Polespear Fishing-giving the fish a chance?

[lagunadiver824]

I mostly hunt using a polespear in shallowish waters. When i use a speargun i hardly dont get the fish. I almost think of it as cheating. What do you guys think?

[foxfish]

I think you sound like a skillful guy, tell us more?

[spaghetti]

Give me a couple of months and then I'll throw in my two cents: after 20 years shooting spearguns I'm having my very first polespear experience these days!
By now I can say that, with a polespear, the fish let me get closer more easily. But in my area we have graduate fish who have learned through generations to stay away from spearguns. They still have to learn the dangers related to poles...
BTW: my shiny blue Aquasub polespear looks really, really cool (classy JimDoe2you design!)

[Marwan]

spago, is his the fold spear??? i have one of those, i tried it, failed miserably

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by Marwan

spago, is his the fold spear??? i have one of those, i tried it, failed miserably

What?! Did JimDoe send his pole to you too? He said I am the one and only official tester...bugger!
However I don't think that the thingy belongs to the foldspear category. It's a seven footer made of 3 pieces + paralyzer tip, no shaft. I caught 2 mullets with it so far and it was super easy but maybe it's just the typical beginner's luck...
How come you failed miserably? Tell us more maybe we can gather our (lack of) experience together into mutual help...

[monchan]

I've only ever used a polespear and some fish are really hard to get close to, although some are easy. But I image the feeling is really different from a gun. (having never used a speargun, but looking forward to my first go in spring) You really have to be sure not to take hail mary shots, because distance is really important and you do need to get as much penetration as possible for the paralyzer to work effectively. To the point of letting some fish go. I find fish that hang out in reefs (not holed up) are fairly good or enjoyable targets (neither easy or difficult, just fun) Bigger fish that come through in small numbers or schools are harder, but a great challenge if your ready when you come across them.

But I think spearguns and spears have different purposes suited to the location you dive, and the fish you pursue.

In answer to your question. I always get good fish with my polespear, though maybe not always the fish I desired. And I don't feel like I've cheated.
So I would imagine it's the same for those who use a speargun.

Happy hunting.

[Marwan]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

What?! Did JimDoe send his pole to you too? He said I am the one and only official tester...bugger!
However I don't think that the thingy belongs to the foldspear category. It's a seven footer made of 3 pieces + paralyzer tip, no shaft. I caught 2 mullets with it so far and it was super easy but maybe it's just the typical beginner's luck...
How come you failed miserably? Tell us more maybe we can gather our (lack of) experience together into mutual help...

no didnt buy it from jim, it was before jim opened the shop..., i failed because i was swimming with th polespear loaded, then after a while, i get tired from it being loaded, so i relax, of course thats when a fish shows up, if you start reloading, it sprints away from you...hence failed miserably...

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by Marwan

i failed because i was swimming with th polespear loaded, then after a while, i get tired from it being loaded, so i relax, of course thats when a fish shows up, if you start reloading, it sprints away from you...hence failed miserably...

oh! If so I too failed miserably: so many fishes passed me by while I was giving a break to my arm with slack rubber. Should we try the hawaiian sling instead?
Now Monchan: are you japanese? this is very interesting. Modern spearfishing in Italy has been introduced in the 30's by 3 japanese polespear divers... Apnea Magazine - LUIGI MIRAGLIA, PIONIERE DELLA CACCIA SUBACQUEA

[Marwan]

definitely spago, i just watched a dvd "oceans in action II" definitely made me excited about hawaiian sling, very cave man

[Marwan]

i found them here:
Austin's Diving Center - Hawaiian Slings & Accessories
I bought from that site several times, Doug, the owner is very nice and helpful

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by Marwan

i found them here:
Austin's Diving Center - Hawaiian Slings & Accessories
I bought from that site several times, Doug, the owner is very nice and helpful

I see Marwan, cool link...and I also see that those sling things in the link really look like...a strap-on DILDO??!! (Austin's Diving Center - Miami, FL) View SKU Picture

[Marwan]

whatever makes you happy spaggo

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by Marwan

whatever makes you happy spaggo

OUCH!

[monchan]

No I'm not japanese, I'm an Auzzie mate. The trick with pole spears is to chose your prey while still at distance, load, then use your skill to casually get within reach.
However the reefs I dive have kind of got corridors going through them where bigger fish do come through. And sometimes I will swim through them loaded hoping to chance upon one as I round a corner or something like that. then get it with the paralyzer before it gets away.

Many people like to hunt here with polespears. Some of them being really beautiful. And with the cost of one you could buy a good gun. (which is what I did for this year)

Heres a link that shows something in the middle between polespear / hawaiian sling and possible some elements of a gun. Never used one or seen one. I live in the sticks, no shops to check things out.

HUSE�bçó

[sciencemike]

I was told to learn to hunt with a spearpole. I use the foldspear, and the JBL aluminum modified, Gat-ku carbon/aluminum hybrid. In laguna where you are from its very easy to fill your stringer in 30 minutes with nice bass, rockfish, opaleyes and Sheepies with a polespear. The first time i took out my speargun after only ever hunting with a pole, i came out of the water saying ... This is cheating! Its toooo easy.

So the answer is yes it is incredibly easy to hunt with a gun in laguna. Try that same pole in Hawaii and you will be singing a different tune. Also the visibility is a big factor. I like the visibility to be just outside my effective range. So with my Polespear i love to hunt in 8-12 foot of vis. With my gun i like it to be 18+.