Harpoon vs flying gaff

bajakian · 02-15-2007, 03:12 PM

I was going to buy a flying gaff but friend of mine suggested that a harpoon might be a better choice. Any body have any thoughts on the differences and pros and cons? Does anybody that uses a harpoon prefer a certain type or length, and why? I'd appreciate the insight of the forum members.

Swordone · 02-15-2007, 03:50 PM

I always have one of each. Better to be prepared!!!

snooknreds2 · 02-15-2007, 05:47 PM

I prefer the poon brand harpoon. i like how it splits into two pieces. both are seemlesss aluminum that is light weight. but then on the end there is a thick heavy piece so that when you stick the fish the weight of the poon head helps apply more force. this way you dont have to try to apply more force and in turn you have more control over the dart shot.

also i prefer to have the poon and the flyer. but i ALWAYS stick the fish with the harpoon right through the gills and hopefully hit the heart killing it instantaneous

then if it is a big fish stick it through with the flyer also

my .02

Nick C · 02-15-2007, 06:54 PM

Harpoon.... the Poon brand is the wtg.

WhItEoUt 23 · 02-15-2007, 11:45 PM

give me a POON

---------------------------------

TIGHT LINES AND SHARP HOOKS

JupiterSailfish · 02-16-2007, 01:04 AM

Poon Harpoon, it's a beast. Can't wait to use mine.

bajakian · 02-16-2007, 05:43 PM

Do you use your Poon with a power head when you stick the fish? If so, what caliber is the shell? And do you attach the harpoon to the boat or to an inflatable ball?

snooknreds2 · 02-16-2007, 06:27 PM

NO POWER STICK!!!!!
i dont even know if that is legal

you get a dart head. it is a big arrow looking thing with a cable crimped onto it. I just tie off onto the boat but i have never had a fish take any line. If you take your time and get a good stick through the gills (and hopefully the heart) it pretty much kills them instantly

Broadbill · 02-16-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajakian

Do you use your Poon with a power head when you stick the fish? If so, what caliber is the shell? And do you attach the harpoon to the boat or to an inflatable ball?

.50 caliber full metal jacket attached to an old 13 Boston Whaler hull.

snooknreds2 · 02-16-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadbill

.50 caliber full metal jacket attached to an old 13 Boston Whaler hull.

get er done

bajakian · 02-17-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snooknreds2

NO POWER STICK!!!!!
i dont even know if that is legal

you get a dart head. it is a big arrow looking thing with a cable crimped onto it. I just tie off onto the boat but i have never had a fish take any line. If you take your time and get a good stick through the gills (and hopefully the heart) it pretty much kills them instantly

thanks Snooknreds2. The manufacturer calls the harppon head a "Power Head" which I guess means that it is "powerful" but I wasn't sure. I have no interest in shooting fish with bullets, so I wanted clarification prior to buying it.

snooknreds2 · 02-17-2007, 06:26 PM

thats what you want

they also make it with a brass head that is a little bit cheaper

Warrior · 02-17-2007, 06:33 PM

I like POON! Better have a gaff too. Gotta be ready for the big beeatch.

bajakian · 02-18-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snooknreds2

thats what you want

they also make it with a brass head that is a little bit cheaper

Thanks again for your input and advice.

That looks like coated cable in that picture. Why do you use Cable on swords? My understanding was that cable was more for sharks.

And how many spear heads do you keep ready when you go out?

LIGHTS OUT · 02-18-2007, 10:16 AM

Cable for the most part is used for sharks but in this case, the cable is for insurance(strength and durability). Poons can be used on sharks without a doubt, but I prefer a flyer over a 'poon anyday for a shark.
-It's always nice to have at least one extra 'poon spear head just in case of a not so accurate shot on the first try. It really comes down to personal preference as well as circumstance. One of each on board is the way to go.

freezorburn · 02-21-2007, 02:44 PM

Don't be a sissy, just gaff it.

A 8" or bigger Flying gaff and two 6" gaffs are all you need. I lost a 500 mako becuase dart pulled out 2x, never again.

Leave the Harpoon on the wall.

shipmate bill · 02-22-2007, 01:54 AM

harpoon those beasts. If you practice you can nail stuff a decent distance away or under the boat (out of gaff range) with a harpoon. Plus if critters decide to freak out boatside, they don't have a big metal spike to chew gashes into the gelcoat. They can do enough damage with their bill, why give them another toy to beat up the boat?

Thumper235 · 02-22-2007, 09:12 PM

I just bought a poon. I look forward too seeing it in action.

njoimia · 02-22-2007, 10:35 PM

Need to have both!

snooknreds2 · 02-24-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shipmate bill

harpoon those beasts. If you practice you can nail stuff a decent distance away or under the boat (out of gaff range) with a harpoon. Plus if critters decide to freak out boatside, they don't have a big metal spike to chew gashes into the gelcoat. They can do enough damage with their bill, why give them another toy to beat up the boat?

when you say you can nail stuff from far away are you still sticking through the gills or are you just hoping to get it into somewhere in the fish?

i have thought about throwing it when you cant get that last four feet, but i like to make 100%, ok well 90%, sure that i am going to hit the gills and i actually aim for the heart so i have never gotten the

to throw it at the fish. instead I hold the dart like 6" right above where i want to hit and then plunge it through. that way the fish pretty much dies instantly

BAJAK what did you end up getting? did you get to use it yet?

02-15-2007, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
bajakian Hooked Up Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 913	Harpoon vs flying gaff I was going to buy a flying gaff but friend of mine suggested that a harpoon might be a better choice. Any body have any thoughts on the differences and pros and cons? Does anybody that uses a harpoon prefer a certain type or length, and why? I'd appreciate the insight of the forum members.

