In fishing, a gaff is a pole with a sharp hook on the end that is used to stab a large fish and then lift the fish into the boat. Ideally, the hook is placed under the backbone. Gaffs are used when the weight of the fish exceeds the breaking point of the fishing line or the fishing pole, but cannot of course be used if it is intended to release the fish unharmed after capture. However, fish gaffed in the lip, jaw, or lower gill can be released, given that the gaff hook was thin and it was done in exactly the right point.
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.
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