Gaffing fish - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 01-31-2011, 08:27 AM

Different fish require different gaffing shots I have found. Since I haven't yet caught a damn wsb I'll leave them out. YT come to the boat tired and are fairly easy to gaff. I like the under the the fish shot because if you do miss you're less likely to snag your line. For the YT I like to aim around or in front of the pelvic fins. That area between the pelvic fins and gills holds well and when you pull in to the YT is spins them over on thier backs. I have no proof but that seams to disorient them a bit. Halibut are the worst fish to gaff I have ever encountered. They're not tired and always seam to be waiting for a chance to freak the hell out. I got some hali gaffing advice from Capt. Ron Baker, who I think has gaffed more flatties over the years than all of us put together. He said he hits the small to medium sizes right in the gutts. He believes it sort of paralyzes them and ruins no meat. When he gaffs a bigger model he aims for the shoulder. It tears some meat but is the best holding area if they do start to freak. So far these techniques have worked for me on halis from 5 to 37Lbs. I do have to say there are better shot than others but the ones that get the fish in the boat are best. Mike

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01-31-2011, 08:27 AM	#32
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Different fish require different gaffing shots I have found. Since I haven't yet caught a damn wsb I'll leave them out. YT come to the boat tired and are fairly easy to gaff. I like the under the the fish shot because if you do miss you're less likely to snag your line. For the YT I like to aim around or in front of the pelvic fins. That area between the pelvic fins and gills holds well and when you pull in to the YT is spins them over on thier backs. I have no proof but that seams to disorient them a bit. Halibut are the worst fish to gaff I have ever encountered. They're not tired and always seam to be waiting for a chance to freak the hell out. I got some hali gaffing advice from Capt. Ron Baker, who I think has gaffed more flatties over the years than all of us put together. He said he hits the small to medium sizes right in the gutts. He believes it sort of paralyzes them and ruins no meat. When he gaffs a bigger model he aims for the shoulder. It tears some meat but is the best holding area if they do start to freak. So far these techniques have worked for me on halis from 5 to 37Lbs. I do have to say there are better shot than others but the ones that get the fish in the boat are best. Mike