Gaff lanyard good or bad?

[Dave Legacy]

Hey all,

I'm currently in the middle of building a gaff and I had decided against a lanyard for a couple reasons. My biggest concern was being tethered to it and possibly being pulled overboard (more likely rolling) if I gaffed something with a bunch of fight left. I read a recent report by "mckenzie" where a sizable YT pulled a gaff from his hands and took a dive, which makes we wonder how that would have panned out if he had his arm through a lanyard.

Just curious how you more experienced guys feel about having, or not having, a lanyard on your gaff. I've never gaffed anything so I'm ignorant to how all that goes.

Best regards,

Dave

[stevie951]

Hey all,
I read a recent report by "mckenzie" where a sizable YT pulled a gaff from his hands and took a dive, which makes we wonder how that would have panned out if he had his arm through a lanyard.

Best regards,

Dave

I read the same post and now have a concern with my gaff being Leashed to the kayak.. Could said leash have been Yanked on to pull the YT back up, or was McKenzie's leashless set up the best option in the situation?

[fishnfoool]

Unless you like going for a swim. No

[Geno Machino]

Unless you like going for a swim. No

X2

[YakDout]

Just hang on to it with firm grip and you'll be fine.

[Dave Legacy]

Sweet, thanks for the feedback!

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Good question.

pulls mustache, ponders, ....


Might be useful to make a gaff that floats.

What about tethering it to a small buoy behind your seat?

http://www.amazon.com/Polyform-Buoy-14-5-Inch-Diam-19-5-Inch/dp/B005N7U5H8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457845206&sr=8-2&keywords=buoys

[jorluivil]

if the gaff doesn't float leash it

[Dave Legacy]

The gaff is made of Calcutta, so it's supposed to float.:D