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

flip4i · 08-27-2008, 04:03 PM

Thanks for all the input everyone. With this new information. I think its best to go with an adjustable to be able to play around with my preference.

SESSAGAFF · 07-02-2009, 01:18 PM

all titamium mine float no worries about them sinking

SESSAGAFF · 07-02-2009, 01:34 PM

a problem with the hook size and the opeing on the hook i watched a video this dude had to gaff it 3 times before he got it mine is 2 foot flocked grip custom hook with a swinging barb

h2ofishfo · 07-02-2009, 03:00 PM

THATS WHY I MASTERED THE ART OF THE GILL GRAB BECAUSE MY HAND COULD NEVER GET LOST IT CAN SWIM & IS FREE ONCE U GET YOUR HAND IN THERE ITS D-U-N

EFISH · 07-02-2009, 08:21 PM

I had one that was about 18in. loved it for all the reasons described by D50. Prefect and solid placement every time, (almost every time). I was fishing LJ during a yellowtail run when it happened. Hooked into a nice fish and during it's first run I reached back, got the gaff out placed it in a rod holder behind me and took off the rubber ball that guards the point. Same thing I always do. Got the fish to color after a short fight and reached back for the gaff. OUCH!!!! Put the point right into the back of my hand. The meat part that goes between the thumb and pointer. Just the weight of it was enough to almost go through both sides. That was fun to pull out. Good thing no barb!! Yes I got the fish. My first LJ yellow 19lbs..
You would have thought that would have learned after that. NOPE, about 2 months goes buy the hand heals and I happen upon a wsb bite. Bouncing an iron I get hammered and know i'm on a quality fish, nice 10min fight just to get it's head turned start gaining some line back and get it under me but can't see it. Reach back grab the gaff, put it in the holder with the ball off and go back to fighting the fish. Took a little longer then I thought

Oh man toad!!! Spin back to grab the gaff and sure enough in all the excitement I did it again

Oh shit this time I put it right into the top of my wrist and into the tendon. About half inch or so. Let out a few choice words, I think I scared the wsb because it went from almost belly up to thrashing up a storm. Pulled the gaff from my wrist and sunk it into my personal best 49.8lbs. The wrist took about 2 1/2 months to heal this time and left some scar tissue. In that time I went out and had a new gaff made, 3 feet which is long enough to snag fish and keep it under control. It also keeps the hook out of my way when I spin for it in the heat of battle. I've been fishing out of my yak for more than 15 years and i've never done that before. Lesson learned before I put one all the way through!!!!!!!

Peace Out
EFISH

Law Hand · 07-02-2009, 09:07 PM

Lets see this SESSAGAFF. I see you posting on all the forums but no pics.

SESSAGAFF · 07-06-2009, 09:22 AM

got a bomb ass new camera to so ill have better pics for ya

-scallywag- · 07-07-2009, 08:41 AM

do you really need a gaff to land big fish??? unless im fishing deep in the kelp or for hali's, i leave the extendo gaff at home...i like the challenge and the safety of not having a gaff onboard, i like handling the fish, gently removing the hook and letting them go, or when i do catch that trophey grab it by the gills, slam it on the deck, get it in a figure4 and rip its gills out (big hali;s being the exception)....as for the safety part just look at all those gaffs in the tournament wipe-out photos....scary.

dorado50 · 07-07-2009, 09:04 AM

I have brought in both a wsb and yt by the gills and don't ever want to do it again. Really rakes the hands,ok for the moment but next few days not so cool. Not being a fan of long gaffs,I opt for shorter ones,no more than 24" and I perfer the 18" one. Large and long gaffs are a minus imo, just another item to help in the loss of a fish. A shorter gaff gives one much more control over the situation and does not hinder you by getting in the way. Having a gaff on board without a point protecter(rubber tip,cork,whatever)is just plain stupid.Some guys are out there waiting for an accident to happen......

trob · 07-08-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SESSAGAFF

all titamium mine float no worries about them sinking

just a shade under a year old

07-02-2009, 01:18 PM	#2
SESSAGAFF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ventura ,ca Posts: 44	1 to 2 foot all titamium mine float no worries about them sinking

