I NEED A HARPOON

[robalo]

I heard a fisherman`s yarn about a big fight with a Gladiater of the sea. The kill is the most exciting part of the battle. It heats the boiler of life when one comes to terms with the knowledge that in order for something to live, there must be a death. You always feel good about being left alive.Even more so if you remember to bring the Hibachi. Enjoy the Christmas season with your families and friends.

[quack quack]

The sword in my avatar has harpooned.On the Viking Star out of Montauk 1977.My dad has the captain of viking fleet for many years.I'm the little guy in front.This was the first sword that I was on the boat for.I even steered the boat while my dad got the harpoon ready and headed to the bow.The first mate John steadman quickly came up to bridge to take over for me.We would look out for swordfish sunning on the surface in summer on our way in and out while codfishing cox's ledge.I have seen many swords harpooned since then and I have to say its alot easier to harpoon them when you have the leader in hand.But the excitment of spotting a fish on the surface and having every thing go perfect to get a shot with the harpoon is something I will never forget.Just one of the hundreds of memories I have of fishing with my dad.I know this thread is done but just one question.While bowhunting should I hook deer before I shoot him with bow? :lol:

[CaptainEd]

While bowhunting should I hook deer before I shoot him with bow?

This isn't deer hunting it's swordfishing. It's also not commercial swordfishing it's recreational sportfishing. There are rules and they need to be followed. The reason the rules may seem too restrictive is because we previously let commercial swordfisherman decimate the swordfish populations. Stick with deer hunting if you can't catch them with a R & R...

[quack quack]

Ed I guess you missed :lol: I know the difference between deer hunting and swordfishing.I have no problem catching them on R&R.I was just sharing a little history.Ed I hope we can meet and share some fishstories some day.I have done both types of swordfishing commercial and now recreational.before you blame me for decimating the swordfish population know that I fully support the longline ban that is in effect. It should have happen a longtime ago.At one time the swordfish population could handle the commercial pressure from local fisherman.My family has commercial fished in this country for 300yrs yes 300.I even have my grandfathers log books of harpooning swords back in 1935 very cool to see them no electronics then, all clock and compass.Like ran SW Montauk 1.5 hrs saw 2 fish got 1 184lbs shipped to fulton got 75.00.Back then the fishery could handle that type of pressure.But a large foreign fleet of longliners with modern gear and fishing tactics like soaking gear at nite glow sticks etc the swords did not stand a chance :cry: By the way I am not a commercial fisherman now.commercial fisherman can not make a living in this country any more.That truly is a sad thing.I am not talking about raping the oceans but just a living for them and their family.I guess farm raised fish is the way of the future.Everything made in china even our fish.Ed I hope we can meet someday I have lots of stories.Maybe at the next non meeting?Remember its not fish their catching its mens lives.

[Anonymous]

Harpooning Swordfish Commercially is a more "sporting" (I use the word loosely) way to harvest them. The boats that dart tuna and swordfish have a 25'-30' pulpet that folds up and down. When they head out to the fishing grounds they lower the pulpit down. Out on the grounds there will be anywhere from 1-4 spotters up in the crows nest looking for fish. Some boats use spotter planes to assist in locating finning fish and radio the location of targets down to those boats.

When a fish is spotted, the crew springs into action, the harpooner goes out onto the pulpit with the harpoon, the other crew members get everything else ready while another person directs the boat the captain towards the fish. Quite a lot of fish get away before they are darted.

If everything is not done perfect and anything goes wrong the fish usually will sound and it is gone. Then everything goes back to square one and the search for another fish goes on. So, in a way it is like stalking a quarry. In my opinion (a.k.a Blah, Blah, Blah) I don't think the Stick Boats could have ever really put a hurting on the fish stock.

There are quite a few a few states that allow hunters to bait deer, bear and fowel to their tree stands or blinds. That is not sport, and there is no skill involved in that type of hunting. Now I am equating that type of hunting called baiting to longlining. No sport to it, they lay down 30-50 miles of line in an area that they know holds fish and hook everything that eats the baited hooks. Then they boat them and throw back the unwanted fish that in most cases are already dead.

If you have (example) 5 longline boats in one area in one night that could mean possily 2,500 baited hooks soaking over night. That is a lot more fish possily killed in in one night. Unfortunately there are a lot more then 5 boats out there longlining the areas that are know to hold pelagic species. They can really put a hurting on any species.

Like I said opinions are like A-holes and everyone has one. A Happy and Healthy Holidays to all.

[quack quack]

Scott I feel the same way about opinions. I hope everyone has a great holiday and most of all a happy and healthy new year. Life is to short enjoy as much time with family and friends as you can

[Anonymous]

Originally Posted by quack quack

I hope everyone has a great holiday and most of all a happy and healthy new year. Life is to short enjoy as much time with family and friends as you can

Amen to that

[tunaman81]

One of the main reasons using a harpoon is a good idea to assist in the landing of a rod and reel caught swordfish is SAFETY. I prefer using a harpoon to assist in the landing of fished hooked and caught on a rod and reel because it makes the process safer for the crew. Gaffing a thrashing fish with a straight gaff puts anyone in the cockpit in danger of getting hit by a bucking gaff pole. Everyone who has gotten a few swordfish boatside knows that these are dangerous fish. That bill can do a heck of a lot of damage, not to mention the danger of getting tangled in the leader while wiring a large swordfish. With the use of wind on leaders and a harpoon, the wireman doesn't even need to make a single wrap while wiring a sword. The wireman can just grip the leader and guide the fish within harpooning or gaffing range. Harpooning can also keep the crew out of range of a swinging bill until the fish is subdued and ready to be brought onboard.

It is obviously illegal to harpoon a free swimmer and no one here is supporting that, but these fish are being caught by rod and reel. In all honesty there is no difference whether they are gaffed or harpooned to be subdued and brought aboard. We all swordfish because we love to get out and fight these fish on rod and reel and it is a lot of fun. Nobody wants to get hurt by a swordfish. We all want to enjoy our sport in the safest possible manner and return to port with a huge swordfish with the crew in one piece.

[robalo]

Since some of you claim I am only stirring the pot; it seems important at this time to declare my stance on the use of harpoons. I am very pleased that harpoons are used for landing Swordfish in the recreational fishing venue. To provoke a response from readers it is sometimes helpful to play the devil`s advocate as I have done in this thread. As Captain Ken brought to light,the legality of harpoons was left to the discretion of the individual enforcement officer in the opinion of an official who he asked about the law. Gentlemen, while you have a sympathetic governor in Tallahasse; now is the time to get the law cleaned up;leaving no doubt in anyone`s mind that harpoons are legal for landing Swordfish. Personally, I am not all that concerned about what others have to say about harpoons. Estimates of cryptic mortality of Swordfish stand at 59%. While some get that warm fuzzy feel good image of releasing fish to fight again, the data shows a high death rate. Swordfish are rough,tough and dangerous fish that have killed and seriously injured more fishermen than any other fish. They are also food which should not go to waste. I say stick them because it is a great thing to preserve a tradition. P.S. Thanks for the good argument.