I NEED A HARPOON

[Whitewater]

In the Northern Bluefin tuna fishery there is a harpoon catagory.
The equipment used there is very different than the rod and reel type harpoons used in S. Florida for swords.

First off the boats typically have a very high tower and a very long pulpit.
These extend upward and forward as much as 25 ft.
Basically the harpoon catagory uses a very long pole, in order to
reach the water from the high level of the pulpit. The first 50 feet or so of the dart line is an electrically conductive cable. The cable is then attached to a zapper. Once the dart is in the fish, the zapper man pushes a button and electrocutes the fish.

Having fished for Swords, in Miami, the harpoon is typically used like a flier. However, the harpoon appears much safer to the boater as the
gaff head may be launched free of the fish and into the boat. I'd choose the harpoon over the flier any time and think none less sporting of the landing tool.

[MANATEE MANGLER]

First of all thanks for all of the feedback iam goint to shop tomorrow tonight its time to fish :lol: 2 of all this for a glorified gaff people get there panties in a bunch over nothing.Like iam going to start out harpooning swords then manatees and mabey whales hell mabey i'll even club some fur seals.COME ON :lol: : :razz: :twisted:

[robalo]

As I said, being a retired commercial fisherman I am not opposed to the use of Harpoons. What we all should strive for is a definition of sportfishing by our limitations. In 1983 I pulled a large Thresher Shark to the left corner of the boat . He was asleep at the wheel and did`nt even know he was hooked. Since he had some value, I grabbed my .44 carbine and shot him in the head. You see? I think it is fine to use whatever it takes to land food or profit. Lawmakers often leave the waters muddy simply because they do not want to pissoff their constituents. The crux of the issue here is the length of the gaff. The IGFA limits that length to 8 feet unless the platform is too high off the water. The point of my discussion is where do you draw the line? That is going to have to rest with the individual for now, seeing that we have a bunch of chickenshit lawmakers who refuse to define the legality of Harpoons which should be done because of their origins. One thing that has always governed men is a good conscience;and that will have to do for now. I think it may be time to petition the IGFA for a rule change allowing the use of `Poons. Then the lawmakers would likewise accept them.

[NSBsailsandtails]

on the poon website in the riggin it says not to attach the main line to a cleat but to a poly ball. what i am wondering is how many people have torn cleats off their boats or how many have lost their harpoon from loosing track of the fish at night(yes the fish is on rod and reel but i assume they get off sometimes when harpooned). ive seen video of people spearfishing for yellowfin and the spear that comes off the gun is similar to the harpoon because it is attached to lots of heavy line w/ a float on the end and these yellowfin dunk the float w/ no problem so im guessing a sword could dunk a 18" poly ball if the fish was still a little "fiesty" or green.

[Stick-it]

NSB,

The reason we reccomend not tying off the dart line to a cleat is not to prevent the cleat getting ripped out of the boat. It is the opposite the dart getting torn out of the fish. The POON was originally developed for the Giant Bluefin Fishery, when there is a $8000 fish on the other end, trust me you do not want to pull a dart!!!!!!! I am happy to see the popularity of the "POON", in the south florida swordfishery.
As far as legal and IGFA, issues regarding harpooning recreational rod/reel swordfish I am an obvious supporter. I can say both Swordslasher and myself would love to see the IGFA change the rules. Quite simply it is just easier to Stick a fish with a harpoon, than fly-gaffing. I was brought up harpooning fish in New England, to me it is absolutly the best and most effective way to subdue a large fish boat-side.

Kevin Glynn

www.poonharpoons.com

[NSBsailsandtails]

also, i beleive if you got the chance to harppon a free swimmer you could hit it with a flying gaff and a reg. gaff. dont hate on me for this story because i wasnt there and it wasnt me, but my friends dad on the gulf coast saw a large free swimming mahi on the side of the boat and while evryone is scrambling for a rod w/ a bait he grabs a gaff and free gaffs it, turn out to be 54 pound mahi(one pissed off fish when in the boat). i think sticking a free swimmer is pointless because i fish for the sport of fighting the fish and i mainly do catch and release(Redfish, Trout, Snook, Tarpon, Sailfish). if i were a sword fisherman i would use a harpoon too, it is just a common sence way of ending a long fight.

