A tool produced and used in the fishing industry to assist in retrieving large fish aboard a boat after being hooked on a fishing rod and brought to the vessel's side. Its origin is in 16th-century England river and estuary fishing. It saves the fishermen from leaving the boat and standing in the water to retrieve their large fish from the line.The fishing gaff is an example of equipment used in the fishing industry from around the 16th century that continues to be used today. River and bay fishing has been carried out in Warrnambool from the early to the mid-19th century. Gaff; wooden fishing gaff with a smooth pointed metal hook fixed to the end with black binding.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, fishing gaff, fishing equiipment, fishing industry, rod fishing, river fishing, estuary fishing, fishing tool