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...

[castalot]

Looks like you just started a part time business

[FishStretcher]

First try. A little blacksmith action with a propane torch and an hour later I got this. The next one will look better. I think I would prefer 3/8" 316 SS not the 5/16 I bought for the prototype.

Had a family emergency so didn't get a chance to clean it up.

[FishStretcher]

Hammered an eye in the hook and slit a 3/4" close pipe nipple with a hack saw as a tap for the fiberglass tube

[FishStretcher]

Heat to orange color with propane, whack with 4 lb hammer. Repeat. Then drill. Make sure the cable gland is on before you bend the hook 😀

This ugly part is inside the tube. 3/8" would have been more metal to flatten for the hole for the pin.

[BA17]

This is right up my alley. Materials $40, trips to 3 different stores on the opposite sides of town, 100 man hours, but I saved $130!

[FishStretcher]

Originally Posted by BA17

This is right up my alley. Materials $40, trips to 3 different stores on the opposite sides of town, 100 man hours, but I saved $130!

That would be true normally!

In this case McMaster Carr was my hardware store. I can share the part numbers. And we have some metalworking stuff around the house. But really it needs a propane torch, vise and hammer. And a drill.

The 3/4" pipe nipple was scrap. Well, Yankee inventory.


Next one should look better!