherwise..(pics)...invest in a good game clip! I think they run about 20 bucks or so. Make sure to gaff in the belly! And to secure it before taking the gaff out or else! Better luck next time!

paintnfish · 05-02-2012, 04:22 PM

Gaff, game clip, pop a gill, let it bleed and your good to go

WahooUSMA · 05-02-2012, 04:47 PM

LMAO - Chalk it up to learning. I caught a nice one once from my yak, gaffed it and brought into the well. Major mistake's - With all the excitement, I forgot to club it, loosen the drag, game clip, etc. So as I was attempting to get the hook out, the phaquer came back to life and went ape shit in my lap - The treble hook on the trap set-up swung widely and lodged under my middle finger nail, right behind the cuticle. So now my finger is hooked, the drag is tight, reel's in the water-out of reach, and the fish is PISSED, and I can't get the flipping hook out of my finger. I managed to swing a leg on top of the fish in an attempt to pin him to the hull so I could cut the line with my knife. Eventually (seconds later), the hali thrashed around so much that the hook ripped away from my nail. Kept the fish but lost the nail...not a good trade.

mtnbykr2 · 05-02-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addicted2sp33d

Maybe this is a noob question, but why do people pull the gills on WSB and YT, but not Halibut?

Seems like gill-pulling would be effective for all fish species.

TO BLEED

GR6RR · 05-02-2012, 05:04 PM

ouch

dos ballenas · 05-02-2012, 05:06 PM

at least the crabs got dinner

Thanks for posting.... as embarrassing as it can be, we have all made the same mistake! As long as you learn from it who cares!

kayakhunter · 05-02-2012, 05:33 PM

bellcon · 05-02-2012, 05:41 PM

What Ron Said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintnfish

Gaff, game clip, pop a gill, let it bleed and your good to go

And for more info:
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...anding+halibut

Halol · 05-02-2012, 07:08 PM

This may help

driftwood · 05-02-2012, 07:19 PM

Here is another technique by a long time pro.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=6820

GregAndrew · 05-02-2012, 07:23 PM

In addition to the Belly Gaff, you should keep the fish supported by the gaff until you are done putting the game clip on, removing the hook and popping a gill/killing the fish. Besides gaff location, the most common problems are from swinging too hard on the gaff shot (your hand only needs to move about 6 inches), and supporting the weight of the fish by something other than the gaff (game clip, deck etc.).

bellcon · 05-02-2012, 07:34 PM

Here's a pic taken by Mr. Greg Andrew of a handsome fellow doing it the right way

(belly gaffed, game clipped, gill popped, and she didn't move a muscle until I slid her down in the water and removed the gaff)

roby · 05-02-2012, 07:38 PM

Great information on how to gaff a halibut. I've read most of what has been posted and it has helped tremendously. A big thanks to all that have contributed in past threads.

I wanted to add and give back to BWE.

Below is a link on how not to catch and release your halibut....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKkkxti0NIA

taggermike · 05-02-2012, 07:41 PM

Good advise from every one. I'll add-stay calm (as best you can), don't get in a hurry, have your landing stuff(gaff,net,clip) at hand, and always secure the fish befor you take the gaff or even the hook out. Others may disagree, but except for bigger sharks, I think halibut are the most difficult fish to land we have in our waters. They are not tired like YT or WSB are when they reach boat side, they are amazingly explosive, freakishly strong, and difficult to kill. And pretty nasty teeth. Mike

05-02-2012, 02:45 PM	#2
xpresso2am Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 209	Club it!, game clip it... Last edited by xpresso2am; 05-02-2012 at 02:48 PM. Reason: added more info...i forgot! sorry

05-02-2012, 02:47 PM	#3
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Two words; Game Clip . It's OK man, stuff happens. Get yourself a game clip and some rope and watch videos posted by Greg Andrew. __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

05-02-2012, 03:52 PM	#7
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Right....Halibut needs to be secured after gaffing, before anything...clubbing or otherwise..(pics)...invest in a good game clip! I think they run about 20 bucks or so. Make sure to gaff in the belly! And to secure it before taking the gaff out or else! Better luck next time! __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

