To 'poon or not to 'poon

[Birdnest]

Alrighty now that I am armed with the "Kurt Special" I thought I would ask you seasoned 'pooners a question. What is your size threshhold to harpoon? I have read that a halibut will "flatten out" briefly on the surface and you need a game plan in place to take advantage of this period. So if a 30"=11lbs, 40"=29lbs, 50"=60lbs. My thinking would be a 40"/30lb fish would get poked on my boat(it should be qualified that I am anxious to use my new 'poon, so I might just jab a chicken) :grin:

BTW, I don't know how many of my fellow halibut wannabees picked up on Threemuch's suggestion on buying "How to Catch Trophy Halibut" by Batin & Rudnick. I am about halfway through it and it is a must have for anyone's fishing library.

Joe

[Mark Mc]

I know you'll get wildly different answers on this... I like to use a gaff for anything up to about 70 lbs. But then again I've been using gaffs on just about anything that swims for 28 years. These Pacific 'buts are just so easy to gaff because they are pretty zoned out by the time they come up out of 600 ft of water, and they just sit there waiting to be stuck (unless you miss!!). To me a harpoon is a lot more trouble, but is a necessity once you get over about 70 lbs.

I'm just the reverse of Mark, I don't like gaffs (see gaff on ebay) as I find them too restrictive for movement.

No, I like to use a harpoon on anything over 35lbs. You have better control of the fish and you can use the harpoon head and rope to tie up the fish to keep it from thrashing around in the boat. Put a couple half hitches around the tail and cinch the fish up tight.

[Mark Mc]

Keta, I agree with you on the benefit of having the line there to tie the tail up...but you have to admit that is more of a necessity with big fish.

It's really quite simple...with a harpoon you push, and with a gaff you pull. Since you pull up against the weight of the fish (gravity) when gaffing, it is one motion all the way into the boat, plus gravity is helping to sink the gaff hook which is not the case with a harpoon. I just find that so much easier & simple. Whereas we have all heard stories about people missing with the harpoon, or gut shots that come out, etc.

I guess it's just like so many other things... the more practice you have the easier it gets. Since I grew up in the charter boat business, using a gaff just became second nature.

Now about those stretchy, pink gaffs on e-bay....

[ 02-22-2004, 08:13 AM: Message edited by: Mark Mc ]

[Threemuch]

I would say right at 40-45ish pounds, the fish becomes a harpooner. Mainly because it's fun. I got into making these basically because I thought you could gaff any of em, until we lost a fish very close to 100 pounds that I am certain we would have landed with a harpoon.

[corrirod]

I use a net on the chickens and stab anything 40+. On the big ones especially(60+), I like using the harpoon and then gaffing them as well. This makes is easier for 2 people to get the fish onboard. One pulls on the harpoon line while the other pulls on the gaff. The other benefit to the harpoon is that you can tie the fish off on a cleat and let him bleed out right at the boat. A well placed poon shot will make sure Mr. Hali doesn't feel like jumping out of the box on the trip back to port also.

Just my preference though.

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

Pooning a halibut should be reserved for the large butts. A gaff is the best way to bring aboard a legal fish. I bring aboard over 300 fish each year and I've been doing this for over 15 years so consider myself knowledgable on the subject. I use to net the fish, but that usually resulted in a tangled mess. When you are trying to land several fish at the same time, a net is not the way to do it. A gaff is quick and sure. If you question whether the fish is a legal fish, just grab the leader and heave the fish into the boat. A chicken comes aboard easily, no need to net, gaff or poon. If it is too heavy to lift, then gaff, it is legal. When the fish gets too big to lift by yourself with a gaff, then is the time to poon it. When you do this, take your time and make the shot good. 2 to 3 inches behind the gill is a good spot. If the point doesn't go all the way through the first time, quickly pull out and stab again. Make the stab like you intended to run him through because you need to do just that. :tongue:

[Puffin]

I USUALLY STICK ANYTHING OVER ABOUT 60 OR 65 LBS THE FISH NEEDS TO BE FAIRLY SIZEABLE TO OFFER ENOUGH RESISTANCE SMALLER FISH TEND TO GET PUSHED RATHER THAN PENETRATED BY THE HARPOON I ALSO TIE AN ANCHOR BOUY AT THE END OF ABOUT 10 OR 12 FEET OF ROPE SECURED TO THE TIP OF THE HARPOON RATHER THAN CLEATING AS A FISH IN THE 80 TO 100 POUND CLASS OR BETTER CAN HAVE QUITE A SURGE IN HIM AFTER HE FEELS THE OLD PIG STICKER PILAR HAD ONE BREAK THE ROPE WHEN CLEATED LAST YEAR BESIDES YOU OUGHT TO SEE A NEW BEES EYES WHEN THAT BOUY GOES SCREAMING ACROSS THE BRINE THROWING SPRAY WITH A 100 POUNDER ON THE OTHER END WE GOT A 90 A 96 AND A 120 POUNDER ON MY BOAT LAST YEAR SO A GUY DEFINATELY NEEDS A HARPOON OUT HERE BESIDES I DO NOT ALLOW GUNS TO BE DISCHARGED AT SEA CONDITIONS ARE SOMETIMES VERY ROUGH JUST ASK THE COAST GUARD HOW MANY SHOT BOATS THEY TOW 2 IN ONE DAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BE SURE TO HIT EM HARD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE EYE ON TOP OF THE SNOUT NOT THE CHEEK BEFORE BRINGING THEM ON BOARD A BIG FLATTIE CAN BREAK BOATS GEAR AND FISHERMEN IF NOT SUBDUED PROPERLY HOW TO CATCH TROPHY HALIBUT IS DEFINATELY RECOMMENDED READING MY COPY IS WELL DOG EARED FROM BEING READ AND LOANED OUT MANY TIMES GOOD LUCK WITH THE NEW POON

