Gaffing fish - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 01-30-2011, 08:08 PM

The Spear Gaff sounds interesting. I would like to see some our more seasoned guys give it a try before considering to jump on board, however. Who is going to be the beta tester?

If this device works, someone could turn making these into a nice little cottage business. Material cost $8 plus a little labor, retail, $24.99.

Bob

wade · 01-30-2011, 10:50 PM

your adreneline WILL be pumping, take a second to compose yourself and not swing wildly..
you could unbutton a hook quite easily..
(I have had a few fly lined surface yellows hooks fall out of the hard roof of a yellows mouths once finially decked..)

not perfect... but...

or make em do a lap around the yak, and grab em by their motor
(gaff-less).

Good Luck Jimmy!

taggermike · 01-31-2011, 08:27 AM

Different fish require different gaffing shots I have found. Since I haven't yet caught a damn wsb I'll leave them out. YT come to the boat tired and are fairly easy to gaff. I like the under the the fish shot because if you do miss you're less likely to snag your line. For the YT I like to aim around or in front of the pelvic fins. That area between the pelvic fins and gills holds well and when you pull in to the YT is spins them over on thier backs. I have no proof but that seams to disorient them a bit. Halibut are the worst fish to gaff I have ever encountered. They're not tired and always seam to be waiting for a chance to freak the hell out. I got some hali gaffing advice from Capt. Ron Baker, who I think has gaffed more flatties over the years than all of us put together. He said he hits the small to medium sizes right in the gutts. He believes it sort of paralyzes them and ruins no meat. When he gaffs a bigger model he aims for the shoulder. It tears some meat but is the best holding area if they do start to freak. So far these techniques have worked for me on halis from 5 to 37Lbs. I do have to say there are better shot than others but the ones that get the fish in the boat are best. Mike

sterling · 01-31-2011, 08:37 AM

Mike is right on with the Hali shot to the guts. I gaffed a 7# model from my kayak. I was really nervous about it anticipating the freak out. I hit him in the guts, (completly by accident). The bugger didn't make another move. I bled the gills and clipped him up. While paddling back in he did kick a few times and that was it.

Siebler · 01-31-2011, 09:10 AM

The best way to gaff fish is actually going to be with the hook point down, reach the gaff over the fish and just pull it in. It doesnt take a huge wound up jerk to get the fish on the gaff and there really is NO reason to miss a fish on the kayak, you are 2 feet away from it. If you work the gaff as I just said you wont miss.

Also dont reach for the fish, just get it to circle back to you until you can reach easily. When you reach you miss or you hurt yourself (my shoulder is proof of this from decking on tuna boats),

For YT and WSB (along with tuna and such) a head shot is great. For halis a gut shot will help calm them, Dorado a collar shot is best as the head is too hard and the other areas the flesh tears easily.

Just as Mike said about the Capt Rons techniques, This guy has dealt with more fish than most of us will ever dream of. I was lucky to learn most of what I know working for him.

01-30-2011, 10:50 PM	#2
wade Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,214	your adreneline WILL be pumping, take a second to compose yourself and not swing wildly.. you could unbutton a hook quite easily.. (I have had a few fly lined surface yellows hooks fall out of the hard roof of a yellows mouths once finially decked..) not perfect... but... or make em do a lap around the yak, and grab em by their motor (gaff-less). Good Luck Jimmy! __________________

01-31-2011, 09:10 AM	#5
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	The best way to gaff fish is actually going to be with the hook point down, reach the gaff over the fish and just pull it in. It doesnt take a huge wound up jerk to get the fish on the gaff and there really is NO reason to miss a fish on the kayak, you are 2 feet away from it. If you work the gaff as I just said you wont miss. Also dont reach for the fish, just get it to circle back to you until you can reach easily. When you reach you miss or you hurt yourself (my shoulder is proof of this from decking on tuna boats), For YT and WSB (along with tuna and such) a head shot is great. For halis a gut shot will help calm them, Dorado a collar shot is best as the head is too hard and the other areas the flesh tears easily. Just as Mike said about the Capt Rons techniques, This guy has dealt with more fish than most of us will ever dream of. I was lucky to learn most of what I know working for him. __________________ CJ Siebler

01-30-2011, 08:08 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	The Spear Gaff sounds interesting. I would like to see some our more seasoned guys give it a try before considering to jump on board, however. Who is going to be the beta tester? If this device works, someone could turn making these into a nice little cottage business. Material cost $8 plus a little labor, retail, $24.99. Bob

01-31-2011, 08:27 AM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Different fish require different gaffing shots I have found. Since I haven't yet caught a damn wsb I'll leave them out. YT come to the boat tired and are fairly easy to gaff. I like the under the the fish shot because if you do miss you're less likely to snag your line. For the YT I like to aim around or in front of the pelvic fins. That area between the pelvic fins and gills holds well and when you pull in to the YT is spins them over on thier backs. I have no proof but that seams to disorient them a bit. Halibut are the worst fish to gaff I have ever encountered. They're not tired and always seam to be waiting for a chance to freak the hell out. I got some hali gaffing advice from Capt. Ron Baker, who I think has gaffed more flatties over the years than all of us put together. He said he hits the small to medium sizes right in the gutts. He believes it sort of paralyzes them and ruins no meat. When he gaffs a bigger model he aims for the shoulder. It tears some meat but is the best holding area if they do start to freak. So far these techniques have worked for me on halis from 5 to 37Lbs. I do have to say there are better shot than others but the ones that get the fish in the boat are best. Mike

01-31-2011, 08:37 AM	#4
sterling Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 118	Mike is right on with the Hali shot to the guts. I gaffed a 7# model from my kayak. I was really nervous about it anticipating the freak out. I hit him in the guts, (completly by accident). The bugger didn't make another move. I bled the gills and clipped him up. While paddling back in he did kick a few times and that was it.