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I have been Striped Bass fishing for over fifty years and trolling mostly Plugs and eelskins.
I use a six foot long handle with a two inch wide gaff hook fiberglassed into one end. When bringing the fish up, I have the Angler draw the fish to the boat and I leader the fish. The fish almost always has his head up and mouth wide open. Insert gaff hook point side down, penetrate lower mouth skin and pull fish up with steady pressure to the lower lip.
Put a wet towel over her head to cover her eyes and if the trebles are really fetched up I have to lay her on the deck. With the towel over her head she seems to lay still. I use barbless hooks now and back the hooks out, pick her up with the gaff in her mouth and place her back into the water. Tow her a few feet and she will let you know when she is ready to go. Just back the gaff hook out and away she goes. Usually with a gigantic sweep of water from her tail in my face as a thank you.
It is a wonderful feeling to release big fish. Something I had never done until last year!
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