TWRA to regulate gaffed fish

[Doskil]

A statewide regulation proposes that any fish landed with the aid of a gaff will be considered as a harvested fish and will count as part of an angler's daily creel limit. Fish landed with the aid of a gaff may not be released or culled once it is landed. This proposed regulation is to limit the release of culled fish that are injured with a gaff.

https://www.tn.gov/twra/news/2018/8/24/ ... eview.html

 

[WTM]

what is a gaff?

 

[MickThompson]

what is a gaff?

A sharpened hook that's commonly used for landing catfish usually. I didn't realize people were releasing fish they'd gaffed but apparently so.


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[WTM]

what is a gaff?

A sharpened hook that's commonly used for landing catfish usually. I didn't realize people were releasing fish they'd gaffed but apparently so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ah, what they use for saltwater. i wonder if people been killing big stripers using them and some complained.

 

[Pilchard]

Good for TWRA. I can think of no legitimate reason to gaff a fish you aren't going to keep.

IMO, if you can't grab your catch with bare or gloved hands, you shouldn't be fishing.

Not that it applies to TN, but I believe the same rule should be applied to all saltwater fisheries as well.

 

[Dbllunger]

I don't think I have ever seen a gaff used in freshwater before but apparently it happens. I agree with the proposed regulation. Once gaffed, a fish will die.

 

[Smo]

I've used them on catfish before.

It's the easiest way to land a big fish, but not really a good choice for the catch and release crowd!

 

[Hoppi84]

Snagging paddlefish on the mississippi river back in Illinois we use to gaff the snot outta bighead and Asian carp...