Gaffing stripers

[ballbuster]

Whats the scoop on gaffing stripers? Is it legal or not? Trying to clean up an argument.

Thanks

[Marine Tom]

I asked the same question a year ago. The answer was that yes a person can gaff a striper over 28 inches that is intended as a keeper.

[ballbuster]

Thanks Tom

[Kevinj]

In NJ, it is legal to gaff a legal size striper within the 3 mile limit.

When I was fishing in Conn last fall, I was told that it was illegal to
gaff stripers at all in that state.

I believe in most states it is legal to gaff bass, in some states it
is not.

Kevin

[Gr8ful Fish]

I am curious as to why you would need to gaff a striper in the first place. It isn't like they go nuts at the boat. Leader and lip them, or better yet leader and boga them. We have hit the stripers pretty hard the last few days, and haven't lost a single fish boatside, and I haven't touched a net. IMO , large circle, 40 to 50 lb. flouro leader, and a boga is the easiest way to handle a big striper, especially if you have any intention on throwing the fish back. :)

Procastinator.

[Groggy]

I am curious as to why you would need to gaff a striper in the first place. It isn't like they go nuts at the boat. Leader and lip them, or better yet leader and boga them. We have hit the stripers pretty hard the last few days, and haven't lost a single fish boatside, and I haven't touched a net. IMO , large circle, 40 to 50 lb. flouro leader, and a boga is the easiest way to handle a big striper, especially if you have any intention on throwing the fish back. :)

Procastinator.

i can see a bluefish becuase they got teeth, but stripers are usually dead tired by te time they get to the boat. much easier to grab with bogas, or just by hand.

[Forever Night]

Not everyone is on a boat or a small boat.

Jetty speaks for itself

I ve had one that wouldn't fit in a net and the boat was high enough that the only thing left in the boat was my feet and the guy hanging onto to them as I lipped it.

[TheAdamBomb]

Only time I'd gaff a keeper is from a jetty.

Otherwise, break out the net and/or boga/etc. like Procrastinator stated.

[teezy]

why would it be illegal to gaff astriped bass, when you can spear fish for them

[flats cat]

Whats the scoop on gaffing stripers? Is it legal or not? Trying to clean up an argument.

Thanks

I know it is illegal in Maryland not sure about Delaware on New Jersey?

[Forever Night]

I think where guys gets tripped up by this is there may be a law against gaffing one not on a hook and line (least i think)

So the story goes, big bass would winter over in the shallows and guys would gaff or gig them I think maybe they called it, something to that affect anyway.






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[Spooled]

Montauk is legal

Also easier to gaff a keeper fish alone

I drug in a 43LBER last year solo using a short T gaff(think tuna hook)
in left had leader in right, rod in holder with drag set light

[jigman90]

is it legal to clean [fliet]blue fish in the bay after catching them or must they be taken home to clean?

[loneshark]

Get off the boat and you can clean them.

[CTW]

Bluefish can be cleaned at sea any way you like.

[barrell]

Any fish without a size limit can be cleaned at sea. I would leave a flap of skin till you get home just so the CO wouldnt tie you up so long trying to identify the meat. It it is illegal to keep or to INJURE a fish that is undersize just as it is illegal to spear an undersize fish. Lagal size fish can be landed with any method you prefer.

[BigSexy]

You'd have trouble lipping one from my boat or using a Boga. You can't reach the water. So they either get a net or the gaff. Mostly a net

[swab1985]

Buy a the biggest frabil net its prolly 3-3 1/2 feet in dia....never had a fish too big for it, even put big tunas in it without a problem

[igoblues]

Gaff, net, whatever (make sure it's legal) and you are good.
I gaffed (bridge gaff) many srtipers off of bridges.
If I had any doubt to size, I would horse them gently over the rail for a good release or keeps:) .

[ballbuster]

Thanks for the replys. I believe the question was raised in regards to fishing alone and trying to land a large fish. Gaffing seems to much eaiser than using a net.

[JoeyZac]

Thanks for the replys. I believe the question was raised in regards to fishing alone and trying to land a large fish. Gaffing seems to much eaiser than using a net.

I've been in that situation and it's actually not that hard to lip them into the boat. They're usually very tired and fairly calm by the time you get them alongside the boat.

Just get a good look at where the hook is before you grab.

[Bob ECT]

It's legal in NJ but not all States

[dusky]

Swab1985 "netting big tunas" lets not get crazy now !
Big bass will bend a frabill !

[swab1985]

Never once in my life have I bent a big frabill. I've had the same one for about 8 years now, and she still works flawlessly. boated some big stripers, my best two were boated in it (both over 50#). yep, 75-90# bluefins...have to lettem' go some how after you have already limited out on them;)

[dekarate]

illegal in VA

[barrell]

A little off topic but I netted a couple of large Mahi last year after reading on hull truth that they would not put a up a fight in the boat and it was true they just laid quietly on the deck when netted and didnt act up.