Spear Fishing Question...

[GillDog]

I am from the Pacific Northwest and I enjoy spear fishing, but I have a problem. I am interested in getting a halibut but they are quite larger than me. Since I am at a serious disadvantage underwater, I am wondering what I can do after I spear a halibut, since there is a fair to great chance that I won't kill it, I don't really want to be attached to it when it is wounded and towing me off to unknown depths....

[Uncle Pug]

...but here's my plan:

1. boink him in the head with a paralyzer point on a spear pole.
2. while he is snoozing slip a noose around his tail.
3. send the rope up with a lift bag to the boat.
4. if he is still sleeping cut his gills.
5. hang out and watch for a while.
6. quickly gut him bung forward.
7. swim away fast.

[FredT]

Originally posted by GillDog
I am from the Pacific Northwest and I enjoy spear fishing, but I have a problem. I am interested in getting a halibut but they are quite larger than me. Since I am at a serious disadvantage underwater, I am wondering what I can do after I spear a halibut, since there is a fair to great chance that I won't kill it, I don't really want to be attached to it when it is wounded and towing me off to unknown depths....

We do however dive the Oil rigs off MS and LA. Fish there are similar in size and power to the halibut.

1. NEVER attach either the gun or the shaft cable to YOU! We use a riding rig with SST cable made up to a short length of 3/8 or 1/2" rope to provide a handle for the fish during the Nantucket Sleighride. If done and used correctly the riding rig provides a solid handle that is cleanly and instantly released simply by opening your hand.

2. Study the structure of the fish species you intend to take. Examine skulls and spines to gain a detailed feel for just where to shoot the fish to brain it or cut the spine from any possible shot angle. If you can't expect to kill it stone dead with the shot from the angle you have presented, either move to angle that can be a kill shot or don't shoot.

3. Practice on smaller fish until you can reliably hit a mark the size of that kill spot, then work up to the larger species slowly. Shoot the scale, not the fish!

4. Try to detrmine if there is a "tie off' spot handy before making the shot. If there is no fall back to a missed shot other than "let the fish take the shaft" DO NOT SHOOT! Sequential bungied Floats and line spools work as a backup plan in open water, as do properly rigged drogue chutes for some of the larger open water species. Around places with obstructions both are deadly to YOU!

5. Remember that ANY fish larger than 30 pounds is able to easily kill you in the water if you are tied to him and he ain't hurt bad. I've been pretty well entangled by fish in the 10 pound class too but they don't generally have the strength to strangle you with the shaft line.

6.Stay clear of the line! Remember you can fight the fish in 3 dimensions. Get above or below the plane of the fish movement and watch out for fish that turn back on you. Loops in the line can be deadly if they wrap around and pull up tight on a foot or hand.

FT

[Rick Murchison]

Fred's post has excellent advice.
Back in the days when I'd shoot a fish that was too big for my largest fish platter, I used a detachable head attached to a steel cable, with a quick release "riding strap" made of 2" webbing. The shaft and gun were a separate arrangement, and if I made a bad shot my only attachment to the fish would be the speartip (detachable head); the shaft would fall free. For really big stuff we had the head attached to a line that went to a surface float - a shoot & get the hell out of the way proposition for the diver... the guy in the boat landed the fish.
Above all, some anatomy study and careful shooting can often obviate the need for any of the fancy stuff. To borrow a line from aviation, "the superior spearfisherman is one who uses his superior knowledge and judgement to avoid situations in which he must use his superior skill."
Of course, you could always use a power head and remove all doubt.
Rick

[swsurgeon]

Rick,

Although I'm not considering using one, I'm curious whether you see any spearfishermen firing powerheads these days? I heard somewhere (but have no way of confirming) that the ATF had taken the position that they are subject to regulation as firearms. I remember some of my father's friends experimenting with them back in the 60s, but I haven't heard much about them lately.

[FredT]

Originally posted by swsurgeon
Rick,

Although I'm not considering using one, I'm curious whether you see any spearfishermen firing powerheads these days? I heard somewhere (but have no way of confirming) that the ATF had taken the position that they are subject to regulation as firearms. I remember some of my father's friends experimenting with them back in the 60s, but I haven't heard much about them lately.

How they are classified depends a lot on the exact assembly method (Is the firing self-contained, can it fire out of water without "outside assistance"?)and how PC the agent in your enforcement area is. The ATF has never been known to let the law or physics get in the way of a regulation if the current administration of the enforcement area wants it.

I know of one design that is simply a 2 part disposable hermetic "cartridge case" without ANY firing mechanism at all that is considered a "firearm" if assembled, but is totally unregulated if there is no cartridge in it.... Don't ask for reasons. The answers you get will not be repeatable across enforcement district lines. The last time I chased this dog the only supporting law or engineering data ever cited was pretty much "Because I said so!"

That said most US state regulations prohibit landing of game fish taken with a powerhead anyway.

BTW an effective "disposable" 20 gauge powerhead can be constructed of a broom handle, 2' of surgical tubing, a double headed forming nail, 2 o-rings, 4" of EMT tubing of 2 sizes and a few brads. Do NOT fire this puppy above water though! The head self destructs on impact.

[swsurgeon]

Fred,

Thanks very much for the information. Sounds like we are better off sticking with the traditional gear.

When I complete my relocation to Alaska, like Gilldog I hope to pop a few halibut. I may need to save some bucks for one of those hot Rife (spelling?) spearguns. A prosperous friend bought two, let me use the smaller one, and I was pretty impressed.

[danceswithoctopus]

Gill,

I am also a Puget Sound diver. Be careful. The Washington regs specifically prohibit the use of 'drugs EXPLOSIVES, or poison that may kill or injure fish" (emphasis added). If you check on page 16 under Spearfishing it says, "The diver must be swimming or floating in the water while spearfishing. The use of explosives or bullets attached to the spear ('bang sticks') is prohibited." Arguably this may mean that attaching a detachable head to the spear and tying it off to a surface point (to be retrieved by surface support) is prohibited. I would strongly advise that you consult with the dept. of Fish and Wildlife or with the attorney who would represent you in the event you were busted before you engage in either of these activities.

Good luck!

[swsurgeon]

Hey DWO,

You've got to tell me how you got your name to fit when registering. I tried to use my Bladeforums name ("DancesWithKnives") and the software wouldn't allow a name of that length. Your computer skills are undoubtedly superior to mine!

[Rick Murchison]

Originally posted by swsurgeon
Rick,

Although I'm not considering using one, I'm curious whether you see any spearfishermen firing powerheads these days? I heard somewhere (but have no way of confirming) that the ATF had taken the position that they are subject to regulation as firearms. I remember some of my father's friends experimenting with them back in the 60s, but I haven't heard much about them lately.

Sorry for the late reply.. been divin'... and eatin' a few fresh snapper.
I haven't seen anyone use a powerhead on a gamefish ever. I have used homemade powerheads (in the 60's) and can guarantee a 12GA will kill a 200 pound shark instantly - but I haven't seen anyone actually carry one in years. I did see some in a dive shop in Panama City this weekend and asked the shopowner if they were still being manufactured - he said "yes."
Rick