Gaff length

[Mr. NiceGuy]

32" is not at all uncomfortable for my Outback. I have not tried 24" but that makes sense too.

You can buy a 3' gaff on a wooden pole and cut it down to whatever feels good to you.

Squidco has simple wood pole gaffs for reasonable prices.

http://www.squidcofishing.com/WOOD-HANDLE-GAFF_c9.htm

Squidco prices are so reasonable you can buy both and keep the other as a backup, or give it away as a gift.

[Mahigeer]

My gaff is an adjustable, floating one.

Best of all worlds.

About $40.00 including tax if I recall correctly.

[JohnMckroidJr]

I would probably think differently if I did not have the 6 rod tubes on the PA14, but since I do, I like to have a long light gaff. I have been experimenting with different lengths, and so far like 5'. I also prefer to buy a stainless steel hook and grind it barbless rather than buy the galvanized gaff hooks that will rust out eventually. I use light bamboo, so that if I drop the gaff it will float. Only fault to bamboo is strength....have to be mindful and gaff near the head. Mid body and aft shots can snap light bamboo on bigger fish.

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Bamboo looks cute and artistic, and it seems to be traditional.. They can be beautiful hanging on the wall as a decoration.

Maybe if I needed something extra long to reach from the deck of a boat high off the water, bamboo might be a cheap and reasonable material?

Personally, I would prefer the strength of something like a shovel handle or other tool-quality hardwood.


I wonder how "Calcutta Bamboo" ever became a popular standard in the first place? It's only bamboo.

Bamboo fishing rods once had their time and place too, but I think that time has passed.

[Harry Hill]

Bamboo fishing rods once had their time and place too, but I think that time has passed.

try to buy a good bamboo rod and you will see their time hasn't passed, it's just gotten too expensive for most of us.

Bamboo is light for it strenth and strong for it's weight.

I'm making a gaff from a 24" axe handle, I like the oval shape in my hand, it will keep the gaff straight when I strike and it will make a good priest if I need one.

[skrilla]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

I would probably think differently if I did not have the 6 rod tubes on the PA14, but since I do, I like to have a long light gaff. I have been experimenting with different lengths, and so far like 5'. I also prefer to buy a stainless steel hook and grind it barbless rather than buy the galvanized gaff hooks that will rust out eventually. I use light bamboo, so that if I drop the gaff it will float. Only fault to bamboo is strength....have to be mindful and gaff near the head. Mid body and aft shots can snap light bamboo on bigger fish.

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.

[ful-rac]

Since when did bamboo gaffs become "CUTE" ?



Bamboo is what gaffs should be made out of. Light, strong, floats, beautiful, sustainable, cheap, doesn't corrode, available world wide....why wouldn't you make one out of bamboo?

[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 ?

[Hunters Pa]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

Bamboo fishing rods once had their time and place too, but I think that time has passed.

try to buy a good bamboo rod and you will see their time hasn't passed, it's just gotten too expensive for most of us.

Bamboo is light for it strenth and strong for it's weight.

I'm making a gaff from a 24" axe handle, I like the oval shape in my hand, it will keep the gaff straight when I strike and it will make a good priest if I need one.

I had one I mde from a framing hammer handle. Really liked the feel and I got used to getting the fish in range to use it successfully.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Maybe if I needed something extra long to reach from the deck of a boat high off the water, bamboo might be a cheap and reasonable material?

Personally, I would prefer the strength of something like a shovel handle or other tool-quality hardwood.


I wonder how "Calcutta Bamboo" ever became a popular standard in the first place? It's only bamboo.

Bamboo fishing rods once had their time and place too, but I think that time has passed.

If you ever get in a situation with a large high energy fish like a tuna, mahi or wahoo, a longer gaff can shave off some fighting time -- maybe have a shot at a second fish before a school is long gone. I was glad to have a long gaff earlier this year when I had a double hook up on kingfish. Had to put one rod in a scotty holder while I reeled the other one in. The longer gaff allowed me to end the first fight sooner -- the first fish was flopping around in the kayak while I reeled in the second fish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M4r3WDw1RI

I am currently using a 6ft fiberglass rod blank that I converted into a gaff. It is heavier and harder to maneuver than my old (home depo bamboo) gaff, plus if dropped, it will sink. A shovel handle might be good for short 2' gaffs, but the longer, the harder to handle with one hand while trying to steer the fish into position with the rod in your other hand. Thank you for posting the links on the Calcutta Bamboo. I now have a better appreciation for Calcutta verses just buying any bamboo pole that might look straight, but lack the strength and flexability. Currently bamboo for gaffs and lift poles is still a simple economical solution -- I plan to make more gaffs from calcutta bamboo.