besides the 12pack....

[dpohlson]

I suppose I'm back in the rock hopping business. I just fashioned a gaff.

I got an enormous treble hook (grappling hook), an old hockey stick, and a 1/4 20 bolt. Slapped some fiberglass over it for good measure. Live and learn. What I should do is LISTEN!!!!!!!! to you guys. . .

Thanks.
-Dana

[jon006]

Originally Posted by dpohlson

I suppose I'm back in the rock hopping business. I just fashioned a gaff.

I got an enormous treble hook (grappling hook), an old hockey stick, and a 1/4 20 bolt. Slapped some fiberglass over it for good measure. Live and learn. What I should do is LISTEN!!!!!!!! to you guys. . .

Thanks.
-Dana

You should be able to land a huge fish without a gaff in most spots. The only place I would consider gaff use is a jetty because of the dangerous nature of fishing them. Pick a safe landing/wading zone and make sure you don't bring in a green fish, slide her right up to you when tired and grab the mouth and don't let go!! No bass injury!

As for stuff to bring for a trip; its easy to remember every possible tool or plug to capture a bass but I think we all tend to forget about items for us while on the water...food, water, 5 hour energy (being tired on the rocks can get you hurt) ect...

[striperjim]

Wow - Holy old thread alert.

Originally Posted by Suds

Also, safety note - don't ever get the high concentration stuff in your mouth. Somehow, on that same night, I did. My mouth, tongue and throat were burning and by the time I got home my lower lip was so swollen I was looking like JJ from Good Times.

Tell me you haven't paid your dues.


As far as the hand gaff question. They make them between 9 and 15 inches. The good ones have a holder for the wader belt.
The idea of the hand gaff is to get it under the cartilage in the lower lip or under the gill and hopefully minimize the damage.

A boga works almost as good.

[jerseystriper]

I may have missed it, not sure. First aid kit, even a tiny one-tape, band aid, gauze and such. I usually always have one, it's a bit bigger than a surcretes tin. Also not included in kits but I usually have is finger cots, I cut the fingers off latex/nitrile gloves. The fingers work good to seal up a band aid or bandage on fingers. Last night I did not have kit and had to make the trek back to the car to duct tape up my finger. Ruined a prety good night.

For the scissors I like to use forcep scissors, they have a blunt point with locking forceps/scissors that will cut any line(except wire). I use Rivalley brand as the scissor part is super sharp. I have also in the past used Rapala's or similar 7" forceps w/scissors built into them. They work great for removing hooks(pretty darn strong) and again scissors for cutting line.
When I used to bridge/pier fish I would always carry a rope gaff as hauling a big fish up stinks or maybe impossible without it.

As for the camera they now have disposable digital cameras that allow 20 pictures, have an LCD screen and the ability to delete unwated pics. When you fill the camera with the 20 pics you just bring it in and have processed to CD. The big bonus over regular 35mm disposable is abitlity to preview and delete crappy pics. They cost around $20 maybe less for the camera:more info The digital cameras features a 2.0 megapixel lens. This will give you fairly good quality pictures, but don't expect to be able to blow up master shots any bigger than 3x5 or 5x7. The greatest part about these new disposable digital cameras, is that you will receive all the benefits of a disposable regular camera, but for a similar price tag, and the bonus of getting to preview and delete your pictures. Truly this is a great innovation and will probably replace regular disposable cameras by storm. Some stores even offer processing with the price of camera as long as you bring back to same store

Oh yeah and last but not least, some way to measure a damn fish. Threw back a keeper size fish last night as I was not 100% sure. I checked it on my rod and then measured rod later. It can be as simple as that-a mark or piece of tape on your rod. That was probabaly the first time I did not have a tape measure with me.