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

Big fish are definitely harder to get into position for a harpoon shot on a paddle kayak.  Little guys can be laid out on the surface but the big boys tend to hang vertically forcing you to high stick a crapload of weight. 
That said, I feel a lot more confident with a good poon shot than with a sharkhook/flying gaff poke.  I've had a fish tear its own gills out with a flying gaff and seen a ~60lb fish thrash so badly that it pulled the barb thru.

I'll keep working with my harpoon till I figure out how to get the big boys in position consistently.

-Mark-

I'll keep working with my harpoon till I figure out how to get the big boys in position consistently.

-Mark-

What about putting the reel on about the lowest drag setting that will still prevent backlash if the fish sounds, then put the rod in a holder (something like a Scotty that will prevent the rod from popping out), then paddle a few strokes to plane out the halibut?  If that rod holder is in front of you and you angle it foreward so the rod tip is close-ish to the gunwale then the halibut will be drawn up close.  Have to make sure the line is also reeled in enough to keep it close.  Might have to reach a bit to not hit the line or fish when paddling on the same side.  Or maybe go full right rudder (if you have one) and only paddle on the right side (if the halibut is on the left). 

I'm sure I'm missing something there.  Never been in a position to 'poon a 'but from the kayak.  Just thinking out loud.

Big fish are definitely harder to get into position for a harpoon shot on a paddle kayak.  Little guys can be laid out on the surface but the big boys tend to hang vertically forcing you to high stick a crapload of weight. 

Why you highsticking?  Hold rod in your off hand and press the whole thing up.  Gaff hook.  Hang on.   

-Allen

Why you highsticking?  Hold rod in your off hand and press the whole thing up.  Gaff hook.  Hang on.   

-Allen

You must have spent too much time on the water with Bill.   

-Mark-

Two questions:  why the second drive in the tank well?  And, has anyone considered using a speargun with float attached?  Seems super easy to me.

BJ's in anchorage has the Shark hooks, they have different sizes, kinda nice to see the differences. I am thinking I am going to have to get a harpoon!

For landing big Hali's, what rod length and harpoon length do you use? I usually use 6.5' rod but in the videos, looks like most guys are using 7' rods.

I was using a 5'11" rod in my recent videos. Seemed to work well enough.

I use 6'6" and shorter sticks. Here's the different harpoon heads.

Why you highsticking?  Hold rod in your off hand and press the whole thing up.  Gaff hook.  Hang on.   

-Allen

You must have spent too much time on the water with Bill.   

-Mark-

Naw.  He'd just lip grip it!

-Allen

Mark ..... are we ev r r going to get to see the video from your fish? It was a fun ride from my angle! =)

Here's the different harpoon heads.

For speargunning, I prefer the round pencil-tip style of spear heads to the Tri-Cut heads, because the round heads are a lot easier to sharpen.  I put the butt end of the spear on a shelf next to my workbench, set the tip on a sharpening stone, and stroke the tip back and forth along the stone while spinning it around.  This quickly produces a sharp tip with a reliable and reproducible angle.

Many round speargun tips have a fairly dull angle to resist dulling or bending from hitting rocks.  Because I spearfish in areas with a soft bottom, I prefer a sharper point on my spears.  Because the tip of a halibut harpoon may never get closer than fifty feet from the bottom, you can sharpen the tip to a sharp point.

Rudy, I blame you for starting another marathon thread on the harpoon or shark hook debate. I mean we in WA have another year to wait to try out our over-debated theories!!!

Mark ..... are we ev r r going to get to see the video from your fish? It was a fun ride from my angle! =)

I'll eventually post it but there was no fight left in that ole girl by the time you got your hands on it.  Definitely not the lap dance I was hoping for....   

Lol. Yup. You are right Zeehawk.  I ask for forgiveness. But that shark hook was NOT a good experience though it was absolutely  a blast!!!!