to spear or not to spear

[mrpike1973]

hi all. so i was given a nice spear house i can angle or spear from it. however i'm allergic to fish some may or may not remember this from other posts. if i clean them i get sick. i can eat them though. its something with the algae in the water. any way i need to buy a spear and saw decoys etc. just wondering if i should invest the cash again. i enjoy it i had a neighbor that used to clean them for me but his health is failing fast and people always say bring them to me but when you show up with a dripping pike its a different story. granted i only get 5-10 a year but i dont want to waste fish as there good and i would never wantonly waste a fish. what are your thoughts ideas thanks

[nofishfisherman]

How are you gettig sick from filleting a fish? Is it direct contact that does it or just being near the fish when its being cleaned?

Can you handle uncooked fillets without an issue?

If you can narrow down what part of the process makes you sick perhaps you can figure out a way to work around it. For instance washing the fishing down really well at home before filleting, maybe wearing some sort of rubber gloves to prevent skin contact, some sort of respirator or mask, etc.

When you are fishing can you handle the fish to release them without getting sick?

If you can find a way to minimize the sickness I'd say go for it. But if you can't I'd probably skip spearing unless you are able to always go with a buddy who is willing to fillet all the fish. I'm sure it can be hard to find someone you can always bring your fish to on a spur of a moment after a fishing trip.

[brian6715]

If you can at least C&R fish without getting sick, I would set the house up and then put tip-ups out. Same result but you don't have to kill the fish. Bring a buddy along and then you can have 3 tip-ups and watch a minnow in the spear hole for entertainment. The best tip-up fishing is often times is close to where the spear houses are, they are spearing those shallow bays for a reason.

[lungdeflator]

That doesn't sound fun.

You can always trophy hunt? Wait for that one that you'd be happy to put on the wall?

[merkman]

Pretty simple question with a very simple answer... but not an answer any of us can answer for you....

To get to your answer just think of it this way... did you get enjoyment out of the investment you made in equipment last time... if you did; was the enjoyment you received for your investment more than the money/time/effort you put in?

If that answer is yes... do it again (this time learn from your mistake and take steps to protect your equipment from theft)

If not; don't.

In the end; no owns anything in life; we are all just renting the "stuff" we put in our lives. (As a wise man once said... Have you ever seen a U-Haul behind a hearse?)

The reason we put "stuff" in our lives is for the enjoyment, the memories, and the good times. If the "stuff" you put in your life don't give you that.... it is time to put other "stuff" in your life.

So it is simple... do you enjoy it or not? If you do.... do it.... if not do something else.

If you decide to spear; only take fish when you have a way to clean or gift them.... You don't have to stab every fish that rolls though the hole to have a good time. Video them on days you can't get them cleaned (post them here so we can all enjoy them ) then.... on days when you have a way to clean them lined up, take what you need; and enjoy a wonderful bounty of fresh Minnesota Northern Pike.

Good Luck out there!!!

-Merk

.

[Jameson]

Video and release on the days you don't have someone with you in the shack.

[mrpike1973]

thanks for the replies boys. i found out at work a lady just loves pike asked her if she could clean a few she said yes any time. i'm more than happy to share fish. at this time i'm leaning towards spearing again. i do enjoy it. basically i need to get a saw, spear and tongs. boy are tongs hard to find i've been to 5 antique dealers looking for tongs i thought they were a dime a dozen. the pair i had before were to small.

[bowhunt]

I know what you mean about finding a pair of tongs when you need them. When I was just getting started I couldn't find anything, finally saw some come up for sale online and snatched them up. This summer I was at a flee market and there were a couple different people selling them, so I grabbed a back up pair. It seems to be a right place right time thing.

Bowhunt

[merkman]

thanks for the replies boys. i found out at work a lady just loves pike asked her if she could clean a few she said yes any time. i'm more than happy to share fish. at this time i'm leaning towards spearing again. i do enjoy it. basically i need to get a saw, spear and tongs. boy are tongs hard to find i've been to 5 antique dealers looking for tongs i thought they were a dime a dozen. the pair i had before were to small.

I think I have an extra set laying around the garage....

I'll trade ya for a decoy.

.

[mrpike1973]

merkman thanks for the gesture but i only have 1 decoy and its sentamental other wise i'd be happy to

[mrpike1973]

thanks for the help got a spear and saw and tongs today see you on the ice!

[Brad B]

were did you end up finding the tongs at.

[mrpike1973]

a antique store in buffalo for $25 bucks