Gaff length? - Page 2 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

SESSAGAFF · 07-02-2009, 01:34 PM

a problem with the hook size and the opeing on the hook i watched a video this dude had to gaff it 3 times before he got it mine is 2 foot flocked grip custom hook with a swinging barb

h2ofishfo · 07-02-2009, 03:00 PM

THATS WHY I MASTERED THE ART OF THE GILL GRAB BECAUSE MY HAND COULD NEVER GET LOST IT CAN SWIM & IS FREE ONCE U GET YOUR HAND IN THERE ITS D-U-N

EFISH · 07-02-2009, 08:21 PM

I had one that was about 18in. loved it for all the reasons described by D50. Prefect and solid placement every time, (almost every time). I was fishing LJ during a yellowtail run when it happened. Hooked into a nice fish and during it's first run I reached back, got the gaff out placed it in a rod holder behind me and took off the rubber ball that guards the point. Same thing I always do. Got the fish to color after a short fight and reached back for the gaff. OUCH!!!! Put the point right into the back of my hand. The meat part that goes between the thumb and pointer. Just the weight of it was enough to almost go through both sides. That was fun to pull out. Good thing no barb!! Yes I got the fish. My first LJ yellow 19lbs..
You would have thought that would have learned after that. NOPE, about 2 months goes buy the hand heals and I happen upon a wsb bite. Bouncing an iron I get hammered and know i'm on a quality fish, nice 10min fight just to get it's head turned start gaining some line back and get it under me but can't see it. Reach back grab the gaff, put it in the holder with the ball off and go back to fighting the fish. Took a little longer then I thought

Oh man toad!!! Spin back to grab the gaff and sure enough in all the excitement I did it again

Oh shit this time I put it right into the top of my wrist and into the tendon. About half inch or so. Let out a few choice words, I think I scared the wsb because it went from almost belly up to thrashing up a storm. Pulled the gaff from my wrist and sunk it into my personal best 49.8lbs. The wrist took about 2 1/2 months to heal this time and left some scar tissue. In that time I went out and had a new gaff made, 3 feet which is long enough to snag fish and keep it under control. It also keeps the hook out of my way when I spin for it in the heat of battle. I've been fishing out of my yak for more than 15 years and i've never done that before. Lesson learned before I put one all the way through!!!!!!!

Peace Out
EFISH

Law Hand · 07-02-2009, 09:07 PM

Lets see this SESSAGAFF. I see you posting on all the forums but no pics.

SESSAGAFF · 07-06-2009, 09:22 AM

got a bomb ass new camera to so ill have better pics for ya

-scallywag- · 07-07-2009, 08:41 AM

do you really need a gaff to land big fish??? unless im fishing deep in the kelp or for hali's, i leave the extendo gaff at home...i like the challenge and the safety of not having a gaff onboard, i like handling the fish, gently removing the hook and letting them go, or when i do catch that trophey grab it by the gills, slam it on the deck, get it in a figure4 and rip its gills out (big hali;s being the exception)....as for the safety part just look at all those gaffs in the tournament wipe-out photos....scary.

dorado50 · 07-07-2009, 09:04 AM

I have brought in both a wsb and yt by the gills and don't ever want to do it again. Really rakes the hands,ok for the moment but next few days not so cool. Not being a fan of long gaffs,I opt for shorter ones,no more than 24" and I perfer the 18" one. Large and long gaffs are a minus imo, just another item to help in the loss of a fish. A shorter gaff gives one much more control over the situation and does not hinder you by getting in the way. Having a gaff on board without a point protecter(rubber tip,cork,whatever)is just plain stupid.Some guys are out there waiting for an accident to happen......

Law Hand · 07-07-2009, 05:13 PM

Got tired of waiting, went into garage fired up the HAAS Lathe and made this.

Yes its TITANIUM (shaft, cap, and hook), yes it floats, yes it will never corrode, yes it can be made in just about any length.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...971/GAFF04.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...971/GAFF03.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...971/GAFF02.jpg

dorado50 · 07-08-2009, 10:21 AM

Why would you need lathe? The only way to make this would be, trepan a given diameter or weld titanium sheet. How could this possibly float if you grind ,or use lathe,a solid bar down to smaller dia.???? A solid ti bar is light but will not float! Want to refigure your process and or story so that at least I could understand and hopefully learn something new,thanks.

