Shot placement on fish

[gage_patton]

Where do you guys aim on different angled shots on fish? Where is your favorite/ideal angle and shot placement on a fish? Does this vary between species of fish?

 

[oneshot]

I learned years ago that as the fish passed, to shoot just behind the gill plate midline top to bottom. tends to stone them and you have sold spot so the fish does not pull off the shaft.

 

[MrChen]

His username checks out

 

[Externet]

The best I can tell is a shot to the vertebrae behind the head. If you can guess where exactly is behind the skin.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

The only fish I really shoot anymore is Halibut. I was always taught to go for a head shot to avoid damaging the meat. My 2 psi.

 

[Belzelbub]

I definitely aim more toward the head. Then I try to time my shots to when the fish is turning away. I’m usually angling down a bit, so the spear entry point is more aft and above the exit. I primarily freeshaft, so this helps to prevent the fish from getting away. Spear tip is likely wedged in the sand, and the fish would have swim backwards to get off the shaft.

 

[SeanDavid702]

For small reef fish, I usually aim just behind the eye when they give me a good broadside. That tends to drop them quick and keeps the meat clean. If the angle is off, I adjust depending on how the fish is moving. If it's quartering away, I aim a little forward to catch something solid and keep it from running into a crack.


If the fish is facing me, I might take a shot under the chin aiming up toward the brain, but only if it feels right. With smaller fish, clean shot placement matters more than power. You do not want to be digging around in a reef trying to pull something out of a hole.


Different species react differently, but in general I try to take the shot that gives me the least amount of hassle and the best chance at landing it clean.

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