Gaffs are now being made from heavy, stiff rod blanks, being used for offshore big game fish. Has anyone made a gaff from a blank? If so, what size blank is used, and how do you insert and stabalize the hook inside the blank? Thanks,
Sanford Hochman

I've made a couple short surf gaffs 12-16" handle length using butt cut-offs from trolling rods. figured where I wanted the gaff hook to be and stuffed a piece of styrofoam in from the base. Then filled it with epoxy.

Sanford:

You are right gaffs are being made from heavy duty blanks. However I have had encounterd problems with attaching the gaff hook to the shaft. However to avoid that problem the MUD HOLE, listed in the left column, has a fix for that problem. They offer a gaff kit that takes into account all of the problems of attaching the hook and the length and various sizes. I would suggest that you investigate these options unless you are the type who enjoys the challenge of the engineering aspect of constructing various items for use in the sport of fishing.

heres some photos of the gaff

[www.rodbuilding.org]

And heres the Hook I used, I believe it is made by Mustad in various sizes. I needed to grind the spike down to get it in the blank. Still will keep it from spinning or sliding out enbedded in epoxy several inches

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2009 10:57AM by Barry Thomas Sr.

Mud Hole has complete gaff kits as well as the individual parts (hooks, blanks, handles) available at:
[www.mudhole.com]

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Last year, I was using the heaviest "Custom Builder" blank that mud hole offered - those worked well, but actually
a bit more expensive than the custom builder gaff blanks also offered by mud hole.