*BLING* floating gaff project

A while back I was chatting with Erik Kunz and crying about the loss of my favorite little gaff.  The gaff was just the right size, it had a nice grip, the right size hook, and a clean looking glass shaft...it was gaff love  . 

Unfortunately, after I stuck ChuckE's tuna with the beloved gaff I set it in my tankwell.  When I pulled out a tackle box a few minutes later it hitched a short ride and fell overboard...a quick *plunk*...and it SUNK...like a stone! Doh!!!  I thought for sure it would float...nope

Erik said that he had a old blank butt that could be cut down that might make a cool gaff handle...indeed!!! A few weeks later Erik called and said he had cut it down, put on a fancy foam grip, capped the ends so it would float, and even added a little lanyard.  When I got the handle I was stunned by Erik's relentless craftsmanship...it was so beautiful it looked like a pimp cane for a midget!

I bought a gaff hook at OPS (they are great NCKA supporters) and lashed it on with some 200# spectra.  I saturated the lashing with some 4 to 1 marine epoxy...it aint going anywhere!  I am soooo happy with the results, thanks again Erik for helping with my weird project!!!  I can't wait to put it to use!!!

The overall...


The butt end...


The business end.  I put the sticker on to welcome the fish to NCKA!

That is a PIMP gaff!

Z

Sean & Erick way to cool joint collaboration. and Sean they are referred too as vertically challenged homosapians.  Randall   I want one!!

Sean... good job fishing the job.  Glad it still floats with the hook attached.   

I wasn't thinking... I have a waterslide decal printer sitting here staring at me and I should have put your GWKC logo on there for you too... still can if you want to drop it off for a couple days this winter.  Might as well go all the way with the bling.

I may have to keep my eye open for some scrap / blem blanks and make a few of these up this winter.

EK

I may have to keep my eye open for some scrap / blem blanks and make a few of these up this winter.
EK

I'd love one of those! Keep me on your list Erik.

Z

I made a gaff from a wooden dowel for that very reason; floatability. I needed a second gaff for CHUB on short notice and bought one that looks like it came from a section of a fishing pole. I was bummed as I knew it wouldn't float but I needed it in a pinch. I let CHUB use the wooden one so I couldn't get mad if it went overboard. Well I was the one who knocked the new one overboard and much to my surprise it floated like a champ!!!! Very lightweight and it floats. It was around the $10 range. I just wish I could remember where I bought it.
Like always Eric's craftsmanship shines above the rest!!!!

My God Sean,
this is getting out of hand, we need to try that out this Friday

this is getting out of hand, we need to try that out this Friday

Lighting candles and watching the bouy!

Impressive craftsmanship, Erik.  I always dig seeing your handiwork.  And a nice wrap job to top it off Sean! 

Very nice job--beats about all I've seen for sale commercially with low-budget riveted aluminum shafts. I think you should only use it on deserving fish, worthy of such fine craftmanship, though I doubt they will appreciate it from the perspective of the business end.

I bought a gaff hook at OPS

Hey Sean, What is OPS?  I want to buy a gaff hook like that.

Outdoor Pro Shop...I have some guys coming up to the redd training at your house...want me to have em schlep one?

I think you should only use it on deserving fish, worthy of such fine craftmanship, though I doubt they will appreciate it from the perspective of the business end.

I will try to make that happen!

Outdoor Pro Shop...I have some guys coming up to the redd training at your house...want me to have em schlep one?

Yeah, that would be great.  Thanks Sean

I'll see if i can get one to ya.

Looks great.  Hommade gaffs are the best.

MolBasser