[Mark Mc]

Hey Big Jon Pufferino, it's so good to see you turning into a regular poster! Your essays are getting longer by the day. One little hint, see that little key on the left that sez "Caps Lock"? Well you might think about turning off the all caps cause it LOOKS LIKE YOU"RE SCREEMING AT US!!!!! I dunno, maybe you do like to scream everything you say...I remember the first time I met you at that RFA / Jim Donofrio meeting, outside in the parking lot... we were talking about all the injustices with fishery management, and you were pretty stoked...I was a little leary of you, but Jen said "oh don't worry about him he's a big puppy dog."

Anyhow, just kidding with you.... you can use whatever type size you want! Look forward to fishing with you again this summer..... Mark

[apparentgenius]

I poon anything that's legal. There's just something so primal and fullfilling about it, especially if you scream poon at the top of your stroke. Helps me work off a whole week's worth of stress. Plus it gives me practice for the big ones when it really counts.

[treegolfer]

Keta, looked up gaff on ebay like you mentioned, and am curious how you know that a "gaff" is too restrictive? Without any personal experience, I would have to agree that you are probably right however!

treegolfer

Want to go fishn with Miss B? :shocked:

[treegolfer]

Think I'm starting to learn more than I ever needed to know about some Salty's choices in their selection of clothing. It was a red dress wasn't it?

treegolfer

[Birdnest]

Thanks for all of the responses, all good info.

Joe

[Ragnar]

I'm making a gaff right now that'll make Mr.Wrinkled-in- the-mounth wince when he sees it.
I say gaff 'em and then "change their minds", (if you know what I mean) via a thourogh application of wood shampoo or a closed fist. Carefull not to damage the cheeks if possible.
I've terrified customers on charter boats by wailing on these fish. Just give me some swingin' room and Mr. Halibut is usually dead when his skull starts to feel "squishy."
Or another more non-violent way would be to just reach down into the water with a knife and quikly cut the gills and let then bleed out in the water.

Ragnar

[Miss B Haven]

I lost several knuckles on one hand gaffing a 72 lb butt. Would have lost the fish too but the hook stayed in. The only reason I didn't lose the gaff is that I sacrificed my knuckles on the gunnel instead (no way I was letting go [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] :shocked: ).
That fish was taken in less than 30 feet of water. He was OK when I stuck him, but when the bat came down he decided to leave the immediate vicinity regardless of the 6 inch gaff stuck clear through him. He tore himself clear through with one big flip of his tail.

I'd be using the poon thank you!

Oh- and Keta...."Want to go fishn with Miss B?" How the heck did I get involved in this "gaff" fetish of your anywho? :grin:

[Billfisher]

As cool as the harppons I saw some of you making on previous posts are, and as efficient as my own dart gaff was previously, I should remind ya'll that harpoons negate any IGFA record, should you have a fish that might qualify. Just food for thought. -D

[corrirod]

I should remind ya'll that harpoons negate any IGFA record

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Billfisher, I should remind you that if I don't get that fish in the boat my "wife" will "negate" my good standing in the house! :tongue: :grin:

I can hear the conversation now,

"I had a 200+ pound hali on but I couldn't harpoon it or it would negate my chances to get an IGFA record."

Yeah, right. I'd have to make sure there weren't any sharp or heavy blunt objects nearby! [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[ 02-26-2004, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

Cori have a Bobbit knife?

[id. painter]

Last summer I had two 11 year old "Salty pups" with me . There was no question , we were pooning them all.
I could hardly get the words "Fish on" out of my mouth and the two boy were after the Hali poker. They took turns like you would a fun ride . Any Halibut was subjected to being pooned with great joy!!! id. painter

Yep,
Every time I have a harpoon in my hand I have dreams of being Queequeg and sticking the Great White Whale. All I need is the tattoos :grin:

[Threemuch]

Check out the brand new tri-cut halibut tip. How could you not harpoon a fish with one of these?

[KillerBeee]

By the way, doesn't the name "Poon" just make you want to use it any way?
Don't be a brutal ass if you don't have to, but get your ya ya's if the mood is right.....

[Stoyjun Princess]

I agree with Puffin, harpoon anything over 60 pounds. We have lost some nice halibut with the gaff. And the Poon is fun :grin:

[Ragnar]

Keta,
I'd say you'd look great with the Queequeg tatoos.
Go for it.
Just envision them under a liberal coat of fresh TUNA! blood.
Hum???????????
Ah yes... good times..

Ragnar