Hook or Harpoon for Halibut?

All these options just provide a way for you to subdue the fish.  What they don't do is secure the fish.

Honestly, having handled dozens of halibut off a kayak up to maybe 70-80 pounds, it is not going to matter.  Take your time, give a good placement on your spear, gaff, making use any rope or buoys are clear of tangling with you or the kayak.  Don't rush it and do it right ... that's way more important than choosing a spear or gaff.  Choose what is comfortable to you.

Both Bill and I have handled large butts off the kayak by just grabbing the jig.  As long as you don't make any sudden movement after you get them to the surface, they usually behave.  They'll behave well enough for you to get a good shot at them.  Again, don't rush it.

Unsure if they're still green, well, just pull their head out of the water and give it a tap, preferably pointing away from you.  Hold on!  Enjoy the ride.

I've subdue a number of halibut by just cutting their gills while they are in the water.  No gaff, no 'poon, nothing.  Just let it bleed out.

Now comes the fun.  You've subdued your butt, but you have you really?  Secure that thing!  Hawg tie it tail to gill.  Halibut are extremely powerful when they "wake up".  Don't give them a chance to rock your kayak.

-Allen

I picked up a Danielson 5 1/2" replacement tip and then I started wondering about a bowfishing tip for my harpoon? Or for even that matter, a spearfishing tip? I know, I know! Just one more thing to think about. The only thing I was worried about was having the barb tear out if there was too much pull against the buoy the hali had to fight against.

Fred "True" Trujillo

The tip....

I replaced the DIY tip on my DIY harpoon with the tip posted by kardinal_84.  It's still a virgin.

I built this one

Three of The four kings of rock fish at PC on Monday got the honor of laying hands on Pmmpete's diy harpoon and let me say I would easily pay two bills for it, it could be on a shelf in the sporting goods store. Looking at it you would think he's in the tool manufacturing business but he's not.

Older butt post I guess. Here's a compilation of 6 or so halibut harpoons over 2minutes. The second butt I "spined". Harpoon tip just bounced off but it sure stiffened the fish out like a board. Didn't flinch after that. Lol. Includes 100 pounded at the end. Just clipped section together so not a clean edit.

Wow awesome videos. What part of the fish are you trying to hit with the harpoon? I was told belly but sometimes the angle is wrong when they get to the surface.

Belly has held so far. Frankly I try to hit it anywhere behind the gill plate but off center. No problem pushing harpoon through any bit of meat. The rib bones will stop it though. I'm going to aim for the belly more. Seems to slow the halibut down a lot faster as well.

Sweet video that ls the most exciting time halibut fishing