[robalo]

That was not something to hate someone about, I understand the irresistable urge to obtain what one desires. The guy probably acted before he had a chance to plan it out. Aye, There`s the rub! What the guy was guilty of was involuntary fishslaughter. What the use of a `poon does is violate the principal of "fair play/chase" by stepping over the line established by the arbiter of this principal, namely the IGFA. I asked them to weigh in on this and will forward their response. The big slob that spooled a 50w? Some fish are not meant to be taken. As far as the poly ball is concerned, it would be better to have 4 progressivly larger balls on the line like we did in Cali when we stuck one.

[AkaUrDad]

Oh yea, well albar1 lands five swords in one hour when he gets out there. He's the fricken man! WOOOH

[robalo]

What a wonderful treasure we have called the internet. Gentlemen, I just looked up the Florida law that prohibits spearing and I can tell you that the law is very clear in its meaning and interpretation. There just aren`t any loopholes to be exploited in that law. Dad burn it!!! You can`t even gig Snook anymore. Take the time to read the law yourselves and take heed; if you err, best do it on the side of caution lest your sport be portrayed in a bad light,and you find yourselves lumped together with longliners. :razz:

[Darkside]

Robalo being in Oregon you proably weren't at the last meeting that NMFS held here in Ft.Lauderdale. There was some talk about changing the laws to also allow recs the use of harpoons in the assisting of landing swordfish. My choice would be a POON harpoon nothing but the best for me you can keep the rest.

[robalo]

I am very thankful for everyone`s input on this thread because as most of you know, fishermen are at their best when they argue with each other.The meeting with NMFS was a good start in the direction of changing the statutes that define the boundaries of sport/recreational fishing. There are going to be differences among you between the purists who believe all billfish should be released and those who think taking fish is a matter of choice determined by the individual. Grounds for another argument,but we can save that one for later. After reading the Florida law prohibiting spearing, you guys need to get together and try to persuade the lgislators to make an exception for the use of the harpoon. Perhaps even the IGFA will one day change their rules to allow the `poon. As the rules and laws are currently written,the cart is ahead of the horse, and I am worried that this fact could be used against you in the arena of public opinion. Rember this; amongst the emotional crowds of animal rights activists,tree huggers, PETA and many other extremist groups and those who fund them, the mere mention of the word Harpoon triggers visions of whales being stuck and bright red blood shooting out their blowholes.In the world of politics, images that stir up strong emotional response are key to gaining support from the public at large. Personally, I am all for the `poon because it is safer and more efficient. It doesn`t even bother me that someone might get really lucky and stick a free swimming fish. What sends up a red flag is when people try to circumvent the law by justifying their actions on shaky ground and compounding the potential fallout by inviting others to join them. As a whole I believe that the largest majority of Swordfishermen are committed to limiting their actions to stay within the boundaries of the sport. I invite anyone who reads this thread to read the laws defining recreational/sport fishing before putting a `poon on the boat. In the meantime, start calling your representatives and request an exception be made to allow the use of the `poon. Just don`t be too disappointed if you find yourselves in the minority opinion of the sportfishing community.

