Shot Placement

SubAqua · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:52 am Post subject: Shot Placement

Hey just wondering if anyone has a preference for there spear shaft being above or below the spine? Just for those times when the fish isn't stoned.

I'm thinking I prefer the shaft to be below the spine as I lost a good jack (3.5kg) with a shot placed about half an inch high of the spine and about an inch back from the gill plate. Managed to tear itself off easily when spear became wedged in cave. If the spear ended up half an inch below the spine I don't think It could of torn free without severing it's spine.

Also shot a small king (5kg) it was a rushed shot and didn't appear to be a great one about 1 inch below spine, and a 3rd of the way back along its body had to apply a reasonable amount of pressure to keep him out of the reef but the spear held fine.

If I had to pick between theses shots at the time I would have said the shot on the jack was better. My preference now however is for the kill shot obviously but for off target shots to be landed below the spine if that makes sense.

ash · Bonito Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 596

Yer i go below the spine rather than above. Yields better results for me. Low belly shots can be a disaster too but shoulder shots really sux. The fish has better leverage on the spear and fight as if they've taken zero damage.

I think getting into position to get a good shot is part of the sport and the person who regularly has to take long wild shots is doing it wrong. Not saying that's you. I personally had to work on that though. Brett Vercoe from the Liquid Focus vids is a perfect example of someone who obviously puts a massive focus on the hunt, the stalk and his positioning etc so that he doesn't need to take wild shots. it's very well planned and executed.

SubAqua · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:45 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info ash. I totally agree with you on positioning it makes a world of difference. I do try to go for kill shots as there's nothing more satisfying for me than to kill with one shot.

I think the thing with the king was that I hadn't shot one yet and so was a little bit excited I was also in the wrong position and taken by surprise. thinking back on it though I probably could of let it pass and waited for it to come back in when I was in a better position. Don't think I'll be shooting to many more kings as I'm not a big fan of the taste/texture.

I'd say that Brett is my biggest idol for spearfishing and his DVD's are basically what got me started still haven't found any better one's out there and I doubt that I will. I've actually had the pleasure of meeting Brett and he's a very nice guy in person.

Stealth · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

Was the king soggy and turned to mush when cooked? If it did, you just shot one of the northern, warm water kings. They aren't all like this (although we get heaps of them up this way) when the cold water starts pushing in you get the schools coming up the coast and they tend to not have the problem. Generally the ones that are by themselves, or have the big head and sunken body have the disease.
_________________
Safe, Sustainable, Selective Hunting....

Jesusfirst · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject:

I have had one of those "northerners" & I know exactly what you mean - very disappointing - but round Sydney they are normally good!!

Question: Is hitting the spine /stoning large fish potentially risking the flopper engaging? ie does it slow the shaft down significantly more then just normal flesh?

I ask because I landed a stoned fish this summer were the flopper hadn't engaged & was wondering if that could be from the resistance of the spine? It was a reasonable powerful gun with a heavy shaft & don't recall it being long range

Stealth · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject:

yeah, it can sometimes lodge... I've seen it happen plenty of times on big fish, usually on an angle down through the skull/spine.... not when shot from horizontal tho... they usually go through
_________________
Safe, Sustainable, Selective Hunting....

SubAqua · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:38 am Post subject:

Hey stealth, yeah it seems we do get a lot of the crappy ones I've tried a few and also talked to a few people and haven't had anyone say good things about them in my area. It's a shame such a nice looking and decent sized fish.

Stealth · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject:

I sat in the water and watched 5 kings around the 30-35kg mark swim right past me yesterday... elongated 44gallon drums. Wouldn't want to kill such a big fish to find out it was only worth burly.
_________________
Safe, Sustainable, Selective Hunting....