Flying harpoon12/27/2022 ![]() Once the fish is alongside the boat, a straight gaff can be used to control and bring it on board. Have the person on the rod continue to wind as the harpoon line is being retrieved. Upon sticking a fish, do not cleat the line or put excessive pressure on it, especially if the fish is swimming away the dart will likely pull out if you do. Based on fish size, have a second fishing outfit ready to attach to the buoy. Prior to darting a fish, clear everyone and everything in the path of the main line. Then my shot usually ends up midway in the fish.” For instance, if a fish is 10 to 15 feet down and, let’s say, crossing right to left, I’ll aim for the lower stomach. “Many a top tuna and swordfish harpooner has told me that, when in doubt, you should hit low. This way, I can power it down straight and true.”ĭaffin agrees with the aim-lower concept. I also start with the head of the harpoon already in the water rather than shoot it from the surface. “When I’m ready to launch the harpoon, I aim at the bottom of the fish,” Fulton says. Mike Sudalĭarting a fish 10 to 20 feet down requires compensating for refraction from a topside view, the fish’s exact position might skew slightly from where it actually is. A tether line taped along the harpoon shaft tears loose once the dart takes hold. Aiming low ensures the dart will hit high in the back. ![]() Refraction creates a false position of the fish. By the time it’s ready to boat, the fish is pretty much done, and everyone on board is a lot safer because of it.” With a harpoon, the dart hits the fish away from the boat. The gaff and the guy holding it were flailing, and the end of the gaff whacked me hard in the head. Prior to using the harpoon, I recall wiring a swordfish that went crazy when it was gaffed. “They jump a lot and beat the hell out of a boat. “These fish are powerful and wild and, by the boat, pose a big danger,” Daffin says. He swears by the safety factor harpoons provide. Tom Daffin has daytime swordfishing off South Jersey dialed in, with a 445-pounder his largest to date. There’s also potential for boat damage.Ĭapt. The sheer power of a swordfish, coupled with its long bill, poses serious risk to crewmembers wiring and gaffing the fish, particularly those with little big-game experience. While such aggressive darting may raise some eyebrows, a harpoon provides a huge safety advantage. If a well-honed crew gets within darting distance, it has pretty much eliminated the risk of a prolonged fight and pulled hook, which are common in this fishery. With swordfish, that moment usually transpires as it reaches the surface after swimming up the weight. There’s often an opportunity to reach a hooked fish early in the fight. ![]() ![]() One method relies on using the boat to stop, tire and subdue a fish another enables the fish to tire itself, under measured pressure. Whereas the end of a 30-foot flying-gaff rope (IGFA max length) is cleated off, the end of a harpoon dart line-as long as 300 feet, based on specific applications-is typically secured to a buoy, which is rigged to facilitate the quick attachment of a second fishing outfit, should a fish run out all the dart line. But that’s pretty much it for similarities. Similar to a flying gaff, a harpoon dart detaches from its shank. But what’s the consensus on using harpoons when seeking big fish for table fare and not tournament or record consideration?Ī harpoon dart is an alternative to a straight or flying gaff when subduing large offshore gamefish. Harpoons, however, are not IGFA-legal landing aids. George PoveromoĪccording to the IGFA rulebook, gaffs (including flying gaffs) are acceptable, provided overall length doesn’t exceed 8 feet. Darting food fish, such as this swordfish, gets the job done efficiently. ![]()
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