GAFF

[amalrite2]

I was surprised to see that not many boats were out the Royal Quays today (Sunday 4th). Opps Happy new Year to all. I was out with a friend and we were doing a spot of uptiding and managed to get Three pansize codling then Colins tip slowly began to pull down as if he was caught on some kelp when on the drift. But no it was coming away very slowly. Definately a good sized cod - anyway once we had it on the surface it was a monster till we tried to lift it overboard once the weight was on the Line off it snapped.and managed to get away. I would hate to put a weight on it but it most definately was the biggest cod I have ever seen. So as the title says GAFF - I definately will be buying one this week.
I also heard that a 20lb plus cod was caught locally - South Pier i believe.

Have a good Year everyone - any friendly competitions planned?

[DaveMason]

Happy new year mate . I\'ve just bought a lovely s/steel gaff from UK hooks , nice quality and only about £6-99 I think . I just need the heart to use it now . E-mail them for a catalogue .

What did you tempt the cod with then , lets have the details :P

PS , Was talk of some comps but I thought after easter , unless anyone wants a earlybird ?

[Edited on 4/1/2004 by DaveMason]

[jason]

have you thought of using a net, Sometimes in a small boat where it is hard for 2 people to move around you can net a fish yer self with one. Sodds law tho mate I bet you dont see a fish of that size once you have a gaff or a net onboard(they know you know).

regards
Jason

[LING_BASHER]

Gaffing fish is an art in its own( i know i made and arse of it last year lol) but on a small boat a net can be a apin as pirks, hooks etc always seem to get caught and when the fishing is good the net awlays ends up on the deck lol.

[willywetegg]

So if you were weighing your fish in at the end of the day, does that mean you would have to weigh the fish the pirk AND the net Tony. hehehe

[LING_BASHER]

LOL i the gaff might be abit big to get int he fishes mouth

[John]

I have a Gaff and a landing net always on my boat you never know whats around the corner,or sea bed for that matter.

[MarinerKenny]

I prefer to see fish landed using a net rather than a gaff - I have always thought of using a gaff as a little on the cruel side.
People moan about hooks getting tangled in the net meaning less fishing time, but what is a few minutes lost time ?
And also by using a net you can return the fish unharmed.

[DaveMason]

I take your point Kenny . I\'m still a bit iffy about it myself . It was just if you get owt really big , chances are you are going to keep it anyway . Anything I\'m not interested in gets T-bar and released . I will get a net though as well .

[boblydon]

unfortunatley i never catch anything big enough to use either,butgot net and gaff on board just in case

[MarinerKenny]

Wasn\'t having a go Dave I understand that with a lot of people if a bigggie comes over the side it ain\'t going back, just that I have seen fish released after being mauled with a gaff, which is sad really.
Maybe I am just too soft ? lol