Flying gaff 6 or 8 inch

[lax24]

I am looking to invest in a flying gaff for shark fishing next season and was wondering what size will work best for fishing south of the vineyard for makos. 6 or 8 inch?

[stew]

IMHO the only reason to ever use a flying gaff is if you are fishing in an IGFA tournament, other then that the Poon is the way to go when you harvest a shark. That being said, if you are only going to have one on the boat go with the 8 inch. Capt. Eric

[lax24]

thanks for the help and i should have mentioned that we are planning on doing IGFA tournaments

[CR Bound]

8 inch model...No doubt

[rirockhound]

IMHO the only reason to ever use a flying gaff is if you are fishing in an IGFA tournament, other then that the Poon is the way to go when you harvest a shark. That being said, if you are only going to have one on the boat go with the 8 inch. Capt. Eric

Except I have seen Darts pull out of big sharks a few times....

Flier through the gills IMHO....

[stew]

I have seen plenty of fliers come out too. Bottom line good hit with the dart and game over, and I don't have to get the shark right up tight to the boat, I can stick him at a much greater distance then I can with a fly gaff. Much safer for the crew too. Don't use cable on the dart line just rope, it works better and doesn't help to "cut" the dart out. Capt. Eric

[Innovator]

LAX 24

I am obviously a harpoon fan, not because I make them, but because I believe in them and that's how I started making harpoons. Harpoons are safer, easier to use, more effective and in my opinion far superior to a flying gaffs. However, I do like yourself fish in IGFA tournaments and I take all Poons off the boat so I cannot even be tempted to use one. When I have to use a flying gaff I prefer to use as big a hook as I can. I have two tournament flyers- one has a 10" gap and one has a 12" gap, bigger the better. A 6" hook is way too small go with the 8" or bigger if you are going to go with a flyer.

Lax24 I see you are in Falmouth, give me a buzz and swing by my shop I am right in Falmouth, I can show you the different size flyers and POONs and the advantages of each.

Good Luck,

Kevin

[sagamoron]

Just Curious, why can you not use a harpoon in IGFA tournaments?

[stew]

Harpoons are against IGFA rules. All world records have to have been caught or landed with either a straight gaff or flying gaff and there are rules to outline the use of them. Capt. Eric

[On The Edge]

If you are going to fish shark tourneys and they follow IGFA rules I would be sure you are comfortable with, and know how to use and what to expect when using a flying gaff on a shark. Using a flyer means having an unrulely shark right next to the boat and being prepared for that fish to go ape **** right next to the boat when you hit him. In order to be prepared for that you have to use one, and experience it. This is the only way to know how best to deal with it.

That said i do believe a poon is safer for all invloved.

I am no expert. These are just my thoughts.