Strategies for Pacific Halibut from a Kayak

Hey yall,

I have been out of California for a while but recently moved back. Since I am stuck away from my favorite halibut grounds and they're opening the season again in Washington (August and September), I decided to write up an article about Pacific Halibut basics from a kayak.

I hope it's handy for those of you considering a trip north for halibut.

Looking forward to fishing my old stomping grounds here and reconnecting with some old kayak fishing friends.


https://www.huntfishharvest.com/2020/05/23/how-to-catch-halibut-from-a-kayak/

Why go north for pacifics when there are plenty to be caught in Humboldt.  I havnt got one yet this year cause I havnt been out much, but I have caught over 20 Pacific halibut on a kayak out of Trinidad, Ca.  I recently caught this 57"er on my friend's boat last friday

As for method.  I find harpoons and stabbing Pacific halibut inferior way of landing them.  I have only had 1 pacific halibut flop around much in my kayak.  I have lifted at least 4 or 5 Pacific halibut to 34" live in my lap just to measure and release to catch a bigger one.  The 57"er in the pic was gaffed with a cheap wood basic gaff and when it was brought on the boat it never flopped around.  1st thing I do in the kayak is bring it to hands reach without lifting the head out of water.  2nd I get the shark hook on my wireman's gaff and run it through the mouth and gill plate and tie a knot.  90% of the time you can do this on the 1st attempt unless the halibut isnt tired yet.  3rd, I rip the gills and if it doesn't shake much I shove my hand through behind the gill plate and rip the guts out.  Next I stab and beat the sumbitch between its eyes.  Then bring it aboard and keep the bouy tied to it in case  I drop it or it decides to shake.  Like I said, hardly any of my Pacific halibut have thrashed much and I believe it's due to not stabbing or gaffing them with a gaff or harpoon.  I have landed 3 @49-49.5"  several over 40" and lots of 30"+

As for method.  I find harpoons and stabbing Pacific halibut inferior way of landing them.  I have only had 1 pacific halibut flop around much in my kayak.  I have lifted at least 4 or 5 Pacific halibut to 34" live in my lap just to measure and release to catch a bigger one.  The 57"er in the pic was gaffed with a cheap wood basic gaff and when it was brought on the boat it never flopped around.  1st thing I do in the kayak is bring it to hands reach without lifting the head out of water.  2nd I get the shark hook on my wireman's gaff and run it through the mouth and gill plate and tie a knot.  90% of the time you can do this on the 1st attempt unless the halibut isnt tired yet.  3rd, I rip the gills and if it doesn't shake much I shove my hand through behind the gill plate and rip the guts out.  Next I stab and beat the sumbitch between its eyes.  Then bring it aboard and keep the bouy tied to it in case  I drop it or it decides to shake.  Like I said, hardly any of my Pacific halibut have thrashed much and I believe it's due to not stabbing or gaffing them with a gaff or harpoon.  I have landed 3 @49-49.5"  several over 40" and lots of 30"+

Slide ab 80 pounder on your lap and let me know how that goes.  I've seen it done.  It didn't go well.  Somewhere I have video to prove it.  I've also released several over 50 and doing so is not easy in my experience.  They don't like the hook coming out just as much as they don't like it coming in.  Yeah, under 50 and you can deal with it any way you want.  It's manageable.

-Allen

I catch 10 lb halibuts and already have a problem with them going ballistic on the kayak before you can bonk them!


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That's awesome, sounds like you have a lot of experience.

I generally like to travel and fish new areas so that would be one good reason to go north to fish. I also think that for people interested in larger halibut from a kayak, 100+ pounds, odds are best in Alaska and next best Washington.

Stringing a rope with a shark hook on it through a live halibut's mouth may work for you and that's great. Halibut are definitely weird and can stay super calm sometimes and other times they don't. For someone learning the basics, which is what that article was intended for, I think that using a harpoon is much safer.

Also, I find nothing in the world more satisfying and fun than harpooning halibut, except maybe shooting an elk with a bow.

Have you lost some using a harpoon?

Why go north for pacifics when there are plenty to be caught in Humboldt.  I havnt got one yet this year cause I havnt been out much, but I have caught over 20 Pacific halibut on a kayak out of Trinidad, Ca.  I recently caught this 57"er on my friend's boat last friday

As for method.  I find harpoons and stabbing Pacific halibut inferior way of landing them.  I have only had 1 pacific halibut flop around much in my kayak.  I have lifted at least 4 or 5 Pacific halibut to 34" live in my lap just to measure and release to catch a bigger one.  The 57"er in the pic was gaffed with a cheap wood basic gaff and when it was brought on the boat it never flopped around.  1st thing I do in the kayak is bring it to hands reach without lifting the head out of water.  2nd I get the shark hook on my wireman's gaff and run it through the mouth and gill plate and tie a knot.  90% of the time you can do this on the 1st attempt unless the halibut isnt tired yet.  3rd, I rip the gills and if it doesn't shake much I shove my hand through behind the gill plate and rip the guts out.  Next I stab and beat the sumbitch between its eyes.  Then bring it aboard and keep the bouy tied to it in case  I drop it or it decides to shake.  Like I said, hardly any of my Pacific halibut have thrashed much and I believe it's due to not stabbing or gaffing them with a gaff or harpoon.  I have landed 3 @49-49.5"  several over 40" and lots of 30"+