# What is a tailer and how does it work? (fishing)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tailer-and-how-does-it-work-fishing/619314>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 19, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tailer-and-how-does-it-work-fishing/619314 "2012-04-19T20:10:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tailer-and-how-does-it-work-fishing/619314/1 "2012-04-19T20:10:50Z")

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According to the [Angling Regulation Summary](http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/activ/activ7.aspx) for Prince Albert National Park, it is unlawful to “use or have in possession a gaff-hook or tailer”. The term “gaff hook” I understand, but what is a “tailer”? The word doesn’t appear in any dictionary I’ve consulted (Wiktionary, Merriam–Webster Online, American Heritage Dictionary) except for the OED, which says only that it’s “A device with a metal loop used for landing large fish by the tail.” I had trouble picturing how such a device would look and work, so I did a Google Images; [this photograph claims to be a man holding a tailer](http://www.gofishing.co.uk/upload/22966/images/_Skipper%20tailer.jpg), but I still don’t understand the mechanics of the tool. How is that thing supposed to get hold of a fish’s tail tightly enough to haul the fish out of the water?

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tailer-and-how-does-it-work-fishing/619314/2 "2012-04-19T20:40:41Z")

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the handle is a tube. pull the part going through the tube and the loop tightens. it is a type of snare.

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**Author:** ![cynyc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@cynyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynyc)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-tailer-and-how-does-it-work-fishing/619314/3 "2012-04-19T23:56:38Z")

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Kind of thing used for holding up a fish for a photo for on thing. Cord tightens around the tail.