I'm making my first trip for halibut tomorrow and bought a gaff just in case. My problem now is that I've never had to gaff a fish before so I have a few stupid questions:

Is the head always the best place to gaff a 'but? If so, I'm imagining it is done behind the leader so the gaff and leader don't become tangled?

Once the gaff is in the fish, what should I expect? Is the fish going to go even more crazy? Do you just hold onto the gaff and get shaken until the fish settles down? Is there a good chance the fish can actually flop off of the gaff? Am I trying to keep the head out of the water until it settles down?

Do I attempt to cut its gills and bleed the fish while still on the gaff and in the water?

Any description of the general process would be helpful. I have a standard, hook-type of gaff and not a harpoon.

Thanks.