I'll have to wait and see what they've got in store for me at work first - it will probably be another very last minute decision as to whether I can make it, or not (plus I've been getting in quite a lot recently, now that I'm working closer to home).
Reference the spear: seems to be flopping ok. I'm wondering if I should have been pulling the fish towards me straight away, and thereby immediately setting the barb against the fish, and then maintaining the pressure - as opposed to nailing him with the spear and then relaxing, while he goes nuts, thinking that I've got this one in the bag.