AS SEEN IN THE SUMMER 2003 ISSUE

In this issue we will expand on an aspect of everyday salt water fishing that I believe most anglers take for granted, gaff selection and basic gaffing tips. In my early days of fishing, I never really gave this particular subject much thought. My early experiences consisted primarily of fishing from a drift boat that my brother worked on and it was customary for the mates to cater to your every need. All I did was show up at the dock early enough in the hopes of getting a good spot along the rail and prayed I would get a decent rod.

The gaffs used on the drift boats at the time were nothing more than long wooden or bamboo sticks, known as calcuttas, with a hook mounted to one end which was held in place by wire wraps. These primitive gaffs were extremely practical yet they easily accomplished the task at hand.

In the years to follow we were lucky enough to buy our first boat and head out on our own. While loading our boat in preparation of taking on the big blue seas we almost always included a gaff of some sort in the event we did hook something big. We never concerned ourselves with the brand name or the size of the gaff just as long as it looked substantial. Gaffing fish all of a sudden took on a whole new meaning and we quickly realized it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

Unfortunately, I also remember occasions when we did actually hook a nice size fish only to realize that the gaff was still back at the dock. After making the mistake 3 or 4 times, we learned our lesson.

Now that I have been fishing professionally for a number of years, I can look back and say that I have been fortunate to have crewed with some excellent captains, most of whom started their fishing careers the same way I did. The majority of the things I’ve learned about the different types of gaffs and gaffing techniques has been passed down to me from some of the best.

For starters let’s cover the spectrum. One of the greatest things about the sport of fishing is the element of surprise. Though you can target certain species you never really know what you are going to hook. Here in south Florida that is especially true. Fishing along the reef can produce kingfish, wahoo, dolphin, tuna, bonito, sailfish, sharks, cobia and many other species. Having the proper selection of gaffs is crucial when it comes to fishing local waters.

The Fabulous Five

Gaff A — This gaff is 3-6 foot in length, extremely lightweight and maneuverable for quick adjustment on fast swimming smaller fish. It is also an ideal gaff for small grouper, snapper and other bottom dwellers. The hook opening has about a three inch gap called the bite and works perfect for most inshore fish up to 20 pounds.

Gaffs B and C — These gaffs are basically just upgraded models of gaff A. The only major difference is their overall length. These gaffs range from 6-10 feet while the bite is still generally only three inches. Long handled gaffs are ideal for big kings, wahoo, dolphin, cobia and any other fish that may be boat shy. The extra length of the gaff handle enables the mate or crew member to stick a fish that would otherwise be out of reach. A second or third foam grip can be added above the handle to allow for hand adjustments. This is an extremely popular gaff with many tournament fishing teams. Gaffs B and C are adequate for most fish up to 50 lbs.

Heavy Duty Straight Gaff — A heavy duty straight gaff is your “go to” gaff for trophy size dolphin, tuna, wahoo and cobia. The shaft is thicker and stronger than the previously mentioned gaffs and is also what makes this gaff considerably heavier. The length shaft can range from 4-8 feet and have a hook bite of between 4 and 8 inches. Dual foam grips make this particular model very easy to handle and adding additional grip tape along the whole shaft will allow you to grab the gaff at any point without your hand sliding. This heavy-duty gaff is also perfect as a back up to your flying gaff. The heavy-duty straight gaff can handle fish up to 150 pounds.

Flying Gaff — The flying gaff is probably my favorite gaff of them all. You know it’s time to get serious when you reach for the flyer. You will need a flying gaff for most big marlin, sharks, tuna and swordfish. These gaffs are constructed with a break away hook. A rope is attached to the hook base and then fastened to a cleat or fighting chair. Once a fish is stuck, the hook detaches from the handle leaving the fish tethered to the boat. Many fish over 100 pounds require a flying gaff. These gaffs are commonly 5-8 feet in length and the hook bite can range from 8 to 12 inches.

(Above :  Chris Peters with a world record shortfin mako, 1221 lbs.!  Check out the straightened flyer!)

Basic Tips while gaffing fish

1. Aim for the head.
Most anglers use this theory as a rule of thumb, although this is not always the end result. It is much easier and safer to pull a fish from the water head first than from any other position. Placing a fish on the deck, which is gaffed in the middle or tail end of its body, will result in the fish’s mouth being much closer to the gaff man’s legs. Not a good idea with kings, cuda or wahoo. In addition, gaffing a fish in the head will prevent the gaff hook from damaging any of the valuable meat. Noteworthy of mentioning is that when tournament fishing, take the first shot available as the opportunity might only present itself once.

2. Always have a backup gaff ready.
I have made the error of misjudging the size of a fish on more than one occasion. Don’t assume that because a fish did not put up a great fight that it’s small. Some of the largest fish I’ve caught ate the bait or lure and were at the side of the boat within only seconds. Your backup gaff needs to be within arms reach in the event you need to make the switch to a larger gaff or need that second one.

3. Keep the boat moving.
Most game fish are much easier to gaff while the boat is slowly moving forward. The forward momentum of the boat will generally keep the fish parallel to the boat which will present an easier target.

4. Expect the unexpected.
Probably the most important aspect of gaffing a fish is where the fish is going to end up. Before lifting a fish into the boat look around to see who may be standing over your shoulder or what equipment might be on the deck. There have been many a person in the wrong place at the wrong time, so be aware of your surroundings.

5. Increase your ‘batting average’.
While attempting to “stick a fish”, remember to always keep the gaff hook pointed back towards you. Stick the top one or two feet of the gaff in the water on the outboard side of the fish and in one smooth motion sweep the gaff back towards the boat while burying the hook into the fish. A good rule is to keep the fish in between the gaff and the boat. Never try and stick a fish by sweeping in an outward motion. Once the fish has been gaffed, use a hand over hand motion and lift vertically, do not swing the fish into the boat sideways.

6. Cover the Points.
As a safety precaution, cover the tips of your gaffs when they are not in use. A tennis ball has become the standard on most boats.

Custom gaffs courtesy of: “Rods by Dru” 1911 Juno Road, N. Palm Beach, Fl. 33408 561-626-3697 or 561-329-8536.



About the Author

Bobby has been an accomplished marine artist and fisherman for many years. He is a native Floridian and currently resides in Deerfield Beach. As a professional mate Bobby has worked on many top sport fishing boats. Queen Anne’s Concrete Machine with Capt. Bill McMurray, The VIP Challenge with Capt Mark Danley, and just recently joining Black Gold with Carl Hitch and Capt. Keith Bokenhagen. Working with the best local captains over the years has given Bobby an opportunity to learn outstanding rigging techniques as well as cockpit safety and awareness. Bobby is currently running Swordfish charters aboard the Bill Collector out of Deerfield Beach. Bobby can be reached at: (954) 420.5001 or RjBoylestudio@aol.com

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