Halibut landing

I wouldn't worry about the point of the shark hook. It is a giant chunk of steel and doesn't need to be razor sharp. The mouth of the halibut is not super hard to get through and if you sink past the barb that huge hook should hold.

Using a PFD for the float is an interesting idea and I have a bunch of them. I could use 4 or 5 and have close to 100lbs of flotation. If they were strung out, the resistance would build up gradually, instead jerking hard.

I'm not too worried about the hook point and the but thrashing. What experience I have had leads me to believe a 'but would sound the instant it was stuck. If it's stuck good, I would just let wear it's self out before going for the coup.

I wouldn't worry about the point of the shark hook. It is a giant chunk of steel and doesn't need to be razor sharp. The mouth of the halibut is not super hard to get through and if you sink past the barb that huge hook should hold.

Good to know, thanks.

Ok, well here's the set up I am going to try. Telescoping harpoon (4ft minimum) and buoy.

I was watching the video someone had posted a while back about how they landed a halibut with Howard (?, I think).  If that halibut was of any size it would have ripped my upper body in half with the shaking. Notice I said "my" body.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is this the same guy in the "shrimping from a Kayak" video where he uses a reel to winch up a shrimp pot?  The guy must be super fit and have 5 times the upper body strength I do. There is no way any normal person would think his method is realistically do-able from what I have experienced in the shrimping. I also heard incidental stories of recreational power boaters thinking it would be a good method to save space and then spending an hour trying to pump and winch it up.   I was using a huge reel (downrigger) geared 1 to 1.  His was 2.3:1 or something I think.  Wow, the man is fit!  I digress....

 Well I guess the man has landed a 180 pound halibut if I am thinking of the right guy so I should take note.  I will definitely carry a hefty club.

I have never done the buoy system but we always use the harpoon system when in a power boat for anything over 50 pounds.  Just easier, virtually failsafe, and I have NEVER lost one once harpooned.  We never shoot them.

The question is buoy size.  How much "lift' will I need to tackle a big butt?  The A0 in the picture has 13 pounds of lift.  That's a lot when you think about it.  Not sure its enough.  What do you folks think?  I won't step to an A1 buoy, its too large.  I think the solution is going to be another shrimp buoy (11lbs lift), maybe two like I use on my shrimp pots.  If and when I figure the fish is oversized, I will clip the shrimp buoys on (super easy) before I harpoon it.  Realistically I have a good shot at a 50 pounder and at the top end maybe 125 pounds in the area I fish (of course there is always the one off monster but realistically).

So what do ya think?

One more pic to give you a better idea of how much "stuff" it is....

Notice the 18AH 12volt next to the "normal" 7AH battery for my lighting project.

I'm thinking I want 20+ pounds of flotation. That's more lifting power than our drags, so I'm guessing that would be sufficient to bring a fish back up. I'm not sure that would work for a barndoor. Might depend on how damaging the harpoon shot is.

Have you figured out a line management system? I'm most leery of the harpoon line wrapping around something.

 

I'm thinking I want 20+ pounds of flotation. That's more lifting power than our drags, so I'm guessing that would be sufficient to bring a fish back up. I'm not sure that would work for a barndoor. Might depend on how damaging the harpoon shot is.

Have you figured out a line management system? I'm most leery of the harpoon line wrapping around something.

Ok 20lbs of flotation it is for anything that looks over 50lbs. That's one additional shrimp buoy. 

Line management is another reason I like this system.  Everything (line and buoy) is in the water when I hit the fish.  I am holding on to the rope to insure the tip stays in place, hit the fish, and everything should be free and clear. In theory he should still be hooked up to my rod and reel. My greatest fear is once I hit it, the halibut decides to swim horizontally versus vertically, perhaps against the tide and I end up being too far away from the buoy if he gets off the line.

On smaller fish, I hold the line so I can hold on to it (runs out the top of my hand).  On bigger fish, I always hit them holding the line like the picture so I don't rip my hand off when the halibut takes off, which it almost always does.

That's the ticket.  Not so cumberson and quick.

You guys are whacko.  I have access to one of these I might try...


uhhh..spidey senses tingling...something not right...can't put my finger on it.....

I have never fished for halibuts so this may be stupid, but could you attach the line from the harpoon to a reinforced bow loop or anchor trolley and let him tow you around until he is done?  Our yaks have a lot more buoyancy than a few floats.  It would probably be the closest thing you can do to Nantucket slay ride.    Also would a small spear gun work instead of a  harpoon, and what about dropping M80s in the water when the butt gets close, the pressure wave should be able to do some damage?

 

I don't want to carry pieces out there that are more pricey than a plastic flare gun.

I've always wondered about the likelihood of the flare ricocheting off the halibut, or off the water's surface.


Ndogg, I'd only tie off to the yak if it was a long bungee line. 

If the line is solid and only 15-20' long, and the fish hits it at top speed, there could be some damage. They are explosive when they panic. The damage might only be tearing the harpoon point out, or it could tear the line (and fittings) off you yak.

I wonder how much a poly hull would oilcan from a pressure from an M80?

If you want to try either, I would be glad to watch.

....and what about dropping M80s in the water when the butt gets close, the pressure wave should be able to do some damage?

This is why I like this guy, always thinking outside the box! 

Rather than a $500-800 .45ACP on salt water, you might carry a stainless Taurus Judge with .410 shot shells.  Don't shoot your line.

I've shot halibut out of my PB, THEY SINK if not already pooned or gaffed etc.  You "snap a cap" on a decent fish while still only hooked to your fishing gear and it sinks before you gaff it you will have a real hard time cranking that dead weight back up to the surface. DAMHIK

Misses only make them real mad too...