I HATE SHARK HOOKS or Whiskey Gulch June 6 & 7 report

Too tired... 90 minutes sleep since Saturday at 3am....

Halibut was good.  Saturday afternoon was windy and choppy.  Saturday night flat calm.  Sunday morning sort of calm.

Saturday maybe 5 or 6 landed.  Kept two in the 25 to 30 pound range.

Sunday, Kept a 15 pounder then a 49" (56.5lbs on chart). 

Here's my 49" fish...

Forgot harpoon shaft.  Finally tried a Shark hook due to circumstances totally within my control...actually lucky I had it...

I HATE SHARK HOOKS.  I am going to persistently and loudly MOCK anyone who thinks a shark hook is better than harpoon except in a specialized circumstance...whatever that might be.  Now a flying gaff with retainer like I saw Rawkfish use is a different story. 

4 halibut over the weekend.  One at 15lbs, two at 25 to 30lbs. one at 57lbs.  Not a bad weekend!

First still is sat fish. Second is Sunday.

Did get one take down that was "King-esque" but didn't connect.  ARGH!!!  But who can complain! 

Congrats on the nice fish you caught this weekend.
Are you going to halibut fish next weekend ?

Kings first. Then halibut. Giving most of this away at work as is....

Cool I'm surprised you are still awake I'm gonna be in anc Thursday to pick up my new yak

haven't had to land a fish yet with a shark hook or use a harpoon. Haven't caught one big enough yet! Low 30's for the halibut, been using a gaff to land the fish bring into my lap and then dispatch the fish. Very nice fish! I think I am going to have to get a harpoon now watching your vids.

Lol .... I'm begrudgingly starting to agree with you about harpoon vs shark hook. The shark hook is not idea for everyone. Personally I like it but it hasn't failed me yet.
I think the one place where a shark hook is better is for someone without a hobie. Almost large halibut I've caught or seen caught come up vertically. Without a drive to help plane the fish out it is hard to get a clear shot.
Personally I think the shark hook is more fun because I don't let go of the rope and enjoy a good halibut rodeo.

Can't wait to sink the hook into a true 100+ pounder!

I also think the learning curve on the harpoon is steeper. Shark hooks are pretty simple in comparison.

Good job on those halibut Rudy. You're gonna hook into a monster soon enough!

Ok.  A little additional info to the "Whine" after some sleep.

First, that shark hook is exciting.  Must be a little like bow hunting vs rifle hunting in terms of harpoon or gaff.  Feeling the weight of the fish was cool.  Not feeling the shark hook penetrate...uncool.  Totally understand Bill's slant towards the hook. 

But in a "I gotta get this fish" scenario, there is now absolutely ZERO doubt in my mind that the harpoon is the better choice.  I think a flying gaff with a retainer is better than a hook but still its much easier and you much greater range with a harpoon.   With the harpoon (except my Barbie episode), all the failures like the harpoon head coming off the shaft is BEFORE you hit the fish.  The Shark hook is a simpler piece of gear, so deploying is no problem, but all of the problems come AFTER you try and stick the fish.  Not good. 

This is maybe my third time deploying the hook.  The other couple of times, the fish was barely hooked and so I opted to net the fish.  You have to make sure the hook is solid and you are using thick leader to manhandle the halibut around the kayak.  Would NOT be comfortable doing this with a big halibut on 60 or 80 lbs salmon leader. 

So first it doesn't go through.  You can see I lift the halibut.  Sharpen the hook I hear people saying.  Well that hook sticking out of the fish was gouging the heck out of my kayak as the fish flopped near the boat.  Then it came out.  I re-inserted but taking it out after it was secured was WAY to easy.

I've also hit myself in the head with the sinker harpooning fish, but its going to happen a lot more with the shark hook since it is so up close and personal. 

So yah it was exciting.  And maybe after I land that 200 pounder or maybe after setting the world record, I will use the shark hook.  It was a blast.  But for "gotta have" fish, 100% the harpoon is the way to go in my opinion. 

