Gaff length

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by skrilla

Out here we use calcutta bamboo. Heavier than your backyard variety but stronger and yes it still floats. I have a few sets getting used and abused on the local sportboats and non have broke. The Mustad gaff hooks have developed some surface rust ( they live on deck 24-7-365 ) but still have years of life left. I imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of fish have been landed on em. I'm sure they've got more than their money's worth out of those things by now.

My personal gaffs barely have any surface rust. A freshwater rinse, towel dry, and a coat of cooking oil once in awhile goes a long way.

Thanks for pointing out the significance of Calcutta Bamboo. If I coated my galvanized gaff hooks with cooking oil and washed them with fresh water, probably would not have rusted up. Since I am abusive on this, I'll keep using ground down barb stainless steel hooks, unless you know of a manufacturer of stainless steel gaff hooks ?

[Mr. NiceGuy]

These are more expensive than the basic $6-7 copy of a Mustad gaff hook, but they look pretty nice:
http://www.amazon.com/Shurhold-1804-...eel+gaff+hooks

I was pleased with the commercial quality of Danielson brand hardware I bought recently to make my halibut straight gaff with slip tip. The marine quality stainless steel was quite heavy duty and beautifully polished. It was better than I expected.

Here's another gaff that looks interesting for the price, handle shape and material. The nicely turned handle doubles as a club. At 32" it's a convenient kayak size.
http://www.amazon.com/Danielson-Gaff...lson+gaff+hook

Personally, I would drill the end of the handle to hold a nylon wrist cord and tether point, and it looks like the wood edges could be sanded down a little for a more finished look. I would also spend a little more time to taper smooth and sharpen the tip over the straight angle bevel it comes with out of the box.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

http://www.amazon.com/Shurhold-1804-...eel+gaff+hooks


Here's another gaff that looks interesting for the price, handle shape and material. The nicely turned handle doubles as a club. At 32" it's a convenient kayak size.
http://www.amazon.com/Danielson-Gaff...lson+gaff+hook

Seen both prior, not what I'm looking for. If you can find a link for just the normal style gaff hook in stainless , without the heavy sleave -- post it. Thanks for looking.