Anybody Else Darkhouse Spear for Fish?

[duck heaven]

Just wondering how many of you also darkhouse spear for fish .... and what lake or lakes do you visit?

Perhaps this thread will spark a few of you to share pictures of your decoy's and spears ... and any other methods of choice?


Decoy's
Spears
Lakes
Species of fish preferred


Post-Up them pics fellas! :fish:



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[duck heaven]

just a few of the decoy's i use .....


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/5363_3.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/GarPike.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/StripedBass.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/Cisco.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/dc40_1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/CohoSalmon.jpg


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[duck heaven]

a couple more pics ...



http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/52e4_3.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g288/duckheaven/5254_3.jpg



Darkhouse spearing ... is an exceptional way to spend those winter months looking down and into the clear pristine waters at the fish and fauna below! .. :fish:

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[eddiejohn4]

Great looking decoys. I usually use live bait.I do have a few old decoys, just do not use them much anymore.

[Groundsize]

I spear on the Detroit River.
I have a secret spot that no one knows about.;)
I use an over sized pike and muskie dare devil spoon as well as
some of my home made decoys that I have made. the spoons flicker good in the slight current. Im hoping to get out there saturday. I will let you guys know how I do. I'll try to post a few pics if I can figure it out.

[swampbuck]

I used to spear pike on Higgins, I hav'nt done it in about 10 years though.

[chuckinduck]

Do a ton of spearing in the winter, when we have ice. :rolleyes: We just put the shanty out last sunday, saw 5 or 6 that night, nothing large, 20-26" bracket. Still nice to get out there and just wait for the monster to swim through. Might actually move my setup, I'm in about 10fow and I usually like to be a little shallower......I too have almost eliminated fake decoys from my strategy, not that they don't work, just don't like having that many lines in the water. I know jig spoons tipped with a 3-5" shiner. Along with my standard 12-14" sucker. That jigging seems to attract far more pike then any wooden decoy I own. Just my thoughts though.

[twohats]

Spearing is a blast. Just love watching a northern come into the decoy.Took a 33" last Sunday. Largest for me has been 36".I like useing a large red and white decoy. I also enjoying eating Pike much more than I do walleye. Just dont get as much as I use to.Hope to get back out a few more times before the season closes.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/kent_lake_2.JPG

[duck heaven]

Wow! Nice to see so many others that still enjoy spearing! :fish:


I have spent many hours looking down into the subdued frigid waters of many lakes around Michigan ... since the early 1960's ...


Like many here ... I've seen perhaps hundreds of medium sized fish wander in-and-out along the bottom of various lakes .... but when you finally have that one Great Big Monster .... just ease-in ... and checking out the chub or decoy .... your heart begins to pound heavily ..... so heavily that your ears soon forget the thundering of the lakes ice shifting. ~smiles~




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[duck heaven]

"Two Hats"



Great Fish buddie! ;)




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[chuckinduck]

Yeah, thats a nice fish. I can't wait til work ends tonight so I can get out there for an hour or so. Its definately a dying sport, not sure why though, its almost like bowhunting.

[twohats]

Yep, Just like hunting.Setup your blind and wait,and use a decoy to call the game in.

[Frozenfish]

Might be a silly question but ya'll aren't spearing at night are you? If so, how are you seeing the fish? We have a fish house that would be ideal for spearing. Even have the spear, bought last year. However seems that the spear isn't balanced very well. It always seems to drift one way or the other. Should I add weight to it? Is 12 FOW to deep? It would be very cool to spear one that is for sure!

[TheBigRedDog]

I usually go on muskegon lake but there hasnt been enough ice out there in a few years to put it out. I have a quite heavy shack so I cant just go a put it on 4 inches and leave it unless I know its going to stay cold and get thicker ice. I only got two good years of fishing in it then two years of no fishing. I might put it out this year after this weekend of cold weather and get a month use out of it(I hope):help: . We use a big live sucker decoy and so does a friend of mine and we have got a few nice ones out there.

[Ausable Junkie]

I love to spear. I've always enjoyed staring down into the hole and seeing
fish come in. Even considered going for the sturgeon "season" but it seems
like its alot of work for a slim chance at a fish, and thats only if you get drawn.

[ScavengerMan]

This will get ya fired up!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxoNgGvtzek

[Long Spurs]

We are the last of a dying breed! I still compare it to bow hunting, you just never know what is going to show up, and you got to love the big ones that just stick there nose in the hole. Glad to see some people still love to spear. Heck I'm only 32 and the amount of spearing shacks seems to get fewer every year. Got to share a special feature that I built in my shack with you guys. In the floor of my coupe I built a trap door with hindges on it to keep my beverages cold and they never freeze. Warm coupe and a cold barley soda, like a slice of heaven!!!:chillin:

[oldboy]

I am so glad to see this thread. I just built (over christmas) what I am calling my portable spearing shack. Today, I finallly had a day off work so I set out for Sanford Lake. I walked off the DNR boat launch and proceeded to fish the entire day. Sadly, I never saw a pike, but it was a great day none the less.

