Gaf or net?

[bensolomon]

When trolling a line on a long passage, if you're lucky enough to get a fish, what is preferred: gaf or net?

Thanks,
Ben

[belizesailor]

For salt water trolling I think a gaff is more practical. Its much easier to stow and can handle big brusiers like wahoo/king mack.

Nets I think are more practical for things like inland fly fishing.

Try getting this aboard with a net:

[bensolomon]

Thank you! I could only wish that would happen to me!

[zeehag]

i hand haul. easier and i lose fewer fishies. just grab n drag.. is simple. simple is best. less to lose and definitely have dinner. i donot sportsfish.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i hand haul. easier and i lose fewer fishies. just grab n drag.. is simple. simple is best. less to lose and definitely have dinner. i donot sportsfish.

Nothing wrong w simple. My "meat hook" (cuban reel + 100' paracord + 50LB test mono shock leader + braided wire bite leader) is good for hand hauling or the paracord can be taken to a winch and just grind in dinner. I can also just toss this rig in my seabag if going sailing on someone elses boat...way easier to transport than rods. Effective, not sporty.

For fancier sport fishing rigs, esp if spooled w dyneema (which will cut to the bone), its best to gaff.

[Kamen]

50+ lb chinook salmon are routinely landed with a net in the Pacific Northwest. I prefer a gaff, unless there is a chance I will be releasing the fish.

[alctel]

I have both on board. Gaff is great for big fish that I know I will keep, net is for smaller fish or fish I know I'll put back (like the umpteenth skipjack if I already have a few in the freezer, or a shark or some kind of protected fish)

If you salmon fish you'll need a net, as there are very strict restrictions on size/type

[belizesailor]

Good points. Gaff & Fillet vs Net & Release. [emoji6]

The only larger fish I routinely release are Cudda. I usually just use a long pair of pliers to remove the hook, and avoid the teeth, without ever fully boating the fish. Smaller fish I intend to release I just hand haul in.

One of our favorites is Spanish Mack (Atlantic only, Pacific have too strong a flavor). They are typically small enough to easily hand haul in.

You can boat a bigger fish w no harm by carefully passing the gaff thru the gill plates.

Big hard mouthed species, like bill fish, you can usually release just by slacking the line since the hook often doesnt set deeply.

[JPA Cate]

Hi, bensolomon,

We have done like zeehag, use a heavy line, 200 lb. test, use s/s double hooks, and haul that puppy aboard. We tie them up by their tails, and allow them to expire, dripping on the sugar scoop, which just takes a sea water rinse off.

The gear is not for sport fishing, it is as Zee said, a meat hook; it is to provide a number of feeds. And nothing nicer in the whole world than really fresh fish.

Ann

[bensolomon]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I was worried about lifting the fish from the water to the boat, and getting the fish over the freeboard and lifelines without losing it, if I am lucky enough to hook up. Hand line and Gaf it will be!!!

Thanks again!!!

Ben

[belizesailor]

When the time comes: post pics or it didnt happen! [emoji6]


And...be very careful if you try to hand line a bigger fish as you can get hurt. Probably some YouTube videos on proper technique.

For now, I suggest hand haul the smaller fish and gaff the bigger ones.

[bensolomon]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

When the time comes: post pics or it didnt happen! [emoji6]


And...be very careful if you try to hand line a bigger fish as you can get hurt. Probably some YouTube videos on proper technique.

For now, I suggest hand haul the smaller fish and gaff the bigger ones.

Thanks again. I will be sure to post if I am lucky enough to get a fish!!

Thanks again, everyone!!

Ben

[a64pilot]

Again, try this with a net
5+ foot of Wahoo

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Again, try this with a net
5+ foot of Wahoo
Attachment 194854

Yes, but such good eating!