pac hali kayak rod suggestions

If you DO gaff a big butt, I advise you NOT bring it onto the deck of your kayak!
...but IF you do...rest assured, Humminbird FF head units float!


I think worst-case scenario, like a 100lb Pacbutt thrashing beside my kayak, I would attach my 40ft throw rope to my Kunz gaff for backup (there's a loop hanging off the gaff handle and the throw rope has 'beaner clips). Then gaff the mofo and try to handle it. If sh!t hits the fan, just let go of the gaff and keep pressure on the rope. Oh, and put the reel in freespool haha!

Sean...I'll have a few spearguns on board at GS7.

Hoping to dive as well as fish on tourney day..cuz I just know it's gonna be flat calm and the viz will be stellar.     

So if you need assistance, call out on CH 69 and I'll come blast that puppy for you....will make sure to bring my big Riffe with the SlipTip just in case.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Pat & Jim, I should be so lucky!

I will fish with confidence that should I end up with a barndoor hali, someone will spear it for me! How cool would that Gopro footage be?

Ima stick near you this year jim save me a spot on ur team lol

IMHO, I would not gaff or harpoon in the bellie area. That is the weakest point of a Butt, and they have ripped their own gutts out to get away. As far as a net, you will be fine, unless you hook one like the guy from last year!!! Sorry, I don't remember his name, but I was the guy that attempted to net it with my big Salmon net. When that Big Butt started to touch the edges, on both sides, of my net and I hadn't reached the widest part, I pulled it away. As soon as I pulled it away, the butt opened his mouth and bit down, cutting the line. It drifted down as we all watched. That fish was huge, its eye was bigger than a golf ball. I am not making this $hit up, as I wasn't the one who hooked it, I just witnessed it! This may be "an excetion to the rule", but I will be bring a harpoon and use heavy leaders.

Unlike Alaska, CA DFG does not allow the use of firearms including bang sticks when taking or landing any species of fish.

Ah damn there go my dream of a .410 shotgun to blast a hali

Unlike Alaska, CA DFG does not allow the use of firearms including bang sticks when taking or landing any species of fish.

and frankly, aboard a kayak I would be against such measures. Too much rocking and rolling to fire anything safely. A harpoon or flying gaff is the way to go IMHO. I want to keep both feet & all the toes thanks

I have netted smaller halibut around 10-12#, but the last few I've caught I gaffed and was easy peazy. In my limited experience with CAlibuts, they chilled once on the gaff, and gave me a few moments to whack them good, then clip them. I think having the clip open and quick to hand, as well as the billy, can be crucial.

As stated, seems if the touch the net they tend to spook and get crazy.

Fun discussion guys, I appreciate it all.

One of my several pacific halibut I caught last year thrashed and swam off with the gaff in its mouth, but luckily it stayed in and I was able to reel it back in.  A weathermans gaff is a good tool to have.  So far though, my biggest halibut were netted.  It wasn't easy netting a 49.5" pacific halibut, but its doable with a big mouthed net.   

One of my several pacific halibut I caught last year thrashed and swam off with the gaff in its mouth, but luckily it stayed in and I was able to reel it back in.  A weathermans gaff is a good tool to have.  So far though, my biggest halibut were netted.  It wasn't easy netting a 49.5" pacific halibut, but its doable with a big mouthed net.

Wow, that must be one big net!
I have a decently sized net for salmon, but no way would a big halibut like that fit in there.

thanks for the input!

One of my several pacific halibut I caught last year thrashed and swam off with the gaff in its mouth, but luckily it stayed in and I was able to reel it back in.  A weathermans gaff is a good tool to have.  So far though, my biggest halibut were netted.  It wasn't easy netting a 49.5" pacific halibut, but its doable with a big mouthed net.

Wow, that must be one big net!
I have a decently sized net for salmon, but no way would a big halibut like that fit in there.

thanks for the input!

I find Halibut really difficult to net.  They always seem to hang vertical making hard to actually lead them by the head into a net.

-Allen

I find Halibut really difficult to net.  They always seem to hang vertical making hard to actually lead them by the head into a net.

-Allen

Plus, they have that whole "reverse swim" action that backs them right up out of whatever net you have. I got an 8# calibut into a game bag just like Spike's cousin did, but that was a one-time desperation move on a little fish.  I also once "gaffed" a 12# one with my game clip by slipping it though the gills as the fish lay flat on the surface ( But I watched Bigwavedave lose a nice one that way a couple years later, it bent the clip straight like it was nothing).
My main focus with halis is that they not escape, so I'll use whatever works.

I find Halibut really difficult to net.  They always seem to hang vertical making hard to actually lead them by the head into a net.

-Allen

Plus, they have that whole "reverse swim" action that backs them right up out of whatever net you have. I got an 8# calibut into a game bag just like Spike's cousin did, but that was a one-time desperation move on a little fish.  I also once "gaffed" a 12# one with my game clip by slipping it though the gills as the fish lay flat on the surface ( But I watched Bigwavedave lose a nice one that way a couple years later, it bent the clip straight like it was nothing).
My main focus with halis is that they not escape, so I'll use whatever works.

The majority of Pacific Butts I've landed were done by grabbing the jig with one hand and slipping a knife under the gill plate and slicing the gills.   The usually go crazy when you do this and go on another run, but in the end they sure do get calm with no blood left in them.  Again, I'm fishing big lures with big hooks.  I don't worry about the hook slipping out and I've never lost one this way.  I use big leaders to keep from getting frayed through too, minimum 150# mono, which also lets you leader them with confidence during the end game.  They aren't line shy.

-Allen

  I use big leaders to keep from getting frayed through too, minimum 150# mono, which also lets you leader them with confidence during the end game.  They aren't line shy.

-Allen

Thanks for the tip. I had planned to up my usual 30# leader to something a bit heavier for GS7. Not 150# but still some good tough mono in front of the braid.

Im thinkin 40 or 50 just get 2 hobies to break u off lol