How Do You Do Yours? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

PapaDave · 02-09-2017, 06:28 AM

Pretty much the same, except on the left side and I don't try to chase it down. I've found the if the fish takes off to the side I raise the rudder and hold the pole straight out to the front of the kayak so the fish will turn the kayak towards it. I find this to be easier than trying to steer.

jruiz · 02-09-2017, 07:31 AM

Overhanded and with the other hand I do a blooming flower motion....oh you mean fighting a fish. Pretty much the same but the preference is to my left side, but I move the fish to the right side when I see color. Gaff, game clip, stringer, unhook, bleed, club, and sometimes I brain the fish.

Denis_Ruso · 02-09-2017, 07:40 AM

Now that you mention it, landing fish in a hobie sounds way easier.

I usually have to tire the fish out

, until its doing circles on the left side, bring it to about a foot below the water, keep tension on the line, loosen the drag a tad bit, grab my gaff with my left hand and pull the fish within 6"-0" of the surface and sink the gaff directly into its eyeball.

Iceman · 02-09-2017, 08:37 AM

I never clear the lines, I thrive on chaos

this usually culminates into that other line draping over the line just ahead of the tip top as I wait for it get sucked in and wound onto the reel..........but so far that has never happened.

Always fight the fish on the left side and gaff with the left hand. Choke up on the rod with the right to get fish in range. YT I always try to lead em in a circle and stick em as they come from under the boat, head shot or the gill area, maybe belly if in a panic......same for the rare opportunity to stick a tuna. WSB, easy gaff usually belly to not put a big hole in the prime meat. halibut in the shoulder to hopefully stun them.

Iceman · 02-09-2017, 08:41 AM

LOL

that vid cracked me up. Sometimes that fish's destiny is preordained to become dinner no matter what.

FullFlavorPike · 02-09-2017, 09:12 AM

Fish on the left, gaff in the right hand so it's easier to pull him right into the boat and pin him down in a figure four like Ric Flair.

GregAndrew · 02-09-2017, 10:44 AM

Steve, that video is a classic depiction of why you should use your dominant hand to gaff the fish. Any hand is capable of pushing the rod away (to get the fish close). But few have the hand/eye coordination required to make a precise gaff shot with their off hand.

I prefer to not gaff hard, as that is likely to make the fish freak out. I target softer areas on most of my keepers. That allows me to make a short firm pull and not bounce the fish on the gaff.

02-09-2017, 06:28 AM	#1
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,475	Pretty much the same, except on the left side and I don't try to chase it down. I've found the if the fish takes off to the side I raise the rudder and hold the pole straight out to the front of the kayak so the fish will turn the kayak towards it. I find this to be easier than trying to steer. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

02-09-2017, 07:40 AM	#3
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	Now that you mention it, landing fish in a hobie sounds way easier. I usually have to tire the fish out, until its doing circles on the left side, bring it to about a foot below the water, keep tension on the line, loosen the drag a tad bit, grab my gaff with my left hand and pull the fish within 6"-0" of the surface and sink the gaff directly into its eyeball. __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

02-09-2017, 08:37 AM	#4
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	I never clear the lines, I thrive on chaos this usually culminates into that other line draping over the line just ahead of the tip top as I wait for it get sucked in and wound onto the reel..........but so far that has never happened. Always fight the fish on the left side and gaff with the left hand. Choke up on the rod with the right to get fish in range. YT I always try to lead em in a circle and stick em as they come from under the boat, head shot or the gill area, maybe belly if in a panic......same for the rare opportunity to stick a tuna. WSB, easy gaff usually belly to not put a big hole in the prime meat. halibut in the shoulder to hopefully stun them. __________________

02-09-2017, 08:41 AM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	LOL that vid cracked me up. Sometimes that fish's destiny is preordained to become dinner no matter what. __________________

02-09-2017, 07:31 AM	#2
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	Overhanded and with the other hand I do a blooming flower motion....oh you mean fighting a fish. Pretty much the same but the preference is to my left side, but I move the fish to the right side when I see color. Gaff, game clip, stringer, unhook, bleed, club, and sometimes I brain the fish.

02-09-2017, 09:12 AM	#6
FullFlavorPike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 811	Fish on the left, gaff in the right hand so it's easier to pull him right into the boat and pin him down in a figure four like Ric Flair.

02-09-2017, 10:44 AM	#7
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Steve, that video is a classic depiction of why you should use your dominant hand to gaff the fish. Any hand is capable of pushing the rod away (to get the fish close). But few have the hand/eye coordination required to make a precise gaff shot with their off hand. I prefer to not gaff hard, as that is likely to make the fish freak out. I target softer areas on most of my keepers. That allows me to make a short firm pull and not bounce the fish on the gaff.