What (who) is gaff off - definition
Don't gaff off this report. It's due first thing tomorrow.
![gaff topsail]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/J&ERiggin.jpg?width=200 "gaff topsail]]")
![Gaff rigged Cutter [[Partridge 1885]].](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Partridge 1885 - Sails.jpg?width=200 "Gaff rigged Cutter [[Partridge 1885]].")
![Gunter]]-rigged boat to carry a triangular sail that is similar to the [[Bermuda rig]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Bermudianised Gaff Rig.jpg?width=200 "Gunter]]-rigged boat to carry a triangular sail that is similar to the [[Bermuda rig]]")
![''Gaffelaar'', by [[Johannes Christiaan Schotel]], depicting both gaff and square-rigged boats](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Schotel Gaffelaar.jpg?width=200 "''Gaffelaar'', by [[Johannes Christiaan Schotel]], depicting both gaff and square-rigged boats")
![Gaff rigged yachts race on [[Sydney Harbour]], circa 1900](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Centennial Regatta, Sydney.jpg?width=200 "Gaff rigged yachts race on [[Sydney Harbour]], circa 1900")
![cutter]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sloop Carmita-2.jpg?width=200 "cutter]]")
![''[[Governor Ames]]'', five-masted [[schooner]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Governor Ames.jpg?width=200 "''[[Governor Ames]]'', five-masted [[schooner]]")
![''Victory Chimes'']], National Historic Landmark](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Victory Chimes.jpg?width=200 "''Victory Chimes'']], National Historic Landmark")
![''Zaca'']], owned by [[Errol Flynn]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Errol Flynn's Zaca.jpg?width=200 "''Zaca'']], owned by [[Errol Flynn]]")
![VOC-Chamber of Rotterdam]], by Jacob van Strij](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Jacob van Strij - Het Jacht van de kamer Rotterdam.jpg?width=200 "VOC-Chamber of Rotterdam]], by Jacob van Strij")
.JPG?width=200 "Traditional Galway hooker, Ireland, June 2010")
Wikipedia
In fishing, a gaff is a handheld pole with a sharp hook or sideway spike on the distal end, which is used to swing and stab into the body of a large fish like a pickaxe, and then pull the fish out of the water like using a pike pole. Ideally, the tip of the hook/spike is placed under the fish's backbone.
Gaffs are used when the weight of the target fish exceeds the breaking strength of the fishing line or the fishing rod and thus typical angling retrieval would be problematic. A gaff cannot be used if it is intended to release the fish unharmed after capture, unless the fish is skillfully gaffed right in the lip, jaw or lower gill using a thin hook.
A "flying gaff" is a specialized type of gaff used for securing and controlling very large fish. The hook part of the gaff (the head) detaches when sufficient force is used, somewhat like a harpoon's dart. The head is secured to the boat with a length of heavy rope or cable.
