Fish Spears and Spearing Fish

SPEAR OR CATCH FISH

Survival-Fish Spears and Spearing Fish

Have you ever tried it, in a creek, pond, or even using a spear f fishing targets? Like anything you are likely face in a REAL WORLD SURVIVAL SITUATION, spearing fish can be a real challenge, especially if you have absolutely no idea of what to do; or why you do it. Successful spear fishing depends on the width and depth of the water, the size of the fish you wish to spear, your patience and fishing skills, and to some much smaller extent the type of spear head. One thing that really pisses me off about some SURVIVAL MANUELS, SURVIVAL VIDEOS, SURVIVAL TRAINING SITES try to claim that it is easy to do—but only if you first purchase THEIR very expensive, and usually very poorly designed, (completely unsuitable in a real –life survival situation), HIGH TECH survival equipment—enough that you would need a truck or at least a small trailer in order to haul it, the next time you go traipsing off into the back woods, on your PREARRANGED, FULLY ORGANIZED, OFTEN FULLY EQUIPPED, SURVIVAL, ADVENTURE, EXCURSION. Military “field packs”, including ALL your available emergency equipment, weigh about sixty pounds (some will claim a hundred) and you have to carry them on your person—at all times--this is your survival kit.  What you have is what you get. What makes matters worse is that none of these manuals, videos, training sites really teach you any techniques in how to practice and become proficient at it. IT IS VERY, VERY, DIFFICULT—ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PRACTICE A REAL LIFE SURVIVAL SITUATION.

Anyway, getting back to how to spear fish--yep, you need a fairly long sturdy stick, one that is not too thick, too thin, too crooked; and then you need to sharpen one end of the stick to a point. Don’t make it too pointed or too thin or it will break too easily; in which case you will be spending too much valuable time and energy re-sharpening it.

NOTES:

1.       Never throw your fishing spear (no lance or spear should ever be thrown unless absolutely necessary; or unless you have a tether line attached.); if you do, you will probably lose it, especially if you are attempting to spear in swift flowing Canadian waters (because water is shallow; or has formed a pool, or eddy, does NOT mean no swift flowing current--there probably is). Spear fishing requires a smooth very quick, fling/stab/forward thrust.

2.       Multiple spear points work best because they’ll give you a greater chance of actually spearing a fish.

3.       Points made out of antler, bone, metal, or even glass or stone (because glass and stone stone are brittle, they will tend to break easily, in the event that you hit something unintended—like a rock or cast off bottle) may be attached; but of course, only if you are lucky enough to have found or otherwise obtained some.

Of course, the best place to spear fish is where there are at least some fish; where you see fish swimming, and WHERE THE FISH YOU DO SEE ARE ALREADY RESTRICTED BY SHALLOW WATER, —you just are NOT going to have any success, if you try spear fishing in deep, wide bodies of water. When attempting to spear-fish, it’s always best to be on shore, instead on standing in the water, for better, SAFER footing, and to avoid casting your shadow in the water, which will scare the fish away (does not apply to fish traps).

Preferably, you want to take a kneeing position on shore (reduce distance); and then all you have to do is wait until a fish comes with in your thrusting range. When you do get the opportunity to make a spear thrust, aim slightly below the fish (refraction)--you will also want to aim slightly ahead of the fish on order to counteract the inevitable quick forward flash in the fish’s movement.  If at all possible, your spear should already be beneath the surface of the water BEFORE YOU THRUST. As with any skill, the only way you are ever really going to learn is through much practice of

 THE OLD, LONG PROVEN, SUCESSFUL, TECHNIQUES.

One final note: If you are really serious about catching some; or having fish for dinner; I strongly suggest that you read my post on how to construct a gill net; either that; or use a line set, with several short lines, and baited hooks, attached.

©Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan 2012-All rights reserved.