Fin Modifications

[fearthespear]

Here's one for you.

When spearing over rough ground I have found on many occasions that fish hang behind me. Anyone else had this and have you any tips to make them come up to the head end? Sounds wierd but it happens!

My theory is that fish feel safer away from the eyes and so fin end is favourite. For this reason the latest Dorset mod is my recently 'adjusted' fins. I have painted a couple of eyes on them to see if I can counter the above problem! Loopy maybe, especially when everyone else is going ice and camo...

It's too early to tell is there is a difference (especially as few fish showed on todays dive) but i'll keep you posted with results. Pic attached for your amusement! Ps. Anyone else tried this?

Ben

[trux]

Excellent! I have a tip for an improvement though: use a holographic sticker with eyes that would follow the fish as the angle changes. You could even make it blinking on them (you certainly know such holographic postcards) - that would surely scare the s**t out of them. In the same time, you could also paint an a**hole on you mask - that would make the illusion perfect!

Please note: I am just using the occasion for joking, it is not intended to offend you. I actually really find the idea excellent. Although I am no spearo and have no idea whether it would work, it is the way nature use mimics too, so finally why not!

[Jon]

I used to teach scuba with another dive instructor who did that to his fins. He did it so that students could keep an "eye" on him better- and so no one else would walk off with his fins on the dive boat since they all looked the same (black rubber) back then.

He wasn't into spearfishing s I don't know how it worked for him around fish.

Jon

[Erik]

I think it's worth a try. Here's a pic of a butterfly we saw last week at The Butterfly Gardens in Sidney BC.

[miles]

In the amazon river,most of the fish have a large dot close to their tail. (check OSCARS, which many tropical aquriasts keep). This is to make it seem as though it has an eye there, apperently to stop other fish from biting its tail!!

[laminar]

Cool! Paint some teeth on there as well!

[bgill]

You could always pick up one of these and strap it to your head to complete the look! Just make sure you have the "cheeks" facing forward or no fish will be fooled! You can also "purse" your lips when a fish is near to give a more "realistic"
effect!

Actually "the eyes" on the fins seems to be a good idea! Smart thinking...Keep us posted! Seems like it should work! I have fish BEHIND me alot when I'm spearfishing. I'm really curious to know if it works...I'd bet it will!

And yes...I DO have a TWISTED sense of humor!

[fearthespear]

Hehe...Thanks for the handy tips chaps!! I can see the new 'ass mask' becoming popular too. A little vent in the right place for exhaling could make it very authentic!

[fearthespear]

Right Peeps

The eye fins went out today in fair vis and I saw a few fish, mainly in front of me. Many pollack still gathered behind me though. End result is that I managed a fish whilst dive buddies didn't.

Too soon to say whether there was any advantage, a lot of the time we were in thick weed plus the art work may be a little 'unrealistic'!

I'll keep posting results for anyone that is interested...

Ben