Tips for Gaffing Fish

Fighting a fish is fun and exciting, but gaffing one is every bit as exhilarating – if, that is, you don’t blow the job. Since the angler has already done his or her part reeling the fish close enough the pressure is on when you’re gaffing, and quite often this task is performed with large pelagic beasts on the end of the line. Exciting? Youbetcha. These gaffing tips will make you a better gaffer.

Always remember: any gaff shot that puts the fish into the boat counts as a good gaff shot.

• Aim for the eye. Don’t worry – you’ll miss. Wherever you aim you’ll almost always stick the fish aft of that spot, since it’s moving (often moving vigorously). If you aim for the eye on a swimming pelagic you’ll usually get it right behind the head, which is ideal.
• Always gaff the back, not the belly, of the fish. On most species the belly meat rips much easier, and the gaff is more likely to come free.
• Sweep the gaff through the fish and lift it into the boat in one continual motion (assuming it’s not too large to lift by yourself). Think of the motion like swinging a golf club – the follow through counts. And if you hesitate before bringing the fish over the gunwale, you’re giving it the chance to flip off the hook.
• Consider using a short-handled gaff. Many people use a six-footer to get the extra reach. But unless you’re very tall a six-foot gaff is quite unwieldy and hard to control. A three- or four-footer, however, can be easily handled by just about anyone.
• Never sweep the gaff in front of the fishing line in such a way that if you miss, the line will lay up against the gaff. If the fish swims in a circle and winds that line around the gaff handle, a break-off is imminent. This is particularly true of tuna, which tend to swim in a “death spiral” at the end of the fight and can wrap the line on the gaff in a fraction of a second.