Releasing Big Halis

[bigbruce]

While this has never been an issue for me as I've never caught a Hali over about 40 lbs, now that we have a size restriction to deal with, I'm interested in suggestions as to how to let a big one go. And please, "shoot it" suggestion is getting old, so don't even bother wasting time with it.

 

[scott craven]

We are going to start by using circle hooks instead of trebles.
They seem to lip hook rather than throat hook the fish.
If a gaff can't dislodge the hook, simply cut the leader as close to the hook as possible.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

Just jig for them with jigs and small amount of bait. If you want to attract a 60 pounds minus hali after april 1st just use jigs always lip hooked then!

-KK

 

[SerengetiGuide]

Just jig for them with jigs and small amount of bait. If you want to attract a 60 pounds minus hali after april 1st just use jigs always lip hooked then!

-KK

Stevie, in my experience couldn't be farther from the truth. A lot of my jig caught halibut swallowed the jig hard and it was down deep in their throat or even gills. Maybe it's just the pline jigs though ha ha Also could be due to guests not being able to tell immediately it is a hit so they swallow deeper.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I was thinking more like the weight with the hook and hootchie skirt hainging from the top aswell. I think it would be hard to deep hook them with those. I personally have never deep hooked them with those. I have however deep hooked them with circle hooks. When Mike and I fished with you in we had the 100 pounder take the circle hook in the gills and it would have certainly died.

-KK

 

[Aces]

Lead head jigs lip hook them for me

 

[trophywife]

i use a lead head with a grub and if they hit it on the way down its usually tail of grub only visible.....

 

[Rob H]

Over the last 6-8 years between myself and friends we have caught well over a hundred halibut on jigs. Most of the fish have been 20 to 60 lbs. with the largest 115 lbs. I don't remember one hooked deep, all could have been released easily. We are using mostly 3 to 6 ounce Pirken or simiar type jigs with no bait added.

I use circle hooks a lot on baited lines (16/0) and find very few halibut hooked deep - probably 1 in 20. Most are hooked right in the corner of the mouth as expected. Securing a large fish with a rope round the tail should aid in removing the hook as well as using heavy leaders (I am going to try 150 lb.) will make it easier to hold on to the leader.

...Rob

 

[Tailspin]

Im due for a trip to your Basement Robbie!

 

[fish stalker]

how many people hog tie there hali? is it just to keep lactic acid build up? After you harpoon them does it take awhile to die?

Im pretty sensitive (ya ya I know) about a fishing dying quickly I dont want to see anything suffer. I havent killed my first hali yet and im nervous.

I hear balls can whip around and smack your boat or you...

im even more nervous about releasing. Can you run circle hooks on jigs?

 

[GDW]

Hali's die quick if you club them in the right spot. Between the eyes on the top of the head works for me. The harpoon is for gaining control of the fish not to kill it. It would take a long time to die if you just harpoon it then let it sit. I only hogtie big ones and that's for my safety if I'm bringing it onboard no other reason. It's also important to bleed them (cut tail or gills).

You need to always be mindful of the hooks/weights that could be projectiles if the fish thrashes. If I'm bringing a live one into the boat I usually take the weight off first or make sure I'm in control of it. My method is gaff in the head, pull the fish on the gunnel and club it until its dead. Then start to bleed the fish right away.

I've brought them onboard alive a few times and it makes quite the mess if they thrash inside your boat.

 

[SerengetiGuide]

Over the last 6-8 years between myself and friends we have caught well over a hundred halibut on jigs. Most of the fish have been 20 to 60 lbs. with the largest 115 lbs. I don't remember one hooked deep, all could have been released easily. We are using mostly 3 to 6 ounce Pirken or simiar type jigs with no bait added.

I use circle hooks a lot on baited lines (16/0) and find very few halibut hooked deep - probably 1 in 20. Most are hooked right in the corner of the mouth as expected. Securing a large fish with a rope round the tail should aid in removing the hook as well as using heavy leaders (I am going to try 150 lb.) will make it easier to hold on to the leader.

...Rob

I've thought about putting a noose around their tail while attempting release...i think it would make it a heck of a lot easier and not to mention that the tail is really the dangerous part of them...it's what will break the legs, not really the head, so I think in may while exploring I'll give that a try. May even result in being easier to get pictures as well.

 

[reelfast]

forged steel circle hooks is the beginning point. i have observed only lip hooked halibut with the circles. reach down, cut the line, simple. the steel hook will be gone pretty quickly. we leave our rods in the holders until the tip goes down and stays down giving the circle hook a chance to engage. seems to work pretty well and keeps the 'jerkers' from losing fish.

 

[bigbruce]

Lots of great suggestions - Thanks. I'm relatively new to this game and have been using halibut rigs with a single and treble hook set with bellies or herring - usually with a hoochie tail as well, all on a spreader bar. Haven't tried jigs yet, and am a bit unsure as to how these work. Will be fishing primarily in the Port McNeill area this summer so currents are usually an issue. Also haven't used circle hooks, but will give those a try as well. It seems for a relative rookie, the quickest and easiest way to get rid of a big one is to cut the line - as close to the fish as you dare get.

 

[Rob H]

Im due for a trip to your Basement Robbie!

Justin: Pop over some time. I'm well stocked with jigs and have a fresh keg of Beaco IPA in the fishing room fridge as well. Would have gone out today but couldn't get a partner.

...Rob

 

[lenardobc]

Justin: Pop over some time. I'm well stocked with jigs and have a fresh keg of Beaco IPA in the fishing room fridge as well. Would have gone out today but couldn't get a partner.

...Rob

I coulda went today rob, looked a bit better than sat or Sunday was.

 

[tubber]

I can't decide if I'm more envious of the hundred halis or the fishing room with a beer fridge.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

Justin: Pop over some time. I'm well stocked with jigs and have a fresh keg of Beaco IPA in the fishing room fridge as well. Would have gone out today but couldn't get a partner.

...Rob

Way to make me feel bad now. I ended up up Island doing some Cutties on the fly with my Dad. Maybe another time. Thanks for the offer.

-KK

 

[Tailspin]

Justin: Pop over some time. I'm well stocked with jigs and have a fresh keg of Beaco IPA in the fishing room fridge as well. Would have gone out today but couldn't get a partner.

...Rob

Perfect!

 

[mbowers]

A hook remover like this works well on big, dangerous fish with trebles, J hooks and circle hooks. Get the longest handled model you can find. The tool will actually rotate the hook for you (the slot in the outer tube is angled which rotates the hook as the inner shaft pulls the hook with the open loop) which is the trickiest part for me when releasing a circle hook. Circle hooks might be better at reducing gut hooking but they are not designed to be removed until the fish is dead IMHO.