Halibut harpoon technique

For $375 I might as well buy a spear gun...  But looks cool. Need someone to just make a piece we can bolt on to the shark hook. 

been reading this thread and can't help but think of a large, customized 'snap hook".
 
 Kinda like a carabineer with a sharp point to it.
 A short handle that can travel with the fish once tethered.
 Now is one of those times I wish I were good with metals and not wood.

Google tarpon gaff .... i want one!

Well shit! 

Now I see that and how easy it should be to make.  Maybe Maybe I'll tinker with something this spring.

Anyone use a flying gaff?  Not sure a flying gaff would be as reliable as a dart or a tarpon gaff.  I'd think it would have to have an uncommonly large barb to keep from pulling out. 

But, if a hali was gaffed with a flying gaff from underneath, which I would presume would be the natural gaffing position, it seems to me the hali's natural instincts to swim to the bottom might preclude it from ever pulling against the barb itself anyway.   

insayn - i'm not 100% sure, but i think i've seen one of those before, although i can't find any examples on line.

I would venture to guess that the tarpon gaff would be used on the halibut in the same manner, through the lower lip.  Lock that sucker on and let the beast tire out enough to be pulled boat side to be bleed.

Anyone use a flying gaff?  Not sure a flying gaff would be as reliable as a dart or a tarpon gaff.  I'd think it would have to have an uncommonly large barb to keep from pulling out. 

But, if a hali was gaffed with a flying gaff from underneath, which I would presume would be the natural gaffing position, it seems to me the hali's natural instincts to swim to the bottom might preclude it from ever pulling against the barb itself anyway.   

The shark hook method is the same as the flying gaff, just a lot cheaper.

I would venture to guess that the tarpon gaff would be used on the halibut in the same manner, through the lower lip.  Lock that sucker on and let the beast tire out enough to be pulled boat side to be bleed.

I got one of these from some guy online who was building them. Insane, you could fab one in a heartbeat. I've gotten only one halibut while using one but it was simple enough and very secure. Right up underneath the jaw and then slam it through just like you would with a regular gaff. The lever at the end snaps shut and then you just let it go. I only tested mine on a 40#r so if I get the chance to try it on a bigger fish we'll see how it goes. The one limitation I do see is the gaff hook not being able to fit around the jaw of really big fish.

The shark hook and harpoon have been proven on fish large and small. Although I'd give the edge to the shark hook because of the angle you need for a good harpoon shot. That's just what I've heard from the guys who've caught a lot of halibut. Mautino does make it all look pretty damn easy tho. Even with a funny angle.

Anyone use a flying gaff?  Not sure a flying gaff would be as reliable as a dart or a tarpon gaff.  I'd think it would have to have an uncommonly large barb to keep from pulling out. 

But, if a hali was gaffed with a flying gaff from underneath, which I would presume would be the natural gaffing position, it seems to me the hali's natural instincts to swim to the bottom might preclude it from ever pulling against the barb itself anyway.   

Yup ...

I feel the shark hook is better because it is lighter weight.

We had one butt come off the shark hook in Kodiak this last year.  I was right there watching and it looked like a good stick to me.  Of course she spit the hook too.   

Personally, I'm switching to a harpoon.

-Allen

Where did it get poked?

I believe it was a back shot.  Bushy held on for a bit to drive it home.  Finally he had to let go, and in the process she spit the hook.  Buoy took a dive and ran out.  Bushy took his time getting settled (rod in holder, clean deck, etc.).  When he want back to pull her in, she was gone.

-Allen

I believe it was a back shot.  Bushy held on for a bit to drive it home.  Finally he had to let go, and in the process she spit the hook.  Buoy took a dive and ran out.  Bushy took his time getting settled (rod in holder, clean deck, etc.).  When he want back to pull her in, she was gone.

-Allen

All the more reason the tarpon gaff design is more fitting.
 It is just a shark hook with no barb, but a "no way out" for the fish once snapped shut around the lower jaw.
 I'll buy one from whoever can make them at a reasonable cost.
 I just need the snap gaff (butt hook) with a short 6" shaft I can add a short handle to.

I'd definitely buy a tarpon style gaff if someone made them at a decent price.

Most harpoon or shark hook setups I've seen pictures of use Polyform A Series buoys, which are round buoys with an eye.  It seems to me that the Polyform buoys and fenders which are basically cylindrical have the advantage that it would be easier to stow them securely in a kayak.  You could put a bungie cord over the buoy to secure it to your kayak, and then just pull it out from under the bungie if you hook onto a halibut.  More cylindrical options are the G Series fenders and LD Series buoy.  Here are comparisons of the volume of these buoys and fenders:

A-0 - 1.6 gallons
A-1 - 3.0 gallons
G-3 - 1.4 gallons
G-4 - 2.2 gallons
LD1 - 3.0 gallons

Pictures and statistics for Polyform buoys and fenders are available at https://www.polyformus.com/ .  The G Series fenders have an eye at each end, so you could attach the fender to your harpoon tip with a "Y" shaped harness so the halibut would pull the fender through the water sideways, which would tire it down faster.

I dunno. I've never sunk a shark hook into a fish but I have tried twice. I am still under the impression a harpoon is MUCH more reliable in getting the point into the fish.

I hate that leaning over thing and I also hate the thought of bringing a thrashing halibut with a big point sticking out of it coming on deck.