In my opinion there is nothing better than a good day pike spearing. When that big one comes in your hole I still get a little crazy.

If anyone has an idea as to where else I could try pike spearing close to Midland I would greatly appreciate it!!!!

[smokepole]

I used to spear ALOT when I was growing up. Absolutely loved it. Nothing better than sitting there and all of a sudden you see just the tip of a northerns nose under the ice staring at your decoy.
I always prefered water from 7'-10'. depended on the lake tho. Try and find the edge of a weed bed and set the shanty there. We used to throw egg shells on the bottom so you could see the fish better. Watch those panfish, when they all are all of a sudden gone grab that spear and get the tines into the water. Get ready. Somethings close. I always prefered a BIG live decoy. Either a 17-20" sucker or if I was lucky enough to catch a 14-15" perch those worked great. Never used anything smaller or the pike would come in and hit it. I always liked a big decoy so the fish had to come in and think about it. Ya know size it up. I have thought about building a shanty but we don`t have ice like we used to. And they take alot of time. making sure they aren`t frozen in, moving them and keeping the hole opened up. But it is alot of fun.Maybe when the kids get older.

Please remember guys to mark them holes good with brush when you move that shanty. It is not a pleasant feeling to step into someones old spearing hole. I know from experience.

have fun

Nick

[Mule Skinner]

I have to agree that it can be very similiar to bowhunting. Passing on those small ones ,waiting for Mr Big to show himself . The Big ones can really get the ole heart pumping when they slowly sneak in for a peak.

I am one of the few that spear out of a portable shack. I spear lakes all over Washtenaw,Jackson and Lenawee Counties. I am seriously thinking about trying one of those ice saw's that are commonly used in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I like a large sucker minnow for a decoy, but do use several artificials and just recently started jigging a chrome hookless spoon.

[chuckinduck]

Frozenfish, In response to fishing at night, I don't think its actually legal, but I'd have to check the rules again, reason being, once it gets dark you can't see, so you'd need an alternative form of light to make it doeable. But yes, if you could I WOULD. I'm actually taking the video camera out this weekend, hope to get you all some footage.:D Additionally, 12 FOW is a little deep in my opinion, I'd keep it from 6-10ft with lots of weeds, or right on the edge of them. Those big ones will just slide in and out of those weeds, sometimes moving so slow, you just notice a head or tail sitting in that coontail. Gosh its great.

[mallardtone-man]

I speared alot a couple of years ago in the shanty pictured, unfortunately we lost that beaut that year due to some strange circumstances. I fish a private lake w/ LOTS of pike, some very large ones too. We regularily caught and released fish 8lbs+, not uncommon to ice 20 pike a day on tip ups. I will be getting out for the first time this season this weekend.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/myskyisblue_/Hunting%20and%20Fishing/P1010020.jpg?t=1170430773

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/myskyisblue_/Hunting%20and%20Fishing/P1010012.jpg?t=1170430970

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/myskyisblue_/Hunting%20and%20Fishing/jamesmitch.jpg?t=1170431018

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/myskyisblue_/Hunting%20and%20Fishing/P1010031.jpg?t=1170431049

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/myskyisblue_/Hunting%20and%20Fishing/DSCF1656.jpg?t=1170431121


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/myskyisblue_/Hunting%20and%20Fishing/DSCF1653.jpg?t=1170431235

[Frozenfish]

Thanks for the response about the night fishing, I'll look into it.

As for the spearing. Do ya'll just drop the spear or force it down. I heard to just hold the spear in the water and drop it.

[Long Spurs]

Got an ice saw and all I can say is it cuts like butter. Highly recommend one for anyone that spears.

[BFTrout]

Thanks for the response about the night fishing, I'll look into it.

As for the spearing. Do ya'll just drop the spear or force it down. I heard to just hold the spear in the water and drop it.


you can drop it, but i "send" the spear with a firm push. if the spear is sharp, you'll go right through the fish.

For the most part, pike movement slows once dusk hits. there are a few nights when the decoy is 2' down and my face is 6" above the water, straining to see a fish. . . but those are rare. . . maybe one or two times a season I have this happen.

[#1Shot]

if you have a heavy enough spear drop it if your in the shallows, its sneaky. if the fish is down there near the bottom...throw it. THe fish are not stupid!!! You must be smooth in your delivery just as if you where deer hunting with a bow. I have never heard of anyone dropping an arrow and killing a deer, so apply the same principals to spearing.

Tip: use your left hand as a "pin" and your right hand as "string" and aim with the left and fire with the right.

hope that helps...ps the Youtube clip is awesome!!!

