I bring a folding net in case of a silver or short, but have no intention of using a net on a keeper fish. I gaff everything. Seen too many heart breaks at the net. The rules say you have to have a minimun 18" net. (for release of former mention on board) Doesn't say you have to use it. I don't get why some folks have an issue with gaffing salmon? I have fewer loss at the leader issues, no tangles, swift and effective, no hassle. That's all the commercial guys use. Now if I'm going out in pac hali season, I will also have a harpoon buoy system aboard.... Also, if your going to release a silver or under size, there is no gentler way than to hook the leader and slide down to the hook. Little tug is all it takes. Never even have to touch em.

I'm planning on pouring some lead jigs and want to put a clear coat on them. I'm thinking two part epoxy over powder paint and some reflective tape. My question is. Have you any experience with specific products you would recommend for this? I'm looking for a finish like the high end Japenese flutter jigs etc have. Something that can be also used over hand painted finishes too. I'm looking for a very durable and clear non yellowing finish. Suggestions?
Thanx

Oh like Sin Coast said. I also made a hog tie rig consisting of a huge hook tied onto a piece of rope long enough to reach from mouth to tail plus a couple feet to wrap the tail after bending it into a bow...

The regs changed on harpoons a couple years ago. California finally caught up and allowed them to assist landing a legally hooked fish. Here's a copy of the reg.

Methods of Take: When angling, no more than one line with two hooks attached may be used. A harpoon, gaff, or net may be used to assist in taking a Pacific halibut that has been legally caught by angling. See California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 28.95, for additional restrictions on the use of harpoons. Take by spearfishing is allowed pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 28.90.

I for one am looking forward to doing battle with one of those beasts!! I have thought it out and feel well prepared to do battle. I've made a harpoon, a looped cable leash with heavy duty stainless steel clip to tether  him to the yak and a hatchet to clobber him with. A few years ago I helped land a beast and learned many lessons from the experience.
1) most small gaffs we carry are pretty futile against them.
2) a lead filled pipe is not enough to cave in his skull. Mine bounced off and hurt my hand every time I took a swing with it. Now I carry a hatchet.
3) a good sized harpoon with a buoy attached to a rope to tire him and haul him in with.
4) A rope with oversized hook to hog tie him with.
Now I just gotta get the hookup...

I'm looking at this one on eBay. No shipping tax and it's 14amp. After shipping on the dakota battery and tax?, it's only about $15 more and has 40% more battery. What a ya think?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Tender-Lithium-Iron-Phosphate-12V-14AH-240CCA-Replaces-Yuasa-YTZ10S/131932826361?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44039%26meid%3Dd74c7f8ddc3b42ea893189da08956a50%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D381044582015%26itm%3D131932826361&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851#rwid

Very kool! Where did you put your little man?

So since I've gone with a color depth finder, my battery no longer lasts a day. They are older batteries, but I've always been able to get a day out of them, but now they crap out before a day's use. What batteries have you had good success with using on a color unit? I don't want to buy a battery that doesn't last a full day of fishing. Thanx