Stoning?

[Wayward Son]

I'm not going to freeshaft a cuda. I haven't managed to stone one yet, I have to get my hands on them. Same for AJ, my stone rate isn't high enough to risk it, they'll take off with a shaft fast.

 

[Hank49]

I'm not going to freeshaft a cuda. I haven't managed to stone one yet, I have to get my hands on them. Same for AJ, my stone rate isn't high enough to risk it, they'll take off with a shaft fast.

Yeah, I just started free shafting. And like most things, there are trade offs. On the one hand, as you said, you risk losing the fish and or spear if he takes off, but on the other, I'm finding it's way more accurate and the chance of stoning is greatly increased. I switched one gun to 5/8 bands and 9/32 shaft and a Hawaiian flopper. Man, it's like a 22 magnum vs a pellet gun as far as drop adjustment on a 18 foot or so shot. Unreal. But free diving I do have to pick the shots or they will just go right through and even though the fish is pretty much stoned, even the tail "quiver" is enough that he can keep away or get into a hole. For sure, deeper free diving though I'll have to use a line.
I stoned two cudas with the line gun. A few others were a bit of a tussle.

 

[Johnoly]

Please refer to the picture below for proper shot placement which resulted in a 100% stone shot. I shoot every single fish with a stone shot:05: If you need instruction on producing this shot, call Chad and arrange for a trip!!

Johnoly

 

[BrianM]

Please refer to the picture below for proper shot placement which resulted in a 100% stone shot. I shoot every single fish with a stone shot:05: If you need instruction on producing this shot, call Chad and arrange for a trip!!

Johnoly

Impressive, although I think it's more sporting to poke the fish while he's still in the water!:05:

 

[Chad Carney]

Please refer to the picture below for proper shot placement which resulted in a 100% stone shot. I shoot every single fish with a stone shot:05: If you need instruction on producing this shot, call Chad and arrange for a trip!!

Johnoly

Johnoly,

Despite the desired result, neither my photo or yours is the perfect stone shot.
They were both lucky to hit the spine since both shots were taken with too much angle from the front of the fish. (I just loved that look on the face of that gag!)

Usually the spears get pulled prior to the photos. I can't find one of my pics of the best angle... at the moment.

Chad