02-15-2007, 05:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
snooknreds2 Hooked Up Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dania Beach, Fl Boat: Fishing, mountain biking,scuba diving, skate boarding, playing drums Occupation: Ocean Engineer / sign maker Posts: 700	I prefer the poon brand harpoon. i like how it splits into two pieces. both are seemlesss aluminum that is light weight. but then on the end there is a thick heavy piece so that when you stick the fish the weight of the poon head helps apply more force. this way you dont have to try to apply more force and in turn you have more control over the dart shot. also i prefer to have the poon and the flyer. but i ALWAYS stick the fish with the harpoon right through the gills and hopefully hit the heart killing it instantaneous then if it is a big fish stick it through with the flyer also my .02 __________________ "COLLEGE... THE BEST 7 YEARS OF MY LIFE" I will miss fishing 4 days a week every week Top of the line wedding Photography by LIMELIGHT Photos www.stepintothelimelight.com

02-15-2007, 06:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nick C Grander Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 900-1600' of water Boat: 25' Bluewater(Rough C's) Best Catch: est. 120lb Tarpon on 16lb tippet(fight time was 12 min) Occupation: Squid rigger Posts: 2,110	Harpoon.... the Poon brand is the wtg. __________________ "Put your buoys out... we're comin' in HOT!"

02-16-2007, 06:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
snooknreds2 Hooked Up Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dania Beach, Fl Boat: Fishing, mountain biking,scuba diving, skate boarding, playing drums Occupation: Ocean Engineer / sign maker Posts: 700	NO POWER STICK!!!!! i dont even know if that is legal you get a dart head. it is a big arrow looking thing with a cable crimped onto it. I just tie off onto the boat but i have never had a fish take any line. If you take your time and get a good stick through the gills (and hopefully the heart) it pretty much kills them instantly __________________ "COLLEGE... THE BEST 7 YEARS OF MY LIFE" I will miss fishing 4 days a week every week Top of the line wedding Photography by LIMELIGHT Photos www.stepintothelimelight.com

02-17-2007, 06:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
snooknreds2 Hooked Up Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dania Beach, Fl Boat: Fishing, mountain biking,scuba diving, skate boarding, playing drums Occupation: Ocean Engineer / sign maker Posts: 700	thats what you want they also make it with a brass head that is a little bit cheaper __________________ "COLLEGE... THE BEST 7 YEARS OF MY LIFE" I will miss fishing 4 days a week every week Top of the line wedding Photography by LIMELIGHT Photos www.stepintothelimelight.com

02-15-2007, 03:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Swordone Lines In Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: MIAMI Boat: fishing Occupation: Property manager Posts: 20	I always have one of each. Better to be prepared!!!

02-15-2007, 11:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
WhItEoUt 23 Hooked Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: pompano bch Boat: dusky 23 Best Catch: 160 lb swordfish 52 ib rooster fish Occupation: self employed Posts: 952	give me a POON --------------------------------- TIGHT LINES AND SHARP HOOKS

02-16-2007, 01:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
JupiterSailfish Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jupiter, FL Best Catch: 170lb Swordy - Tag Teamed it Posts: 579	Poon Harpoon, it's a beast. Can't wait to use mine.

02-16-2007, 05:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
bajakian Hooked Up Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 913	Do you use your Poon with a power head when you stick the fish? If so, what caliber is the shell? And do you attach the harpoon to the boat or to an inflatable ball?

02-17-2007, 06:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
Warrior Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ft.Pierce Boat: 60 Ocean SS/31 Contender Best Catch: 369# core Giant Bluefin Posts: 308	I like POON! Better have a gaff too. Gotta be ready for the big beeatch.

02-18-2007, 10:16 AM	#15 (permalink)
LIGHTS OUT Hooked Up Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Plantation, Fl. Boat: 26' Open Fish/ Twin 200 Best Catch: 300+ Swordy Occupation: entrepreneur Posts: 557	Cable for the most part is used for sharks but in this case, the cable is for insurance(strength and durability). Poons can be used on sharks without a doubt, but I prefer a flyer over a 'poon anyday for a shark. -It's always nice to have at least one extra 'poon spear head just in case of a not so accurate shot on the first try. It really comes down to personal preference as well as circumstance. One of each on board is the way to go.

02-21-2007, 02:44 PM	#16 (permalink)
freezorburn Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Jersey\Key Biscayne, FL Boat: "Norson" Custom Canaveral 28' Pilot House Best Catch: They where all the Best! Occupation: Programmer\Construction Work Posts: 342	Don't be a sissy, just gaff it. A 8" or bigger Flying gaff and two 6" gaffs are all you need. I lost a 500 mako becuase dart pulled out 2x, never again. Leave the Harpoon on the wall. __________________ "The Sea Love Those Only Who Fear It"--KBYC-- Capt. Ken of the "NORSON"

02-22-2007, 01:54 AM	#17 (permalink)
shipmate bill Lines In Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: jersey shore Boat: which ever one i'm working on Best Catch: 800+ # bluefin followed up by a 500 10 minutes later Occupation: Merchant marine (AB) and charter boat mate Posts: 32	harpoon those beasts. If you practice you can nail stuff a decent distance away or under the boat (out of gaff range) with a harpoon. Plus if critters decide to freak out boatside, they don't have a big metal spike to chew gashes into the gelcoat. They can do enough damage with their bill, why give them another toy to beat up the boat?

02-22-2007, 09:12 PM	#18 (permalink)
Thumper235 Hooked Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Miami Boat: Pursuit 3000 Offshore Express Occupation: Dockmaster Posts: 294	I just bought a poon. I look forward too seeing it in action.

02-22-2007, 10:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
njoimia Lines In Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Miami Beach Boat: 56' Best Catch: all of them. Occupation: fishing Posts: 98	Need to have both!

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