JTF pounded some butts at the Alameda Rockwall .... 03/21/07

NICE Work guys!  I'm getting pumped for a good halibut season.  We need one  of those badly.

Ughh making me hate work even more...  

Congrats and great video and pics.  

I share JTF's anxiety when I go to net someone else's fish especially a butt.  Its easy to get a good hook set on any other fish but the butts have a special challenge.  They always go crazy when they see the surface and if they get touched.  They have these razor sharp teeth and they're so big they barely fit in a net so my hats off to you JTF for netting both of them and making it look easy.   I've seen so many butts lost at the net during my party boats days that I really amazed that we can do it from our yaks.

In addition to razor sharp teeth, the butts are like having a two by four thrashing around in your lap so follow JTF's method...pound fast and pound hard, no messing around here.
 
Frank, I suspect that I speak for everyone else but after all your yakking trips and everything that you've been through its good to see you rewarded with a big fish.  The same goes for Chef Stefano, we want to see you back on the water and hoisting fish.

Cheers!

Gary  

great videos and great fish!

scwafish, you can get those shoes custom designed to your own colors at www.vans.com

my version:

......ahem............

might I in all earnestness, but with unfailing politeness, suggest, for Mr or MS halibut, .........



THE GAFFF!!!!!




LOL

Allen

Given a choice... I prefer to gaff big halibut.
If it's under 15 lbs and I have big net... I might use it.
Take a tip from the professionals... you won't see fishing charters in Alaska using a net to land their halibut.

Yeah Frank... don't be afraid to get that new gaff bloody.

Regardless of if you go with the net or the gaff, the lap dance that a halibut provides always makes it interesting. 

EK

I lost one on the gaf last summer, it ripped right out I think, or else it flopped off.

the previous 2 I gaffed and game-clipped but my game clip was full that day.

that net looked pretty appealing on that video. but maybe JTF is just good with
the net?

be nice to have some video of the gaff!

J

J...  I don't know if JTF or Frank ever weighed those fish, but I'll guess they were about 15 lbs or less..... and did you see how nasty they got out of the water?

Can you imagine a 30lber going ballistic like that?

If you talk to very experienced gaff users (which I am not), many will tell you that a good gaff hit in the right place will more often stun the fish so you can easily pull it on deck and quickly club it into submission.

I prefer to use the net if I can. But I'm a believer of slipping the game clip through the gill and out of the mouth  - just make sure your game clip is secured to your yak (I used about 3 feet of rope) As soon as it's secured, let the fish go and let it do it's thing....when the butt calms down,  pull the game clip up slowly till you get the butt's head within "batting range" and go for the kill  

just my 2 cents...

BTW.... Erik just finished building my "scallen" style slap gaff with the longer spike.  It's just in time for my next halibut. 

OHHH.....IT IS GONNA BE ON!!! nice fish and better report fellas.Sweet conditions out there.
Got my net ready and willing to get bait,i am on one of those for sure this year...
way to get it pumpin!!

I prefer to use the net if I can. But I'm a believer of slipping the game clip through the gill and out of the mouth  - just make sure your game clip is secured to your yak (I used about 3 feet of rope) As soon as it's secured, let the fish go and let it do it's thing....when the butt calms down,  pull the game clip up slowly till you get the butt's head within "batting range" and go for the kill 

just my 2 cents...

Mooch... you better hope you don't catch a very big one.

I think you've just been lucky so far.... considering you were able to land a 22lber with a plastic lip gripper.

Excellent report, videos, and photos.  From what I've heard about the toughness of halibut JTF is a brave man for putting them in his lap before being dispatched!  

As for the net assist, nice work, JTF.  I love to assist with the net or gaff, but all you trout-net-toating trippers out there better realize that those of us who swoop in to help should be let off the hook if something goes wrong!    Sorry, Asa, you're not a tripper!

I think you've just been very lucky so far.... considering you were able to land a 22lber with a plastic lip gripper.

VERY LUCKY INDEED I'll defintely use the game clip strategy next time  

"I like big 'buts and I cannot lie..."

Good job guys! Excellent report and great pics+video!

Thank you,
PK