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by robalo

find yourselves lumped together with longliners. :razz:

I would NEVER! lump myself together with a longliner, Raping My big pond, Stealing Mine and My Neighbors fish, Shooting them in the head with a 44 or what ever means possible to make a Buck for his own pocket!
Ken

[John Doe]

From Marlin Magazine forum
Linwood or Rabalo
Topic: Harpoons
There seems to be a trend towards the use of harpoons in leu of a flying gaff amongst sportfishermen.I have been arguing on the Swordfishing Central forum about their use.I am not opposed to a better system than the flyer if it prevents/diminishes the loss/waste of the fish.My concern is that this method is not acceptable practice according to rules adopted by the IGFA and could in fact be in violation of state and federal laws.Does anyone in the Marlin community use a harpoon? There seems to be an endless debate on this issue going on.My concern is that those who fish for the sport should take care not to cross the line between the sport and commercial industries.Sportfishing should be defined by its limitations opposed to commercial fishing which is by nature much more efficient.Weigh in you guys.What do you think about this? Take a look at the topic, "Reaching the corner." Should he be told about the harpoon,or should they just learn to accept their limitations?

Topic started by: linwood on 12/16/05
linlin@uci.net


Post a reply to this topic.

Looks to Me like Mr.Linwood-Robalo Longliner likes to jump from forum to forum stirring the pot!

[robalo]

[quote="SwordSlasher"][quote="CaptKen"]
In my opinion the way we use a harpoon to dart a fish is the same way a flying gaff is used. Both the gaff or dart head are attached to a rope that is attached to a cleat and then they are placed onto or into a mechanism on a pole. Once the fish is stuck with either of them the dart/gaff then breaks free of the pole the fish is now able to be subdued and boated.
*(see post title) Yes,the pun was intended. Opinions are rendered by judges when it comes to the law. If you are arrested or cited and end up in front of the DA and the presiding judge, opinion will not let you off the hook(that pun was likewise intended). Please note that the post about the Swordfish violation did not discriminate between sport and commercial in its opening statement. Let me remind you that ignorance of the law offers no excuse. Having said that, I want to remind people that a gaff is a hook and a harpoon is a spear because it is not a hook.As someone pointed out, "someone is watching." YYYUP! That is most likely a true statement. One trend in law enforcement is to allow illegal activity to build up enough to make it worthwhile to start a crackdown. If and when that happens you will be lumped together with all fishermen, and that includes longliners. The press is good at painting with a wide paintbrush. Obviously I,a former commercial fisherman am a dumn ass who does not know how to understand the law enough to render an opinion, allow me to step aside while those of you with Wisdom render intelligent opinions while the Wisest amongst you seek counsel from an experienced litigater on the legality of taking billfish with a spear. Or you can tag along and risk giving your fishery a black eye. While the Wisest are verifying the law,it might be a good idea to look up the consequences too. Here in O re gon, poachers often lose their rigs,their guns,their bagged game and their hunting priveledges for several years; but they are still called hunters and that really makes hunters angry because it gives hunting a black eye. Now I am ops: for some of you.

[RiskTaker]

John Doe:

One thing that my Puerto Rican wife told me about stirring the pot. The more you stir it, the more it stinks. I think that she is familiar with a lot of those "Spanish" sayings. Correction - Maybe I got this one mixed up in the translation, I think it was stirring the pile, not the pot. Oh well.

I think that if this pot is stirred, it is a good thing, providing the outcome is a clear specification on the legal use of harpoons for recreational fishing, on both Florida statutes as well as rules compiled by NMFS for Federal use.

I really think that IGFA does not need to be included in the subject matter, because those that are needing to use a harpoon probably are more concerned with landing a great food fish than setting a new record, or whatever.

Marlin, for the most part, need to be released as much as possible due to their reduced numbers in the seas, so it is a lot easier to discriminate and not use a harpoon for marlin capture. For swordfish, nearly every single legal size one, perhaps sporting above the minimum size a bit, is intended to be boated, recreational and commercial alike.

It just seems that the swordfishing community happens to closely meld together between commercial and recreational interests. So in this case it is much more difficult to keep "an arms distance" attitude between recreational and commercial interests.

Let's just get the statutes, editted slightly to clearly allow the use of harpoons and gaffs to be plainly legal to assist to get fish into the boat when they are caught by hook and line. Oh, well how hard can that be?

