My good friend and videographer Choy Aming has some video footage of wahoos on the polespear...I think we may have an "Impact shot " as well'
and we may be able to share some stuff if you want to get together on it...
We have some wicked Tiger shark stuff that is our main focus, but we're always ready with the polespear when the hoos show up in the chumline.
The Manny is great for Groupers but doesn't have the length for 'hoos..
I've used two rear sections of the Manny with a JBL 7 ft aluminum front end to make a 13'spear and had success with that setup. (See pictures)The trick is to have either a completely detachable tip to a length of spectra to the float line, held in place with breakaway rubber bands...OR ... have a spectra reinforced rubber (10 ft of spectra inserted Bungee style into 3 feet of the elastic) and attach your float line to the loop where it sits on the back of your hand, so there's no drag when you release the spear.......
As to advice on using a polespear....try not to act like a predator...make the fish think you're interested in the same things they are..become one of them! The wahoo are really curious and cautious at the same time but sometimes, if you look like you're after the same piece of fish they are, they'll drop their guard. If there's two of you, they'll sometimes follow a diver on the way up from 50-60 feet down and the guy hanging at 30 feet may get a shot.
I've stoned a few with a spine shot just behind the gill plate and I've had a couple take off like a rocket and pull 2 or 3 smallish floats under...I use a 90 ft braided nylon float line to a small 2 liter float, then a length of 60 feet of polypro to a lifeguards can, then if I'm fishing as well and unable to chase the buoys, I'll tie it off to a rod and reel in the boat....No UWSA records there tho' ...!!
When using the Manny inshore we grind off the flapper tip and use a 3'' slip tip on 500# stainless cable looped to a loop through the 5/8'' Aluminum front end. Then, if the fish pulls you down 30-40 feet into a cave, you loop the rubber around a piece of coral and head to the surface....get a 3 minute breathe up , get your dive knife ready, then go back down and finish the job!
The fish in the picture was 67 lb and took me 3 attempts to get to the surface....Sometimes we can survive that first 20 second rush, keep the fish out of the reef and get them to the surface on one breath...but not usually!
