queensland Landing Fish On A High Cliff

[Drop Bear]

Hey Gang,

After a fit of advice. 

I fish with a mate at an undisclosed location off the rocks. Where we cast from is a long vertical drop (about 10-15m) to the water. It is dangerous and slippery on the edge and if you went in it would be tough to get out. Very hard to climb down as rocks are loose and its basically a vertical cliff and I don't want to risk it. 

We sometimes get good sized snapper there and cant lift them on the rod and if we try and haul them up by hand lineing they get caught on the rocks. 

We have had limited success spearing them with a spear gun. but it is over 10m and hit and miss.

Anyone got any good tips? 

[ellicat]

There's such a thing as a cliff gaff for this purpose.

It's basically a three inverted hooks on a rope that you let down along your line. A bit hard to explain. I'll see if I can google an image.

[ellicat]

Here's a pic

[ellicat]

I also found this picture of Cliff Richard

[Guest]

2 hours ago, ellicat said:

Here's a pic

Hi ellicat looks like it would work on the same principal as the old tackle back does for retrieving lures?

[Guest]

2 hours ago, ellicat said:

I also found this picture of Cliff Richard

I reckon Cliff is wearing a rug

[ellicat]

37 minutes ago, MSB said:

Hi ellicat looks like it would work on the same principal as the old tackle back does for retrieving lures?

The hooks go over the fish and when you pull upwards they pull to the centre and (hopefully) hook into the fish. You can see one in action on this video.

 

 

[swmcl]

Ellicat is onto it.  Those cliff gaffs are used all the time at Steep Point.  Probably best to find a tackle retailer in WA or make them yourself.

[Old Scaley]

Online tackle stores have them from $22 to $109.

[Drop Bear]

Ok worth a shot. Those hooks don't look like they would spike into a snapper. Perhaps I could modify them by sharpening to a finer point? 

[Drop Bear]

14 hours ago, Old Scaley said:

Online tackle stores have them from $22 to $109.

Thanks mate will purchase a set.

[Drop Bear]

22 hours ago, ellicat said:

I also found this picture of Cliff Richard

Does he climb down and grab them for you? 

[samsteele115]

Yep +1 for ellicats suggestion. Also seen reef anchor style spikes (outward facing) attached to a rope work very well. Not even that sharp, they spike through easier than expected with not much dcking around. 

Saw it in action at Hervey bay pier last time I was there 

[Drop Bear]

10 hours ago, samsteele115 said:

they spike through easier than expected with not much dcking around.

Do you think that it would work on a snapper? 

[samsteele115]

Are their scales harder to penetrate? Sorry for dumb question haha.

I can't help you!

[benno573]

6 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

Do you think that it would work on a snapper? 

mate the cliff gaffs are used by a heap of fishos on snapper, groper, dhufish, kingies, sambos etc in WA that i have seen on the youtubes (check out gidos landbased fishing for multiple examples and some INSANE cliff fishing).  they can take a couple of cracks to get the hooks in any fish, usually end up sliding in under the gills, gill rakers or even in the eyes which while graphic would be very effective.  only other option would be an extendable pole gaff (i.e. one with multiple clip together sections) which i have also seen used on the youtubes in places like WA. 

 

have also seen the ones @samsteele115 mentioned - the would be pretty hit and miss in rougher waters, they are lowered down and you basically direct the fish over them at which you point lift up and jag fish.  used on jetties a lot but not sure how it would go in a surf type location.

[The Mad Hughesy]

ive seen these used before...no need to worry about trying to stab the fish to get it up. Just lower it down, guide the fish into it and start pulling. 

 

[Drop Bear]

On 15/07/2019 at 2:15 PM, benno573 said:

mate the cliff gaffs are used by a heap of fishos on snapper, groper, dhufish, kingies, sambos etc in WA that i have seen on the youtubes (check out gidos landbased fishing for multiple examples and some INSANE cliff fishing).  they can take a couple of cracks to get the hooks in any fish, usually end up sliding in under the gills, gill rakers or even in the eyes which while graphic would be very effective.  only other option would be an extendable pole gaff (i.e. one with multiple clip together sections) which i have also seen used on the youtubes in places like WA. 

 

have also seen the ones @samsteele115 mentioned - the would be pretty hit and miss in rougher waters, they are lowered down and you basically direct the fish over them at which you point lift up and jag fish.  used on jetties a lot but not sure how it would go in a surf type location.

Will give it a go and report back. 

[Drop Bear]

3 hours ago, christophagus said:

ive seen these used before...no need to worry about trying to stab the fish to get it up. Just lower it down, guide the fish into it and start pulling. 

 

That looks awesome. Do they clip onto the fishing line?