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

TheSherThang · 07-23-2008, 08:31 AM

Definitely get a gaff as you never know what you might get into. You can make your own out of a gaff hook and broom handle, go the cheaper route as above, or get a promar floating one that extends. I made my own

FISHIONADO · 07-23-2008, 08:54 AM

I keep an 18" folding net in my hatch because I understand it is required by the DFG but I have never used it. A gaff is very useful for La Jolla, pulling in big fish, de-hooking sharks, and tourist control. I only release fish that are short or taste bad.

dsafety · 07-23-2008, 09:00 AM

You are lucky Fishionado, or maybe just a good fisher. It seems that I only catch shorts or fish that taste bad so just about everything gets released. I am getting really good at catching bait, however.

Bob

tylerdurden · 07-23-2008, 09:09 AM

Gaff. No question. If it is small enough to use a net, just grab it with your hands. If it is too big to net, gaff it to keep it, or just grab it to release. I have never used a net on the kayak, ever. I think they would add more complication than needed.

DFG regs require a net, but everytime I've been checked by an agent the subject never came up.

Billy V · 07-23-2008, 10:15 AM

I seem to have collected a bunch of different gaffs over time.

The little cheapie from West Marine is hard to beat, although I did spring for a promar floating gaff @ OEX this year just because it looked cool $30

The cheap one works just as well unless you are going to gaff a big shark.

I have this 12" aluminum gaff that I bought 20 years ago that is my favorite.

dsafety · 07-23-2008, 10:31 AM

Billy,

Are those point guards homemade or do they come with the gaffs? If homemade, what do you use?

Bob

Billy V · 07-23-2008, 10:48 AM

They are homemade from clear 3/8" vinyl tubing I bought from Homedepot.

The short gaff has 1/4"

tylerdurden · 07-23-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy V

...

The cheap one works just as well unless you are going to gaff a big shark...

Don't gaff a big shark. Tail rope and knife the gills. A big shark will got ballastic as soon as it gets stuck. Tail rope a mako though and it will turn on itself and bite through the rope, at least someone else found that one out.

Handymansd · 07-23-2008, 01:24 PM

You definitely need a gaff for game fish. A Boca grip can work for butts, but a gaff is a very useful tool when used properly for YT, WSB, and Butts. It is also helpful releasing sharks, rays etc. And as Dave pointed out... it is extremely useful for tourist crowd control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdurden

Don't gaff a big shark. Tail rope and knife the gills. A big shark will got ballastic as soon as it gets stuck. Tail rope a mako though and it will turn on itself and bite through the rope, at least someone else found that one out.

Better the rope than an arm!

07-23-2008, 09:09 AM	#4
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	Gaff. No question. If it is small enough to use a net, just grab it with your hands. If it is too big to net, gaff it to keep it, or just grab it to release. I have never used a net on the kayak, ever. I think they would add more complication than needed. DFG regs require a net, but everytime I've been checked by an agent the subject never came up. __________________ MLPA, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Let the Fish and Game Commission know what you think about the proposed maps. Be ready for December 9th and 10th.

07-23-2008, 08:31 AM	#1
TheSherThang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 82	Definitely get a gaff as you never know what you might get into. You can make your own out of a gaff hook and broom handle, go the cheaper route as above, or get a promar floating one that extends. I made my own

07-23-2008, 08:54 AM	#2
FISHIONADO Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 698	I keep an 18" folding net in my hatch because I understand it is required by the DFG but I have never used it. A gaff is very useful for La Jolla, pulling in big fish, de-hooking sharks, and tourist control. I only release fish that are short or taste bad.

07-23-2008, 09:00 AM	#3
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	You are lucky Fishionado, or maybe just a good fisher. It seems that I only catch shorts or fish that taste bad so just about everything gets released. I am getting really good at catching bait, however. Bob

07-23-2008, 10:15 AM	#5
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	I seem to have collected a bunch of different gaffs over time. The little cheapie from West Marine is hard to beat, although I did spring for a promar floating gaff @ OEX this year just because it looked cool $30 The cheap one works just as well unless you are going to gaff a big shark. I have this 12" aluminum gaff that I bought 20 years ago that is my favorite.

07-23-2008, 10:31 AM	#6
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	Billy, Are those point guards homemade or do they come with the gaffs? If homemade, what do you use? Bob

07-23-2008, 10:48 AM	#7
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	They are homemade from clear 3/8" vinyl tubing I bought from Homedepot. The short gaff has 1/4"