Naw, out of a boat that he towed around for about an hour. You may find it interesting - we shot the big ones in the head before putting them in a boat because they can flop so hard they can destroy even a sturdy boat. A guy caught one a mile or so from there that was, I believe, 270ish, but on a trot line. I remember seeing it - it was like 7' long. Western Kodiak, the roadless side.
Delicious. I'd love to go halibut fishing some day. My old college roommate's brother went to Alaska and caught at least 1 halibut. He brought a bunch back and I recall grilling halibut for many dinners.
You reminded me I still have a grainy old tattered Polaroid of my first Halibut trip there. We fished from Homer here, in August 1995. I’m the kid on the right, not quite 11 yet. I landed the 70 pound fish that day (with help from my father). It’s crazy to think these fish get up to several hundred pounds. It makes the flounder I catch in my area seem like minnows.