Crowbar-like implement used to
subdue and land various types of
fish, particularly
salmon and
halibut. A gaff hook is essentially a rod made of
wood or
metal (depending on the type of gaff hook) with a
spike protruding somewhat downward at the end. The blunt end of the gaff hook is thus used to bonk and subdue flapping
fish, while the spike is used to "
gaff" these
fish and bring them aboard. Two major types of gaff hook include the
salmon gaff and the
halibut gaff, as described below:
Salmon Gaff
Gaff hooks for salmon are substantially lighter-weight than those used on halibut. A salmon gaff hook generally consists of a riveted (so as to provide grip) dowel made of wood, to which is attached a sharp, thin spike, usually made of steel. While being longer and less cumbersome than the halibut gaff hook, a salmon gaffs can break rather easily, especially if being used on larger fish.
Halibut Gaff
As halibut can easily be several hundred pounds in weight, the halibut gaff is an accordingly much heavier implement. Such gaff hooks are comprised of an iron bar, one end of which doubles back at an angle into a spike; and the other end of which is welded to an iron handle. Halibut gaff hooks are not only far, far stronger than their salmon-dispatching counterparts; but also pack a much greater punch as far as bonking power.