Big Hali
- Thread starter Tailspin
- Start date
E
El Pescador
Guest
I have wondered for many years what could be the rationale for catching and keeping those big fish, which are supposed to be breeding females that lay several million eggs a year (besides of their meat being tough and wormy on most instances).
THere just are not that many of them,the big hali's I've caught are usually where I catch my regular fish. And not on any special bait, the biggest I've boated was on a a Delta grub.
scott craven
Well-Known Member
I tend to agree, although the average fisherman would rarely if ever get
the opportunity to land a fish of this size.
The temptation to spear it would be hard to resist.
ReelAffair
Active Member
I'm sure if you caught the big one as well you'd be happy and bonk it...That sounds like "I've never caught a big one"
When I use to hunt people said that smaller moose were better, that is because they never shot a 50 inch plus moose.
I just gotta go follow Steve now[8D]
E
El Pescador
Guest
Wow, what a great reply to my question about the rationale for keeping large fish that are breeding females. I'm impressed!!! [:0]
Everybody accepts now as something natural (besides being a legal requirement) returning to the water prawns with roe, as well as female crab. Perhaps you could explain to me why the same philosophy could not be applied to halis.
highlights
Active Member
It has and always will be an ego thing. Catch a few hundred of any species and eventually it is no longer that big a deal to go home after a slow day. Releasing becomes very easy when there is no longer a need to impress.
ReelAffair
Active Member
There is always limits if a person consitantly caught 100lb + fish, I would expect some to be released, but I am sure every one will or would like to bonk a bigger Hali...of course there is conservation sides...I always release female preawns, crabs and have never shot a female moose
i agree with striper jack i have caught and given away ehe meat from dozens of over a hundred pound hallie off victoria area and no-one ever complained the meat was tough i have given the 30 pounders mixed with the biggies no-one could tell the difference. as long as you dont let the meat get chalky there both the same texture. bleed your fish in the water and you will have great meat. its tough to release a fish when there is a long line set around you.
teamchachi
Member
I'm with you. Take a picture and back she goes.
juandesooka
Active Member
yeah, I haven't been there, but I foresee an ethical dilemma some day.
Seems like the right thing to do -- same principle for why you wouldn't shoot a female moose, they are the breeders. If you know the fish is a female, better to throw it back, no? As well, from what I understand they are long-lived at that point, and absorb all the heavy metals and toxic goo....so not a good idea to eat anyway.
But throwing back the catch of your life...maybe easier said than done. As said above, a lot of ego and a lot of pride involved. Plus it's got your gear stuck in its mouth (get those pliers deep down to remove that hook?
And in the end, maybe it gets caught instead by a commercial guy, darn sure they aren't throwing it back.
Dunno...I guess "lucky" not to have faced that problem yet. [
)]
Seems like the right thing to do -- same principle for why you wouldn't shoot a female moose, they are the breeders. If you know the fish is a female, better to throw it back, no? As well, from what I understand they are long-lived at that point, and absorb all the heavy metals and toxic goo....so not a good idea to eat anyway.
But throwing back the catch of your life...maybe easier said than done. As said above, a lot of ego and a lot of pride involved. Plus it's got your gear stuck in its mouth (get those pliers deep down to remove that hook?
And in the end, maybe it gets caught instead by a commercial guy, darn sure they aren't throwing it back.Dunno...I guess "lucky" not to have faced that problem yet. [
)]
wolf
Well-Known Member
First off as a sportsman I personally would let it go BUT as a guide its pretty hard to ask a guest to let it go it isnt going to happen, it is a personal thing up in the charlottes they are promoting release and keeping the little ones good on them.
Every waterway has its own challenges and it has to start whith your own believes. (thats why I dont go in the hali derby) dont believe in it!!!!! I have had bigger halibut and the thing aint a filet its a damn hunk of haliu roast. and yes there is a difference I have cooked it many different ways personal and professionally and ill take a 25 to 50 lb hali any day WAY better texture and more tender. not big huge chunks of flakes also younger tends to be moister compared to a big one.
Put it into perspective would you want to date a nice 20 year old hot,hard body woman or go out with a 60 year old woman YOUR call LOL LOL I know what I would want !!!!!!!!!!!LOL LOL.
But ill be the first to say congrats to Steve good on him!!!!!
So how big was it anyways??????
