Gaff

[Sturge1]

I am going to buy or make a gaff this year. I was wondering if the three tang or a single hook works best in your experence. Your comments would be welcomed.
Sturge1

[Guest]

I currently have a single hook gaff. I wish that I had the treble hook style. and I wish it was a foot longer.

[Steve Foss]

I like the single hook. Less likely to get caught on stuff, and it works fine for me.

I made my own. Got a 3-foot length of oak dowell 3/4 inch wide. Drilled a hole for a wrist rope thong on one end, then taped down with black friction tape for better grip. On the business end, I drilled a hole in the tip straight up into the dowel, but toward one side of center. Then I screwed in a threaded open-ended hook like you can get in any hardware store, and screwed it in tight, leaving enough gap between the dowel end and the hook. Then I sanded down the edge of the dowell some to make it thinner at the hook so it'd be easier to gaff the fish, and filed the end of the eyehook to a sharper point. You can also bend the eyehook out slightly for better grab.

When I get a pike coming up the hole, I just pull the rod up with my left and slip the gaff point under the fish's lower jaw and pull. The point always goes in and the fish is on the ice in one quick motion. Of course, there's no barb on the hook like you see on some of the ones in stores, but since you're pulling it up and out in one motion, the pull easily keeps the hook in, I've found, and it's easier to slide it out (easier on the fish too) once you've iced the fish.

This cost about $3.

Good luck.

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Steve Foss
Superior, Wis.
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 11-13-2002).]

[minneman]

I made one out of an old arrow shaft,with the insert on the broadhead end out I simply put a treble hook in and drilled a hole put bolt threw shaft/hookeye, and a lock nut. not sure of the treble size but its aprox. 2" dia. bent the hooks outward bit and filed off the barbs. flys nice to your bud w/flag up!!

[Crawlerman]

If all else fails; the end of a metal ice skimmer works if it's metal, curved, and has a long shaft. I had to pull a 5lber up that way on 4lb test. Worked pretty slick.

[garagelogic]

I made my single hook from an old golf club shaft, works great. Made the hook from keystock and brazed to the club shaft.

GL

[Sturge1]

Thanks for the ideas. I like the idea of the single hook as it won't hang up on the edge of the hole as easy as three.
Sturge