Don't be that guy Stop using Gaff and throwing back the fish almost dead! - Page 2 - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Ice Cream Bill · #11 05-08-2019, 01:58 PM

I striper fish 1-2x year but always practice catch and release especially with the big females. There’s an excellent article in this weeks Fisherman magazine on page 8 about striper bass release essentials by Capt. Nick. Those commenting in this feed about gaffing stripers should read it.

Merle31483 · #12 05-08-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

There is ABSOLUTELY no reason to need to lip gaff a bass..
released fish should not be harmed in any way.
put your hand in its mouth NOT a gaff.

.

If I did own a boat I agree reach down and grab the fish by the mouth to get the hook out and let her swim away. Unfortunately I don't own a boat and depending on the change in water height due to the tides sometimes I have no other choice than to lip gaff a bass most fish I do lift and release but some are too heavy and have no other option... as for a boga grip again I say sometimes the tide is 7feet below the ground and it would be impossible to grab from that distance without falling into the water

AndyS · #13 05-08-2019, 07:46 PM

So just come clean and tell us the story instead of spoon feeding us. You gaff striped bass in the bottom lip because you fish off a bridge with a 7 foot tide change ???

Merle31483 · #14 05-09-2019, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyS

So just come clean and tell us the story instead of spoon feeding us. You gaff striped bass in the bottom lip because you fish off a bridge with a 7 foot tide change ???

Come on man fishing from any bridge in Monmouth county has been banned for at least 15 years don't try to insult me

Adrenalinerush · #15 05-10-2019, 10:03 AM

If you can't reach the fish they make these really cool things will long handles called nets........

bunker dunker · #16 05-10-2019, 10:47 AM

and here we go!!!!!!

Capt. Debbie · #17 05-10-2019, 11:02 AM

EXACTLY! You net them. Then your can carefully drop the striper at your feet. Then NAIL THEM LIKE YOU MEAN IT WITH THE GAFF!!!! LMAO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenalinerush

If you can't reach the fish they make these really cool things will long handles called nets........

Merle31483 · #18 05-10-2019, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenalinerush

If you can't reach the fish they make these really cool things will long handles called nets........

I'll keep that in mind and I'll also let the other fisherman that also lip gaff their bass from this same spot that you mentioned this on this forum