CORRECT AIMING

[manoliskamenakis]

Should I aim 3 cm IN FRONT of the lips of the fish? Because when I aim at the gills, most of them DODGE MY SPEAR IN A NINJA-LIKE FASHION.......!!!!!!! Most of the time they ACCELERATE while doing this... so the logical thing to do would be to LEAD MY SHOT...

 

[musubi]

Should I aim 3 cm IN FRONT of the lips of the fish? Because when I aim at the gills, most of them DODGE MY SPEAR IN A NINJA-LIKE FASHION.......!!!!!!! Most of the time they ACCELERATE while doing this... so the logical thing to do would be to LEAD MY SHOT...

I've had fish jump my shot like that, but most of the time it was because I was taking a far shot. So, being able to take closer shots helps in these cases.
Normally I aim exactly where I intend to hit, since the fish I shoot aren't moving that fast (or at all) and they're close shots.

Best I can recommend is to experiment and try leading your shots. I do this once in a while if the fish is swimming quickly laterally. Are the fish darting forward or away? Most fish that jump my shots, dart away (90 deg from me) and leading the shot wouldn't matter.

 

[manoliskamenakis]

I've had fish jump my shot like that, but most of the time it was because I was taking a far shot. So, being able to take closer shots helps in these cases.
Normally I aim exactly where I intend to hit, since the fish I shoot aren't moving that fast (or at all) and they're close shots.

Best I can recommend is to experiment and try leading your shots. I do this once in a while if the fish is swimming quickly laterally. Are the fish darting forward or away? Most fish that jump my shots, dart away (90 deg from me) and leading the shot wouldn't matter.

Thanks for the advice...

 

[Mr. X]

Afraid I don't know, I tend to shoot intuitively. Although familiar with giving lead from using a shotgun.

I sometimes find fish swimming across in front will turn away, seemingly without moving forward at all. It seems like they pivot at the gills or further back. But perhaps I am mistaken?

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

I think it depends on the fish and the gun and the conditions. Typically, I will aim at the exact location I want to hit a fish. It is important to pick a specific location, rather than the side of the fish if you want to have good shots and good percentages.

On very fast fish, possibly in openwater, when the fish is some distance away and is moving, it may make sense to lead the fish a little. I might point towards the very front of the fish in these conditions, so it should land in a good spot or at least on a gill plate if I aim properly.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I aim where I want to hit. It would be a rare occasion when the fish was moving so fast and/or far away that I'd lead it.