Sarah vs Halibut

While trolling for salmon near Ketchikan, Alaska, my wife Sarah Campbell hooked into a surprise catch—a feisty halibut estimated at 50–60 pounds. Caught on salmon gear with 30-pound test line, the fish gave her a solid fight, making multiple strong runs before she brought it to the boat.

We were thrilled to land it, especially on such light gear. If it had been much larger, we likely would’ve released it—big halibut often have coarser flesh and aren’t considered as good to eat. This one, however, was the perfect size for the table—firm, clean, and delicious. A great example of the unexpected excitement you can find while fishing in Southeast Alaska!