Blowgun Fishing

**flandersander** · 01-12-2008, 01:30 PM

Has anybody ever tried fishing with a blowgun. I was thinking of doing it the same way that yoy would fish with a bow. Shoot a barbed dart attatched to the line and fire away. There are really shallow swimming perch here and always wanted to try it. Any other ideas on blowgun fishing?

**canid** · 01-12-2008, 06:53 PM

i don't think i could pull this off.

**flandersander** · 01-12-2008, 07:04 PM

Why couldn't you pull it off? When the fish comes to the surface to get the bait, you pland a metal seed down itss throat.

**Rick** · 01-12-2008, 07:07 PM

It's an interesting idea. I just checked our state DNR page and there is nothing on there about blowguns:

Illegal Devices
It is illegal to use the following devices to take fish from public waters: a weir, electric current, dynamite or other explosive, a firearm, a crossbow, hands alone, or any substance that may weaken or poison fish. Cast nets cannot be used to catch sport fish.

**NorthWindTrails** · 01-12-2008, 07:39 PM

Flandersander ... What a great piece of advice. The blowgun really is a versatile piece of equipment to be proficient in, for more than just food procurement. Not a bad idea to be able to "hook" all sorts of things with one. Frogs come to mind ... some birds may get close enough. Thanks for the tip! NorthWind

**canid** · 01-12-2008, 08:07 PM

are you sure there isn't an 'it shall be unlawful to take any fish except as provided... bla-bla-bla' clause in there? most of them seem to.

**NorthWindTrails** · 01-12-2008, 08:15 PM

canid ... I agree, for purposes of "practicing" the skill, we'd need to find legal ways to "practice". There are plenty of ways to catch/trap/snare or otherwise "take" a game animal or fish that would be, in current legal terms, illegal. If I'm providing for my family after the disaster that we all agree is a possibility in the future, I would disregard a law to feed my family. It just seems like a good idea to have as many skills as possible already "practiced" (so I know they actually work in real life) before the need arises. It would be good to find out about the legalities before I practiced with a blowgun, for sure. NorthWind

**canid** · 01-12-2008, 09:13 PM

not only do i feel that the subsistence of my family and myself supercedes any law which would, in context make it impossible [note: outside a practical bound of possibility, not just dificult] to eat, be healthy etc. but i also would reruard an attempt to enforce such a law in that context [e.g. a natural disaster] to be a deprivation of life.

i think most populations would see things that way aswell.

as for practicing these skills, i recommend seeking out a legal context. otherwise; i leave it to you. how might one moderate between conservation and the pursuit of knowledge or skill? cautiously.

**Rick** · 01-12-2008, 09:17 PM

Canid - That's it in a nutshell. Everything else is about the legality of a specific fish. Limits, size, etc.

Northwind - It wouldn't even have to be a SHTF situation. A survival situation of any type might warrant some unorthodox efforts if it could produce food with little energy expended. A decent reed and a few wooden darts might score fish if you had nothing else at hand.

**flandersander** · 01-12-2008, 11:26 PM

Maybe a large straight hook would make a good barb> i"ll have to try carving one out of wood. Thanks Northwind. I've always wanted to tie a couple feet of line to the end. bait the line and when the fish tries get the bait, let er rip down the throat. In this site

http://www.instructables.com/id/the-BEST-blowgun/ This site also tells how to make a blowgun.

it tells how to make a broadhead. I tried cutting a barb into it with my dremel tool. it worked but i havent tried it on a fish yet. Any other ideas on how to get a bluegill or perch with a blowgun?

**canid** · 01-12-2008, 11:44 PM

i guess you could increase your luck by attracting them with bait or fire [unlawful in most jurisdictions i've fished in except under specific circumstanges, such as ice-fishing].

**flandersander** · 01-13-2008, 03:01 AM

I was wondering what to allow for light refraction?below or behind?

**canid** · 01-13-2008, 03:25 AM

above; to the far side of the fish.

**flandersander** · 01-14-2008, 12:59 AM

like aim over top of the fish? I also tried makeing a harpoonlike dart and it workes amazingly well. I picked up a 2 pound pike with the barb. I shot it in the spine and it was paralized. i had to rip a good sized piece of meat outa the fish.

**canid** · 01-14-2008, 01:31 AM

sorry, no; in front of. see here.

glad to hear your dart is working well.

**Rick** · 01-14-2008, 07:01 AM

Flandersander - I posted this on the spear thread when the subject got off track a bit.

Check this out.
http://www.wholesalegoods.net/Mercha..._Code=specblow

Here's another one:

http://www.geocities.com/blowgunhunter/fish-pix.html

As far as where to aim, between this thread and the spear gun thread, we have advice to aim above, below, in front of, behind, and to take a head shot.

I have no idea which one is right because I don't use either but we probably should narrow it down. I think you said, "I know. It is "Aim below and you will know, aim high and you will die (of starvation i guess)." So aim low!

Canid's link just above looks right to me. Anyone have the skinny on where to aim?