Law Hand · 07-08-2009, 11:41 AM

Its a tube, the caps are turned and threaded; as well as turning the tip on the hook. I also used a fixture to bend the hook. ( I have a lathe, just thought I would have some fun and put it to good use)

dorado50 · 07-08-2009, 11:57 AM

Yea, thats what I thought. You can't fool a fooler.........

SESSAGAFF · 07-08-2009, 12:08 PM

FOR THE RANGER 85 CHARTER IN VENTURA ,CA MY 24'' KAYACK GAFF WEIGHTS OUT TO 5 OZ WITH FLOCKED GRIP ON IT U CANT USE A SOLID PIPE U NEED SOME FLEX IN IT FOR JUKEING IT IN THE WATER

Law Hand · 07-08-2009, 01:53 PM

Dave,

What are you talking about? Fool a Fooler? I never said anything about my gaff being a bar. You made the mistake not me. As for my using a lathe, perhaps you would like to come on down yourself and get some CNC lessons.

trob · 07-08-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SESSAGAFF

all titamium mine float no worries about them sinking

just a shade under a year old

eddier68 · 07-08-2009, 04:18 PM

Made for me by Rik Osani OEX/ SDKA. Badass!!!!!!!! 3 ft.

Law Hand · 07-08-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Badass!!!!!!!!

Agreed.

ericko · 07-08-2009, 04:30 PM

VERY NICE LOOKING!!!!!!!!

Adam12 · 07-08-2009, 05:17 PM

Thats a sweet looking gaff, shiny.

dorado50 · 07-08-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Law Hand

Dave,

What are you talking about? Fool a Fooler? I never said anything about my gaff being a bar. You made the mistake not me. As for my using a lathe, perhaps you would like to come on down yourself and get some CNC lessons.

just kidding around, But if you re-read your words you used your lathe to create this gaff,probably I'm mistaken again!Besides a lathe is used only for solids,probably not so good with .090 +/- walls. No I would not like to come down for cnc lessons. U probably do cnc work for me anyways...

dgax65 · 07-08-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorado50

Why would you need lathe? The only way to make this would be, trepan a given diameter or weld titanium sheet. How could this possibly float if you grind ,or use lathe,a solid bar down to smaller dia.???? A solid ti bar is light but will not float! Want to refigure your process and or story so that at least I could understand and hopefully learn something new,thanks.

It is a good thing that an expert like Dave is all over this topic. I would hate for anybody to mislead the kayak fishing public about the properties or construction of a titanium gaff. The last thing we need to have in our community is somebody misrepresenting a substandard or non-conforming gaff as a true titanium gaff. That would be terribly unethical. I don't think you could get indicted for something like that, but it is wrong. Thanks again Dave for keeping this forum honest.

07-02-2009, 01:34 PM	#21
SESSAGAFF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ventura ,ca Posts: 44	i dont see a problem with thew length i see a problem with the hook size and the opeing on the hook i watched a video this dude had to gaff it 3 times before he got it mine is 2 foot flocked grip custom hook with a swinging barb

07-06-2009, 09:22 AM	#25
SESSAGAFF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ventura ,ca Posts: 44	just sent out my last 10 on the weeknd making a new batch by this wed got a bomb ass new camera to so ill have better pics for ya

07-07-2009, 05:13 PM	#28
Law Hand Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Got tired of waiting, went into garage fired up the HAAS Lathe and made this. Yes its TITANIUM (shaft, cap, and hook), yes it floats, yes it will never corrode, yes it can be made in just about any length. http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...971/GAFF04.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...971/GAFF03.jpg http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/o...971/GAFF02.jpg Last edited by Law Hand; 07-07-2009 at 05:33 PM.

07-08-2009, 12:08 PM	#32
SESSAGAFF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ventura ,ca Posts: 44	ALL MY GAFFS FLOAT EVEN THE 12 FOOT ONE I MADE FOR THE RANGER 85 CHARTER IN VENTURA ,CA MY 24'' KAYACK GAFF WEIGHTS OUT TO 5 OZ WITH FLOCKED GRIP ON IT U CANT USE A SOLID PIPE U NEED SOME FLEX IN IT FOR JUKEING IT IN THE WATER

07-02-2009, 03:00 PM	#22
h2ofishfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 821	THATS WHY I MASTERED THE ART OF THE GILL GRAB BECAUSE MY HAND COULD NEVER GET LOST IT CAN SWIM & IS FREE ONCE U GET YOUR HAND IN THERE ITS D-U-N