A question for the shark hook fans:  When using a shark hook on a halibut or other big fish, do you need to hold the fish's head at or above the water level?   Or can you let the fish turn and head downwards, either while hanging onto the hook or with the hook attached to a buoy?

I have a shark hook and harpoon but have only used the harpoon. The hook that I have isn't super sharp and seems like it might be hard to drive it all the way through the fish. Also seemed like it might be more dangerous. So where do you hook them, belly?

Anyone know a place around Anchorage where I can pick up a big shark hook?   Is that a size 20/0 you have Rudy? 

I currently don't have a setup to land a big halibut, and I blame that for not catching anything over 30lbs on the yak.   Maybe if I invest in a buoy and a hook things will change!

Sounds like a fun weekend! Thanks for the report!

I am hoping to get over to WG some time when I have a day off.

I finally got out fishing for a pleasure day with my boss's friends and their kids. I mostly deckhanded but managed to get my two fish. Both were only about 15 lbs.

We landed a 125 pounder which was a first for me. We got a few kings and some silvers (a little early?!) as well.

I can't wait to get out on my kayak. I am off today but too soar and I need to do laundry... everything I own stinks like old herring   : /

Please keep posting so I can yak fish vicariously!

A question for the shark hook fans:  When using a shark hook on a halibut or other big fish, do you need to hold the fish's head at or above the water level?   Or can you let the fish turn and head downwards, either while hanging onto the hook or with the hook attached to a buoy?

I prefer to hold their head out of the water. This keeps the fish from diving on you. If you are going to let the bouy do the work then you need to sink the hook into a solid part of the fish, like the head.
The shot I prefer to take is right under the chin, it gives you pretty good control of the fish.

Ok.  A little additional info to the "Whine" after some sleep.

First, that shark hook is exciting.  Must be a little like bow hunting vs rifle hunting in terms of harpoon or gaff.  Feeling the weight of the fish was cool.  Not feeling the shark hook penetrate...uncool.  Totally understand Bill's slant towards the hook. 

But in a "I gotta get this fish" scenario, there is now absolutely ZERO doubt in my mind that the harpoon is the better choice.  I think a flying gaff with a retainer is better than a hook but still its much easier and you much greater range with a harpoon.   With the harpoon (except my Barbie episode), all the failures like the harpoon head coming off the shaft is BEFORE you hit the fish.  The Shark hook is a simpler piece of gear, so deploying is no problem, but all of the problems come AFTER you try and stick the fish.  Not good. 

This is maybe my third time deploying the hook.  The other couple of times, the fish was barely hooked and so I opted to net the fish.  You have to make sure the hook is solid and you are using thick leader to manhandle the halibut around the kayak.  Would NOT be comfortable doing this with a big halibut on 60 or 80 lbs salmon leader. 

So first it doesn't go through.  You can see I lift the halibut.  Sharpen the hook I hear people saying.  Well that hook sticking out of the fish was gouging the heck out of my kayak as the fish flopped near the boat.  Then it came out.  I re-inserted but taking it out after it was secured was WAY to easy.

I've also hit myself in the head with the sinker harpooning fish, but its going to happen a lot more with the shark hook since it is so up close and personal. 

So yah it was exciting.  And maybe after I land that 200 pounder or maybe after setting the world record, I will use the shark hook.  It was a blast.  But for "gotta have" fish, 100% the harpoon is the way to go in my opinion.

Rudy, you just need longer arms! =)

A question for the shark hook fans:  When using a shark hook on a halibut or other big fish, do you need to hold the fish's head at or above the water level?   Or can you let the fish turn and head downwards, either while hanging onto the hook or with the hook attached to a buoy?

I prefer to hold their head out of the water. This keeps the fish from diving on you. If you are going to let the bouy do the work then you need to sink the hook into a solid part of the fish, like the head.
The shot I prefer to take is right under the chin, it gives you pretty good control of the fish.

Wow you must eat more spinach than me. LOL I had a bad harpoon shot hit the collar bone and bounced off like a steel plate. Sounds like fun though and will have to give it a try.