I'm new

[Canatrapper]

Hello,

My name Steven and I live in Big Lake. I would like to get into spearing, my cousin loved it...he ended up passing away and I never got a chance to go with him to learn. I have been a lurker on here for quite sometime now. I do not have any equipment and I will probably just wait until next year to buy anything. I do have a few questions... someone told me you just drop the spear, you don't throw it, is this true? Also, where do you aim? Also when you make your shot do you have to compensate at all because you are looking through water? I have a fish trap that I think if I put a blanket over it I could spear out of it. Lasko seems to be big on as lako spears, and they seem to be a good price.

Anyway, thanks for any help our tips you can provide.I have really enjoyed the site.

Steven

[MJ1657]

Welcome.

You are right you basically just drop the spear, as far as aim try to get it right behind the head.

If youre interested come over to Maple Lake on Saturday for the GTG. I have an extra house and all the equipment you would need to spear. All you would have to bring is yourself and a spear license.

[Gordie]

First off welcome to the HSO family .a lot of great info on these forums and a lot of guys guys to back it up.

You can drop the spear but I prefer to throw it and some times it never leaves my hand, kinda like you just stab them.

As for where to aim from behind then head to the back of the pikes eyes are best. I typically set the spear in the water and ease it down over the pike until I spear it, but it's not always that easy I have thrown spear up to 10 foot deep but I try and spear most of them just a few feet under the ice.

Keep reading the stuff in this forum and you will do fine.

[Laska]

As for equipment, I have a spear if you want to pay for shipping I will give you free. Ya need a shanty- probably the cheapest and all around best way to go is a quickfish 3 and build a floor. This is what Ive done the last 5 years and wouldn't change it for the world. An auger or chipper, I prefer both. If you check e to the bay you can find a very inexpensive pair of Ice tongs to take the block of ice out of the water. Tip up line and a sucker pin and a bucket and you can be spearing on your own anywhere you want to go.

As for aim, as above yes behind the head is best, although to get into it farther, and as of recently Ive had many newcomers to the sport call me with this question. This is what Ill help you with from my stand point. Water refraction isnt an issue like it would be standing in a boat in free water spearing carp. Thru a spear hole angles are very limited or should be without much practice. The easiest way to know where the pike is located is to look at your decoy/sucker and see how far away the pike is from them or the line- then put your spear down in the water at the same distance away from the line at the water surface. this will give you the best opportunity to be on the body of the fish. When starting I highly recommend staying under 10 feet of water. I always do. This increases your kill rates and decreases misses. Another thing that helps when beginning is get a bag of great white northern beans, use half a bag spread out and dropped down your spear hole, when the beans fall, you will know exactly where your spear hole actually is and how far out a pike is from being in your spear hole for a more direct and straight down shot. These beans dont have to be washed, cleaned or anything, also they do not turn black after time like potatoes can. I spent many days on my own with a dead sucker on the problem of the lake practicing spearing that sucker- why? So I know how my spear throws and if it sails one way or the other and to get practice spearing a small target so when a pike comes in its a cake walk because its much larger. Just food for thought.

As for throwing the spear itself.... I give mine a good push without raising the spear up at all. I push to kill not to just poke a fish. I hate shake offs and so I always am a little aggressive with my spearing. You will find a nice easy push will be the most accurate. Remember to always keep the full spear head under the surface of the water. This produces WAY less deflection and sailing of the spear on the way to the target aswell as NO splash coming from the head of the spear.

Welcome to the addiction. Its beyond fun and rewarding.

[Central Bassman]

Welcome!!!

[leech~~]

Canatrapper

Do you have a spear and decoy now? Let me know as I have both that have not been used sitting in my garage for many years. You can have them if you want to come and pick them up. Just PM me if intrested.

[MJ1657]

Canatrapper

Do you have a spear and decoy now? Let me know as I have both that have not been used sitting in my garage for many years. You can have them if you want to come and pick them up. Just PM me if intrested.

Wow that's a great offer!

[mrklean]

Welcome

[Gordie]

According to the rules and laws of the DNR it is illegal to put stuff like beans in the lake. So please read the regulations before you head out to spear thru the ice.

This a email that merkman received from the DNR:

From: "Watts, Pat M (DNR)" <>

To: merkman <merkman>

Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 3:24 PM

Subject: RE: Potatoes or egg shells in darkhouse spearing hole

There’s a potential problem with littering under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.68. Too much biodegradable stuff put into/on the lake can cause problems as it degrades. Pipe or lattice could be considered litter as well.

Pat Watts, DNR Enforcement Division, St Paul MN

From: [merkman]

Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 3:15 PM

To: Watts, Pat M (DNR)

Subject: Potatoes or egg shells in darkhouse spearing hole

Is it legal to use potatoes, egg shells, white beans, rice, or other inert biodegradable items on lake bottom under the darkhouse spearing hole?

How about non inert items such as pvc pipe or latice to better judge the size of northern pike in the hole as long as those items are removed after use every day?

Thanks

merkman

[fish4u]

welcome to the site there are some great guys on here. in regards to putting stuff in the hole to see better I had my grandkids when they were little to pick the snail shells on shore and i use those when ever the water was dirty the CO thought that was a good idea putting back what came out of the lake Fish4u

[Canatrapper]

Wow, I just read all the posts. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I really enjoy all of the welcoming remarks as well as the tips. I can't believe the generosity of some!

MJ, I will not be able to make it out on the 16th because of prior plans with the wife. I was looking at that GTG before so I could meet some of you.

[Canatrapper]

Laska, your pm box is full. I would be interested in your spear, wanna shoot me a message?

[Laska]

Laska, your pm box is full. I would be interested in your spear, wanna shoot me a message?

its emptied now...

[bassNspear]

Welcome,

if you want to get out next year, i have more then enough room, if you want to see how its done. i have 5 houses, and a permadent house as well!