Different species. What you’re catching is the Pacific halibut, which don’t range this far south. What we catch down here is the California halibut which is smaller but meaner, with nasty sharp teeth. There is a running joke in places where you can catch both species:
Q: How can you tell the difference between a Pacific halibut and a California halibut?
A: Stick your finger in its mouth. If you get it back, it’s not a California halibut.
Case in point: