lionfish spearing

[fdarden]

Here is my rig.
I use a JBL model D6 arbalete style gun with a 6 prong Lion Fish Paralyser tip.



I use this tip, with the barbs crimped down. If you dont crimp the barbs it will not work with a Zookeeper. I recently switched to this tip, and found the fish stayed on a little too good. This tip is superior to the 3 prong tip for shooting smaller fish. If you are not an excellent shot this tip will improve your kill ratio, especially on the juveniles. As far as a spear itself goes, I have used a number of them. I prefer an aluminum shaft such as the JBL. With the JBL you can interchange spear tips depending on what your preferences are. I find the aluminum shaft to be much more pleasant to shoot than the fiberglass ones. I have been using a 4' spear, and realistically it is too long. Friends make jokes about spearing from the boat. LOL. Anyway, this is the next spear on my list. 3' seems to be the perfect length.
Here is a link to the Polespear that I think is ideal - JBL 3' "LionTamer" Pole Spear Note that when you purchase a spear like this, you also usually need to purchase a corresponding tip. Most people use either the tip pictured above, or more commonly the 3 prong "trident" tip.

 

[Randy g]

I think a marinized Glock would be the ultimate for this

Close!

 

[Fishspearit]

And trust me, just because the sharp venomous end is cut off the fish does not mean that it can't get you. I had a cut pectorial bone stick me while I was cleaning them on the back of the boat. It heaved, I hoed and grabbed my fish a little abruptly. My thumb felt like a blow torch was being held on it. The trimmed dorsal and pectorial bones carry the poison as well.

A lot of people have learned that lesson the hard way The venom is in a sac at the base of the spine, so if you're trimming with shears underwater and leave just a little piece of spine it can still sting you.

 

[opie712]

That's good yo know seen some two sec sack jobs on YouTube that didn't look like they trimmed the spine down to the body

 

[fdarden]

Lionfish handling- post spearing

A lot of people have learned that lesson the hard way

The venom is in a sac at the base of the spine, so if you're trimming with shears underwater and leave just a little piece of spine it can still sting you.

This is one of the reasons why I recommend you dont cut the spines off in the water at all. Use a Zookeeper. Not only is cutting the spines off in the water dangerous, its incredibly inefficient. On that note, dont do it on the boat, dock or in the parking lot either. That is inconsiderate. Its very likely that you will drop an active spine and someone or something (dog, 6 foot rat, other wildlife) will step on it. Lionfish can and should be put on ice for a few hours to neutralize the venom before handling. Even after the spines are neutralized they are still sharp as needles. Stepping on one is no fun. That happened once to me, and ever since I have not allowed divers to clean Lionfish on the boat. Be careful even with a Zookeeper as spines will sometimes become ripped off the fish and stuck in the Zookeeper.

 

[DiveDivaDM]

What is the best way to take these fish pole spear, lion tamer type deal or something homemade

If you haven't do so take a look at The Frapper. It works well and the designer's wife, Maria makes beautiful jewelry from the lionfish spines. www.thefrapper.com It is my understanding that The Frapper has been approved for use in Bonaire. Bob has even attached a light on his Frapper. Talke a look. And, lionfish taste great!

 

[Nick A]

Pole spear and bag or lions den or similiar. We went out to the Naeco (out of Beaufort, NC) today on the Captian's Lady. Me, couple other instructors and even Leroy (Capt) SLAYED the lionfish. The 6 of us got 167 on 2 dives. Using pole spears, bags, lions den and a bucket/lid/bag contraption(works really well). We don't trim any spines.

 

[uncfnp]

Pole spear and bag or lions den or similiar. We went out to the Naeco (out of Beaufort, NC) today on the Captian's Lady. Me, couple other instructors and even Leroy (Capt) SLAYED the lionfish. The 6 of us got 167 on 2 dives. Using pole spears, bags, lions den and a bucket/lid/bag contraption(works really well). We don't trim any spines.

Congrats on your success but I truly wish there were less lionfish there to be caught.

 

[Nick A]

I wish there was as well. When you bring as fish up from 135' they tend to lose their lunch. There were juvenile snapper, tropicals and who knows what else they didn't lose. There were so many lionfish. We put a small dent in the population. I/we are not under the illusion were gonna rid the Atlantic of lionfish, but were gonna give it hell!

 

[Randy g]

Nice going! That's a lot of lion fish. Naeco is one of my favorite wrecks and we tried culling the herd last August. There were quite a few then, I can't imagine how it looked prior to you guys dropping.