07-02-2009, 01:34 PM	#3
SESSAGAFF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ventura ,ca Posts: 44	i dont see a problem with thew length i see a problem with the hook size and the opeing on the hook i watched a video this dude had to gaff it 3 times before he got it mine is 2 foot flocked grip custom hook with a swinging barb

07-06-2009, 09:22 AM	#7
SESSAGAFF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ventura ,ca Posts: 44	just sent out my last 10 on the weeknd making a new batch by this wed got a bomb ass new camera to so ill have better pics for ya

08-27-2008, 04:03 PM	#1
flip4i Junior Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11	Thanks for all the input everyone. With this new information. I think its best to go with an adjustable to be able to play around with my preference.

07-02-2009, 03:00 PM	#4
h2ofishfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 821	THATS WHY I MASTERED THE ART OF THE GILL GRAB BECAUSE MY HAND COULD NEVER GET LOST IT CAN SWIM & IS FREE ONCE U GET YOUR HAND IN THERE ITS D-U-N

07-02-2009, 08:21 PM	#5
EFISH Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: in my head Posts: 31	I had one that was about 18in. loved it for all the reasons described by D50. Prefect and solid placement every time, (almost every time). I was fishing LJ during a yellowtail run when it happened. Hooked into a nice fish and during it's first run I reached back, got the gaff out placed it in a rod holder behind me and took off the rubber ball that guards the point. Same thing I always do. Got the fish to color after a short fight and reached back for the gaff. OUCH!!!! Put the point right into the back of my hand. The meat part that goes between the thumb and pointer. Just the weight of it was enough to almost go through both sides. That was fun to pull out. Good thing no barb!! Yes I got the fish. My first LJ yellow 19lbs.. You would have thought that would have learned after that. NOPE, about 2 months goes buy the hand heals and I happen upon a wsb bite. Bouncing an iron I get hammered and know i'm on a quality fish, nice 10min fight just to get it's head turned start gaining some line back and get it under me but can't see it. Reach back grab the gaff, put it in the holder with the ball off and go back to fighting the fish. Took a little longer then I thought Oh man toad!!! Spin back to grab the gaff and sure enough in all the excitement I did it again Oh shit this time I put it right into the top of my wrist and into the tendon. About half inch or so. Let out a few choice words, I think I scared the wsb because it went from almost belly up to thrashing up a storm. Pulled the gaff from my wrist and sunk it into my personal best 49.8lbs. The wrist took about 2 1/2 months to heal this time and left some scar tissue. In that time I went out and had a new gaff made, 3 feet which is long enough to snag fish and keep it under control. It also keeps the hook out of my way when I spin for it in the heat of battle. I've been fishing out of my yak for more than 15 years and i've never done that before. Lesson learned before I put one all the way through!!!!!!! Peace Out EFISH

07-02-2009, 09:07 PM	#6
Law Hand Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Lets see this SESSAGAFF. I see you posting on all the forums but no pics.

07-07-2009, 08:41 AM	#8
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	do you really need a gaff to land big fish??? unless im fishing deep in the kelp or for hali's, i leave the extendo gaff at home...i like the challenge and the safety of not having a gaff onboard, i like handling the fish, gently removing the hook and letting them go, or when i do catch that trophey grab it by the gills, slam it on the deck, get it in a figure4 and rip its gills out (big hali;s being the exception)....as for the safety part just look at all those gaffs in the tournament wipe-out photos....scary.

07-07-2009, 09:04 AM	#9
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	I have brought in both a wsb and yt by the gills and don't ever want to do it again. Really rakes the hands,ok for the moment but next few days not so cool. Not being a fan of long gaffs,I opt for shorter ones,no more than 24" and I perfer the 18" one. Large and long gaffs are a minus imo, just another item to help in the loss of a fish. A shorter gaff gives one much more control over the situation and does not hinder you by getting in the way. Having a gaff on board without a point protecter(rubber tip,cork,whatever)is just plain stupid.Some guys are out there waiting for an accident to happen......