Blowgun Fishing Primitive and fun way to fish

First of all, aiming is largely instinctual. There are no scopes or sights to aid you. At a five-yard limit, they are not needed. This is a pretty good poke for a blowgun, even under ideal conditions: clear, still water and a fish finning near the surface that is oblivious to your presence. Camo, stealth and absolute stillness aid in the pursuit. Like archery shots, water bends light, and shooting a bit below the fish is often required. Unlike archery, there is little water-penetrating power. That fish has to be right on the surface.

You can make your own fishing blowgun. PVC pipe or copper tubing can be used. If your wallet beckons, Cold Steel has a magnum blowgun with a two-foot extension, making it go from five feet long to seven. Better aim, better acceleration. A closed-face spinning reel of the ultra-light variety is attached to the tube of your blowgun. The line must be securely attached to the rear of the dart and the dart fed in from the front of the gun. Even then, the trailing line will produce severe drag, limiting distance as it peels out.

The most penetrating and effective darts are mere shafts of flex wire with pointed ends. For fish, the tip needs a barb, which you will have to cut into it. If you make your own, try a bicycle spoke. The extra mass they have can be a help as they dive into the water. A paper cone on the rear not only stabilizes the dart but catches the air that drives it. I have developed what I feel is the ultimate dart for fishing. Instead of a cone, some loose feathers, similar to an arrow can be attached. The arrow is pushed by a wad of tight cotton or detached cone rather than an attached cone. The business end is flattened into a true spear point with barbs. A heavy tip aids in penetration and also flight stability.

Up your odds of taking a fish by going where the fish are frequently near the surface. Trout farms will often let you do this, as will fish farms. Smaller scaled fish are obviously more vulnerable to the penetration of a dart, although, at 10 feet they will go through a phone book. Chumming the surface can also bring up fish to give you a good shot.

I practice by using a shallow, metal trough stocked with a few big sucker minnows. You will soon get the knack of where to shoot, and your limitations.

Whether you make one at home or go through Cold Steel to purchase a magnum blowgun, this is fish hunting at its most primitive level. It is also a load of fun!

Commercial blowgun retrofitted for fishing. Available in lengths up to 5 feet.

Homemade blowgun set up with fishing darts. PVC pipe and copper tubing are good choices to make your own.