''I DON'T WANT TO USE A GAFF''

[catch & release]

I WILL BE FISHING THE BAY OF QUINTE THIS YEAR, I USUALLY USE 8 LBS. TEST BECAUSE OF THE CLEAR WATER. I KNOW I COULD INCREASE MY LINE POUNDAGE, BUT HAVE ALWAYS HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH 8. MY PROBLEM IS, I DO NOT WANT TO USE A GAFF ON A FISH. AS WE ALL KNOW, THE BAY OF QUINTE IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN COMMONLY CATCH A WALLEYE 10LB+. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON BRINGING A FISH OF THIS SIZE THROUGH A NINE INCH HOLE AND THEN RELEASING IT UNHARMED? I HAVE NEVER USED A GAFF IN THE PAST AND DO NOT WANT TO START, BUT IN PAST YEARS I HAVE LOST A LOT OF BIG FISH RIGHT BY THE HOLE.(i usually leave Quinte with a lot of unused film in my camera!, LOL) THANKS.

[bernie]

i made a gaff that is about as long as your finger and has a real short hook on it. it works great for c&r large lake trout. ....... Thanks Bernie

[teacher]

seen in cabela saltwater catlog they have a lip hook that would work for catch and relase situation on same page as gaff should work ice fishing pulling fish thru wholes hpoe this helps you doesn't damage fish good luck fishing teacher

[ETT]

If you can use a Lip Grip, you can use a gaff. I've gaffed many under the chin to release. Just start em up the hole and pop the gaff in under the lower jaw. When they get to the top of the water some will open their mouth and you can go from the inside out, if you think that's better. Good luck and be safe!! Seems this might be a year for tragedies on the ice.

[eye_guide]

When I know I have a good one coming up I put a leather glove on that I treated with silicone to keep it waterproof. Then I just reach right in the mouth and lift it up. No matter how careful you are with a gaff there is always that chance of injuring that fish. I would much rather lose that fish than injure it beyond repair. I'll save the gaffing for the paddlefish.

[s.f.]

how can "releasing" a fish and "gaff" be used in the same sentence?
you have to do what you have to do...that means gettin' a hold of 'em
anyway you can with your hand(s) and drag 'em onto the ice. you might consider a thin, flexible leather glove to "lip' 'em. but a gaff?
Release? i wish i had your troubles...
#49

[bernie]

if you saw my gaff you would realize the chances of hurting the fish is very minimal it just takes a little patience and catching the fish in the soft tissue under the lip in many years of lake trout fishing i have yet to mortally wound a fish with this......Thanks Bernie

[ETT]

Maybe they think we're stickin em under the pectoral fins or something. The way I do it, it's just one more hook penetration in the mouth. Shot, I've tore em up worse with the lure.

[Finaddict]

I read or saw some where when you bring a fish out of the water in below freezing weather there eyes freeze and you blind them. Not sure if this is true but might be something to think about.

[TRAP]

The only time I lost big fish at the hole was because I was jigging a 9 or 11 rapala. Since then I switched to spoons and never had any problems. The long swimming lure would get caught on the ice below the hole and the fish would have leverage and break free. Now with a spoon just be patient when they get close and gently pull their head into the hole and if the ice is thick they usually just float up the hole. No gaff hook is needed in walleye fishig! Please don't use one. Thank you from the eyes.

[Pitts]

The gaff that is used ice fishing is nothing more than a large barbless treble like on a musky lure on a stick and you lead the fish to the hole and lip hook with 1 barbless point. A lot of cranks have multiple hooks and they get caught in sensitive areas like the eyes and such so you better quite pulling cranks if you are worried about hurting the fish.


Pitts