Thanks for all the advice everyone... although I have to say I'm even more nervous about the whole adventure after reading all of these things.

One thing it sounds like I certainly had wrong in my head was counting on holding the thrashing fish on the gaff in the water. It sounds like I'm better off just gaffing and pulling on board (if the gaff is even used at all). The process of then hog tying them seems scary though. Can a 50 pound 'but really kick your ass? Or could you actually lay on top of it while arranging the lasso? Is a 30 or 40 pound halibut more "dangerous" and powerful than the same weighted king or ling?

Feeling as how unprepared as I do, I'm actually likely to catch one. Isn't that how it usually works?

-Kaiser D.