Pole-Spearing techniques... Got any?

[scottwilson]

Thats awsome!!! I've thought about getting one to take with me when I go spearfishing with my gun. I take it there is line connected to the pole?

[lagunadiver824]

Hello, I need some help with trying to find a pole spear. I am a new spearfisher and about 5 foot 6 and was wondering what size spear i should get. Also if i should get a Hawaiian Sling or just a regular pole spear. Thank You.

[beamjoel]

I would vote polespear seeing just because I am not sure of your freedive ability or your hunting experience. Remember with a sling (free shaft) you have to be able to chase the fish down if you didnt stone em. And if the fish holes up deep your have now lost your fish and shaft if you dont have the breath to go and retreave you catch.

I am very fimiliar with the Laguna Beach coastline and the Vis isnt always that great so even if your breathe can take you deep enough you might not be able to see where the fish ran to.

As far as polespear makes I like both the JBL 1 piece and I just got a GATKu 7ft that is really nice with both the slip tip and the 3-prong.

The JBL you can pick up anywere and the GATKU you have to custom order.
www.gatku.com
good luck

Joel

[lagunadiver824]

Thanks a lot for the tips. A couple hours after i posted i went and got a 5 foot pole spear with a barbed paralyzer as the tip. I went out to test it and couldn't see much because the surf was a little bit to rough for were my buddy and i usually go. I almost got a fish but missed and hit a rock. I was happy though that i got the regular pole and not the sling because i cannot go very deep or hold my breath very long so it would be hard to retrieve the spear if i missed or to chase down the fish. I will be back at it soon and hope to get a good sized corbina. Thank you.

[Rollout]

Question about shooting a polespear.

I've been (trying to at least) hunting calico with a 7' JBL travel spear w/h paralyzer tip, but it seems to bounce off of the fish that I was shooting. I was well within 3' of the fish, and had the band stretched a good 4-5'.

I've since changed to a single flopper rock tip, but haven't taken a shot at anything yet.

Should I get a stiffer band, or maybe stretch the one I have a little more? I've also read about stretching the band in a spiral pattern around the shaft for a rifling effect.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[bgill]

It sounds like 'yer not getting enough power. I use a 6 ft. JBL with a super dull three prong & it powers right into fish. Never had it bounce off of a fish!

When I'm at full power on my polespear - which is usual when about to spear ANY fish - I am actually gripping on the bottom of the three prong itself!!!!

I'd say thats about a 6 FOOT stretch on the band!!!! I don't think 3 feet of band stretch amounts to very much power.

Try to really stretch out that band next time...Its not easy to hold for very long with out practice.

Don't give up!!!! You'll be so stoked once you get used to it!

Also, the Calico may be a tough skinned or scaled fish - I don't know - I'm stuck in freshwater. I have bounced off with my flopper tip on HUGE carp before though - when they were completely broadside to me. A 3 banded speargun will bounce right off of ones head!!! Tough critters.

Try to get them (the Calico fish) quartering away from you..Just like if you were hunting with a rifle, or bow & arrow on land...That may allow the three prong to "get under" the scales easier.

I would think that a flopper type tip would maybe even get less penetration. Again...I know not what a Calico is...But my flopper tip tears up fish if they weigh less than a pound or two. I always use a three prong for fish under 4 pounds.

[lagunadiver824]

Hi, I need some help on catching a fish. I have gone out spearfishing now (with a pole) 3 times and have never caught anything. There are plenty of fish and i have missed so many times. Is there some special way i should be shooting the spear or any special area i should be aiming for? Also, since it is underwater do i have to aim above or below the fish because it is underwater? Thank You.

[minimate15]

if your face is submerged when shooting fish, you just aim at the fish, not high or low. Are you holding the pole spear band towards the tip enough that you are getting good power. until you shoot a few fish i would just aim for the general area of the body. Also if there is a pool you have access to, set up targets and practice. they can be as simple as a milk carten tied to a piece of string so that it's hovering about half way off the bottom of the pool.

[TB2Scuba]

I've found that if you actually use your pointer finger and point it at the fish while the spear is "cocked" it gives me more accuracy.

[Mmmm...Quiet...]

Like they said, whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP!!!!! After you hit the first one, all else pales in comparison. I shot my first fish probably 13 years ago and still remember it perfectly. It was a grunt passing broadside to me, and when I shot I hit him right in the freakin' head with all three tines. He never even struggled, just instant stiffness. I guess they call it a paralyzer tip for a reason.
For a number of reasons, I didn't dive for a long time and am just now getting back into it. This time, I'm mostly orienting on snorkeling and freediving (trying to learn, anyhow), and keeping the tanks for extended bottom time at deeper levels. I can't believe the drag that crap creates.
Just remember, don't give up. Remember, all it took for a lot of us was just one hit. You're gonna love it.

[WaterNINJA]

Sling takes a lot of practice but it's great once you get the hang of it. Make sure to twist the band around the shaft by turning the shaft as you cock it. Don't cock the spear until you see what you want to shoot and it is in range otherwise you'll just waste oxygen holding a cocked spear and end up with a sore hand as well. Stay extremely still as well if you just lay on the bottom without moving you'll be amazed at what will swim right up to you. =)

[eric540]

sry to interupt but i diont know how to start my own ? however i was curious which pole spear do u guys believe to be the best on the market

[eric540]

idk if my last comment came up or not so ill say it again just in cas, what pole spear do u feel is the best on the market

[bgill]

Manny Puig or Gat-Ku.

I like the Gat-Ku myself...With the slip-tip to attach it (the tip) to a float.

If you only go for fish under 10 pounds then any polespear commercially available will work.

[WaterNINJA]

Kawabungas are really nice.. the hybrid half aluminum/graphite ones 7 or 8ft should do you pretty good. Depends on where you're diving and what you're going for. I'm used to diving hawaiian waters where there are quite a few divers and the fish are usually pretty scared. If you have power problems shorten up your rubber or go a little thicker