Handle fish with personnel (9)
I believe the answer is:
pikestaff
'handle' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'fish with personnel' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'pike' (pike is a kind of fish).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'personnel' becomes 'staff' (staff is a kind of personnel).
'pike'+'staff'='PIKESTAFF'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pikestaff that I've seen before include "that's very plain!" , "comparatively plain" , "Weapon on a pole" , "Mediaeval lance" , "Shaft, proverbially plain" .)