Halibut

[Dmulcahy]

https://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/news/freeland-man-hooks-fish-of-a-lifetime/

Hopefully the link will work

[Alchase]

Wow!
What a pig of a fish!

[KFhunter]

Too bad he didn't toss it back and keep a smaller one.

[Dan-o]

Wow, what a fatty.

[MADMAX]

Too bad he didn't toss it back and keep a smaller one.

 

Most likely a female and crappy eating I hear

Dont know if I could either though

[WSU]

With the tiny quota Washington sport fishers get, its hard to imagine us making a dent in the overall scheme.  We get something like 240,000 lbs out of 31.4 million, and I don’t think that includes millions of lbs in commercial bycaych.

I say honk away.

[jackmaster]

Too bad he didn't toss it back and keep a smaller one.

big ones like that aren't good for eating but with the bs Washington seasons and quota we get I guess I understand , tough to throw a hog like that back but they are the ones that do the breeding !! We need a season like Canada , and they have a maximum size so you can't keep the broods!! But their season is open all year so guys don't have to be in a panic like here in liberal bred Washington 

[Crunchy]

Agreed not good table fair but a true trophy if he wanted to get it mounted like a giant marlin lol.  Maybe make a true barn door out of it for the cabin.  I prefer those in the 40-60 lb range for eating.

[Stein]

That guy knows how to fish, he also boated a 75, 60, 40 and 30 in the straits this year.

[smdave]

This is a member on here he is in Alaska for 3 months on a dream job. This is his fish. 120lbs

[7mmfan]

I've caught and killed my share of big ones. My last season in AK our company did our best to encourage people to release the big females. Some people understood and were on board, but for a lot of those guys, it was their fish of a lifetime and they wouldn't have it. Now they have slot limits in our area up there so its a moot point.

As far as quality of table fare it depends on what your expectation is. If you're bbq'ing it, or baking it in the oven, you definitely will be disappointed with the texture of the fish. If you're just going to be making 150# of panko breaded Cajun fish and chips, then you'll be fine.

While there are obvious benefits of letting that fish go in WA, I'm in agreement with others here. As sportsman in WA we get such a small window to fish and have such a limited impact on these fish that one or two big ones a season isn't going to matter. The tribes and white commercials have a far bigger impact than we ever will.

[jackmaster]

I've caught and killed my share of big ones. My last season in AK our company did our best to encourage people to release the big females. Some people understood and were on board, but for a lot of those guys, it was their fish of a lifetime and they wouldn't have it. Now they have slot limits in our area up there so its a moot point.

As far as quality of table fare it depends on what your expectation is. If you're bbq'ing it, or baking it in the oven, you definitely will be disappointed with the texture of the fish. If you're just going to be 150# of panko breaded Cajun fish and chips, then you'll be fine.

While there are obvious benefits of letting that fish go in WA, I'm in agreement with others here. As sportsman in WA we get such a small window to fish and have such a limited impact on these fish that one or two big ones a season isn't going to matter. The tribes and white commercials have a far bigger impact than we ever will.

very well said

[KFhunter]

Thanks for the reasonable responses, I wasn't sure if I'd get blasted for that comment.   

Ya'll changed my mind on keeping big ones, at least in WA due to the severe restrictions placed on anglers in our state. 

[jackmaster]

Thanks for the reasonable responses, I wasn't sure if I'd get blasted for that comment.   

Ya'll changed my mind on keeping big ones, at least in WA due to the severe restrictions placed on anglers in our state.

yep it's tough to throw fish back in Washington when the second you do you find the quota has been met !! It's sad because we sportsman pump more money into the economy than any other group and we get the smallest quota they can give us while commercial guys and tribes get over like a fat rat!! We are heading out to sekiu on Saturday, I guarantee if I host a 200 pounder she is coming home with me  I would be happy with a boat limit of 30 pounders though

[jackmaster]

Anyone out there today ? We are going out Saturday providing there is still a quota left, gonna put in at either P.A or sekiu , all depends on tide and weather , which looks a little wet but tide and wind look pretty good for fishing, good luck to all who go out, hope to see some big butts posted up