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

flip4i · 08-20-2008, 07:21 PM

Hi everyone:

Just wondering what is the most effective gaff length from the yak. I'm in the market or may build one.

tylerdurden · 08-20-2008, 07:32 PM

No matter how long your gaff is, it always needs to be a little longer to reach a fish.

Seriously 2-4' is what most people choose.

flip4i · 08-22-2008, 08:59 PM

In that case, might as well go with the 4 footer. Thanks!

trob · 08-23-2008, 10:04 AM

Actually, i seem to always want my gaff to be shorter than it already is. Its about 2.5 feet plus the hook. You have a lot more control, and thats huge on the yak.
I typically like to gaff and immediately drag it up onto my lap. longer gaffs get in the way. Everyone does it differently.

Billy V · 08-23-2008, 10:54 AM

3 ft. seem just right, it gives you good leverage and control.

dorado50 · 08-23-2008, 11:27 AM

I saw a guy last week that five foot long gaff,

It was as long as his rods!!!!!!!!!!

THE DARKHORSE · 08-24-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdurden

No matter how long your gaff is, it always needs to be a little longer to reach a fish.

Seriously 2-4' is what most people choose.

Like anything, pros and cons to both, but one more vote for long.

Handymansd · 08-24-2008, 06:26 PM

I really like the extendability of the gaff by... Promar? On my second one, but it has the versatility of stowing short and gaffing long.

aguachico · 08-24-2008, 08:56 PM

4feet. fish swins away from the boat, swims into the point. No stabbing necessary.

Trout · 08-24-2008, 11:34 PM

I go with the short hand gaff. I see it like when you start hammering a nail. You don't hold the end and swing wildly... you choke up and keep it tight for more control... just a short extension of your own hand. When I'm on a yak I like everything with a low center of gravity keeping things in control. If I gaff a big fish and it's several feet out I don't feel like I have as much control. My 2 cents. I guess you can have a long gaff and choke up... old school little style. Aguachico is definitely OLD school. Sorry Art... you set yourself up for that one.

bloodykayak · 08-27-2008, 04:55 PM

I have an extendable gaff, it is 29" closed and 49" open. It works great not to mention it floats if accidently droped.

flip4i · 08-27-2008, 05:03 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, 02:18 PM

all titamium mine float no worries about them sinking

SESSAGAFF · 07-02-2009, 02:34 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, 04:00 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, 09:21 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, 10:07 PM

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

trob · 07-08-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SESSAGAFF

all titamium mine float no worries about them sinking

just a shade under a year old

08-20-2008, 07:21 PM	#1
flip4i Junior Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11	Gaff length? Hi everyone: Just wondering what is the most effective gaff length from the yak. I'm in the market or may build one.

08-20-2008, 07:32 PM	#2
tylerdurden Bad Clone Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 874	No matter how long your gaff is, it always needs to be a little longer to reach a fish. Seriously 2-4' is what most people choose. __________________ 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.

08-23-2008, 10:04 AM	#4
trob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Marcos (now idaho) Posts: 231	Actually, i seem to always want my gaff to be shorter than it already is. Its about 2.5 feet plus the hook. You have a lot more control, and thats huge on the yak. I typically like to gaff and immediately drag it up onto my lap. longer gaffs get in the way. Everyone does it differently. __________________

08-24-2008, 06:26 PM	#8
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	I really like the extendability of the gaff by... Promar? On my second one, but it has the versatility of stowing short and gaffing long. __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

08-24-2008, 11:34 PM	#10
Trout Looks are everything Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA Posts: 64	I go with the short hand gaff. I see it like when you start hammering a nail. You don't hold the end and swing wildly... you choke up and keep it tight for more control... just a short extension of your own hand. When I'm on a yak I like everything with a low center of gravity keeping things in control. If I gaff a big fish and it's several feet out I don't feel like I have as much control. My 2 cents. I guess you can have a long gaff and choke up... old school little style. Aguachico is definitely OLD school. Sorry Art... you set yourself up for that one. __________________ Trout

08-22-2008, 08:59 PM	#3
flip4i Junior Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11	In that case, might as well go with the 4 footer. Thanks!

08-23-2008, 10:54 AM	#5
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	3 ft. seem just right, it gives you good leverage and control.

08-23-2008, 11:27 AM	#6
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	I saw a guy last week that five foot long gaff, It was as long as his rods!!!!!!!!!!

08-24-2008, 08:56 PM	#9
aguachico Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 719	4feet. fish swins away from the boat, swims into the point. No stabbing necessary.

08-27-2008, 04:55 PM	#11
bloodykayak Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 13	I have an extendable gaff, it is 29" closed and 49" open. It works great not to mention it floats if accidently droped.

08-27-2008, 05:03 PM	#12
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, 02:18 PM	#13
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, 02:34 PM	#14
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

07-02-2009, 04:00 PM	#15
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, 09:21 PM	#16
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, 10:07 PM	#17
Law Hand Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Lets see this SESSAGAFF. I see you posting on all the forums but no pics.