Gaff Technique

Allen,

10/0 hook is a very big hook.  What were you fishing for?  And how big there these fish?

The whole thing about this post was "How do you gaff a big fish."...I did say that I have seen people gaff the wrong way.  If you look in my first post on this subject.  But, is it safe?

 I would not want the point of my short gaff pointed at me if I were to flip over the yak while trying to gaff a fish.  Flip over...by a rough wave or losing my balance.  And, hate to say it but it is so easy to do on a yak. Fall into the water with a gaff point pointed at me .  Is just not a good thing. People get kill by doing stupid things...pointing a loaded gun at someone or yourself.  Or, cleaning a loaded gun.  Running with knifes or scissors.

Hunter safety classes make it a point to teach you to keep your muzzle pointed in a safe.  Why because things happen.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Ken kickfish

10/0 hook is a very big hook.  What were you fishing for?  And how big there these fish?

Not really.  Many shrimp flies use 8/0 hooks.  Most rockfish/lings/halis we're fishing for, and would want to keep, won't have problems with large hooks.

The whole thing about this post was "How do you gaff a big fish."...I did say that I have seen people gaff the wrong way.  If you look in my first post on this subject.  But, is it safe?

 I would not want the point of my short gaff pointed at me if I were to flip over the yak while trying to gaff a fish.  Flip over...by a rough wave or losing my balance.  And, hate to say it but it is so easy to do on a yak. Fall into the water with a gaff point pointed at me .  Is just not a good thing. People get kill by doing stupid things...pointing a loaded gun at someone or yourself.  Or, cleaning a loaded gun.  Running with knifes or scissors.

Why not just let go of the gaff?  I think you're over-thinking this.

-Allen

Allen,

I think you are underthinking this thing.  How, many times have you flipped over in a kayak...without doing it on purpose?  There is no way of stopping it.  Once, your start to go over..that's it.  Beginners (probably a lot on this board) or experts....we all need to think and do things in a safe manner.  Also, have my gaff in rod holder of my kayak seat with the tip a way from me and a tennis ball on the tip.

 My 2 cents.

Ken kickfish

How, many times have you flipped over in a kayak...without doing it on purpose?  There is no way of stopping it.  Once, your start to go over..that's it.

Ummm ... while out on the water and fishing ... NEVER.

Beginners or experts....we all need to think and do things in a safe manner.

I agree.  And I don't mean to make light of safety.  And believe me ... I try to be one of the safest people out there.  To each their own when it comes to gaffing.

BTW, I don't think holding a fish down with your legs, while the hook is still in it's mouth, is very safe.

-Allen

The only thing that worries be a bit is the critical timing for switching up...  I'm reeling up something large, get it along starboard, rod in left hand, gaff in right...  gaff fish with right hand, place rod in holder with left hand and grab fish club with left hand that previously held rod....  I'm picturing gaffing and clubbing happening alongside, rather than in my lap, and they need to happen almost simultaneously, or risk losing fish.

That sound about right?

For some reason I always bring fish up on the left side (port) naturally.

eric, that all sounds right but some comments:

you don't have to rush the step from gaf to clubbing. you have a little time more time than you think.
it won't fly off the gaff so easily. unless it's a halibut and you lift it out of the water.

with a halibut, the advice is leave it underwater after gaffing, the gaff shot will stun it. then put the
clip in while it is underwater and stunned. then pull the head out of the water and against the side of the boat and
whack it. then pull it aboard and whack it some more. then whack it some more. and some more.
I did this on the halibut in my avatar and all went well. same with the one before that one.

lost a halibut last year because I did not have a clip free of fish and tried to wing it.

I hope I get a fish big enough to gaff this year. So far leader-landing or the orange gripper has sufficed this year. a lot of fish for me so far this year, but all small and medium sized.

I haven't even bothered to whack a fish this year, just put 'em on the stringer live, even the small legal lings.

J

Allen,

It will keep it in the Yak.  Never done a big Halibut, yet.  Big Halibut, I would probably gaff and try to beat it first or cut the gills.  When, it mainly still in the water with its head up.  Halibut go crazy once you get them out of the water.  But, big Lings...yes.  And, my wetsuit does get a little torn up.  But, only on my second pair in 5 yrs of Yak fishing.

Ken kickfish

"clip in while it is underwater and stunned. then pull the head out of the water and against the side of the boat and
whack it. then pull it aboard and whack it some more. then whack it some more. and some more.'

......THEN WHACK IT A FEW MORE TIMES.

Allen

Allen,

It will keep it in the Yak.  Never done a big Halibut, yet.  Big Halibut, I would probably gaff and try to beat it first or cut the gills.  When, it mainly still in the water with its head up.  Halibut go crazy once you get them out of the water.  But, big Lings...yes.  And, my wetsuit does get a little torn up.  But, only on my second pair in 5 yrs of Yak fishing.

Ken kickfish

You're missing my point.  I think your lingcod lapdance is more dangerous than gaffing with the pointy end facing you.

-Allen

Thanks, John.  That's exactly what I needed to hear.

Btw, I agree on the no lap dance thing...  I tried that last time and whacked my leg good, while trying to simultaniously whack the ling and move my nuts to a safe location, (there wasn't one).

Allen,

Some times you have to take a chance to fight for the prize.  I do it because I have to do it because if you don't you lose the fish.  Never, had a hook in my body from that. Also, the reel is back off on the drag once I get it on the gaff (sorry man, I said gaff, again....)  I have flipped but only on lakes...never on the ocean...maybe I think about it more on the ocean. Also, it was on a Hobie Outback.  The thing has a hull like a bathtub and once you get past the rudder in a fliip. END OF STORY.  Tarpon 160 is the only Yak I fish on the ocean.

 Allen, what are we talking about....I gaff my way and you and Agarcia gaff another way. 

Is there only one way to gaff or catch a fish? I think not.

Ken kickfish

Allen, what are we talking about....I gaff my way and you and Agarcia gaff another way. 

And I'm not saying your way is wrong ...

But I was pointing out the apparent inconsistencies in your pointing out the safety aspects.  Yes, some times you have to take a chance to fight for the prize ...

-Allen

No worries Allen.  This is a discussion board.  Everyone has a right to there opinions.  You stop listening or talking.......that when you get into trouble.

Ken kickfish

No worries Allen.  This is a discussion board.  Everyone has a right to there opinions.  You stop listening or talking.......that when you get into trouble.

Ken kickfish

Right on Ken.  And that's why I'm going to try the scwafish "thumbs up" method of gaffing next time I feel the need to gaff.  Heck, I might even "point out" on it.   

-Allen

I'm starting to think we need to hold some sort of Kayak fishing workshop:  some safety lessons, a pimping clinic, and some gaff practice. We could float some watermelons or something and practice gaffing them using various methods to see what we like.

I'm stuck at home all day cleaning house today and all I can think about is gaffing fish.  Help me!!!
 
Before the guys got up to Valdez for the sharkfest, I had the opportunity to play deckhand on the Bold Eagle for an overnighter.  Now that's my idea of a great vacation!  I got to gaff a lot of fish.  The Bold Eagle had slap gaffs with meathook style T bar grips.  There is nothing more satisfying then swinging hard on a big old lingcod to make sure the bony head was penetrated, then yarding it over the rail.  Well, getting to take the harpoon out and stabbing a butt is right up there!!!   

-Allen