Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge - View Single Post

Mr. NiceGuy · 10-07-2015, 10:05 PM

I bought another gaff hook today myself and I have some questions:

What is a 2", 2.5", 3" ... etc.? I assume you are measuring the opening?

Gaff hooks come as 1, 2, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 .... etc. They also come with longer or shorter shank lengths, and thinner or thicker diameter rod.

The hook I bought at Squidco today for $6 says 2/0. It has a 2 1/2" gap between the point of the hook and the shaft. I bought the longer shank for a total length of 8". It looks like the first photo below.

I would also like to know the importance of the bend at the beginning of the hook that determines the angle of the point relative to the wood shaft we are mounting the hook on.

The first hook looks like it's about 20-25 degrees out from the shaft. The second hook looks like it's about 45 degrees.

Anyone know if there is a functional difference?

---

A few more ideas I've learned from making a few gaffs:

If you want to wrap your handles, #550 paracord from Amazon Prime is $8.59 for 100'
http://www.amazon.com/Paracord-Plane...s=paracord+550

The starting wrap is easy to overlap the tag end. Here's a way to finish off the other tag end with a reverse wrap loop that gets the second tag end about 5 wraps deep:
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ht=gaff+bamboo

Wrap it tight, push the wraps together, then twist it in the direction of the wrap to cinch it down tight. Saturate the cord with Marine Varnish (better grip) or clear epoxy (stronger but loses texture and looks more like a gel coat)

Personally, I like a simple straight wrap at the hook end, and a half-hitch spiral wrap at the handling end. If the wood is old, gnarly, shapely and/or ornamental, it might look better without the paracord wrap.

Adapting your handle from an old hardwood shovel handle looks great. If it looks too bulky at the hook end, shave it down on a belt sander to a proportion you like. A strong hiking stick with a root ball knob on the end would look cool but it might not fit in a rod holder. I keep my gaff in the first rod holder behind me on my right, so that's a diameter limitation for the knob, club or butt cap end of your design. There are all kinds of strong wood poles from yesteryear available at yard sales that look great and have the patina of age.

Finish with several coats of Marine Varnish. I use McCloskey gloss.

10-07-2015, 10:05 PM	#2
Mr. NiceGuy Manic for Life Join Date: May 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 839	I bought another gaff hook today myself and I have some questions: What is a 2", 2.5", 3" ... etc.? I assume you are measuring the opening? Gaff hooks come as 1, 2, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 .... etc. They also come with longer or shorter shank lengths, and thinner or thicker diameter rod. The hook I bought at Squidco today for $6 says 2/0. It has a 2 1/2" gap between the point of the hook and the shaft. I bought the longer shank for a total length of 8". It looks like the first photo below. I would also like to know the importance of the bend at the beginning of the hook that determines the angle of the point relative to the wood shaft we are mounting the hook on. The first hook looks like it's about 20-25 degrees out from the shaft. The second hook looks like it's about 45 degrees. Anyone know if there is a functional difference? --- A few more ideas I've learned from making a few gaffs: If you want to wrap your handles, #550 paracord from Amazon Prime is $8.59 for 100' http://www.amazon.com/Paracord-Plane...s=paracord+550 The starting wrap is easy to overlap the tag end. Here's a way to finish off the other tag end with a reverse wrap loop that gets the second tag end about 5 wraps deep: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ht=gaff+bamboo Wrap it tight, push the wraps together, then twist it in the direction of the wrap to cinch it down tight. Saturate the cord with Marine Varnish (better grip) or clear epoxy (stronger but loses texture and looks more like a gel coat) Personally, I like a simple straight wrap at the hook end, and a half-hitch spiral wrap at the handling end. If the wood is old, gnarly, shapely and/or ornamental, it might look better without the paracord wrap. Adapting your handle from an old hardwood shovel handle looks great. If it looks too bulky at the hook end, shave it down on a belt sander to a proportion you like. A strong hiking stick with a root ball knob on the end would look cool but it might not fit in a rod holder. I keep my gaff in the first rod holder behind me on my right, so that's a diameter limitation for the knob, club or butt cap end of your design. There are all kinds of strong wood poles from yesteryear available at yard sales that look great and have the patina of age. Finish with several coats of Marine Varnish. I use McCloskey gloss. __________________ Another ho-hum day in Paradise Last edited by Mr. NiceGuy; 10-07-2015 at 10:39 PM.