Bob, I know this is a salmon and steelhead site but after browsing your Alaska fish pictures I have to ask, do you promote c&r of large halibut? 100+ pounders, if not, why not? I've been guiding in Ak. for 11 yrs. now and I've seen a noticable average size difference each year, my first couple season it wasn't uncommon to bring in a limit of 30-40lb fish which are respectable S.E. Ak. fish but each year it seems the averages are dropping, not just S.E. but Cook Inlet and Bristol Bay. The past 6 years I've worked for a resort that has strongly promoted catch and release of the big females and there are a few lodges in this same area who are starting to do the same. As Im sure you know the halibut take anywhere from 8-15 yrs. to sexually mature and if people continue to target "barn doors" wheres that going to leave us down the road?
I know that of all the "large-trophy fish" the halibut is far and away the easiest to catch but its been my experience that these large fish are really only good for pictures and bragging, there's no better eating halibut then the little guys (under 30 lbs.) are the best.
Over the past 6 seasons I've tagged and released 5 that were over 250 and probably 25 over 100lbs. my guests are given the choice with no pressure on them one way or the other and I would say 80-85% agree to snap a few quick photos and let those big hens go lay her 2-4 million eggs. Just curious what your thoughts or anyone elses are on this subject.