Fishing gaff

A fishing gaff is a handling tool with a shaft and a substantial hook, used to bring fish aboard or ashore. It is held directly by its shaft and should be distinguished from an ordinary fishhook attached to a line. Gaffs may be encountered in older collections associated with fishing and coastal life.

Features and documented examples

Examine the hook shape, shaft and method of attachment. A twentieth-century example at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum has a wooden shaft and a metal hook secured with black binding. This is an individual documented example, not a standard for every gaff.

Norway's National Museum holds the image Fishing with Gaff Hook, printed in 1767 from an earlier plate. It provides historical context but cannot date an unidentified gaff. Shape, wear and rust alone establish neither age, maker nor local origin.

Describing and selling

Record the overall length, hook dimensions, shaft material, inscriptions, binding and any replaced parts. Describe corrosion, cracks and loose joints in a condition report. Information about former owners and use can be recorded as provenance where supported by evidence.

To offer older fishing equipment for sale, follow the guidance on buying and selling through OBA. Provide overall photographs and close-ups of the hook, attachment and markings.