Need help picking out gaff's
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gaffs
I would go with Aftco.I prefer an 8" to 10" flyer and a 6" straight. I also use a dart for large Tuna and Swordfish.
Here is a site that carries what you need.
http://www.alltackle.com/gaffs.htm
I would go with Aftco.I prefer an 8" to 10" flyer and a 6" straight. I also use a dart for large Tuna and Swordfish.
Here is a site that carries what you need.
http://www.alltackle.com/gaffs.htm
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DCFish, I have Aftco and Reliable, they are both good, HOWEVER, for the flyers, IMHO, go with Reliable. I have the Aftco's and wish I had Reliable, they are made better. If your shot is just the slightest bit off on the Aftco, you twist the very soft tip on the handle on the Aftco making it useless to use. I can say that Aftco has been very good about this and has always replaced the handle no charge when it has happened, which has happened 2 times for me.
MakoMatt
MakoMatt
"Custom Gaff"
Does anyone know of a factory made gaff with an eye at the hook end for a holding rope?
I made one out of 6' long, 1" dia. stainless steel tubing. I "creased" the hook end and drilled it for one of those gaff hooks that you can buy (SS). I then got a small SS padeye and brought this to my local welder (I don't have a machine that does SS). I then had him weld the hook in the crease, then weld the padeye on exactly 180 degrees opposite the hook (on the "back"). I use this padeye to secure a length of nylon w/an eye splice. The other end goes around the chair base or the corner bit and is set up to be just long enough to get a good gaff shot from my preferred location. Works great on tuna when you're shorthanded and gives a good measure of security anyway. This construction hasn't bent yet, but I haven't tangled wiht any makos, either.
Oh - I wrap the handle with cork tape like I use on my surf rods - I prefer that to hypalon when things get messy - and its easy to replace. Opinions?
Does anyone know of a factory made gaff with an eye at the hook end for a holding rope?
I made one out of 6' long, 1" dia. stainless steel tubing. I "creased" the hook end and drilled it for one of those gaff hooks that you can buy (SS). I then got a small SS padeye and brought this to my local welder (I don't have a machine that does SS). I then had him weld the hook in the crease, then weld the padeye on exactly 180 degrees opposite the hook (on the "back"). I use this padeye to secure a length of nylon w/an eye splice. The other end goes around the chair base or the corner bit and is set up to be just long enough to get a good gaff shot from my preferred location. Works great on tuna when you're shorthanded and gives a good measure of security anyway. This construction hasn't bent yet, but I haven't tangled wiht any makos, either.
Oh - I wrap the handle with cork tape like I use on my surf rods - I prefer that to hypalon when things get messy - and its easy to replace. Opinions?
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874 Posts
Well said MakoMatt !!
I too like the Reliables for flyers, Aftco makes a pretty nice straight gaff. The reliable 7" and 9" both fit on the same handle. Hope this helps
Capt. H
I too like the Reliables for flyers, Aftco makes a pretty nice straight gaff. The reliable 7" and 9" both fit on the same handle. Hope this helps
Capt. H
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DC,
I also use reliable with a pair of 7" gaff heads.
paulie
I also use reliable with a pair of 7" gaff heads.
paulie
Bruised and Bludgeoned
The gaff rig you described would be potentially dangerous for Mako's. We had a mishap with the breakaway on an Aftco flyer not breaking at gaff time. The gaffer, who is experienced planted the gaff. Since the hook didn't release he assumed it hadn't penetrated well enough so he kept driving it home.Mr.Mako came alive and beat him to a pulp with the gaff handle before he could release it.Lesson well learned!!!!!!!, never repeated!
The gaff rig you described would be potentially dangerous for Mako's. We had a mishap with the breakaway on an Aftco flyer not breaking at gaff time. The gaffer, who is experienced planted the gaff. Since the hook didn't release he assumed it hadn't penetrated well enough so he kept driving it home.Mr.Mako came alive and beat him to a pulp with the gaff handle before he could release it.Lesson well learned!!!!!!!, never repeated!
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Bassavant,
Sound like thr gaff you ivented is identicla to the reliable black straight gaffs.
Guys, speaking of reliable flyers, any one besides me ever had a problem with their "lifetime" guarantee? I have one of their trigger release flying gaffs that doesn't release anymore. I sent it back to them two years ago abd got a note back that they don't make that model anymore and try soaking it in oil. Some guarantee!!
Sound like thr gaff you ivented is identicla to the reliable black straight gaffs.
Guys, speaking of reliable flyers, any one besides me ever had a problem with their "lifetime" guarantee? I have one of their trigger release flying gaffs that doesn't release anymore. I sent it back to them two years ago abd got a note back that they don't make that model anymore and try soaking it in oil. Some guarantee!!
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1,824 Posts
Pick the one that feels right.
D.C.
All of the gaffs will do the job if you rig them right and maintain them. For starters the gaff line should be rigged as follows: 3' of heavy S/S cable crimed to a S/S barrel swivel. Tag end to 1/2 nylon rope 20'.
A use all relable gaffs and have had them for years. On all of their gaffs the first thing I did was remove there casted swivels which corroded quickly and replaced prior to failure with S/S.
The heads on your gaffs must be razor sharpe and covered to prevent them from dulling. I make cardboard covers and wrap the covers with ductape, adding a light film of oil. One shot and it must be resharpened.
Afco gaffs have killed a lot of fish
and once again I think the horror stories of failure could be avoided with maintaince on the lube factor of pole in hole.
In closing make sure all of your handles and heads are compatible. If a handle dosen't release and the fish is gaffed I give him the pole and motor ahead(they float).