07-02-2009, 08:21 PM	#23
EFISH Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: in my head Posts: 31	I had one that was about 18in. loved it for all the reasons described by D50. Prefect and solid placement every time, (almost every time). I was fishing LJ during a yellowtail run when it happened. Hooked into a nice fish and during it's first run I reached back, got the gaff out placed it in a rod holder behind me and took off the rubber ball that guards the point. Same thing I always do. Got the fish to color after a short fight and reached back for the gaff. OUCH!!!! Put the point right into the back of my hand. The meat part that goes between the thumb and pointer. Just the weight of it was enough to almost go through both sides. That was fun to pull out. Good thing no barb!! Yes I got the fish. My first LJ yellow 19lbs.. You would have thought that would have learned after that. NOPE, about 2 months goes buy the hand heals and I happen upon a wsb bite. Bouncing an iron I get hammered and know i'm on a quality fish, nice 10min fight just to get it's head turned start gaining some line back and get it under me but can't see it. Reach back grab the gaff, put it in the holder with the ball off and go back to fighting the fish. Took a little longer then I thought Oh man toad!!! Spin back to grab the gaff and sure enough in all the excitement I did it again Oh shit this time I put it right into the top of my wrist and into the tendon. About half inch or so. Let out a few choice words, I think I scared the wsb because it went from almost belly up to thrashing up a storm. Pulled the gaff from my wrist and sunk it into my personal best 49.8lbs. The wrist took about 2 1/2 months to heal this time and left some scar tissue. In that time I went out and had a new gaff made, 3 feet which is long enough to snag fish and keep it under control. It also keeps the hook out of my way when I spin for it in the heat of battle. I've been fishing out of my yak for more than 15 years and i've never done that before. Lesson learned before I put one all the way through!!!!!!! Peace Out EFISH

07-02-2009, 09:07 PM	#24
Law Hand Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Lets see this SESSAGAFF. I see you posting on all the forums but no pics.

07-07-2009, 08:41 AM	#26
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	do you really need a gaff to land big fish??? unless im fishing deep in the kelp or for hali's, i leave the extendo gaff at home...i like the challenge and the safety of not having a gaff onboard, i like handling the fish, gently removing the hook and letting them go, or when i do catch that trophey grab it by the gills, slam it on the deck, get it in a figure4 and rip its gills out (big hali;s being the exception)....as for the safety part just look at all those gaffs in the tournament wipe-out photos....scary.

07-07-2009, 09:04 AM	#27
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	I have brought in both a wsb and yt by the gills and don't ever want to do it again. Really rakes the hands,ok for the moment but next few days not so cool. Not being a fan of long gaffs,I opt for shorter ones,no more than 24" and I perfer the 18" one. Large and long gaffs are a minus imo, just another item to help in the loss of a fish. A shorter gaff gives one much more control over the situation and does not hinder you by getting in the way. Having a gaff on board without a point protecter(rubber tip,cork,whatever)is just plain stupid.Some guys are out there waiting for an accident to happen......

07-08-2009, 10:21 AM	#29
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Why would you need lathe? The only way to make this would be, trepan a given diameter or weld titanium sheet. How could this possibly float if you grind ,or use lathe,a solid bar down to smaller dia.???? A solid ti bar is light but will not float! Want to refigure your process and or story so that at least I could understand and hopefully learn something new,thanks.

07-08-2009, 11:41 AM	#30
Law Hand Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Its a tube, the caps are turned and threaded; as well as turning the tip on the hook. I also used a fixture to bend the hook. ( I have a lathe, just thought I would have some fun and put it to good use)

07-08-2009, 11:57 AM	#31
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Yea, thats what I thought. You can't fool a fooler.........

07-08-2009, 01:53 PM	#33
Law Hand Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	Dave, What are you talking about? Fool a Fooler? I never said anything about my gaff being a bar. You made the mistake not me. As for my using a lathe, perhaps you would like to come on down yourself and get some CNC lessons.

07-08-2009, 04:30 PM	#37
ericko Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntington beach Posts: 594	VERY NICE LOOKING!!!!!!!!

07-08-2009, 05:17 PM	#38
Adam12 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittier Posts: 126	Thats a sweet looking gaff, shiny.