beginning with hawaiian sling

[Doug Gausepohl]

Hey I'm starting out with a Hawaiian sling. I'm thinking of tying a line from my sling to a buoy (probably an empty laundry detergent bottle) in case I happen to hit a big halibut or something. I will be fishing from an ocean kayak. Any and all advice is appreciated!

[atomichaggis]

It'll take more than a laundry detergent bottle to stop a big halibut. try some boat fenders or something more robust.

[WaterNINJA]

I doubt that'd work for a number of reasons. The main being the sling will pull out of the fish easily. That's a rig you'd usually do with a speargun and not to mention a detergent bottle will get pulled under relatively easily and bye bye goes all the gear. With a sling 9 out of 10 times (the one time being you make a critical shot i.e. brain or spine) you'll have to grab the fish right away to avoid having it wriggle off then brain it with your knife. You could try a barbed tip if you can find one but those aren't typical of the tradition hawaiian 3-prong.

[Doug Gausepohl]

From reading in here I think I have a pole spear, not a Hawaiian sling. I have a 6ft aluminum shaft with a rubber band loop on the end. I did get the barbed 3-prong spear. I took one of those wrist straps that I use to hold a lobster measurement tool and placed it on the spear's rubber band, to keep the spear attached to my wrist, and it is easily adjustable so I can get it off quickly if I need to. Is that a good idea?

[Doug Gausepohl]

Oh and Davie I think a "big" halibut here is what they probably call "bait" in Norway

[atomichaggis]

LOL... Well if You do encounter a big one They have a tool for the job here, its known as a 'kveitespyd'. AvKroken Fiske
Not sure if it can be put to good use underwater tho.
You can see it in action if You search on youtube for halibut fishing in northern Norway