Halibut Tackle and Techniques

Here’s the Nehalem “2 minute in on recycled bait cut with a borrowed knife, landed in one swoop with my too short for you net, followed by spot can you loan me a pen to tag it with” salmon! 

You know what they say about blind squirrels... 

Yup we’re nuts! But only half blind here!
Sorry Mark but I might just go to my grave with that being my best fishing memory 

I didn't mean to diminish the accomplishment.  You put everyone else to shame that day. Definitely a worthy best fishing memory.

You didn’t diminish anything my friend, a laughed my ass off ... I can receive as well as fish on the jabs......he’ll i kept the name change and avatar you bestowed upon me! Your the best mentor a guy can fish with if he’s lucky enough 

Awesome video, Mark!

When I'm speargunning for northern pike, I use an iki jime spike to brain them.  After I jam the spike through the pike's skull, which can be a challenge when wrestling with a big fish in the water, I twist and stir the point of the spike around inside the pike's skull.  Eventually I hit the brain.  This twist and stir technique can make up for some lack of accuracy in the location of the hole in the fish's skull.

When I'm speargunning for northern pike, I use an iki jime spike to brain them.  After I jam the spike through the pike's skull, which can be a challenge when wrestling with a big fish in the water, I twist and stir the point of the spike around inside the pike's skull.  Eventually I hit the brain.  This twist and stir technique can make up for some lack of accuracy in the location of the hole in the fish's skull.

Nice, you spike the pike! What about the punch?

thank you for doing the video, awesome! does the spear have to be that long?. am in process of making one from a straightened paint roller frame, the shaft is about 20 inch long. the point is a chunk of stainless about 4 inch with a target head off an arrow inserted/threaded.

thank you for doing the video, awesome! does the spear have to be that long?. am in process of making one from a straightened paint roller frame, the shaft is about 20 inch long. the point is a chunk of stainless about 4 inch with a target head off an arrow inserted/threaded.

The beautiful thing about kayak fishing (even still) is that there are no rules.  I've gotten used to have 3+ feet of length on my harpoon but that doesn't mean it's the only way to do it.  My only concern would be the need to lean out to get your dart to its mark.  Also, remember that the fish will be pulling directly against the arrow so it'll need some sort of barb to keep it from pulling thru.

-Mark-

ok thanks i think i have me a sticker!!

One of the most well done videos I've seen on the NWKA forum! Many thanks. I find surf landings to be a challenge without a 50 lb fish on the boat, much less with one. Seems like that would increase the degree of difficulty. Do you do anything differently during that phase of the operation when you're hauling in a halibut?

One of the most well done videos I've seen on the NWKA forum! Many thanks. I find surf landings to be a challenge without a 50 lb fish on the boat, much less with one. Seems like that would increase the degree of difficulty. Do you do anything differently during that phase of the operation when you're hauling in a halibut?

Every surf landing is different.  The only consistent technique is the tail 1st egress.  Essentially, you face your kayak into the waves, paddle backward until the next wave gets close and then paddle into it.  If you time it right, you can use the motion of that wave to help you get closer to shore.  Repeat as required until you can step out.  Orrrr, you  man up and ride the waves like God intended.     Note the halibut tail wrapped around my butt.   

For Hobie users with the 180 drive there is no need to face the wave and paddle backwards anymore.  Horse and buggy!

Get into the surf zone and switch to reverse mode while using the paddle move carefully to shore.  If a wave happens to catch you on the inside simply hold the rudder straight and full steam reverse, then either paddle or shift to forward and ride the back of the wave that just passed you.

For Hobie users with the 180 drive there is no need to face the wave and paddle backwards anymore.  Horse and buggy!

Get into the surf zone and switch to reverse mode while using the paddle move carefully to shore.  If a wave happens to catch you on the inside simply hold the rudder straight and full steam reverse, then either paddle or shift to forward and ride the back of the wave that just passed you.

I've seen bad things happen to Hobie rudders in that situation....   

Just takes a bit of practice..... also pulling up the rudder and just using paddle to steer while reversing into a wave is another option. 

"pulling up the rudder and just using paddle to steer while reversing into a wave"

That is what I am planning on trying.

Mind sharing the knots you use for your leaders (the 120lb moon), spot?  Also, to pry further, I’m keen to know the what and how for the tubing on your sliding hook.

Terrific video. Thanks a bundle.

Mind sharing the knots you use for your leaders (the 120lb moon), spot?  Also, to pry further, I’m keen to know the what and how for the tubing on your sliding hook.

Terrific video. Thanks a bundle.

The trailing hook is simply snelled (just like you would a salmon mooching rig).  I am amazed at how well this knot works in heavy mono.  The connection of the 120lb to the swivel is a Palomar knot.  It's a pain in the butt to get it to lay flat and tight but it's worth the trouble.  The break-away section is connected to the swivels using standard improve clinch knots.

The tubing is just standard spinner tubing.  I cut about a 1/2" piece and slide it over the point.  Once it's past the bend, I feed the heavy mono thu it from the point side and then out thru the eye.  Don't forget to put a bead between your hooks to protect your line from being pinched if you hook up on the slider.

Thanks for the props!  Hope you're a subscriber. 

-Mark-