Halibut fishing safety

I'm planning to set my Wavewalk 700 up as a tandem, ocean-worthy yak. I would love to be able to safely fish for halibut. Do you all think outriggers are a must for safety?

As far as outriggers go, what I I the ideal mounting location? Fore, mid, or aft of the cockpit?

Open to all opinions and thoughts

Welcome CJ87!

Welcome to NWKA.

I thought the Wavewalk was stable, side to side.  Is that not true?

It is probably the most stable kayak there is, but that's my opinion. In General I wouldn't be questioning it if I were after smaller species, but if I was lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to hook into a 100+ pound halibut, wondering if outriggers would be wise...?

Trying to get thoughts before setting up my yak this coming week or two

I won't be fishing for halibut in my w700 until next season, so I'm not in a rush, just trying to do my research.

Thanks, Caleb

with or without outriggers, could you self-right a wavewalk if flipped in the surf?

Couldn't honestly say. I will let you know once I get the yak and wetsuit and practice in the surf.

with or without outriggers, could you self-right a wavewalk if flipped in the surf?

I have looked at a few , not in person... Won't it fill up with water like a sit in side yak?

Unless someone put a hole in the bottom of it, when it flipped, I would guess it would stay afloat due to the air trapped inside. Might get more in when righting it but I'd guess again that it wouldn't be so much you couldn't pump it out with a hand pump.

Again, all guesses. My yak is due to arrive in a week or so and have only had 1 outing in an identical model for a test paddle.

Caleb, I have zero experience with the Wavewalk.  Never heard of them until you asked this question, and have never seen one.

Looking at their website, they have a picture of a man standing in the footwell area with a paddle in his hand, and the Wavewalk is barely listing.  Just looking at that photo, it's hard to imagine how a halibut could flip you if you were counterbalancing for its weight.  Don't know that, just going from their promotional picture.

On the other hand, I don't know how far offshore you have to travel to find halibut up near Gig Harbor but it looks like it could be an all day aerobic workout to paddle it very far.  Again, because of the twin hulls, it looks that way and I don't have any experience with it.

When you have it and have paddled it around a while, the answer about whether or not you need to consider outriggers should be clear to you.

Good luck and good fishing.  Let us know your impressions.