Newbie here!

welcome to another sc mtn dweller.

I'm a gaff guy when it comes to halibut, unless they are so marginal in size I'm not sure. My method is to play them out as much as possible (hookset withstanding) and get them to hang vertically next to the kayak. Then, with your deck clear, game clip or boga grip ready,  and the kayak prepped for some mayhem, gaff them like you are Julia Child flipping a potato cake (with confidence ).
Get them clipped immediately and hang on as they will go nuts at any time. Never stop for photos until the fish is secure
My best hali success has been on whole squid fished bounceball style or on swimbaits just off the bottom.

Do you go with or without dodger. I do both depending on depth and viz and had about the same success landing halibut on both.

In correction, my approach is more of the "3way" rig rather than a traditional bounce setup with a dodger, since I prefer to drift or very slow troll the bait. If I was going with a hoochie I think the dodger is more necessary.
I do change up the leader length depending on what the water clarity/ bite seems to be. I'll start relatively short and extend the leader if there's no action.