Anyone out there (builder or supplier) know of a source for 12' gaff blanks?

Thanks,
Nick

Nick you are going to have a hard time finding such a long gaff handle. One idea is to build your own out of a rod blank. you will need to buy a surf blank (fiberglass) longer then what you want the finished gaff too be. Cut the tip down getting rid of the thin section. Now tape one end and pour the center too fill with laitex. I believe tap plastic carries it. Just an idea.

I made a 12' gaff out of an old fiberglass VHF antenna I found....ripped all the inners out to lighten up...works great

12', dang it man, what are you gaffing?

Would two 6' pieces with a connector for you to epoxy into place be satisfactory?

[www.lamiglas.com]

Give Lamiglas a call.

Don

Don Becker

I also did a gaff using an old vhf antenna. Worked great. 6ft. I think it was a little sturdier in the tip section compared to a rod blank. I removed the wiring then built it.
I also think a two piece will work just fine and you can probably get even a sturdier shaft that way. Just find a piece of rod blank that would slide into each section where you would glue it in about 5 or 6 inches in each section and your in business. My only question is what your gaffing and from where. There will be some bend in the blank at that length and I suppose that could effect the gaffing capabilities. Using a rod blank or antenna,I think fish in the 20 to 40 pound range it might work. I think at 12 foot you might have some issues getting the gaff hook to stick good because it will bend a bit.

Nick; Seeker Rod Co. makes a commercial Lift Pole that's 12' in length. The commercial guys use them to fish Albacore. I doubt you would want to pay the shipping for one though. If you are interested go to Seeker's web site and you should find them in the blank catalog.

I have built several 5' gaffs.
Look at garage sales i picked up 4 at a garage sale for 2.00$ each these were solid glass strip them down and go from there.
Have not had 1 fail in 3 years and that includs the one on a charter boat.

matthew jacobs Wrote:
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> 12', dang it man, what are you gaffing?

Bluefish on a charter boat..............

We use Bamboo gaffs on the Party boats here,Wrapped with Seine cord

Calcutta isn't so easy to come by anymore. If I wanted something cheap in that length I might consider a hardwood dowel, like they use to hang clothes on in a closet. It won't be elegant but it will be functional. Try 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" and finish with linseed oil or spar varinsh. Then wrap with tuna cord. There are other things but you need some luck to obtain them economically. For example if you have a friend in the electrical utility business try a "hot stick" that has failed a conductivity test:)

You might want to check local laws. They may be a limit on length.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.