Fishing net or Gaff? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

echo1er · 07-01-2012, 07:47 PM

Can't go in the water till the 20th. So Building up my armory.

I have a fishing net and a DIY gaff. But I want to have a secondary set just in case shit goes bad.

The fishing net I would like to upgrade because when I catch small halibut I don't want to mess up there fins and when they are place in the net they wrap them selves around almost killing them. I saw one that you can fold up a small compact one.

What is a good brand to buy why did you choice it?

Gaffs: saw so many types from bamboo to PVC. To 4ft to 1ft.

What is a good size to carry?

Thanks in advance.

berkeley.william · 07-01-2012, 08:16 PM

Go to sports authority they have really good extendable gaffs mine is two foot but extends to four feet

taggermike · 07-01-2012, 08:37 PM

To save the fish's fins the rubber mesh types of nets are the ones you want. The F&G regs say the net must be 18" across. As for a gaff I stay with 3' or less. It doesn't seam to matter how long your gaff is you still tend to reach out for the fish. I prefer the gaffs with the smaller hooks, 2" or so. Mike

GregAndrew · 07-01-2012, 08:55 PM

For small Halibut, I would recommend first that you try pliers without removing the fish from the water. If that is not feasible try one of the plastic lip grippers (they have a larger gripping surface area than the metal ones) to hold the fish while you remove the hook with the pliers or hook remover. A couple of tips on using the lip gripper on smaller Butts is to grip the side of the mouth, not the end, and make use of the bungee lanyard. The shape of the front of the mouth on them makes it hard to get the small throat of the plastic grippers in place without causing damage. The fish will generally go a bit ballistic when you get it clamped on too. So let them struggle against the bungee wrist lanyard instead of your firm grip also to reduce damage. They calm down in just a few seconds after the gripper is on. Also, when attempting the grip, Halibut become less sensitive to the touch of their jaw pretty quickly, so don't force the issue on the first couple of attempts on fish you will release anyway.

Get a gaff that has has a hook gap and diameter that will get enough bite and hold to land the type of fish you will target. As with any other equipment, floating is always a plus on the yak. Other than that it will be personal preference on type and length.

That is my 2 cents worth anyway.

echo1er · 07-02-2012, 03:31 PM

thanks for the info. Now off to bait and tackle shops.

capntim · 07-02-2012, 05:37 PM

Check with Hook One fishing gear out of Capastrano Beach. I got a promar colapsable net from that works great. Around $37 if I remember.
Halibut safe. They have lots of other stuff all geared towards kayak fishing. 949-248-7608.

fishsouthcounty · 07-02-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capntim

Check with Hook One fishing gear out of Capastrano Beach. I got a promar colapsable net from that works great. Around $37 if I remember.
Halibut safe. They have lots of other stuff all geared towards kayak fishing. 949-248-7608.

Karen and her husband sold hook1 i think like mid last year....i was bummed cause i live 5 minutes from them and they let me come shop their garage. Sold it to some guys who are running it from i think back east or the south. Better off checkin out the boys at one of the OEX stores probably...i got mine at Fred hall for i think 25 dollars at the turners booth.

07-01-2012, 07:47 PM	#1
echo1er Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 598	Fishing net or Gaff? Can't go in the water till the 20th. So Building up my armory. I have a fishing net and a DIY gaff. But I want to have a secondary set just in case shit goes bad. The fishing net I would like to upgrade because when I catch small halibut I don't want to mess up there fins and when they are place in the net they wrap them selves around almost killing them. I saw one that you can fold up a small compact one. What is a good brand to buy why did you choice it? Gaffs: saw so many types from bamboo to PVC. To 4ft to 1ft. What is a good size to carry? Thanks in advance.

07-01-2012, 08:16 PM	#2
berkeley.william THRESHER Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista, Ca Posts: 37	Go to sports authority they have really good extendable gaffs mine is two foot but extends to four feet

07-01-2012, 08:37 PM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	To save the fish's fins the rubber mesh types of nets are the ones you want. The F&G regs say the net must be 18" across. As for a gaff I stay with 3' or less. It doesn't seam to matter how long your gaff is you still tend to reach out for the fish. I prefer the gaffs with the smaller hooks, 2" or so. Mike

07-01-2012, 08:55 PM	#4
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	For small Halibut, I would recommend first that you try pliers without removing the fish from the water. If that is not feasible try one of the plastic lip grippers (they have a larger gripping surface area than the metal ones) to hold the fish while you remove the hook with the pliers or hook remover. A couple of tips on using the lip gripper on smaller Butts is to grip the side of the mouth, not the end, and make use of the bungee lanyard. The shape of the front of the mouth on them makes it hard to get the small throat of the plastic grippers in place without causing damage. The fish will generally go a bit ballistic when you get it clamped on too. So let them struggle against the bungee wrist lanyard instead of your firm grip also to reduce damage. They calm down in just a few seconds after the gripper is on. Also, when attempting the grip, Halibut become less sensitive to the touch of their jaw pretty quickly, so don't force the issue on the first couple of attempts on fish you will release anyway. Get a gaff that has has a hook gap and diameter that will get enough bite and hold to land the type of fish you will target. As with any other equipment, floating is always a plus on the yak. Other than that it will be personal preference on type and length. That is my 2 cents worth anyway.

07-02-2012, 03:31 PM	#5
echo1er Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 598	thanks for the info. Now off to bait and tackle shops.

07-02-2012, 05:37 PM	#6
capntim Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Laguna Hills Posts: 115	Check with Hook One fishing gear out of Capastrano Beach. I got a promar colapsable net from that works great. Around $37 if I remember. Halibut safe. They have lots of other stuff all geared towards kayak fishing. 949-248-7608.