If I for one can answer a (somewhat) serious question asked on this Thread: addressed by Bill & DJ particularly... the Goog Belt- Gaff Wearing Caster!
I am catch & release minded to the 99th power... that's just my choice! And yes, I catch my fair share-- every year, not just last! And, yes, I fish Surf mostly-- almost always using spinning gear if plugging or eeling-- & thus VS my choice-- for 12+ years now, again not lately! (Although, yes, I've broken them down in- field use many different ways in all that time... but I still love 'em today!)
But: as to the perennial wearing of the Belt Gaff (& lots of other necessary/ helpful/ needed accessories on my trusty/ beloved surf- Belt? )... even if in a spot too high-- or in the water-- for it's use, etc...
FIRST... THAT one always wears a belt- gaff... does not mean he ever uses it! (not that there's anything wrong with doing so if you are taking a fish to eat)...
Mine is there for the one- in a thousand trip where I'm face- to- face with my "50+"... probably in treacherous terrain! I might decide then & there to kill & keep her... or I might lip- gaff her & release... depending! (On too many variables to know what I'll do 'till that moment!) But that Gaff IS on my Belt always... though I've not ever once used it yet on my own Bass! (Yes, I did so for friends who were keeping theirs & needed my help landing it... Again, I'm all for a Surfcaster killing a Bass if putting it to good use!).
Yes, I too do land & release all my Bass (& Blues too) by (usually gloved) hand! I Lip even 30lb.+ Bass no problem! (unless she has a face- full of trebles!)... & release in- water usually! I would NEVER use a Boga on a Bass of any size: not because they're "uncool"/ non- traditionalist to use... but because they KILL BASS TO BE RELEASED! (Or at least up the release mortality very significantly! Think about it: 20- 30+ lbs. of weight supported by a living creatures' jaw?... & then it has to feed again soon afterward, or eventually weaken & die?
SECONDLY... The surf- belt Gaff I wear (by the "Surfcaster"-- great!)... is perm.- attached to my (main) belt! Securely with metal frame & point- rest... totally safe!). It is a permanent fixture on my Belt! -- I can't say, "oh, I'm fishing too high above water today so I'll leave my gaff off my belt, etc..." Yes, it's always there when I'm fishing the Surf... for one POSSIBLE use!...
But: see me with it all the time as you may...
& wonder what you will about it/ me!...
...for over a decade now I've carried it every minute I surf- cast, & still (on MY fish) I've never used it once yet! But I hope to need to some day not too distant!
And... If you're pulling a Cow you want to keep up the rocks next to me some day yourself... well, you might be glad too I always carry my Gaff!