8 foot gaff

8knots · 02-03-2004, 05:50 PM

I am looking into getting an 8'gaff for tuna. I have a 6', but sometimes because of the higher decks on my boat, I could use an 8' to get a bullet into the boat a little quicker. I found aluminum 8' Aftcos online. My 6', which I have used since 1986 is fiberglass and still going strong. Any idea what the charters use when tuna fishing? I would imagine they make their own. Does anyone know of any other sources for a quality 8' gaff with a 3" hook.

Mark Mc · 02-03-2004, 07:06 PM

Hey 8K,

Most tuna / long range charter boats use bamboo for gaffs. Look at any photos from the long range fleet, and there will be bamboo gaffs all over the boat. I make them every now & then; it's real easy & cheap too. A $4.00 Mustad gaff hook, $2. worth of cord (seine twine) and epoxy, and the price of a good bamboo stalk ($3. to $5.).

If you want a nice fiberglass gaff, you have one made with a Calstar or Seeker gaff blank. You can have one made for you, or buy the parts & make it yourself. (edit: charkbait sells a Seeker 7ft gaff with 3 1/2 inch hook for $109.)

If you're interested in any of these scenarios, send me an e-mail & I'll gladly help you out.

e-mail is waterwise@comcast.net

see ya,

Mark

[ 02-03-2004, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Mark Mc ]

WP · 02-03-2004, 07:34 PM

Gaff for tuna?? I tried that until my crew decided to sling shot it with the leader while trying to get it close enough to gaff. At that point I reverted to my commercial methods...a glove and a pull...tuna don't usually come unbuttoned if you lift them smoothly into the boat...I find it actually easier than gaffing and that I loose fewer fish. The other benefit is that you never get body gaffed fish! I keep a gaff for that bluefin I plan to catch someday but albacore up to 40 lbs are hand landed on my boat :smile:
Dave

Mark Mc · 02-03-2004, 07:55 PM

Good evening Capt Dave!

Agreed, when using heavy leaders, pull 'em over (assuming the leader is long enough for the boat height). I still look to see that it is well hooked before flipping over. Every now & then I see it's hanging by a little piece of lip, so in goes the gaff.

However, some crazy people like to use 40 lb leaders while trolling, and 20 - 30 lb line casting lures. So a gaff is necessary in those cases.

02-03-2004, 08:39 PM

WP,
Not to brag but out of over 100 tuna gaffed last season I only messed up on one, and it was in the gut below the loin. I tried to brain spike them when gaffing but only succeeded a few times.
Kamloops and Miss B's boats have higher freeboard and it's hard to flip them in. I did flip most of the ones on handlines.

8knots · 02-04-2004, 12:02 PM

I flip them in when using the hand lines. However, it is tough to do with my 30 pound mono or heavier spectra that I troll with. Can't say I gaff as well as Keta does, but then he is a Jedi of most fishing pursuits. I am working on my expertise at consistently getting good brain spike and good head shots with the gaff. I think the longer gaff will help. Mark, thanks for the input on the bamboo......I never paid attention to that before. I saw the Seeker gaff, but have to think hard about paying that much.

Threemuch · 02-04-2004, 12:12 PM

Bamboo is great gaff material. Awesome in tension. Calcutta bamboo is cheap and readily available from hardwood dealers or online. When I lived in San Jose, my neighbor had a big stand, and I cut a bunch for gaffs and fishing poles. Make sure you seal it with some varnish, otherwise it will mildew and rot in the marine environment in about a season of use. Calcutta bamboo is available in 16-18' lengths, about 1.5-2" diameter.

I also found "IRON" bamboo for $12 for 8 foot sections online from yucatan bamboo. Supposed to be the strongest in the world and you can nail it, turn it, drill it, no problems.

A clever man could make pretty good bamboo outriggers for about $50.

KB

Burner · 02-04-2004, 11:37 PM

Do a search on ebay for "gaff". I'm sure the results will surprise you :shocked:

So how exactly would you get a tuna into the boat with one of those? :grin:

[ 02-05-2004, 12:41 AM: Message edited by: Burner ]

02-05-2004, 08:22 AM

Burner,
I was going to put up a link for a "Gaff" but didn't.

corrirod · 02-05-2004, 08:55 AM

I found that same surprise awhile back! :shocked:

I had no idea. I mean.....I had heard Aquaholic talking about them before but I thought he was kidding. :tongue:

Burner · 02-05-2004, 03:37 PM

That isn't something the tuna virgins have to wear is it? [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] If it is, I think I'm going to have a firesale on new tuna rods and tackle.

JK

Sensei-san · 02-10-2004, 01:56 AM

My nephew, Rich Oba of the SYDNEY MAE in Winchester Bay, uses the Seeker 7' gaff and a SEEKER 6' barracuda gaff for tuna. Last year he or his deckhand only missed two tuna at gaff all season. Both were lost because the lines got crossed trying to land a multiple hookup.

http://www.seekerrods.com/Rods/GAFFS&TAGS.htm