Gaff size for Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Pinhead · 03-22-2016, 03:22 PM

Man, I only asked about size ! Lots of good info Mr. NiceGuy.

I have a mini Jet lathe and was thinking about turning a gaff outta ( ? ) some kind of wood. I'm not sure about the flotation characteristics of available woods tho. Time for some research. The Calcutta bamboo you mentioned is pretty tough to beat.

I like your idea of customizing the gaff...a little *foo foo* as you say. I've seen some pretty nifty strong/colorful cord used by others that wrap gaffs. I have used the two-part epoxy from HD before. Extremely tough and long lasting. And most important, the rubber hose over the hook. I'm not a fan of being a skewer-victim.

I'll have to put my scrounge-hat on and haunt a few of the tackle stores and check out your links to see what I can fabricate. Love a good project.

Thanks for all the hard work spelling out all the gaff info. I will be passing that along to a few buddies as well.

dmrides · 03-22-2016, 05:58 PM

I started with a 2' gaff, it was tough, you had to lay the fish out just right and pull it in very close. Then I got a 4'er. Made it so much easier, perfect gill shot every time. Still use the same 4'er on my skiff. You could get it done with a 3'er, but that extra reach especially with an 8' or 9' rod is very nice to have.

03-22-2016, 03:22 PM	#1
Pinhead We all Stink Sometimes! Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 174	Man, I only asked about size ! Lots of good info Mr. NiceGuy. I have a mini Jet lathe and was thinking about turning a gaff outta ( ? ) some kind of wood. I'm not sure about the flotation characteristics of available woods tho. Time for some research. The Calcutta bamboo you mentioned is pretty tough to beat. I like your idea of customizing the gaff...a little foo foo as you say. I've seen some pretty nifty strong/colorful cord used by others that wrap gaffs. I have used the two-part epoxy from HD before. Extremely tough and long lasting. And most important, the rubber hose over the hook. I'm not a fan of being a skewer-victim. I'll have to put my scrounge-hat on and haunt a few of the tackle stores and check out your links to see what I can fabricate. Love a good project. Thanks for all the hard work spelling out all the gaff info. I will be passing that along to a few buddies as well.

03-22-2016, 05:58 PM	#2
dmrides Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Point Loma Posts: 584	I started with a 2' gaff, it was tough, you had to lay the fish out just right and pull it in very close. Then I got a 4'er. Made it so much easier, perfect gill shot every time. Still use the same 4'er on my skiff. You could get it done with a 3'er, but that extra reach especially with an 8' or 9' rod is very nice to have.