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

Jimmyz123 · 01-31-2011, 11:18 AM

I'm with you on that. As I was watching him pinpoint his strike I was like, I could of had that thing gaffed and in the boat already. I think I'll stay with the old Gaff style.

Siebler · 01-31-2011, 12:40 PM

On fish like Wahoo I could see using the spear as it helps keep the head and teeth of the fish away from you however on something like a YT you dont need to worry about that. Just sink the gaff into the top of the head and call it a day.

GregAndrew · 01-31-2011, 02:10 PM

I would agree that on a boat, where you have to get the fish completely out of the water and over the rail, a belly gaff on a big Halibut may not be the right choice. For yak fishing though, since all we need to do is control the fish, I recommend a belly gaff at any size California Halibut. They pretty much go limp except for their bite reflex (which I found out the hard way), and stay that way until you remove the gaff and lower them into the water. Not sure if this holds true for smaller fish or if you are trying to beat them senseless while on the gaff. I use a Boga type gripper on anything under 8# and only pop a gill for better bleeding on fish I intend to keep (but be prepared for some thrashing if you do this).

On that Hawaiian thing, does it matter if you use metric or standard rod? And what if the rod is standard and the fish is metric?

T Bone · 01-31-2011, 03:44 PM

One of the WSB I caught last year was all wrapped in kelp and came up vertical and stopped a few feet short of the surface.I spazzed,reached real far and gaffed the loin,above the lateral line.I ruined a few good steaks...

01-31-2011, 12:40 PM	#2
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	On fish like Wahoo I could see using the spear as it helps keep the head and teeth of the fish away from you however on something like a YT you dont need to worry about that. Just sink the gaff into the top of the head and call it a day. __________________ CJ Siebler

01-31-2011, 03:44 PM	#4
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	One of the WSB I caught last year was all wrapped in kelp and came up vertical and stopped a few feet short of the surface.I spazzed,reached real far and gaffed the loin,above the lateral line.I ruined a few good steaks... __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

01-31-2011, 11:18 AM	#1
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	I'm with you on that. As I was watching him pinpoint his strike I was like, I could of had that thing gaffed and in the boat already. I think I'll stay with the old Gaff style.

01-31-2011, 02:10 PM	#3
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	I would agree that on a boat, where you have to get the fish completely out of the water and over the rail, a belly gaff on a big Halibut may not be the right choice. For yak fishing though, since all we need to do is control the fish, I recommend a belly gaff at any size California Halibut. They pretty much go limp except for their bite reflex (which I found out the hard way), and stay that way until you remove the gaff and lower them into the water. Not sure if this holds true for smaller fish or if you are trying to beat them senseless while on the gaff. I use a Boga type gripper on anything under 8# and only pop a gill for better bleeding on fish I intend to keep (but be prepared for some thrashing if you do this). On that Hawaiian thing, does it matter if you use metric or standard rod? And what if the rod is standard and the fish is metric?