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A gaff is a big hook designed to grab your catch and pull it into the boat quickly and safely when you’re fishing. Typically the fish you would use a gaff for are trophy sized fish, hence needing the assistance from the gaff. Since so many pelagic fish have sharp teeth or can be dangerous simply because of their size, gaffing is a safer option than anglers landing the fish by hand. A high quality gaff is an important piece of equipment to have.

How Do You Know What size Gaff You Need?

The size gaff you need depends on the size of the fish you are trying to catch, as well as the size of the boat you’re on. If you are fishing inshore and for smaller offshore species, a four foot gaff with a three inch hook is ideal. Although a two inch hook works for species under 50lbs, a three inch hook provides insurance in the instance a larger fish comes along. Most anglers will keep at least two gaffs on a boat – each with the same length, but varying hook sizes. The four foot gaff is ideal for all game fish including Tuna, King Mackerel, Red Snapper, Grouper, Mahi Mahi and some Sailfish.

Longer gaffs between six and eight feet in length have the same size hooks, but the additional length is often necessary on larger boats with deeper sides. Anglers may believe that the longer the gaff, the better, but this isn't always true. The handling of longer gaffs can be challenging, particularly because gaffing requires swift motions, which are not always possible.