How do you do it? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

BT · 02-12-2011, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the info.

I like the gaff idea. Then I wont have to grab the gaff after I measure it.

Now to find a fish big enough to measure.......

Deamon · 02-12-2011, 11:42 AM

If all of us were only so lucky to catch so many that you can throw back anything under 28". I've always tired the fish out, brought him to the side and grabbed them by the back of the head(opposite of the mouth!)nice and firm. It's the spot that will hold them for sure and it's a great leverage point for you. Bigger fish...no. Hot fish...heck no.

flydigital · 02-12-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deamon

If all of us were only so lucky to catch so many that you can throw back anything under 28". I've always tired the fish out, brought him to the side and grabbed them by the back of the head(opposite of the mouth!)nice and firm. It's the spot that will hold them for sure and it's a great leverage point for you. Bigger fish...no. Hot fish...heck no.

Yep, this is what I do on anything 30" and under, definitely not recommended above that size. When first getting serious about halibut fishing I would net anything close (with a nice promar net, not the tail-splitting kind) and measure... then after a while it was easy to tell what was legal or not. Now I will not gaff anything that I can release safely, about 30" or less. Trying to figure out a way to release bigger ones, perhaps with some mule tape around the tail and a boga grip? I almost lost a few fingers and my dignity a few months ago when about a 31" hali I was trying to release with the "shoulder hold" method went ape-chit, I almost went over the side with him.

Anyway, if you want to keep a legal you need a good halibut-safe net (search up on this) and just start netting and measuring them (take your time!) It's easy to mis-measure a halibut even with a nice loose measuring tape when he's flat on your deck, let alone when he's at the side of your yak.

taggermike · 02-12-2011, 03:55 PM

Don"t make things harder than they need to be, use a net. That's what the damn thing is for. Plus if you have any fish on board that has a minimum size you legally have to have a net any way. mike

02-12-2011, 08:52 AM	#1
BT Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Carlos Posts: 202	Thanks for the info. I like the gaff idea. Then I wont have to grab the gaff after I measure it. Now to find a fish big enough to measure....... __________________ if your brain had fists, you could only hurt yourself!

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02-12-2011, 11:42 AM	#2
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	If all of us were only so lucky to catch so many that you can throw back anything under 28". I've always tired the fish out, brought him to the side and grabbed them by the back of the head(opposite of the mouth!)nice and firm. It's the spot that will hold them for sure and it's a great leverage point for you. Bigger fish...no. Hot fish...heck no.

02-12-2011, 03:55 PM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Don"t make things harder than they need to be, use a net. That's what the damn thing is for. Plus if you have any fish on board that has a minimum size you legally have to have a net any way. mike