Gaffing fish

[Jimmyz123]

O.K. I know the key to the gaffing of a fish is to get the fish gaffed so it won't break off. Does anyone besides me aim for the head to avoid belly gaffing a fish?

I see deckhands on the charter boats belly gaffing YFT, Albies, DODOs, and whatever else they are catching. It always makes me wonder if anyone is trying to teach those guys the right way to gaff a fish. Am I just being picky or do you guys also focus on where you gaff.

[dorado50]

Place your gaff wherever you want to get your fish aboard. I do not gaff fish wherever there is any edible meat. Any place two inches behind the gills is out for me.Not a good idea to aim for gill plate cause the gaff will probably bounce off.Go for the soft meat around the gills. I used to aim for the eye (on advise from a mentor)and had pretty good results then. After awhile you will be able to familiarize yourself with where the soft places to gaff a fish are. A good gaff shot is the same as making a birdy putt to finish off the round. You go away happy....

[old_rookie]

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...highlight=gaff

Be sure to watch the video. Not sure if that video has only one technique shown, but he has a video with three techniques.

[Jimmyz123]

I have to sharpen my gaff a little before I go out, I'll do that this weekend, but I'm doing that with the feeling that I'll be gaffing something big here soon.

[mtnbykr2]

gaffing the feesh is a very important part, in the grand scheme of things,
the pressure is on at that point, a swing and a miss could result in your
din din swimming away, I feel it is 2x the pressure when gaffing someone elses fish...like a PB halibut, on a yak...hopefully those gaffs are sharp and ready to dig when the time comes.
I hope everyone here has to use it this weekend...or the next time out on the water...

[deepdvr]

One suggestion Jimmy, when you get your chance, hold the gaff between you and the fish with the hook pointed away from you. I see guys all the time try to gaff the fish from the far side with the hook pointed back at the yak and its pretty comical....until the fish breaks off.

[Bigmarv]

Hey follow Anglers, This is the easiest and safest way to make an Hawaiian Kage. Buy a gaff with a 316 grade stainless steel hook. Make sure that the hook has a 5/16 diameter or greater. Borrow a mallet, (steel/copper) pipe, and a piece of 2 by 4 from a buddy. Well, you know the rest. Good Luck FYI, You must only use 316 grade stainless steel (For health reasons)