05-02-2012, 04:47 PM	#9
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	LMAO - Chalk it up to learning. I caught a nice one once from my yak, gaffed it and brought into the well. Major mistake's - With all the excitement, I forgot to club it, loosen the drag, game clip, etc. So as I was attempting to get the hook out, the phaquer came back to life and went ape shit in my lap - The treble hook on the trap set-up swung widely and lodged under my middle finger nail, right behind the cuticle. So now my finger is hooked, the drag is tight, reel's in the water-out of reach, and the fish is PISSED, and I can't get the flipping hook out of my finger. I managed to swing a leg on top of the fish in an attempt to pin him to the hull so I could cut the line with my knife. Eventually (seconds later), the hali thrashed around so much that the hook ripped away from my nail. Kept the fish but lost the nail...not a good trade. __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

05-02-2012, 05:04 PM	#11
GR6RR Lucky Fisher Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: too far inland Posts: 366	ouch __________________

05-02-2012, 03:02 PM	#4
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	1. As fish approaches at color REDUCE DRAG and KEEP ITS HEAD UNDERWATER. 2. with head underwater GAFF IN THE BELLY ZONE this will paralyze the fish. 3. keep a cool head and do not lift fish out yet, run secured game clip through gills and mouth. 4.slide hali across deck of kayak and place opposite leg over tail end of fish while applying pressure to game clipped end. 5. TAKE OUT BAT AND DESTROY HEAD.................. (should only take about 200 shots) Discalimer: This is only for the big specimens but after that you shouldnt really have much of a problem.

05-02-2012, 03:39 PM	#5
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Maybe this is a noob question, but why do people pull the gills on WSB and YT, but not Halibut? Seems like gill-pulling would be effective for all fish species.

05-02-2012, 03:47 PM	#6
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	GILL, GUT, ICE for 24 hours or more ensures the highest level of quality with the final product....

05-02-2012, 04:22 PM	#8
paintnfish Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 72	Gaff, game clip, pop a gill, let it bleed and your good to go

05-02-2012, 05:06 PM	#12
dos ballenas Vampyroteuthis infernalis Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 585	at least the crabs got dinner Thanks for posting.... as embarrassing as it can be, we have all made the same mistake! As long as you learn from it who cares! __________________ ____________________________________________

05-02-2012, 05:33 PM	#13
kayakhunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange Posts: 207

05-02-2012, 07:08 PM	#15
Halol Devildoc1mardiv Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 61	This may help __________________

05-02-2012, 07:19 PM	#16
driftwood Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SAN DIEGO Posts: 1,086	Here is another technique by a long time pro. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=6820

05-02-2012, 07:23 PM	#17
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	In addition to the Belly Gaff, you should keep the fish supported by the gaff until you are done putting the game clip on, removing the hook and popping a gill/killing the fish. Besides gaff location, the most common problems are from swinging too hard on the gaff shot (your hand only needs to move about 6 inches), and supporting the weight of the fish by something other than the gaff (game clip, deck etc.).

05-02-2012, 07:34 PM	#18
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	Here's a pic taken by Mr. Greg Andrew of a handsome fellow doing it the right way (belly gaffed, game clipped, gill popped, and she didn't move a muscle until I slid her down in the water and removed the gaff) __________________

05-02-2012, 07:38 PM	#19
roby CEO of Team Roby Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 905	Great information on how to gaff a halibut. I've read most of what has been posted and it has helped tremendously. A big thanks to all that have contributed in past threads. I wanted to add and give back to BWE. Below is a link on how not to catch and release your halibut.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKkkxti0NIA

05-02-2012, 07:41 PM	#20
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Good advise from every one. I'll add-stay calm (as best you can), don't get in a hurry, have your landing stuff(gaff,net,clip) at hand, and always secure the fish befor you take the gaff or even the hook out. Others may disagree, but except for bigger sharks, I think halibut are the most difficult fish to land we have in our waters. They are not tired like YT or WSB are when they reach boat side, they are amazingly explosive, freakishly strong, and difficult to kill. And pretty nasty teeth. Mike