An elongated handle has a pointed fish hook rotatably affixed to one end of the handle, the hook having two operating dispositions, a first disposition wherein the hook is open for gaffing purposes and a second disposition wherein the hook folded back against the handle to block the hook point for safety. A mechanism releasably secures the hook at either disposition. A button actuated mechanism releases the hook from either disposition so that the hook can be moved from one operating disposition to the other. Preferably the gaff further includes a bias for urging the hook toward its open, gaffing disposition.