Pulling in a fish after a poor / long shot.

[Mr. X]

Who'd have thought it, Alvin Stardust a major influence on the face model for the Omer Alien spearo mask:

(Is that a diamond studded Omer Mini-Laser knife mounted on his arm?)

[Pastor]

[Marwan]

loosing a speared fish i think is the most frustrating feeling ever...especially when its a big one
we all lost and still loose them im sure...besides the advice of passing on a desperate/long shot to begin with....besides the tips on leaving the gun and following the fish which we all do...
sometimes, depending on the species of course, a different tip could help... i know that some people hunting dentex for example go for double barbs and sometimes even slip tips to lessen the chance of the fish ripping free... i know that slip tips are also almost a must for powerful fish like tuna... i would imagine a slip tip to be an overkill for your average mullet though...bear in mind that these two options add some complexity in dispatching the fish and more reload time as a result...so its not all good... a spare gun helps.. you could also try the gun that shoots 2 spears by picasso in case you get a bad first shot just pull the other trigger and out comes another spear,,,i have no clue how effective these guns are though but should be a cool experience if it saves a catch
cheers

[spaghetti]

All good stuff Marwan. But the problem with the Picasso Twin (double shot speargun), I've been told, was not only the complicated aiming and the poor tracking, but mostly the nightmare of the two spearlines tangling together! You can figure that out...

[Pav]

Thanks for the continued good tips. I put them to practice this weekend , and no fish lost! I think a combination of changing the rigging (which I feel was holding the spear back, as the line was being held back by my mis undertstanding of the bridge and line cross over) but also I have now as described left the spear and line, and gone for fish. Difficult to break a habit, but no fish lost (and all were soft mullet!).

PLEASE ALSO NOTE. STARDUSTS GLOVE IS WHITE. I WEAR ONE GLOVE AND IT IS BLACK. (if anyone knows where you can buy a white neoprene glove please let me know ;>) ! ... damn. I thought that one was dead and buried! Cheers Pastor

[jernejm]

It would be hillarious if Coo Ca Choo would actually be a species of fish......in my imagination it is.....and a big one

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

Pav, I think there's nothing wrong with your gun. Of course every gun has its own range limit, and you must make a friend of it. Any target off that limit is simply too far: there's not much you can do. But you can still:
1) drop the gun and jump on the fish to grab it in your hands, as correctly suggested by the other lads.
2) Optimize the ballistics of your gun with these little bits of tips, which can give only a little help, but then, as they say, every bit helps:
-remove the muzzle bridge, so eliminating any drag of the spearline crimps/knots while passing through the bridge.
-be a maniac in constantly sharpening your spear tip: the sharpest the spear, the deepest the penetration. (and by the way, the "recessed" flopper is intended for less drag in water and better penetration. It helps a bit)
-gain a bit of power eliminating the drag of heavy bungees and swivels from your spear line, IMHO I lean to think you don't need that heavy rigging for hunting bass with a single band 90.
-load at second notch if you're not hunting in narrow spaces between rocks (spears are expensive).
-a dyneema wishbone will eliminate the parachute effect of the plastic screws of a traditional screw in wishbone (this will give you a very, very little bit of extra power, but as said every little bit helps).
-If you're aware you're shooting a target placed at the very true limit of your range, try a loop shot, with a curve trajectory like a mortar shell, aiming one or two inches above it. (but this is difficult: I suggest you to do some practice with fake targets like plastic bottles to get an idea of how these shots come up).
More tips to share will be welcome...
etc

Uh I forgot the anatomic resource: your shots will gain a little additional power if you shoot with a stiff arm: less energy will be lost in the back-blow of recoil. Stiff arm. Shoot with a stiff arm.

PS: Jernjeim. welcome on DB. Your post is not bad for a first post ever

[jernejm]

Thanks spaghetti, ill try more

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by jernejm

Thanks spaghetti, ill try more

he he he!
Slovenia? I'm visiting my uncle in Trieste late in summer. Maybe we can meet and spear some coo ka choo together!

[jernejm]

no problem, i live 30km from Trieste and am a big fan of Coo Ca Choo related activities

Just let me know...

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

...problem with the Picasso Twin (double shot speargun), I've been told, was not only the complicated aiming and the poor tracking, but mostly the nightmare of the two spearlines tangling together! You can figure that out...

I hadn't thought of that but it did strike me as a little dangerous.
e.g. loading an already loaded gun; playing & dispatching a fish while the gun is still loaded
It would be handy though wouldn't it!

[Pav]

REELS.

I do have the reel for the Omer XXV, but removed it as I felt it would add to bulk and reduce the tracking speed. Yesterday I tried with the reel, and felt it did not effect my hunting (although no fish in the bay ;>) ! ).

How would you use the reel? I know you can set the drag, but at what stage would you use the reel. Poor gut shots? / 10lb + ? The tempting thing is to get that fish as quickly as possible and giving it line may be difficult in my mind, although understand the reason.

Any tips on how to make best use of the reel if I leave it on.

[blaiz]

I love my reel, and unless I was to do some blue water with a needed float and release system, I will never take it off my gun. I dont notice any difference with tracking. If you are only shooting smaller fish you can tighten the drag all the way so no line can be taken off. If you do see something larger you have the option of loosening the drag giving the fish a little more "play." I have landed a few fish with really bad shots only because I had my reel. Also, If I am diving in deep water and I shoot something fairly large the reel enables me to get to the surface quicker by letting the fish run.

Disadvantages... though I cant think of many the one that does come to mind is tangled lines. IF a fish does take out alot of line the chances of your line getting tangled around other lines, rocks, coral, kelp, is very high. The reload time is also greatly increased.

but i will take a landed fish anyday

[Marwan]

to me the reeel essentially serves the same purpose as float/line but with the added advantage of being more usable if you hunt in caves or areas where a float line would constantly tangle/be inaccessible like kelp beds as well...for a badly shot fish, i dont think you can use a reel in fighting a fish like you would on a rod...
but depending on the length of the reel line (typically 30-50m) i suspect it gives you more slack line versus a float line (20m) that a badly shot fish could pay out (and maybe getting into a hole where you might have a second chance to land it) before causing tension on its flesh and ripping out...

[spaghetti]

Yes as Marwan says, speargun reels are not made to fight fish like you can do with angling/rod&line reels.

Our reels are very simple devices, just meant to endure the initial reaction of a fish: you give him line to prevent him breaking off when he initially tries to escape with all of his strenght. Then after, when his strenght diminishes due to pain, bleeding and vital organs damage, you simply go to retrieve it.

You use a reel for big fish, badly hit fish, or when you shot a fish while you're feediving very deep. In the last case, the reel will let you swim up your way to the surface without having to "lift" the fish with you. In this sense, it's also a safety device.

My suggestion is to keep your reel with a semi open friction (i.e. with a little drag) and then, eventually, open all the friction after shooting the fish.