Flying Gaff Use???

[Nomad]

I just purchased a flying gaff and it is rigged and ready. My only questions is "HOW DO I SECURE THE HOOK TO THE HANDLE so that I can sink it into a nice swordy? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
TIGHT LINES

[Duke]

What brand of flyer is it? Aftco use piece of 20# mono line and tie on the hook and handle peg. Mono will break once you drive it home and pull alittle. Some of the others have inserts that hold it in place and you can pull the line tight up the handle and tape,rubberband, etc to get additional hold. Since you are new to this, BE CAREFUL!!!

[Shark Tagger]

I use a single or double wrap of 50lb test. Some go much lighter, as you want that sucker to pop off, but not to easily...

Good Luck.

[quack quack]

I would weld the hook to the handle I do not like a flyer.I like a big straight gaff with a rope tied to that.With a big fish control is the most important thing to me.With a flyer you have to pull on a thin 1/2or3/4inch rope.With a big straight gaff you have better control of the fish holding on to that big handle than the rope.If the fish is hot after the gaff hit you can let go of the gaff and let it pull on the rope.After it settles down pull in the rope a couple feet and you will have the handle back in your hand for better control.If a big fish is hit with a flyer and takes off on the surface and the flyer pulls the head will come flying back at your head.I have seen this happen with the gaff head going over 2in into the transom of the boat :shock: what would have happen to a person.If the fish does the same with a big straight gaff the weight and size of the handle will not let it fly back like that.This is just my opinion and many years of fishing big fish.

[Nightfighter]

What QQ said :thumleft:
Easier to work the fish with the handle connected at all times.

[Tuna Devil]

Not to mention getting smacked around by a straight gaff makes you a man, or woman depending on gender. :lol: :lol:

[DORADOsteve]

Nomad,

Consult CJWind on flyer use. :lol: :lol: :lol:

(sorry, just had to do it)

[swordfish123]

Originally Posted by DORADOsteve

Consult CJWind on flyer use.)

HA :lol:


but once again, this guy's post has been hijacked. he just bought a flying gaff and wants to know how to use it. its the same thing every time!

Example:
Q: How do i use a flying gaff that i just bought
A: You dont! You throw that $200 away and use a poon or straight gaff cuase its better for X X X X reasons. DUH.

If you have an aftco gaff, experiment around with different types of mono to see what holds the hook on with enough pressure to your liking. If you are doing this at home, keep in mind the fish will move in the water as oppossed to whatever you are "gaffing" in the yard, so the hook will need to disconnect with a little less pressure on a fish then your picnic table. Some will also wrap electrical tape around the pole and rope once or twice, so if it is a small fish, and the hook does not come loose, the rope will be on the pole still. Practice at home, and you will get the hang of it

Good Luck

[CAPTINMITCH]

As a long time flying gaff user, here is my best advice. Take it back and buy a harpoon. Watched Dorado Steve use one the other night, made a believer out of me.

If not, I always just taped the line to the handle. Worked fine.

[jerry]

One bad thing that can happen when using a flyer is to have the head come off the pole prior to getting the gaff buried in the fish. I have seen heads fall off due to the gaff man being inexperienced with flyers and I have seen mono connections or tape break with too little pressure and the gaff not really getting sunk. This usually results in a pissed off fish getting more pissed and usually tears the heck out of the side of the fish.
As a few have said above, you need to use whateve method you are more comfortable with. I have tried mono, duct tape, mono and duct tape and even put a knot in the gaff rope that rides the wedge at the end of the pole. If you are gonna try the knot make sure and stretch the gaff rope as much as possible before measuring and placing the knot.
When I am using a flyer I keep a good grip on the rope and make sure that head is buried prior to breaking off tape or mono to free the handle.

[CAPTINMITCH]

Originally Posted by jerry

When I am using a flyer I keep a good grip on the rope and make sure that head is buried prior to breaking off tape or mono to free the handle.

:thumright:

[CJWINDONLEADERS]

My .02....Keep me out of your head games, first.....thank you...
I use tape or plastic zip ties....I bought the multi package tube with the different sizes....last place was BJ's wholesale.....200 plus pieces....
I use a combo of the mid size and small....You want enought power to drive the head home under a solid bone....I don't do tearout meat shots...I will wait till I get me perfect kill shot and Take care of business....rush the shot, make a poor hit will cause you to have problems....Have the right tool for your job....
My biggest beef is Capt.'s that rush in for a kill...this is were experience/inexperience comes into play...
I have seen Capt.'s blow their stack at a HITMAN because the hit wasn't fast enought for them...then blame the gaffman for the tear out and lost fish because of their poor hit on the fish....
I will always state this fact.....take the best shot when the fish in question gives you the best angle of attack/stick.....
hope this helps, give some freindily safe advice...

[hannaman]

I use 50 pound test double wrapped and tied to hold the head in place. Not many fish can tear that off. I use 3/4 inch rope braided onto itself on the gaff end and then cleated off on the other. If and when you have a nasty fish that will rip the gaff out of your hands... if its a straight gaff you might have a chance of getting it back or who knows where it will swing. If its a flyer you should be able to hold onto the pole, place it aside and hand line him in with the rope, easiest thing in the world. We once stuck a shark over 400 pounds and before you knew anything the fish ripped the flyer off the pole and was tight on the cleated rope in the blink of an eye. We handlined him in and as soon as his head was at portside we cleated him off. He didnt like that but was subduable.

All the big Swords we have taken are 90% dead and are easy sticks with the occasional thrasher, but most times when the flyer hits THEY DEAD.

[CAPTINMITCH]

Hey Cary, do you run a line between the cleats and attach the flyer rope to that or do you go straight to one cleat? Reason I ask is I run the line across the stern so that way if the fish suddenly winds up on the other side of the boat, you don't have to change cleats.

BTW, ever hear from the guy who got swatted in the face? How's the scar look?

[quack quack]

On my straight gaff I have the rope tied to the head and back of the pole so it does not swing around.I will say when the fish is done it is nice to be able to cleat them off tight.On big fish dead or not I always tail rope and drag around awhile before I put them on deck.I have seen many a dead fish hurt people so be carefull.

[hannaman]

Hey Mitch my cleat that I tie off on is mounted on the sidewall of the gunnel and is very heavy duty and I don't run another line across the stern, sounds like a good idea. Yea my buddy Jeremy face got whacked good... btw that fish was straight gaff size but with a swingin bill.

[CAPTINMITCH]

The other picture showed it better but man, in a word, OUCH.

Years ago I had a rat sail beat my forearms black and blue (always go overhand). My mother wound up with the picture so it's gone but suffice to say two days later the inside of my forearms were the same color as an eggplant.

My buddy still gives my crap about it.

[Tuna Devil]

Arrrrrrr, makes him look like a pirate. Owwwww :shock:

[quack quack]

Thumbs together Mitch :lol:

[Tuna Devil]

Originally Posted by quack quack

Thumbs together Mitch :lol:

look who woke up.