Let's talk gaffs

[carom]

I'm trying to figure out here what size of gaff I really need for the kind of fishing I get to do...so here it is throw in your oppinions based on your experience....

i mostly get tuna (yellowfin, blackfin, and couple others) in the 20 to 100 (100 being rarely) mostly around 80 pound range....wahoo anywhere from 25 to 75 pounds and mahi from gaffers to 60 pounds...what would you suggest??

i'm liking a 6 feet handle.....how about for hook size???

[PurpleGold]

I always like to have a 3" and 4" Gaff on the boat. 6' is the optimum size for me as well, although if space is and issue, you can get away with a 4 footer for the 3" gaff.

3" - I like this smaller gaff for smaller dolphin and small wahoo. Anything bigger seems to be overkill and can actually make it harder to get a good shot. A wahoo or dophin under 25lbs are pretty skinny, almost snakelike, so the small gap in the gaff helps.

4" - Great yellowfin gaff. A tuna offers a much bigger target to stick the gaff in and you don't have to worry about "hooking" a tuna. The meat on a tuna is so thick that a 3" gaff might not get anything but meat if you hit it right in the side. A 4" helps you grab a hold of something solid to hoist him in the boat. I think a 6', 4" gaff is more than enough for anything under 100lbs and in NC, meatfish over 100lbs are rare at best. 4" gaff is also good for the stud wahoo and dolphin that come to the boat on occasion.

[BTH284]

meatfish small boat 21-27 foot CC = 4' handle allows for quick movement in a smaller boat especially beside the console and directly under the T top. I like the 3"-4" hook w/small diameter point to me the fish falls on the gaff easier as a small SHARP tip penetrates easier.

meatfish big boat 30' and up = 6' foot handle gives me more leverage ona fish and the extra 2' of handle is easier to maneuver in a bigger pit. Same hook size here, same reason.

I don't spend alot of money on a gaffs as it will probably get lost once in a while.

I do like grip on my gaff handles and I foam up the inside of the handle about half way down the gaff to make retrieval easier if it does slip out.

I do not put foam down by the hook as I find it hard to control a QUICKLY rising gaff while the boat is still in gear and the fish comes along side. I do like the natural bouyancy and rise of the unfoamed portion of the handle which is under water and down by the hook as the fish slides closer for a good shot.

I did put a bend in one of my gaffs and I will honestly say it does make a difference by providing a natural extension of my arm as I pick my spot on the fish to hit just like leading a wingshot. However, mahi are still my nemesis at the gaff. I can get 'em but they are a ***** to stick.

I do paint my gaffs blue/gray for at least 3/4 the length of the gaff up from the hook and I have noticed A MAJOR DIFFERENCE in the fish's attitude and demeanor when the gaff enters the water. They don't freak out like they do when the shiny metal enters the water.

[WAHOONBOX]

GREAT TOPIC MISTER HARLEY! I WANT TO WATCH THIS ONE WITH INTEREST AND SEE WHERE IT GOES!

[WAHOONBOX]

WELL.....FOR STARTERS ...AND JUST FOR FUN.....BELOW IS A "POOR GAFF SHOT " BY ME.....

I NORMALLY GO FOR THE BELLY WHICH WHEN BRINGING IT IN OVER THE STERN UPSIDE DOWN.......NOW THIS IS POOR ANGLE FOR VIDEOS ...BUT EXCELLENT FOR THE GRILL....SEEMS THEY ARE VERY TRANQUILL WHEN THE STEEL PENETRATES THE BELLY CAVITY

AND I ALSO GO FOR THE MIDDLE OF THE FISH.....IT ALSO COMES OVER THE SIDE MUCH EASIER

NOW I KNOW THERE ARE MILLIONS OUT THERE WHO BOAST OF HEAD SHOTS .....AND NEXT TIME YOU HEAD SHOT A 100 LBER .....THINK ABOUT ME AND MY LECTURE AS YOU DRAG HIS ASS OVER THE SIDE, STRUGGLING.... AND THEN YOU BANG HIM TO THE DECK.....BRUISING YOUR LOINS....

SORT OF DEFEATS THE PURPOSE NOW DON'T IT?

HERE IS A POOR GAFF SHOT TO ME ...BY ME...http://www.wahoonbox.com/videos/poorgaff.wmv

AND HERE IS A CAMERA GAFFSHOT IN THE TOP OF THE BACK WHICH IS STILL POOR

http://www.wahoonbox.com/videos/cameragaff.wmv

[striper_on]

In my 26' I have 2. A 4'x4" is the main gaff but I do carry a 6'x6" just in case of a big eye or a mako so I can put 2 in the fish and get him on board.

[carom]

sorry, i forgot to mention that i fish a 27 WA (welcraft Coastal)...twin mercs (200HP)....i have a 4' handle 3'' (i think) hook gaff...has done the job....but.....some times when the big boys show up i would preffer to have the extra handle and the extra hook to help me gaff the beast and boat it........thread is going good....keep the ideas and imput comming......

how do you get the hook size....where do you measure??

[BTH284]

I measure the distance from the tip of the hook at 90 degrees to the shank of the hook.

[Double D]

Best thing I ever did for my gaffs was to add some extra grip ala Sea Draggin

Gaff Wrap

[PurpleGold]

Best thing I ever did for my gaffs was to add some extra grip ala Sea Draggin

Gaff Wrap

Couldn't agree more Double D. Thanks again Sea Draggin for that awesome tip!