Gaffing fish

[deepdvr]

One suggestion Jimmy, when you get your chance, hold the gaff between you and the fish with the hook pointed away from you. I see guys all the time try to gaff the fish from the far side with the hook pointed back at the yak and its pretty comical....until the fish breaks off.

[jdemoss]

Depending on what I'm fishing for I use one of two different gaffs. I have a traditional hook gaff. But I find that more and more I am growing fond of using my spear gaff when I'm fishing for pelagic fish. Its a take off on the Hawaiian "Kage" spear gaff that the island kayak fishermen use. It allows me to pinpoint the head for spike placement and does two things..it stuns the fish and allows me more leverage as I throw them into the boat. I made mine from a cut down hickory hoe or shovel handle and a 7/8" SS threaded rod. I drilled a hole into the handle and epoxied the rod into the hole about 8-10". I then cut off the spike to about 8-10" and ground it sharp on my grinder. Attach a lanyard/leash or a float and you're set. The threads hold the fish after you spear it and like I said above, it allows you to strike the head, stunning the fish. I find they fight less and I have an easier time hauling them into the boat.

[lbsurf2ca]

I don't even know why I own a gaff anymore. I suck

[bus kid]

Originally Posted by jdemoss

Depending on what I'm fishing for I use one of two different gaffs. I have a traditional hook gaff. But I find that more and more I am growing fond of using my spear gaff when I'm fishing for pelagic fish. Its a take off on the Hawaiian "Kage" spear gaff that the island kayak fishermen use. It allows me to pinpoint the head for spike placement and does two things..it stuns the fish and allows me more leverage as I throw them into the boat. I made mine from a cut down hickory hoe or shovel handle and a 7/8" SS threaded rod. I drilled a hole into the handle and epoxied the rod into the hole about 8-10". I then cut off the spike to about 8-10" and ground it sharp on my grinder. Attach a lanyard/leash or a float and you're set. The threads hold the fish after you spear it and like I said above, it allows you to strike the head, stunning the fish. I find they fight less and I have an easier time hauling them into the boat.

First welcome, second there is a thread called "share your innovations"
take the time to photograph your spear gaff and do a short write up, (or copy and paste this post) and post it there, as I'm sure a few others would like to see it. I have a short gaff and have been considering making a spear gaff like you have described.

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by deepdvr

One suggestion Jimmy, when you get your chance, hold the gaff between you and the fish with the hook pointed away from you. I see guys all the time try to gaff the fish from the far side with the hook pointed back at the yak and its pretty comical....until the fish breaks off.

So if I read your post correctly are you saying that you kind swing up and away from yourself?

[Lets_Fish]

Here is a link on what the Hawaiian "Kage" spear gaff looks like (at least from this link I found).

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/...it=15&start=15

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by Lets_Fish

Here is a link on what the Hawaiian "Kage" spear gaff looks like (at least from this link I found).

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/...it=15&start=15

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/...efaultmenu=402

Here's a link to someone actually using this thing. Looks pretty nice, but I can see some issues with it just like a regular gaff.

[Riskey Water]

Instead of a Hawaiian Kage has anyone thought of using a pole spear with a single flopper on it .I have used this freediving for halis but never thought of it for yak fishing ,might be the next evolution of landing yak fish ,will give it a go and post later .till next time ,Fish Hard

[Siebler]

If you guys are missing fish with a regular gaff I cant wait to see videos trying to hit them with a spear

[Jimmyz123]

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]

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.

[WahooUSMA]

Originally Posted by Siebler

If you guys are missing fish with a regular gaff I cant wait to see videos trying to hit them with a spear

LMFAO - X-2!

[T Bone]

Dont gaff Threshers either.

[WahooUSMA]

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=9306

Andy's video...classic and funny as hell!

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by WahooUSMA

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ead.php?t=9306

Andy's video...classic and funny as hell!

X2 on that one.

[taggermike]

That Kage gaff looks interesting but The fact that you are hitting the fish fairly hard away from you might be a disadvantage. I can't say as I have never used one though. Just a thought. I noticed the original question was about deck hands. Those guys are usually very good with a gaff. That said those 15' gaffs a not super easy to use. Lots of anglers lift the fishes head out of the water making the gaff shot extreamly difficult. Also gaffing a fish while 5 other people are calling for the gaff sort of makes placement a secondary issue. It's not a great attitude but the deck hands are out every day gaffing fish. It might be your first or biggest fish but to them it's just one of hundred of fish they will gaff. The first party boat trip I ever worked was a day and a half tuna trip. We put 140 albis on the boat before noon. There were only 10 anglers on the trip and most of the time they were all hooked at once. My morning was help a guy, tie a knot, hook and hand, tie another knot, throw some chum, get 4 guys untangled in the corner, throw chum, sprint for the gaff, nail 3 albis in about 20 seconds, bleed fish, put fish in ice hold, repeat. I tried my best for head shots but after 50 or so fish I just didn't give an F. Sorry to ramble. If you're on a party but just ask the deck hand to aim for the head, they will usually comply. Mike

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by taggermike

The first party boat trip I ever worked was a day and a half tuna trip. We put 140 albis on the boat before noon. There were only 10 anglers on the trip and most of the time they were all hooked at once. My morning was help a guy, tie a knot, hook and hand, tie another knot, throw some chum, get 4 guys untangled in the corner, throw chum, sprint for the gaff, nail 3 albis in about 20 seconds, bleed fish, put fish in ice hold, repeat. I tried my best for head shots but after 50 or so fish I just didn't give an F. Sorry to ramble. If you're on a party but just ask the deck hand to aim for the head, they will usually comply. Mike

How many people tipped you at the end of the day? I feel that tipping the deckhands is a must. Back when I worked at Fisherman's Supply Center in Chula Vista a guy told me that if you tip a guy at the beginning of a trip that guy will usually take care of you the entire trip, and that did pay off. I'm not saying that this should be everyone's practice, but it paid off for me.

I'm sure that the hands are doing the best they can with the boat moving, people not cooperating, and all that fun stuff. Good reply man.

[deepdvr]

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

So if I read your post correctly are you saying that you kind swing up and away from yourself?

Pretty much....but its more or less just straight up.

[dsafety]

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]

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!