Gaffs

Bamboo works well for gaff handles.  Super buoyant and looks cool.

Allen has the supplies to make a million!

Wrong type of bamboo.  What I have wouldn't last long in this application.

-Allen

Best bamboo is Calcutta. Good luck tracking some down. One stick will run $200-$300. My buddy made a bunch that are still being used on a few party boats in the bay that are over 10years old.

Best bamboo is Calcutta. Good luck tracking some down. One stick will run $200-$300. My buddy made a bunch that are still being used on a few party boats in the bay that are over 10years old.

http://www.franksupply.com/bamboo/bamboo-poles.html
They list a 1-1/8" Dia x 12'-14' long pole for less than $20 

Another wood to use is Rattan.  It's way stronger than bamboo but looks similar. It doesn't have air chambers though, but it is porous and holds air.  Used to train in Escrima with 2 foot sections of rattan, and made my first gaff out of one of my practice sticks.  But lost it at GS3, along with almost all of my gear, and thats when EWB made me a custom gaff and bonker set.  I still have the bonker and cherish it Eric 

My gaff is about 24" and there have definitely been times I wish I had an extra 6".

I wouldn't go any shorter than 24".

there have definitely been times I wish I had an extra 6".

um..nevermind, too easy.   

I just bought an aluminum telescoping one off amazon for like $25.  Not sure how well it will hold up, but it seems to be pretty solid.  30" minimum and I think extends out to 4'.

there have definitely been times I wish I had an extra 6".

um..nevermind, too easy.   

I just bought an aluminum telescoping one off amazon for like $25.  Not sure how well it will hold up, but it seems to be pretty solid.  30" minimum and I think extends out to 4'.

What?!? Passing up on a dick joke opportunity?

All bamboo isn't bamboo? Have we been bamboozled? 

I asked for some Calcutta bamboo at Giant Bamboo on Freedom Blvd in Aptos (not far off Hwy 1, if you're on your way back from Moss or Monterey), and they used the term "thick walled" and showed me a pile.  I might have paid as much as $20 for an 8'-10' piece , but I don't remember, it was at least 5 years ago, and the gaff has held up very well.   
   

I made a gaff out of my broken pole and it seems to work pretty well

Not sure what type of bamboo I used, (guy at the nursery down the road that closed up awhile back gave me a couple long stalks for free).  One I made into a poke pole and it's pretty much disintegrating now.  But the gaff, I used yacht varnish on it- a few coats per the instructions on the can- and it looks almost as good as the day I made it.

Sounds like a fun project. I lost mine to a brute ling last season. What do y'all use for the hook?

I bought my hook at hi's tackle. I've seen them at OPS also. Just have to drill it into a stick of Some sort.

Sounds like a fun project. I lost mine to a brute ling last season. What do y'all use for the hook?

Outdoor Pro shop has them, Mustad brand in various sizes. They aren't stainless, but they hold up fine.
You can also get them from Mudhole.com I believe.