Let's find out and see how long incompetance can fester and we can continue to debate for ever-more. Ask me, and I can come up with the proper wording in 30 minutes or less. Boom, bang, bing. DONE!
(But the wording for the favorable protection of the angler is what should be on the books; that we are trying to abide with.)

Next real problem please!

Let's go fishing and tell a good story instead.

[robalo]

My Italian stepmother taught me to make spaghetti sauce from scratch. I learned the importance of cooking over a slow flame and stirring the pot to keep the sauce from burning. It takes a lot of time and stirring to make good sauce; just as it takes quite a bit of pot stirring to raise enough stink so you can find the source. It is true:the Marlin that has to be smoked to hide its poor quality as a food fish gets the gaff while the highly prized foodfish gets the harpoon. If you are running a charter boat,it becomes even more important to insure against losing that food fish. There is nothing more satisfying than an honest man`s answer.Except a plate of pasta covered in homemade sauce. Good Luck to all, and hope you stay in at least the recreational fishing community.The clarity you spoke of is the most important part of this issue because Swordfish are just too tough for today`s skiff fishermen without a harpoon. :twisted: :twisted: :razz: :razz:

[hannaman]

I learned w/ a flyer and will keep it that way. I do have a harpoon but I don't use it especially on charters. Now pass that bowl of pasta w/ meat sauce.

[CaptainEd]

I got into this in depth a while back. Shooting a free swimmer is illegal period. Since it is very difficult to do and almost impossible to get caught it is what it is...

I talked with State officers and my main question to them was, "Is it legal for me to carry a harpoon on my vessel. I talked with several of them and I told them my intention was to print their response on this website. None of them would say any more than that it is a "grey area" and up to the officers descretion and the circumstances. NOAA said, "It's alright to use a harpoon/flying gaff to aide in the landing of a hooked swordfish".

I just saw a post on here a few days ago that someone free speared a mako while sworfishing and the dart ripped out. That is illegal, dangerous and it's very stupid. Even with the few idiots out there that would do something like that, it still happens so rarely It can't be considered a significant issue.

I want to say first that I am aslo a Florida native that got to fish,hunt and dive the good ole days starting back 40 years ago.

Florida native? Captain Ken Swindlefeather? ...native

Slasher makes a great harpoon. I recomend his harpoon.

Happy Holidays

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by CaptainEd

Florida native? Captain Ken Swindlefeather?

Slasher makes a great harpoon. I recomend his harpoon.

Happy Holidays

Welcome back Eddie, Thought you moved back to New York, How about Florida Cracker? You like that better than Native ? I will explain the true meaning some day, Im sure not many fellers from New York know the true meaning.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Looking for a christmas harpoon, Blah, Blah, Blah. SwordSlasher, Blah, Blah, Blah. Poon, Blah, Blah, Blah. Used for commercial fishing, Blah, Blah, Blah. Pro's and con's, Blah, Blah, Blah. Sick of this topic, Blah, Blah, Blah. Grey area, Blah, Blah, Blah. Florida Native, Blah, Blah, Blah. Harpoon Debate, Blah, Blah, Blah. Northern Bluefishery, Blah, Blah, Blah. Shop tomorrow, Blah, Blah, Blah. I'm a retired Commercial Fisherman, Blah, Blah, Blah. Nothing but the Best, Blah, Blah, Blah. Thankful for everyone, Blah, Blah, Blah. Together with a Longliner, Blah, Blah, Blah. Yes Pun was intended, Blah, Blah, Blah. Judges, Blah, Blah, Blah. Stirring the pot, Blah, Blah, Blah. Italian Stepmother, Blah, Blah, Blah. Flyer and keep it that way, Blah, Blah, Blah. Blue Boat, Blah, Blah, Blah. Welcome back, Blah, Blah, Blah.

Are you DIZZY YET? I am. I will have a bowl of some of that spagetti with gravy.

May Santa be good to us and grant our wishes of a BIG SLOB eating one of our baits, getting the fish to the boat, so we can stick it with the harpoon of our choice. A Happy Healthy, Holiday to all.