10 replies to this topic

[pacman]

Hey,

 

I am not into fishing, but I'm currently writing a book.

 

I need a little information to make sure my writings aren't stupid and unreal since I know nothing about fishing ! hehe.

 

My characters are fishing primitively from a raft in the river, with a spear and worms, in a water with very little visibility (they can barely see fishes unless they come really close to the surface). Therefore, they would throw worms to entice more fishes, and they would throw the spear right into a fish that's moving near the surface. Is that realistically correct?

 

My question is simply : 

 

- Can worms float? Is there a way we can make them float, like attaching them to a leaf/leaves or something?

- Any other way they could entice their fish without a modern fishing pole?

 

Thanks for the help!

[TheTallOutdoorsman]

Hello!

 

Worms do not float, as an alternative you can consider using bread (since it floats) for your novel.

 

There are plenty of fish that eat bread from whitefish to bass to carp, depending on your novel you can even mention birds?

[Fishing Urban Ontario]

I will tell u right now that when It comes to spearfishing most of it is done at night, for rainbow trout anyways. The person wades in the river and slowly creeps up to the fish on the surface. Its dark so the fish is unaware then he drops the spear on the fish. Maybe you can make that a scene of your book or something, hope this helps.

[pacman]

Unfortunately, I can't put it at night for further scene reasons. As for bread, that's an interesting alternative I didn't think about! Or even another insect that floats. The thing is it's being a primitive tribe, so I'm limited in their tools and bait.  

 

As for the spear, I based myself on this video :

 

at 2:55  

[MuskieBait]

Your book may not necessarily be set in the Amazon, but here's what I've recently learned. I will use the Amazon as an example because the situation is similar to what you described.

We used palm weevil larvae as bait in the Amazon. They are easily collected from palm trees. You can check which species is local to your setting. They are found in South America, Africa and Asia. Depending on the location of your setting, if the soil is too dry, you may not be able to find worms. But other natural baits can be substituted. Perhaps a little more details can help us help you. Don't worry, we're not going to take your idea to the publishers LOL

Splashing on the water surface attracts fish in the Amazon. You can do that simply with a stick. Perhaps that's one tactic that can be explored. However, it doesn't necessarily draw fish to the surface within sight and strike range, but just to the area in general. Many Amazonian rivers and tributaries have poor visibility (less than 12 inches), so spotting fish, even large ones below the surface is extremely difficult. When we were fishing, we couldn't even see 4-5lb fish under the surface when they were just 2 feet below the surface. It is that murky.

However, so fish do strike on the surface often. We will often hear Pacu make loud splashed on the surface as they take insects, seed or fruits that are floating. Sometimes, you hear a big splash like something tossing a brick in the water and it could be a Catfish chasing baitfish up to the surface. In lakes, ponds or swamps, Brycons can be seen in the shallow chasing other smaller fishes against the shore and making commotion. Perhaps you can incorporate these elements in the story as the character move about looking for the fish.

I can imagine tribal people putting the palm weevil on the thin end of a bamboo pole or stick, and suspend the larvae on the surface to draw fish to it. Alternatively, I can imagine the character tying the larvae onto thin fibrous threads or rope to suspend the larvae on the water, by tying the rope to a branch along the shoreline, or maybe holding it with one hand while the other hand holds the spear ready to strike. Lots of species will react to a grub on the water surface in the Amazon, include Pacu species, Piranha species. Brycon species, and Catfish species. To make it authentic, find local names of those fish.

But many primitive tribes knows how to make fish hooks out of bones, and spin natural material to make fishing line. My guide shown us some spider web in the Amazon that was extremely strong that could be spun into fishing lines. So I'm just curious why it is limited to spear? Don't want to mess up your plot, but there are alternatives.

In the Amazon, locals spear Arapaima by watching where they come up to breathe, especially when the Arapaima is trapped in small lakes or ponds during the dry season and the water is depleted in flow and oxygen. These lakes or ponds usually has slightly better visibility. The Arapaima also seems to come up to breathe regularly around the same location, unless the fish is actively moving around and hunting. But when an Arapaima is aware or scared by the presence of people, it can stay submerged much longer (as long as 30min) before surfacing again to breathe in the same spot, or relocating to another part of the lake or pond.

Hope this helps.

[pacman]

My book is not set in the Amazon, it’s a fictive world actually, but it’s inspired from the amazon forest. You gave me a perfect insight on how fishing goes with all the details that I wanted ; I couldn’t get a more perfect and detailed answer! Thanks very much!

 

As for which way I’m gonna go, I’m going to use these palm weevil larvaes. They will plant them on the thin end of a stick and suspend it on the surface. More gross, more fun for the reading.  I’m limited to the spear because this tribe has benefited from so many stolen ropes that I don’t want readers to think they have them to inifinity! And I also keep in mind the spider web & bones thing! I think I’ll put it in a later tome when developping an “intelligent” character.

 

This is how my scene looks like for now (translated to English just now, there might be mistakes) :

 

 

He also admired the beauty of the waters on which they were floating : brown, murky, and calm. It was the first time he participated at a fishing activity. A last lapping, and the boat stopped in the center of the water body.

-        We will fish here! announced Tassilo. In this river, you have to know the spots rich in fish, because the visibility is weak. This is where I always catch the most! It’s all about experience.

While Tassilo was teaching him, Balli was examinating the tools : palm weevil larvaes, a second stick – thiner –, a basket in a cylinder shape, and a spear with numerous spikes, linked to a rope.

-        What are all these things for? he asked.

-        First, we’ll use these larvaes to entice as many fish as we can. Pick them up softly, and put them at the end of this stick, he explained while designating the objets.

-        I can do it?

-        Sure.

From the tip of his fingers, Balli grabbed a maggot with aversion. It was twisting in all senses, like it would beg help to its counterparts in captivity.

-        Aïe! he screamed when he got bitten.

He threw it in the water. « Splash! » It was no longer a bait, but free food for the aquatic vertebrates.

-        Like this! shouted Tassilo while showing him.

With the goal of teaching him the right way to do it, he caught another larvae from its back, and inserted the end of the rod above its head, to then, with a quick movement, remove its “skull” guts! Dead, it was now easy easier to manipulate. Subsequently, the stick became a kebab of maggots that he suspended above the water to bait.

-        Hold it! he ordered his son. Just wait for the fish to come. It shouldn’t be too long, so observe the waters over there. As soon as you see moving, you tell!

 

[…] – (action unrelated to the fishing)

 

Balli remained unsure and scared, while Tassilo returned his attention on the water surface. He grabbed his spear again. « Splash! » Suddenly, the waters began to move.

-        Got it! he yelled, ready to harpoon it.

With a brutal, swift and accurate throw, he hit right where he wanted. The spear planted into an animated thing. The rope that connected the bark to the spear prevented the fish from escaping too far. Tassilo only had to pull on the rope, until he could get his weapon back. At its extremity, a pacu – fish with silver scales and an orange stomach – wiggled its head and fins to demonstrate agony. Formerly living in the water, it concluded its journey in the wicker basket of captured fish. 

 

sebastien

 

 

[TheTallOutdoorsman]

alternatively, I just thought of using a smaller dead fish as a target for a larger water predator?

[MuskieBait]

I like it. It's believable.

[Fishing Urban Ontario]

Maybe a scene where he spears the Urban Ontario guy. Ha[/quote]


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