Pole Spears

[DSRTEGL]

My first was made of a 6' long 3/8"diameter solid fiberglass rod, a section of aluminum tubing for a socket type tip ferrule, a bungie strap, a hose clamp, and wire coat hanger "tines" (the pointy bits) glued into a section of broken fishing rod blank with Gorilla Glue to make a paralyzer tip. Went with the socket type ferrule so tips could be switched for different types or replaced if damaged.

It worked admirably and killed stone dead the first fish I tried it on, but the shaft flexes under load and I would recommend using a 1/2" or 5/8" rod for others using my same basic design. I will continue to use the rig as is for the large surf perch and mid sized rockfish I usually target. It has been recommended that I wrap the band around the shaft of the spear as I tension up to help prevent the shaft from flexing. I will give that a try.

I am in the process of making a second pole spear which will be an 8' 2-piece out of 3/8" graphite tubing made from 2 4' sections ferruled together in the middle. I plan to use a detachable paralyzer tip on this one that is tethered to a float for larger rockfish in more open water.

The tines (pointy bits) for pole spears can be made out of just about anything......brass, stainless steel, plate steel, drill rod, wire hangers, bicycle spokes..........Get the idea?

I can post pics of these pole spear builds if I can figure out how.

What I am running into though is that many don't like the paralyzer tips and most use other types like breakaways, floppers, toggle heads.......

I would love some advice on making these as I am a serious.............fish taste better when taken with gear you MADE type individual.

Hit the local home improvement store and found all sorts of alternate shaft options including 3/8"x6' solid aluminum rods and 1/2"x8' aluminum tubing and even 1/2"x10' metal conduit.................Really got me thinking.........

If I can find a plan for a trigger operated Hawaiian Sling those 3/8"x6' solid aluminum rods are going to become VERY interesting

[blaiz]

I would stay away from aluminum for your hawaiian sling shafts. First off they wont have the punch of stainless steele second they wont hold a sharp point. You will probably have to sharpen it after every dive. Last Im sure you know how easily aluminum bends and how impossible it is to straighten it again.

Is your aluminum polespear hallow? if so you can add a wooden dowel in the center to make it a bit rigid. also adds a little weight for punch.

and by bungie strap I hope you mean surgical tubing? If not you definately need to switch to the surgical tubing...WAY more power!

[DSRTEGL]

I am using a bungie strap on my fiberglass rig right now as I am having difficulty sourcing the proper surgical tubing for the job. It is also relegated to light duty for surf perch and mid size rockfish due to the paralyzer tip design so I will not be spending much more money on it right now. Wrapping the bungie strap around the shaft while tensioning the band helped the flex of the shaft quite a bit, speed and impact energy improved a bit as well.........Just ask my wall.........oops. My main pole spear will be the graphite tubing model I am fabricating right now. It will be inner sleeved and weighted.

I would use aluminum for shafts perhaps, not for tips as I know how quickly aluminum would get beat up when subject to impact. Making decent detachable tips for larger fish is the problem I am running in to right now.

[the_duckinator]

I made my polespears with 5/16" solid steel rods (6', zinc plated or stainless to prevent rust). I then bought a bowfishing arrow tip and used ferrule-tite arrow glue to attach the tips. Then I drilled a hole near the end of the rod for the band. To make the bands I bought surgical tubing, which I'm sure you can find online. Then I took a piece of small diameter plastic rope, about 6" worth, and tied an overhand knot at each end. The knots were inserted into each end of the tubing. I then took small gauge steel wire and tightly wound it around the tubing below each of the knots, to keep the rope from slipping out.

I've yet to bend the shafts, and the bowfishing tips have barbs to keep the fish on the spear. They work very nicely. I'll see if I can get some pictures on here later tonight.

Adam

[the_duckinator]

Nevermind, I won't be able to get pictures as they're not posted on a website.

DSRTEGL, if you're interested I can email them to you.

[DSRTEGL]

Originally Posted by the_duckinator

Nevermind, I won't be able to get pictures as they're not posted on a website.

DSRTEGL, if you're interested I can email them to you.

I am in the same boat I am afraid....can email you pics of my builds in return....Finishing an 8' graphite model with interchangeable tethered tips at the moment, and then plan to do another 2-piece out of aluminum with a similar design......What can I say...I LIKE VARIETY?

Derek

[the_duckinator]

I PM'd you

[blaiz]

Originally Posted by DSRTEGL

I am in the same boat I am afraid....can email you pics of my builds in return....Finishing an 8' graphite model with interchangeable tethered tips at the moment, and then plan to do another 2-piece out of aluminum with a similar design......What can I say...I LIKE VARIETY?

Derek

Dude, sounds like your a pretty mech minded bloke, try the hybrid, I garuntee you will like it. Just use 1/3 graphite for the front (should be a thinner type like 3/8in thick, and aluminum for the rear 2/3. You get the punch of aluminum with the durablility of graphite. plus you dont have to spin the pole as you pull the rubber back. Just a thought! Check out Lance Oharas pole spears. They are awesome.

[DSRTEGL]

Originally Posted by blaiz

Dude, sounds like your a pretty mech minded bloke, try the hybrid, I garuntee you will like it. Just use 1/3 graphite for the front (should be a thinner type like 3/8in thick, and aluminum for the rear 2/3. You get the punch of aluminum with the durablility of graphite. plus you dont have to spin the pole as you pull the rubber back. Just a thought! Check out Lance Oharas pole spears. They are awesome.

The whole idea of hunting/fishing with equipment I MAKE really satisfies the inner caveman in me I guess. Used to be BIG into black powder hunting back in the days when I had discretionary income. Killed pigs with home made boar spears.............A Hawaiian showed me how...........You get the picture. I use what I have on hand as far as components are concerned and then practice until they do what I ask of them. Spinning the pole ain't that bi a deal and the bungie band I am using instead of surgical tubing on my 6' fiberglass spear packs enough punch to drive my paralyzer tip deep enough into a pine tree that I had to place my foot against the truck for leverage to pull it free...........I LOOKS ugly............I call it the FRANKENSPEAR.........But it works. Would post pics but don't hav ethe image posting thing.

BTW.........Brass allthread as tines on paralyzer tips..........Think about it and it will come to you....

[blaiz]

not saying y ou should buy one, just try making one. No sense re-inventing the wheel. I agree with the whole personal side of hunting, making your own gear. good stuff

[DSRTEGL]

Originally Posted by blaiz

not saying y ou should buy one, just try making one. No sense re-inventing the wheel. I agree with the whole personal side of hunting, making your own gear. good stuff

Sorry.......My Bad.

Too much coffee and not enough sleep rears its ugly head again.....lol