Gaffs for offshore

[codydog]

Beginning to set up for offshore around Ocean City, MD area, what size gaffs should I be looking for, lenght and bite?

[DD]

Although I have some bigger ones, 90% of my fish are boated with a 4' stick with 3" hook.

Too big of a hook will wrap around the fish, especially dolphin and wahoo

I find that with the longer gaffs, my guys sometimes gaff the tuna when they are too deep, and a tug of war develops with at least 2 lost gaffs and a near-overboard.

Get their head out of the water and the game is over

[treedawg]

I'd also advise a quality tapered gaff.

TD

[strikerthree]

I'd have a regular gaff and a flying gaff for the bigger fish shark's and tuna etc

[compark]

Where do you go out of codydog? I'm at Sunset. As for gaff size, I have a 4' 3" and a 6' 4". If you go for shark get a larger hook. Water temps on the rise. First Thresher was caught last week.

-mike

[HEDJUG]

I also fish out of O.C. (Ocean Pines), the shark will be here soon....

As for Gaffs,

I have a 4' with a 3" hook- A longer shaft is harder to handle & can act like a lever (can twist & break Bones)

& a 6' with a 5" hook (shark)- The six footer has a eye for a line to tie to, I then tie the line up the shaft & leave 10' extra to tie off to the boat. I like this better than a true flying gaff. They can break free & snap back on the boat. The handle adds a bit of extra weight to slow it down.

[Tireless]

codydog - 6/8/2005 9:11 PM Beginning to set up for offshore around Ocean City, MD area, what size gaffs should I be looking for, lenght and bite?

I think the answer should be based on matching the type and length of gaff with the fish you plan to catch........BTW - what kind of fishing are you planning on doing?

[cgrand]

as a above, an aftco gold tapered gaff, 4' shaft & 3" hook, is a great all-around gaff

otherwise, match the gaff to to what you'll be catching

[MI Ben]

I have a 4'-er, can't wait to have a reason to use it :)

[Dick_Formula233]

Tireless - 6/9/2005 6:41 AM

I think the answer should be based on matching the type and length of gaff with the fish you plan to catch.

Tireless said it all, you match your gaff to the fish.* I carry four gaffs.
3 ft handle - 3" hook (gets most use)
4 ft handle - 4" hook (when fish goes over about 60 lbs)
6 ft handle - 4" Flying gaff hook
6 ft handle - 6" Flying gaff hook

[WildLines]

Aftco 6' w/ 4" hook...best all around IMO.

We also carry a 4' gaff as a back up.

[Capt. Mike Ellis]

6' 4" hook Topshot and a 4' 3" Topshpt. Strogest gaffs I have found. The small one does everything up to about 80lbs. or so. After that the big one takes over. I have had to many Aftco's bend or the hooks straighten.

[codydog]

Thanks for the help, I'am just getting my ducks ina row as we would like to do some off shore fishing this year. The proper equipment is almost everything.