Spear Fishing: Construction and Technique

The Refraction Problem

Water refracts light, making objects underwater appear to be in a different position than they actually are. When you look at a fish in water from above, the fish appears:

• Closer to the surface than it is
• Closer to you than it is

Correction: Aim below and beyond the fish's apparent position. In water 12-18 inches deep, aim roughly 3-4 inches below where the fish appears. In deeper water, adjust more. This is the single most important skill in spear fishing and can only be calibrated through practice.

The refraction problem is eliminated at night when fish come to the surface attracted by light — they are at or near the surface, so aiming at the visible fish is accurate.

Fish Spear Construction

Single-Point Spear

Materials: A straight, dense hardwood pole 6-8 feet long, 1-1.5 inches in diameter.

Construction:

1. Select a straight pole. Whittle one end to a point.
2. Harden by charring the tip in fire for 10-15 seconds, scraping off any char, and repeating 2-3 times. This draws moisture from the wood and hardens the surface.
3. Cut shallow notches (barbs) 1-2 inches back from the tip to help hold fish. These are perpendicular to the shaft or angled slightly toward the tip.

Limitation: A single point is difficult to land on a fish — the margin for error is too small. The multi-tine gig is strongly preferred.

Multi-Tine Gig (Recommended)

Materials: One main pole 6-8 feet, plus 3-4 smaller straight sticks 8-12 inches long for tines.

Construction:

1. Split the end of the main pole into 3 or 4 sections by cutting down 6-8 inches.
2. Insert a small spacer wedge at the center of each split to hold them apart.
3. Insert the tine sticks into the splits, lashed and glued to hold them at angles roughly 10-15 degrees off parallel.
4. Sharpen each tine to a point.
5. Add small barbs on each tine (notch cut 1 inch back from tip, facing backward).
6. Bind the split section tightly with cordage or sinew to prevent further splitting.

Alternatively: Lash 3-4 sharp tines (bone, sharp wood, metal if available) to the end of a pole, spacing them 1-2 inches apart.

Technique: Daylight Shallow Water

Positioning: Stand on the bank or wade slowly. Move extremely slowly — fish detect vibration through their lateral line and will flush if you move quickly or vibrate the water heavily.

Stance: Stand still for 30-60 seconds before attempting a throw. Let the area settle.

Aiming: Hold the spear vertically or at a slight angle. Do not wind up for a big throw — a controlled push-stab is more accurate at close range (2-5 feet).

Execution: When ready, push the spear straight down through the water with a smooth, direct motion. Do not hesitate — fish react to the beginning of the strike very quickly.

Night Fishing with Light

The most productive primitive spear fishing technique.

Setup:

1. Build a small fire or use a torch at the edge of a pool.
2. Allow 20-30 minutes for fish to be attracted to the light.
3. Fish will cruise into the lit area and hold near the surface to investigate the light.
4. Stand at the water's edge with your spear ready.

Why it works:

• Fish are attracted to light at night (positive phototaxis)
• They are at or near the surface — no refraction compensation needed
• They focus on the light, reducing predator awareness
• Multiple fish may be in the lit zone simultaneously

Best locations: Pools adjacent to riffles, deeper eddies at stream bends, the edges of ponds.

Reading Water for Spear Fishing

Best locations for visible fish:

• Clear shallow water, 6-24 inches deep, with a light-colored sandy or gravel bottom
• Natural pools downstream of rapids where fish rest
• Spawning riffles in spring — fish concentrate and are visible
• Warm, slow water edges where fish sun themselves

Fish behavior cues:

• Shadows on the bottom (fish silhouettes from above)
• Subtle surface disturbance from fins near the surface
• Flash of white — fish turning, exposing the lighter belly

Spearing Stationary vs. Moving Fish

Stationary fish (resting, holding position in current): Wait until completely still, then strike.

Moving fish: Lead slightly — aim where the fish will be when the spear arrives, not where it is. For fish moving parallel to you, lead by half a fish-length at close range.

Spawning fish: Often barely moving or sitting motionless on gravel. The highest-percentage spear fishing opportunity. Spring sucker runs in northeastern streams; various spawning events in western rivers.

Tidal/Coastal Spearing

In coastal regions, tidal pools at low tide trap fish in shallow, clear pools — ideal for spearing. Walk the exposed reef or rocky coast at low tide. Fish trapped in pools cannot escape to deep water and are concentrated targets.

The same technique applies to irrigation channels, drainage ditches, and flood-receding areas where fish are temporarily concentrated in shrinking pools.