[Mr. Sandman]

Earlier this summer I poked fun at the great photo sequence that was in OTW showing the guys lip gaffing a fish with a home made gaff only to see it open up and the fish escape in a violent splash!

Well.............................................. ...........

The same thing happened to me yesterday.

We had picked up a 50-55" fish early and released it. I lip gaffed that with the smaller aftco boat gaff without any problem, and got it back in pronto. Later that morning, we got in a larger fish but at first glance it was no monster. It came to the boat pretty fast so I picked up the same gaff used earlier (we had two other larger gaffs a very large gaff and a harpoon on board)...The fish came to the boat and fish had a huge head...really fat but I did not think it was over 73...So I figured we would do the same get it in, measure, photo, out.. I should have reached for the other larger gaff ...Well the first try I could not get it on board by myself, I asked for a hand and we both really pulled and we were still struggling a lot to get his head over the gunnel. Then, the gaff straightened, the hook ripped out we went backwards on our ass and the fish escaped. I probably would have released the fish anyway but I want to get an accurate measurement, a quick photo with the angler (fish tuna fish) and get it back in if < 73. The head of the fish was enormouse for the lenght of the body, I have never seen one so out of proportion like that before.

Anyway in the heat of the battle, stuff happens. It can happen to you . next time...grab the stout equipment...that is why you have it.