You can get down near the water level at the south end of eshed wharf, IF you get the spot right at that end. There is/used to be a ladder a little to the north of that southern end but it's been a long time & I don't know if it's still there. It used to be illegal to climb down the ladder anyway. As for a gaff, it's wise to take one if your after bigger fish. I'd say it's a good 15 or so feet down to water level so I reckon a gaff at least 5 meters long would be needed.

 Yeh there is still two or three ladders to get down there, there are little platforms underneath the stairs. But yes i would advise to take a gaff if you're targetting larger fish