[chuckinduck]

Yah, I never just drop a spear. My spears are heavy, but I want to make sure the spear hits home hard. I don't go nuts, but I definately make sure it leaves my hands with some force, the deeper the fish, the harder I'll send it....make sure your spear is completely in the water, if your good you can get the spear quite low, no need throwing it from 2" down.

[Robert Hoover]

i just got into spearing last weekend so far ive stuck 8 2 were 24s just tryin to get the hang of it i did manage 2-30 1-31 3-29 i have really gotten into it and like it super cool maybe after a little more confidence on acuracy ill let the little er ones go!Ive missed twice one monster 12-15lb range and on was a little guy

[chuckinduck]

Rob,
Over time you'll get the hang of "guesstimating" pike, and letting the smaller guys go....Congrats on the good start though, sounds like you're in a good spot if you've got 8 already. I haven't seen any worth spearing, hopefully that'll all change in about 6 hours.

[MPD068]

Hey guys great thread,
Got into spearing approx. 4 years ago and am totally addicted. Started carving my own decoys etc. Have not really used live decoys yet, but may start after reading this thread. Have you heard of any other "decoy" options. My buddy uses a golf ball painted red on one side hanging from a string tied to an old egg beater-this make the ball spin, which attracts pike-It works, I have also heard of really large dardevil spoons jigged.

I'm from Marquette and fish Lake Independence. Was out on Friday morning and only saw one fish (small)-We are in the DEEP FREEZE right now, which may be slowing things down.:confused:

[Long Spurs]

Went past a shack down on Wamplers today and the guy had two 5 to 6 lbsers. on the ice by ten o' lclock. Looks like it would have been a good morning to be in the shack!

[duck heaven]

I am seriously thinking about trying one of those ice saw's that are commonly used in Minnesota and Wisconsin.


Experienced Food For Thought:

You also may want to check out this nifty little light-weight/portable/re-chargable device!:fish:

re-chargable ..... no gas to mess with ... no electricity ..... light weight ........ slices ice

$69.
It is an 18 volt re-chargable chain saw with charger .... and to modify it for ice-fishing ..... you substitute the normal chain saw bar oil and use the cooking type of Crisco oil ... so there is absolute no harm to enviroment.:)

Here is the link ...
http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?PIN=26035&


-OR- Traditional Ice Saws ...


http://www.doublediamondspears.com/


http://www.darkhousespearingsupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=83&osCsid=4c83c5a1c49d937ec175cc01ada56eb7





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[duck heaven]

Frozenfish, Additionally, 12 FOW is a little deep in my opinion, I'd keep it from 6-10ft with lots of weeds, or right on the edge of them



I agree with you totally! I've found what works for me is to mark a weedy drop-off where it is conducive for feeder fish to congregate as well as larger fish like Northern Pike tend to patrol!

8' to 10' seems to deliver the best results and make sure you are right on the slope of the drop-off! :fish:

Generally the very same back-water ponds and lakes that I duck hunt ... also holds the most magnificent array of Pike, Gar Pike, Musky ....

What I have done many times is to deploy a small sinker ... line ...and bobber right on a scouted drop-off ...and comeback after the lake is iced and bingo-bango ...let the fun begin! to accomodate the thickness of the ice ... of course while deploying the "bobber/marker" ... leave an additional 2ft of scope on the line. When you cut your trough hole in the ice ... you'll be 99.999999999% there on the "X".

Have Fun ... and catch some big ones this winter!:fish2:

God Bless ...

"Doc"


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[Kearly Shuffle]

Boy...Those pictures bring back a lot of good memories. I haven't speared in a LONG time, but used to ALL the time. When I lived in Alpena, I had three good spots that we speared a few real dandies! I used to take the hooks off of a red and white daredevil and jig that in the hole. I also had a red and white decoy that I would use. Another trick that we used to use was get a pickeled bologna glass jar, and put a couple sucker chubs in that, have a hole in the top with a thin rope on it, and put it down in the hole. It was fun to watch the pike come in and tap at the jar with their noses. :D

My father still does some spearing, but he is more into the perch and walleye scene up there(Alpena). But, I did see my old spear sitting in the garage the last time I was home, so he must still be doing it. He is the one that taught me the art. Lowering that spear into the water just above their back, and then pushing it as hard as you could. I miss that.

[mallardtone-man]

As a quick update I got out yesterday, only got to fish for 2hrs between 2-4pm. I didnt have time to stop and get live bait/decoys, so I used the two bear creek plastic decoys I purchased this year. They are 11" pike, one red/wht one firetiger. The fish seemed to like firetiger best. We saw 8 pike and several dandy bass in the two hours, only 2 legal fish, I speared the one in my hole, about 30" and FAT, probably 10lbs. The other fish was in my buddies hole right after we set up and he didnt react quick enough to stick it. Not a bad sign, 2hrs during midday yeilds 8 sightings. I will get out once more, maybe twice this week. We were in about 5' at the mouth of a canal.