Wolf
Every waterway has its own challenges and it has to start whith your own believes. (thats why I dont go in the hali derby) dont believe in it!!!!! I have had bigger halibut and the thing aint a filet its a damn hunk of haliu roast. and yes there is a difference I have cooked it many different ways personal and professionally and ill take a 25 to 50 lb hali any day WAY better texture and more tender. not big huge chunks of flakes also younger tends to be moister compared to a big one.
Put it into perspective would you want to date a nice 20 year old hot,hard body woman or go out with a 60 year old woman YOUR call LOL LOL I know what I would want !!!!!!!!!!!LOL LOL.
But ill be the first to say congrats to Steve good on him!!!!!
So how big was it anyways??????
Wolf
Gypseas
Active Member
The more you do it the better the chances of it happening I think.
I too, think that I would perhaps take a picture of the beast and release it but thats the choice i think I would make while sitting here in front of the 'mputer.
Bet it would be a tough choice.
Awesome catch gents
Congrats!! Too bad it wasn't a couple of days ago
cheers
I too, think that I would perhaps take a picture of the beast and release it but thats the choice i think I would make while sitting here in front of the 'mputer.
Bet it would be a tough choice.
Awesome catch gents
Congrats!! Too bad it wasn't a couple of days agocheers
walleyes
Well-Known Member
Hell I woudn't even know what to do with a slab that big... But I know one thing if I caught a Salmon of trophy class at least you can put it on your wall,, whats the point of keeping a Hali that big ?? take a pic throw it back and eat some chickens..
But again I have never caught anything that big so I truly can't say.. I know at home I do not keep the big fish of any species they are our spawners and as far as I am concered must be returned,, hey its only good carma to give back to the fish gods boys...
But again I have never caught anything that big so I truly can't say.. I know at home I do not keep the big fish of any species they are our spawners and as far as I am concered must be returned,, hey its only good carma to give back to the fish gods boys...
R
reel addiction
Guest
Well Boys I didnt realize that this would stir the pot!LOL
First of all 196.3 offical weight at Outfitters!
Second you tell my clients to let go the first and only halibut they have ever seen, I think not!
Tell me where I can catch chickens and I will go fish there instead
Pics to follow
The client got the whole thing on video and its very exciting
Ocean Rambler
First of all 196.3 offical weight at Outfitters!
Second you tell my clients to let go the first and only halibut they have ever seen, I think not!
Tell me where I can catch chickens and I will go fish there instead
Pics to follow
The client got the whole thing on video and its very exciting
Ocean Rambler
highlights
Active Member
yeah your right guys, it is a very personal thing when faced with bonking a keeper. It is entirely differant when there are guests involved. You should see their faces when they have limited on all species by 10 am .Like a hysteria we have to remember that we are almost programmed to keep everything that "they" say we can keep. It's as though a light bulb goes off when release is suggested. I find that after years of catching , cleanig and packing that the day is alot quicker and cleaner when all you have to do is stow the boat . I release alot and keep a few as well. I can see the differance though, Guiding does take you to that realization sooner or later. Eventually it no longer requires bonking a fish to make a nice day on the water, your guests however may see it differantly. Thats what keeps you doing what you are paid to do. With that being said I always respect professionals who educate their guests. Just because a guy wants to bonk a fish or kill an animal doesn't make it the thing to do. I usually gently persuade them and have them go home with something that everyone can be happy with. That would only ensure I am doing my part to sustain a livleyhood.
again just my 2 cents.
Nice catch by the way!!!!!!
again just my 2 cents.
Nice catch by the way!!!!!!
Captain Dudds
Well-Known Member
I also would like to say I would release a biggie but have not had the opportunity since reaching that decision. Its interesting that I think most of us would agree that keeping a big hali has alot to do with impressing people and is sort of like another notch on your belt, but is there anyone else who would be far more impressed if someone had the resolve to release a monster? I would love to see someone post a picture of a 100+ beside the boat just before release.
I agree that the whole guiding thing makes for a different case - the guest has the end say in the matter. Two years ago one of my guests got a 57 lbs ling - it was clearly a female with no more meat than a 30. I am happy to say I recommended releasing it but he was excited and wanted it, which is understandable. However, we created a lodge policy where the guide makes a judgement call and if its over 40, its going back. Several have gone back since then.
I agree that the whole guiding thing makes for a different case - the guest has the end say in the matter. Two years ago one of my guests got a 57 lbs ling - it was clearly a female with no more meat than a 30. I am happy to say I recommended releasing it but he was excited and wanted it, which is understandable. However, we created a lodge policy where the guide makes a judgement call and if its over 40, its going back. Several have gone back since then.
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