Halibut and Harpoons

[Tailwalker]

Finally caught a hali last year, was a 40 lb chicken so no need for harpoon. But the thought of maybe one day getting a bigger one gave me a reason to buy more gear. Got my harpoon but wondering if I also need to get a 18 inch buoy. I guess it depends on the size of the fish, but once the fish is harpooned, does one hang on the attached rope and play tug of war until the fish gets tired enough to be dispatched or attach the buoy and let it fight the buoy as it tries to get back down deep? Advice appreciated.

 

[Lipripper]

18 inch buoy?....Going for Jaws?

I would do 30-40 of rope tied to a cleat with a 10/12" ball 8 feet from the tip and arm wrestle it... but thats just my .05

 

[spring fever]

Always tie the harpoon off to a Scotsman. Tying off to a cleat or to your hand can lead to some very unforeseen and nasty surprises-far beyond what you have ever foreseen!!-and it ain't funny and may not even be amusing when telling!!!

 

[Dogbreath]

Consider that since we can no longer kill any large Halibut the need for a buoy isn't so great.

 

[Fish Assassin]

I tie a bumper or two to the harpoon rope. That way I am not packing extra gear just for halibut fishing. Once I used a keyhole life jacket

I would agree with Spring Fever, don't tie off to a cleat. It can cause poon to come unlodged or break loose hurting someone on board.

 

[Lipripper]

newbs.............

 

[Dogbreath]

Simple & cheap-the cord knotted like that provides some spring and isn't likely to snap (full sized flasher for size).

 

[El Capitan]

I have tagged my fair share of large Hali for clients with a harpoon. Never used a buoy ever. 20 ft of heavy cord tied to the cleat with a "bowline" knot. I aim for the pectoral fin, and have never had the tip tear out. I like the harpoon when we get a good one on the salmon gear, ups the odds of getting the fish in the boat. I don't leave home without the harp and my trusty rusty Hali gaff.
The following link has some footage of a Hali on salmon gear being landed with a harpoon:
http://youtu.be/zaMwQzpwox0
http://youtu.be/zaMwQzpwox0

 

[drmadcow]

All we use is a kleet and a 20 foot rope. Once we harpoon it we hold on tight to the rope while it bounces around on the surface. Knew a guy that let a 100+ hali run to the end of his hali harpoon rope ~20 feet, his entire boat shuddered and it pulled the harpoon right out. Now in my Canoe I'd probably use a buoy.

 

[bigbruce]

While I've never caught a halibut large enough to use a harpoon on, I was told to keep the rope tied off to a cleat and as short as possible so that the hali can't get a long run.

 

[Tailwalker]

Thank you all. Since I cannot keep really big ones, a buoy would likely not be needed. How much would a 133 cm hali weigh?

 

[Jencourt]

Here is why I will likely have at least a couple bumpers clipped to my harpoon-line on any fish I harpoon for now on. Once is onc to many for me . ugh!! Reminds me cooked the last piece of halibut a short while ago.


http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/showthread.php?29296-That-never-happened-before

 

[spring fever]

Thank you all. Since I cannot keep really big ones, a buoy would likely not be needed. How much would a 133 cm hali weigh?

The charts say approx. 70lbs-Don't agree with you on the bouy but then experience is a tough teacher!LOL

 

[Fish Assassin]

Everyone has there own way, to each there own

Personally I stuff my harpoon thru the gilplates and out the out side. I hammer it thru in one fluid motion. This bleeds them at the same time stunes the the liven **** out of them. They don't scare me at all after working on IPHC charter boats. Just another fish I am going to be killing and put on my families table.

 

[scott craven]

I guess it depends on the size of the fish, but once the fish is harpooned, does one hang on the attached rope and play tug of war until the fish gets tired enough

Works for us, we have wrestled with 100lb fish and usually win.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Everyone has there own way, to each there own

Personally I stuff my harpoon thru the gilplates and out the out side. I hammer it thru in one fluid motion. This bleeds them at the same time stuns the the living **** out of them. They don't scare me at all after working on IPHC charter boats. Just another fish I am going to be killing and put on my families table.

Agree with Owen-- just make sure you have a pair of gloves to buffer the run after harpooning the fish. (and yes-- I tie off to a cleat before pooning it-- no float needed.

HOWEVER----- I can see that a guide would use a float because it makes for a great story by the client when he gets home!

 

[adanac]

with new restrictions the scottsman is overkilll imo. harpooned over 12 50+lbers this season guiding with nothing more than 12 foot of rope tied off to the cleat and a well placed poon shot, never had one pull through and had a blast wranglin em to the boat by hand.

 

[adanac]

with new restrictions the ball is overkilll imo. harpooned over 12 50+lbers this season guiding with nothing more than 12 foot of rope tied off to the cleat and a well placed poon shot, never had one pull through and had a blast wranglin em to the boat by hand.

 

[wolf]

I always error on caution mostly poon all of my halibut with a float if they go nuts let the float go over I dont care my shoulders, arms, hands are my tools and all you need is one pissed off halibut to dislocate a shoulder ....seen it before.
Dont need to "wrestle" one been there done it after 30 years of it it just doesnt matter and AIM for the guts dont wreck anything go is like butter and dont have the chance of a miss in the head/plate area where sometimes it will go in with a "THUD" and didnt go all the way thru and off he goes down to the deeps again...

Good luck Wolf

 

[SpringVelocity]

I have to concur with Roy.... I am not screwing around with a pissed of halibut..If using a float is overkill rather be cautious..... The aim is to get it in the boat safely.