Gaff vs Net?

Nets are for girls.   

Gaffs are the "the final act" for a fish you wish to retain, if you want to release it it is way better for the fish to shake the hook with the fish in the water without scrubbing and scratching it to piss in a net.  In freshwater I pretty much just thumb everything.  The only time I use a net is for steelies and thats because its the only thing allowed.

Since I keep almost no fish I use a pair of pliers to grab the hook while the fish is still in the water.
I find nets convenient when I want to measure then release. That's just me.
Between the two I prefer using a gaff if I am going to keep a fish.
My method is to have the wood shampoo at the ready ( in my lap ). In one motion I gaff the fish as I lay the rod down and grab the shampoo. As I hoist the fish the shampoo is in the air and comes down on the noggin of the fish as it hits the deck.
I am with Eric in that I don't like to have a net in my way on the deck.
In order to stay legal I made a net hoop that will fold  nice and compact.
It goes from 23'' to 10'' neatly stowed and can be used if necessary.

neat net design tote, how does it perform?

thumbing is the coolest.

orange-lip-gripping or boga-ing is the next coolest.

gaffing is cool, but only for big fish.

netting is for salmonoids.

So I paddle out with a gaff in the ocean, no net unless it's a salmon trip, and don't use the gaff unless I really need to. (I used it once on a very stubborn verm this year that had lockjaw).

John

thumbing is the coolest.

orange-lip-gripping or boga-ing is the next coolest.

gaffing is cool, but only for big fish.

netting is for salmonoids.

So I paddle out with a gaff in the ocean, no net unless it's a salmon trip, and don't use the gaff unless I really need to. (I used it once on a very stubborn verm this year that had lockjaw).

John

I pretty much agree.

Freshwater -
Small trout - net, large trout boga (they have teeth)
Bass - thumb or boga
Panfish - net

Saltwater
Rockfish - boga or lift in the boat, gaff if large and not well hooked
Ling - boga if small, boga or gaff if large
Halibut - boga or net if small, gaff if large
Salmon - net or Boga
Yellowtail - gaff

I use the KZ gaff and Boga grip for most saltwater landings. The boga is pricey, but after using several lower cost lip grippers, you get what you pay for and the scale is very accurate. You know how I feel about the KZ gaff so I won't say it again. 

Scott

neat net design tote, how does it perform?

Marginal compared to a net with a handle.
I used a deep net because I pretty much have to swim the fish into the net rather than scoop the fish like a regular net.
But I have this mostly just to stay legal.

Awesome solution, Tote!  Thanks for the idea.

I have a homemade deal very similar to Tote's and for the same reason... to appease the DFG.  For my net, I used a inexpensive mesh laundry bag, so it can double as game or gear bag.  I like Tote's idea of using plastic coated cable for the flexible hoop.

ChuckE's bag is like C&R netting!

I saw one and bought it to keep legal. But I like the fact that it has good depth just needs a short handle and maybe a folding hoop for ultimate kayak useage.