I made a gaff. Two actually.

[FishStretcher]

After getting sticker shock at the RISAA fishing show when I priced a larger gaff, I decided to make one. The 6 footers at the show were about $175.

Here is my design, 5 minutes into the process- just making sure the parts look like they would fit after I tap the tube.

This design is under $40 each with a fancy 2 piece shoulder bolt/rivet. About $30 with a normal machine screw and nylock nut.

I need a 3/4" NPT tap and a little quality time with a torch and hammer for the bending.

The basic design is to clamp the 5/16" 316 stainless rod in an aluminum bodied cable gland that threads into 1-1/4" fiberglass tubing from mcmaster-carr.

I will hammer one end flat into an eye. Drill a 1/4" hole for the bolt/rivet/pin. the other end gets bent into a hook shape.

Another $8 and you can get the 10 foot lengths of tube, not the 5 footers.

If I shopped around I could probably hit $20 for cost.

I think I will fill the handle with "great stuff" foam, and use some hockey stick tape.

I lost a few fish with a too short gaff last year...