when gafing a fish you want to try to stay away from the meat and try gafing under the head or the gills of the fish.dont get me wrong though gaf it wherever and whenever you can let the fish take a bunch of runs first or as soon as you stick the gaf in the water it will spook the fish possibly causing the fish to spit the hook.not to mention bringing a way too energetic fish on deck is never a good thing.with mahi aka dorado gaf and straight into the fish box or there will be hell to pay trust me i know.