What do you guys use for harpoon line length and how big of a buoy? I just tied one up and it seems a bit short. I have a 25' line and a polyform A-3 17" dia bouy. To short of line? Too big of a bouy? Probably won't use it on anything smaller than 50-ish. Just curious.

Thanks in advance.

About what I use except for a 14" buoy. Had a big 1 a few years ago hold it under for a couple minutes, thought briefly that it had imploded the buoy and we lost the fish, then it popped to the surface.
I have heard of smaller bouys (12">) imploding, you won't have that problem with a 17".
Good luck.

I have about 60 feet of 200lb tuna cord with the 17inch Taylor Made. But then again, I only carry a 9mm.

If you carry a .45, you can go with 50 feet of 150# and just use a boat bumber

Pussies,never needed a fricken hand gun to subdue a big butt.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Wouldn't change anything- assuming you are running something like 3/8's nylon for the line (its easy on the hands).

A big float is nice,espically should your line happen to part after harpooning the fish. I had that happen one time , was able to chase down the fish after pulling the anchor. It went from kind of a scuk fest we lost it to HI FIVES all around in about 10 min.

I wouldn't ever tie, the harpoon line to the boat. I know many people do, but for me I would rather not get into a bad habit. A real cow could pull a corner under in a smaller boat.

Personally am not a big fan of pistols as a way to dispatch of fish, in my opinion a bang stick is a better choice. Same effect, just a little safer espically if there are other boats near by.

Even safer yet is a Louisville slugger and a good knife. I've killed halibut in excess of 270 and a couple solid shots with the bat, knife to the gills and cleat them off for a few minutes to bleed out is about all it takes to kill them.

I hooked a big butt in AK (129lb) the captian shot it the first time with his single shot 410-Head. It swam to the bottom, I brought it up-he shot it again -head--it dove deep again. 3rd time he stuck it with a bouy harpoon-in the head. Tied to the boat. He said I have never had that happen.

You can get a fifty in a net, don't lift its head till you are going to tenderize it with a ball bat, usually changes their demeanor quick, cut the gills and let er bleed.

Bigger, get the poon out and don't shoot it in the boat. I have heard that it has happened.

Fishy

Used a net for the first time last week...B.S. I think the investment in a $20 gaff is worth it, and makes catching a 'but seem all the more bad-ass if you get to stick it!!! I've been on board while 'buts are 'pooned, and have seen em up to 70lbs harpooned and controlled by hand, no need to tie off or attach a buoy, I think most people over do it...

P.S. all my experience has been with J.D. and others, I've always considered myself "the passenger" and give all street cred to the people I'm with.

Heading out now from PA. Be safe out there today boyz.

Our skipper up at the Lodge uses a 410 and a gaff in a motion that is something to behold. He will gaff and shoot the Hali in one motion, if it makes a move the gaff is only on about 20 feet of line and he jerks it back to the boat and a couple guys drag it over the rail and right into the fish box where he bleeds it out.

Kramer,
I think you're set just as you described. That's what I have on the boat too but, i'm a halibut-catching rookie ha!

My only experience was with two 30-pound fish last week. Both fish I harpooned for the experience and tied off the 3/8 nylon line to the rear cleat. I had 20-some feet of line also.

With a bigger fish, I can't imagine that 17" bouy wouldn't be enough.
Once I slit the gill it was over pretty quick.

Good luck,
Jeff

Yah, you just use cocktails and sweet talk.