Straight gaffs same thought all good. Tuna are different onced gaffed they quite down pretty quick, providing it is a head shot. Body shots on 100 pounder can be a real problem. "Head Shot Or No Shot".
Good luck in your search.
D.C.
All of the gaffs will do the job if you rig them right and maintain them. For starters the gaff line should be rigged as follows: 3' of heavy S/S cable crimed to a S/S barrel swivel. Tag end to 1/2 nylon rope 20'.
A use all relable gaffs and have had them for years. On all of their gaffs the first thing I did was remove there casted swivels which corroded quickly and replaced prior to failure with S/S.
The heads on your gaffs must be razor sharpe and covered to prevent them from dulling. I make cardboard covers and wrap the covers with ductape, adding a light film of oil. One shot and it must be resharpened.
Afco gaffs have killed a lot of fish
and once again I think the horror stories of failure could be avoided with maintaince on the lube factor of pole in hole.
In closing make sure all of your handles and heads are compatible. If a handle dosen't release and the fish is gaffed I give him the pole and motor ahead(they float).
Straight gaffs same thought all good. Tuna are different onced gaffed they quite down pretty quick, providing it is a head shot. Body shots on 100 pounder can be a real problem. "Head Shot Or No Shot".
Good luck in your search.
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Larry
I use a Reliable Gaff also,if a gaff shot on a mako is behind the dorsal what is the purpose of three feet of heavy cable? Three feet of cable wouldn't help much if he should roll up on it and the cable wouldn't be near the teeth being its only three foot long.Mine are rigged strictly with the rope.
paulie
I use a Reliable Gaff also,if a gaff shot on a mako is behind the dorsal what is the purpose of three feet of heavy cable? Three feet of cable wouldn't help much if he should roll up on it and the cable wouldn't be near the teeth being its only three foot long.Mine are rigged strictly with the rope.
paulie
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1,824 Posts
No swivel
B/A
You use rope right to the hook, with no swivel? When we gaff, as to boat motors very slowly forward the fish sometime will spin or roll, with the swivel no matter what they do the swivel undoes the fishes handy work, this prevents the rope from losing is braid. Especially on the big ones.
B/A
You use rope right to the hook, with no swivel? When we gaff, as to boat motors very slowly forward the fish sometime will spin or roll, with the swivel no matter what they do the swivel undoes the fishes handy work, this prevents the rope from losing is braid. Especially on the big ones.
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Swiwels
H/S,
I use the swivel between the cable and the 1/2 line. When the fish act up it prevents them from rolling up on the line. As the fish takes a twist so does the swivel, making it impossible for him to roll up into the line. If you go the Sea Isle all of his gaffs are custom rigged this way. Robbie will rig your gaff heads, just bring him the head & your line, he will supply the cable and swivel.
Keep in mind that ALL of my shark gaffs shots are done with the boat in gear. Because the fish cannot roll up some have made contact with the gaff line which of course is cable.
H/S,
I use the swivel between the cable and the 1/2 line. When the fish act up it prevents them from rolling up on the line. As the fish takes a twist so does the swivel, making it impossible for him to roll up into the line. If you go the Sea Isle all of his gaffs are custom rigged this way. Robbie will rig your gaff heads, just bring him the head & your line, he will supply the cable and swivel.
Keep in mind that ALL of my shark gaffs shots are done with the boat in gear. Because the fish cannot roll up some have made contact with the gaff line which of course is cable.
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Thanks Larry,
makes sense.I thought it was being used incase it winded up in mr. mako's mouth.Thanks for clearing it up.As soon as this snow allows for travel I'll be heading down to Sea Isle.
paulie
makes sense.I thought it was being used incase it winded up in mr. mako's mouth.Thanks for clearing it up.As soon as this snow allows for travel I'll be heading down to Sea Isle.
paulie
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A fish story about gaffs & cable
B/A
I will try not to bore anyone with a fish story. In 1978 when I first bought the Grover. My dad & I Went sharking in the deep cut 7 miles S/w of thw H/A. Back then we fished 9/0s and flygaffs with no cable. At the end of the day we hooked a 250 Mako. I fought the fish dad ran the boat. When the fish came to gaff dad step off the wheel, wired the fish. I put the rod into a holder with the drag back off. Pick up the flyer and gaffed the mako. With one turn the mako put the gaff line in his mouth and cut it! Off he went with the gaff head still in him. I pick up the rod fought him all over again and we gaffed him a second flyer and got the fish! I was quit a seen.
In your response, It is to keep it out of his month and also to prevent him from rolling up. The good bites are few and far between to blow boat side.
B/A
I will try not to bore anyone with a fish story. In 1978 when I first bought the Grover. My dad & I Went sharking in the deep cut 7 miles S/w of thw H/A. Back then we fished 9/0s and flygaffs with no cable. At the end of the day we hooked a 250 Mako. I fought the fish dad ran the boat. When the fish came to gaff dad step off the wheel, wired the fish. I put the rod into a holder with the drag back off. Pick up the flyer and gaffed the mako. With one turn the mako put the gaff line in his mouth and cut it! Off he went with the gaff head still in him. I pick up the rod fought him all over again and we gaffed him a second flyer and got the fish! I was quit a seen.
In your response, It is to keep it out of his month and also to prevent him from rolling up. The good bites are few and far between to blow boat side.
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Also, if you leave the boat in gear, it's just about impossible for a mako to grab the gaff line with it's mouth if you hit him behind the dorsal.
Capt. H
Capt. H
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Reliable gaffs
These are my reliables, I have to get this picture thing better.
These are my reliables, I have to get this picture thing better.
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