Rob,

You have to be very careful, not only when unhooking them but when fighting them also. I haven't had an incedent in a while so I think I'm learning the tricks but this year I've popped my tube twice, ripped my waders once (by a fish darting under my tube and snagging my leg with one of the free trebles), and snagged the handle on the front of the tube once. Mike actually got hand-cuffed one day one of the three trebles in one finger on one hand and one of the remaining two trebles in one finger on the other hand and the last treble still in the fish. I wasn't there but it was an interesting story.

I have a "plyer-holder" right next to my depth finder holder so my plyers are always ready to just grab. Holding the halibut just behind the head and tilting it a little usually stops them from moving. I knew I was going to release the 27 incher I caught a few weeks ago (it's nice when you have too much fish in the freezer!) so I didn't even use my net. I just grabbed him behind the head and it worked fine.

I'll be out there around 6:30 or 7:00 and fish for about 3 hours. I'll probably start near the wharf and then maybe kick over to the sandbar if the wharf area isn't happening.

Pete

http://www.geocities.com/leapinbass/other_images/001015_seabass_halibut.jpg

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.