Paradise butt chase 4/24 (late report)

Started the morning at 8:30 at paradise. Weather was clear with a slight breeze from the GG bridge. Short paddle out in front of the pier in about 19 ft of water. Sent a lively shiner down to do some scouting...he didn't make it very long.  before he became breakfast (3 minutes I believe)

Had a hard pull and line started peeling. Set the hook and the fight was on. As I have lost many halibut in the past, I have learned from my mistakes. Landed him with no problems. Pulled out the bat... Game over   

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Great day on the bay.
Had one more small striper in the afternoon that went back to fight another day.

There were two other Kayakers --Sorry forgot their names, but they landed a MONSTER! 15+ lbs and over 30+ inches. Biggest halibut i've ever seen. That butt probably could eat mine for breakfast if it was hungry enough. They did take pictures, but I haven't seen a post. HOpefully it will come soon. 

P.S. Sorry no action shots. The hook was just on the corner of the mouth...didn't wanna risk it...Although i thought pretty hard about it.


Keith

WTG on the hali Keith. Looking forward to fishing  with you soon.

Jedmo

Nice catch!  Thanks for the report and pictures Keith.

Thanks for the report and pics.  It's good to see Halibut being caught at Paradise.

Nice Butt! 

It was good fishing with you on Sun. at ARW.

Nice fish! Thanks for the post.

Can you live through the pain of retelling some of your prior lost Butt mistakes? I'm sure it would be educational!

WTG Bro, congrats.



Kiel

conrats on the flat one noodle boy, thanks for sharing the pics and report, cameron

Nicely done!

Nice work there man! 

Good job, love halibut fishing.  It is time.........

Nice butt dude!

@ fishwrapper:

I've lost many many halibut in the past. Here are some helpful tips i've learned. There are two ways halibut attack bait. 1) They slam hard, these tend to be the bigger fish, and the hook will set itself 2) if you bait is big, they chew on it. If they chew on it, give it line slowly and set the hook hard after the hook is in the mouth. 3) if you are trolling, resist yanking the pole right away, paddle two more times, as the forward motion will automatically set the hook.  FISH ON... (Your on your own here)

Once you get the fish on top. Halibut tend to run for the bottom (I guess all fish do) I've had halibut break my line cause i didn't set my drag right. tip: Set your drag to allow for running, because it will happen!

If you have a gaff; gaff the fish through the middle of the body. They tend to stay still if you do. If you have a net make sure you net from the front of the fish, not the back, or under. My reasoning 1) Halibut can "ONLY" swim forward...I've never seen a halibut reverse, although that would be a sight. Once they freak out, they will run directly into the net. 2) Make sure you "LIFT" the net with both hands. I made the mistake once of lifting the net with one hand only to drop the net slightly because of the fishes weight. (Halibut JUMPED out)  Lost a 28+ halibut. Tip: Don't underestimate a halibuts weight, they are all meat, and yes halibut can jump out of nets!

Once the fish i properly netted, bring it on board, measure and keep the teeth "AWAY" from your crouch! Yes they will bite, and yes they will bite your crouch.

Bring out the bat and subdue the fish. Put the stringer through the gills and secure the fish. I hope this helps!! and good luck, Glad to share what I know!

Keith

Nice hali! I like the sequence of photos. Looks like a great morning in beautiful Marin.

Thanks for your generosity, Keith. I'm sure many of us will benefit.

"...I've never seen a halibut reverse, although that would be a sight. Once they freak out, they will run directly into the net."

This would be the opposite of the one and only lobster I (almost) caught off Catalina. This bug was huge. I couldn't get two hands around him. Tried to shove him into the goodie bag face first.... big mistake. Did you know lobsters swim backwards - and very agresssively so when panicked? I did not.