HANDLING A LEADER ~ HOLDING A GAFF

[FASTWATER]

I think wahoo are the hardest to gaff personnelly, now them mothers are some squirrelly mothers close to the boat,I FISH THEREFORE I AM !!!PEACE

[SharkJP]

well, i think the 5'6" blonde hair bombshell coming in on the left flat is hard to stick. . .



. . .actually, nevermind, they are not that bad. . . its the redheads that can be trouble on the gaff

[Glenn W]

well, i think the 5'6" blonde hair bombshell coming in on the left flat is hard to stick. . .



. . .actually, nevermind, they are not that bad. . . its the redheads that can be trouble on the gaff

Shit John, You just gotta get the right size equipment out---- two Jefferson's just aint going to do it during prime season

[SharkJP]

well, at least i can run mine from the LONG rigger

[JD5652]

well, at least i can run mine from the LONG rigger

......when the prey gets tough....and the seas are rough.....I just break out the green stick...... ..

[flatbottom]

and the ole master JD gives wise information young grasshoppers. Stand up and salute ye

[SharkJP]

[Big Jay]

I AM CONFUSED ON YOUR COMMENT HERE....SORRY


I PERSONALLY NEVER TRY TO LIFT ANY HEAD OUT OF THE WATER WHEN I GAFF........THEY NATURALLLY ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR "BREATH" WHEN THIS HAPPENS.....I STICK EM JUST UNDER THE SURFACE WHEN THEY ALLOW IT


AND I HAVE .....I MOST DEFINITELY HAVE LOST MY SHARE OF FISH GAFFING..........I TIP MY RIGGERS TO THE FIRST MAN THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF THAT HAS NEVER LOST A FISH AT THE GAFF.......I HOPE THAT FORTUNE AND SKILL FOLLOWS AND STAYS WITH YOU FOREVER.....


HEY BIG JAY.......I NOTICE THAT PICTURE ICON UNDER YOUR NAME.........DO YOU TRUST THAT DRIVER OF THAT AIRBORNE BOAT?

I never lift there heads out of the water either. I was stating a common newbie mistake often made.

Two years ago i went out as a guest on a private 58' Viking. Hired captain, mate, owner was on the boat and guest. We lost 3 YFT IN A ROW at the gaff of the mate because he was pulling there heads out of the water next to the hull. Finally he gave me a try, first one, BAM...right through the gill plates leadering AND gaffing.

I never let anyone besides my good friend Kevin (wish him well in the Mix it up area) handle the leader and/or gaff when circumstances allow.

If we are bailing LFT's and YFT's i bring em to the boat however they come, obviously we are fun fishing and thats that. However, when we are really playing something big, trip saver, or money fish...its different.

I always keep the boat moving even slightly when gaffing a tuner. I'll have someone bump the boat in and out of gear, that way they fish planes in the water slightly and i am able to keep him off to flank. Even then if she goes behind the transom at least we have forward movement to keep her out of the "dead spot".

I see alot of guys leadering and gaffing off the transom...and it baffles me. Why would you want that fish in dead water? Where it could start circling, circle under the transom, and then cut the leader on the transom. Keep her off to the side with SOME boat movement.

1) Keep the boat MOVING. Bump it in and out of gear, movement is good.
2) Keep her off to the side AWAY from the transom
3) Keep her head in the water

Thats what its all about when setting up the shot.

And yes, i am not a liar, i have never lost a fish at the gaff. I have pulled the hook out of a fish when leadering but i have never lost a fish at the gaff.

[Big Jay]

Oh and there is an open invite anywhere anytime on my boat for anyone who thinks i am a liar

*just chip in for fuel and bait.

[krabill]

Had around a 100# BFT last year pull the grips off a new gold aftco gaff. fish pulled the hook just as I was comming up to stick him, he got the gaff and I was left with two grips in my hand. If you miss the first shot, take your time on the second. I may be different, and do have my reasons, but I gaff all tuna under and hoo and dolphin over.

Also a old capt from OC used to tell me "never look him in the eye." focus on the spot...

Krabill
Greenbackville Va.
http://www.toplessfishingcharters.com