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Handling An Alaska Halibut
By Marc Theiler

Landing an Alaska halibut can be an exciting endeavour for first time halibut fishermen and can even get a little scary for seasoned veterans. The Alaskan, Pacific halibut is one of the most popular fish to catch in Alaska and can reach sizes of 400lbs or more! The majority of a halibut's mass is pure muscle and an improperly landed halibut can cause injury and possibly even death. I once saw a deckhand pull up a 50 pound halibut onto the deck without shooting or clubbing the fish. He tried to subdue the angry, twitching fish, the halibut's tail came back smacked him in the knee and broke his leg. There are many horror stories out there of black eyes, cracked ribs, and broken bones.

Bringing a halibut aboard safely and properly is the foremost priority of a good captain. Many skippers will argue that the use of a gun on halibut 50 pounds or more is a must, while others opt for a flying gaff or both. A few halibut fishermen even use a net, but only on the small "little butts". When shooting a halibut one must aim properly behind the head to sever the spine and most importantly trying not to destroy the halibut cheeks, the tastiest part of the halibut.
As with any fish you want to keep the halibut's head under the water until it's either been shot

or clubbed properly. Never bring a fish aboard that isn't dead first. When gaffing a halibut, aim for a solid spot right below the eyes on the skull and make sure you have a good hold on the fish. It's a good idea to wait for the fish to become tired and then bleeding them along side the boat. Cutting the gill rakers and bleeding in the fish helps the overall quality of the meat.

By using a little common sense and care you can ensure an outstanding Alaska trip and a freezer full of one of the best tasting fish on the planet. If you aren't the deckhand or skipper just remember to give them adequate space. Never try and help the crew they will certainly let you know when it is the safest time to touch your fish and take pictures. Good luck on your next Alaska halibut fishing trip, remember dress accordingly, be safe, and most of all have a good time.

Marc Theiler - Alaska Fishing Guide
Alaska Halibut Fishing

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