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

paintnfish · 05-02-2012, 03:22 PM

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

WahooUSMA · 05-02-2012, 03:47 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.

GR6RR · 05-02-2012, 04:04 PM

ouch

bellcon · 05-02-2012, 04:41 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, 06:08 PM

This may help

driftwood · 05-02-2012, 06:19 PM

Here is another technique by a long time pro.

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

GregAndrew · 05-02-2012, 06:23 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, 06:34 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, 06:38 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, 06:41 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

mbaha · 05-02-2012, 07:15 PM

Attachment 6374See attached

05-03-2012, 10:56 AM

Bleeding the fish is important. Gills, plus cuts at the base of
the tail that allow the circulatory system to vent--while the fish is
alive--ensuring for complete drainage.

Bleeding a fish allows you to keep your fish in storage longer,
since blood decomposes more quickly than muscle.

PS. Driftwood's the pro, not me!!!

lamb · 05-03-2012, 03:17 PM

Nice halibut!

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=6760

Cbad Mike · 05-05-2012, 03:02 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies

. I bought a game clip and read all of the info you posted. THE NEXT ONE IS NOT GETTING AWAY!

05-02-2012, 03:47 PM	#2
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, 04:04 PM	#3
GR6RR Lucky Fisher Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: too far inland Posts: 366	ouch __________________

05-02-2012, 06:08 PM	#5
Halol Devildoc1mardiv Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 61	This may help __________________

05-02-2012, 06:34 PM	#8
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) __________________

05-03-2012, 03:17 PM	#13
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Nice halibut! http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=6760 __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

05-02-2012, 03:22 PM	#1
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, 06:19 PM	#6
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, 06:23 PM	#7
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, 06:38 PM	#9
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, 06:41 PM	#10
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

05-03-2012, 10:56 AM	#12
yani Guest Posts: n/a	Bleeding the fish is important. Gills, plus cuts at the base of the tail that allow the circulatory system to vent--while the fish is alive--ensuring for complete drainage. Bleeding a fish allows you to keep your fish in storage longer, since blood decomposes more quickly than muscle. PS. Driftwood's the pro, not me!!!

05-05-2012, 03:02 PM	#14
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Thanks everyone for your replies. I bought a game clip and read all of the info you posted. THE NEXT ONE IS NOT GETTING AWAY!