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SUBJECT: # 7257: Jetty gaffs nets ect.
Submitted by Bob H. (134.210.1.200) from NEW JERSEY on 4/8/2000 1:06:00 PM
Looking for the best means of landing fish from jetty rocks. Particularly concern is releasing shorts unharmed and getting large fish onto the rocks. Is there a suitable method for that works for both? Thanks for any advice.
- 4/8/2000 10:24:00 PM
Submitted by
zwick (209.122.225.47) from NEW YORK says Boga grip
Boga Grip is the name of this neat divice. It grbs fish by the li and does no harm to them because you never touch the fish. you can get it at cabelas or The surfcaster for around a $100, but its well worth it!
- 4/9/2000 9:36:00 PM
Submitted by
ArtsNFlies.com from NEW YORK says Nets
I tried using a long handled net on a high jetty last season. It seemed like a good idea but was less than successfully to put it mildly.
- 4/10/2000 10:14:00 AM
Submitted by
PaulM (207.122.42.85) from OTHER says Jetty Fishing
You might want to try this approach used by myself and fishing partner FredB with good success.Use a 50# test "jetty leader" of about 20-feet, tied to the end of your running line with a surgeons knot. Then tie on your regular leader. Check all knots repeatededly as you fish as this is where line failure will happen first.
When you have a small fish on you can fight them in until you can grab this "jetty leader" - three quick loops around your hand and you then haul them up... It lets you get control quick and you can lift the little guys up over the rocks (also saves your hands from dreaded "braid cuts"). Also when jetty fishing, if possible have a "landing spot" where you can get down to water level. Then once you have control you can direct the fish to this spot and get down close to minimize any danger to the fish (always wear Korkers). Using this approach, you don't need to lug a net or gaff along every time you go jetty-hopping.
But if we know we're going to be seeing big fish and plan on taking one home to the freezer, Fred brings a "jetty gaff" with a 10 to 12-foot handle and a 2-inch gap hook. Keep it sticky sharp. Using a hand after hand method stick the fish and drag it out of the water in one motion. This keeps it's weight on the hook and keeps it from flopping free. Only use the gaff when your sure it's a keeper and your not going to waste it.
That's how we do it - hope it gives you some ideas.
- 4/10/2000 2:17:00 PM
Submitted by
DannyT from NEW JERSEY says Jetty fish
IMO any gear used on a jetty should be able to lift a 7# inch fish up no problem. If you are good you can time the wave and swing a bass up with the waves. Using long leader is good also gives you a handle to grab the fish. A long handle gaff is always good too, Paul everytime I go out on the rocks I think tonight I get my 50# thus the gaff is always with me or my partner has his with him. Jaiem you obviously have not spent much time on the rocks if you thought a net would work :)
- 4/10/2000 2:53:00 PM
Submitted by
Eric G (205.188.196.38) from NEW JERSEY says Try a Snooter
Try a snooter when fishing a jetty. Basically a boat pole (telescopic preferred) modified with a tailer that can be used a "lasso" the fish at the tail. Send me a SASE to MCIA, Attn: Eric, POB 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 and I'll send you photocopy on how to make one.
- 4/10/2000 2:58:00 PM
Submitted by
ArtsNFlies.com from NEW YORK says Experimentation
DannyT - Though I would never dream of disagreeing with a surf caster of your talents and reputation, lowly me was looking for an safer way to pull up and release albies without having to climb down to the water line. I had hoped a net would be more fish friendly than a gaff. As I said, it was a thought that quickly showed it wouldn't work. You never know until you try.Jaiem
- 4/10/2000 3:22:00 PM
Submitted by
DannyT from NEW JERSEY says Hmmmmm
That came off a little rougher than I intended no offense was meant Jaiem. I have gotten pretty good at swinging bass out of the water over the years, but every year I have to kill a few that I have no choice but to gaff them.......Eric sounds interesting but sounds tough to do in a humping ocean at night etc.....sounds like it would be as tough as lip gaffing. I have been known to break off a fish along side the jetty (on purpose) if I was going to release it any way and could not get the fish safely. I fugure the fish has a better chance with a hook in its mouth than getting all bashed up against the rocks......of course the way we are going we wont have any jetties to fish off soon :(
- 4/10/2000 4:21:00 PM
Submitted by
ArtsNFlies.com from NEW YORK says Gaffs and jetties
No prob Danny. :) Sometimes you just have to use a gaff I suppose.Regarding your comment about not having any more jetties to fish off, are you refering to the rate jetties are being damaged and not rebuilt?
- 4/11/2000 8:13:00 AM
Submitted by
TomD (208.227.66.2) from NEW YORK says Gaff Hook
Have any of you tried a large stainless shark hook instead of a gaff head? It is much sharper so it hooks very easily and leaves a very small puncture for virtually no damage to the fish. Attached to an aluminum pole with a bright white mark opposite the hook for nighttime positioning works great. I haven't had the pleasure of trying it on a 50 but it's great for fish up to 20lbs. IMHO.
- 4/11/2000 2:26:00 PM
Submitted by
alby (206.67.217.20) from NEW JERSEY says Jetty Landings
At the risk of going against prevailing opinion, I am a long-handled net fan.The key thing, as PaulM says above, is to figure out where you are going to bring the fish in BEFORE you hook it.A net works just fine, and is a lot more polite than flopping the fish up over the rocks, or pulling it up with a oversized leader.
- 4/12/2000 11:35:00 AM
Submitted by
DannyT from NEW JERSEY says Jetties
Jaiem they are sanding them over and then cutting the butts so that when the beach errodes again you still cant get on the jetties. The northern NJ jetties will all be gone int he couple years.alby no offense but guys should not have nets on jetties......as a general rule of thumb, if you have a net on a jety you are considered a goofball......