Hawaiian kage spear gaff revisted

[pingpangdang]

Digging up in the forums there were posts in 2011 and 13 regarding DIY Kage gaffs. I have not seen any videos of anyone using one in LJ.

For those that experimented on making and trying one of these I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on them now.

Looking at the HI yak videos it looked pretty legit getting fish into the yak. The spear has to be threaded to keep the fish on the spear so they stay on when you pull them into the yak.

Mainly curious to see if anyone has mastered landing an HB with a Kage maybe it's less complicated with a brain shot? Instant stunner?

Some are against kages saying there will be a bunch of fish with holes in them coming off the hook. But I think that your chance of losing a fish w/ a kage shot would increase only if you didn't have the threads that serve much like the hook on a gaff. I've seen a few videos of HBs going crazy swimming away w/ regular gaffs still stuck in them so either methods could have arguments.

I've also seen someone take 4" aluminum rod with a sharpened tip used as a harpoon. The rod had a hole drilled in the middle w/ a wire attached to it connected to the insertion handle....an old fishing rod. So essentially spear through the HB then the aluminum rod turns sideways once it goes throught the fish when the wire is pulled on. Not even sure if that is legal.

I'd rather not use any type of gaff if possible but if I hook up with an HB I don't think I have a choice right?

For YT or WSB can I just tail them? I have a kung fu grip! Maybe grab that big tail on a YT while using my shin/foot to get under it and flip him in the yak? Or is gilling better? I figure if I can hold on to the tail and lift the tail out the water it is not swimming anywhere...just would have to deal w/ the slime and shakes which I have no clue on how intense that will be.

If you have some footage using a kage on an HB or you tail leg flipped in a YT send me the video link or share your story!

Thx

[alanw]

There's no videos probably because it's illegal for everything in California except:

28.95. SPEARS, HARPOONS, AND BOW AND ARROW FISHING TACKLE. Spears, harpoons and bow and arrow fishing tackle may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays, and sharks, except white sharks. Harpoons may be used to assist in taking Pacific halibut as specified in Section 28.20.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by alanw

There's no videos probably because it's illegal for everything in California except:

28.95. SPEARS, HARPOONS, AND BOW AND ARROW FISHING TACKLE. Spears, harpoons and bow and arrow fishing tackle may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays, and sharks, except white sharks. Harpoons may be used to assist in taking Pacific halibut as specified in Section 28.20.

Answer: The kage would not be considered a gaff and thus not be legal to use as a gaff from a kayak. A gaff is defined as “… any hook with or without a handle used to assist in landing fish or to take fish in such a manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily in its mouth” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.65(d)).

A kage would be considered spearfishing gear and subject to the diving and spearfishing regulations (CCR Title 14, section 28.90). Under these regulations, you would be required to be floating or swimming in the water to use this device to take fin fish, other than those listed in this section.

It can also be considered a spear or harpoon, in which case (under CCR Title 14, section 28.95) if you were not in the water but on a kayak, boat or on the shoreline, it can only be used to take skates, rays and sharks (except white sharks). And the device can’t even be possessed on a boat when swordfish or marlin have been taken.

Per:
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.

[RedSledTeam]

Go to the Fred Hall Show and attend the "Team Sewer" Seminars. They will give you the right information

[tacmik]

I really want to be there when you tail grip a large yt or wsb, drop your leg over the side to use for leverage and watch all your gear sink to the bottom when you flip.

[StinkyMatt]

Yt a d Wsb you can use a gaff...or not...your choice.

Halibut, if you grab the gill area hard enough they go to sleep. There is some kind of a nerve that runs half way between the eye and the dorsal line which has a pressure point.

Just grip very hard, it works every time. No gaff needed, just ruins meat.

[ful-rac]

Vodka in a spray bottle will work every time!

[rossman]

Originally Posted by tacmik

I really want to be there when you tail grip a large yt or wsb, drop your leg over the side to use for leverage and watch all your gear sink to the bottom when you flip.

I've done it over 200 times in the last year. Never a problem for me.

[Phishphood]

On this note... Would tailing a Yt or wsb with a rope be of any use after you gaff it? Say, if you don't have a game clip...

[katchfish]

Phishphood, pingpangdang--this should work well for you.......

https://youtu.be/Lk6Puz_sdts

Go fish already!

[619-SWIM-DOG]

I use a Kage. Have been since I started yak fishing. I also carry a gaff on me. Kage don't seem to work well for Halibut. Just my 2 cents.

[Mr. NiceGuy]

I lost a big halibut last summer at the end of Zuniga jetty. When I tried to gaff him he went berserk. Those suckers have some strength when they decide not to cooperate. I was frustrated, to say the least, so I came home and built this whatchamacallit with a slip tip:



The matching hook gaff to make a set was for fun, and to use up some leftover materials. I like fiddling in my garage for relaxation.

In retrospect, I should have stained the wood with a dark oak penetrating oil stain, added some gnarly teeth marks or teeth, and given it the patina of age and experience. It still has the "new car smell" which just isn't right.

I haven't hooked another halibut big enough to use it since then, but it fits nicely on the right side paddle holder of my Outback as backup. Maybe when halibut see it on the side of my kayak ready to deploy they become more docile?

As my endurance for peddling my Hobie continues to build, maybe I'll pedal up to Alaska. Once we cross the border, I think it's not uncommon to shoot 'em in the head to subdue them.

The spray bottle with vodka sounds interesting. I haven't tried that yet.

[pingpangdang]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

I lost a big halibut last summer at the end of Zuniga jetty. When I tried to gaff him he went berserk. Those suckers have some strength when they decide not to cooperate. I was frustrated, to say the least, so I came home and built this whatchamacallit with a slip tip:



The matching hook gaff to make a set was for fun, and to use up some leftover materials. I like fiddling in my garage for relaxation.

In retrospect, I should have stained the wood with a dark oak penetrating oil stain, added some gnarly teeth marks or teeth, and given it the patina of age and experience. It still has the "new car smell" which just isn't right.

I haven't hooked another halibut big enough to use it since then, but it fits nicely on the right side paddle holder of my Outback as backup. Maybe when halibut see it on the side of my kayak ready to deploy they become more docile?

As my endurance for peddling my Hobie continues to build, maybe I'll pedal up to Alaska. Once we cross the border, I think it's not uncommon to shoot 'em in the head to subdue them.

The spray bottle with vodka sounds interesting. I haven't tried that yet.

Nothing like building something yourself and putting it to use...adds to the fun. Thanks for posting that.

[jorluivil]

999.999% of the kayakers have managed to land and secure their catch without the use of a kage, some have even managed to land fish without the use of a gaff. IMO you only need a gaff, a game clip and some stringers, everything else is just extra crap that you'll have to deal with.

[tamddo714]

I like to use lip grippers and hang on!!


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