Harpoon Rigging Trick

[Innovator]

Hey Guys,

One of the #1 questions I get about the Harpoon is how to rig the end cap so the harpoon may be thrown and still get the Poon back. We used to recommend creating a loop in the end cap with Heavy mono or some other type of line and attach the clip to this line.

A couple of months ago while messing around in the shop I found a better mousetrap.

Materials Needed

• 2" Stainless Steel Eye Bolt with 1/4-20 threads
• 1/4-20 Lock Nut (Nylon Insert)
• Stainless Steel Carabiner Clip (Alpine Clip or Safety Line Clip)

Step 1- Thread the Lock Nut onto the Eye Bolt until all of the threads go through the Lock Nut in order to create threads through the nylon portion of the Lock Nut.

Step 2- Remove the Lock Nut from the Eye Bolt

Step 3- Insert the Eye Bolt through the End Cap, reverse the Lock Nut so the nylon part threads on first. Tighten down to a snug fit.

Step 4- Attach the Stainless Steel Safety Line Clip to the Eye Bolt

That's It!!!

[28Conquest]

Very cool! I just bought a poon and I couldn't figure out a good way to attach the heavy mono to the end cap since the cap has the one big hole in the end.

I ended up getting some 3/8" rope and tying a stopper knot to attach the rope to the cap with an eye-splice to the alpine clip. If I'd seen this first I would have done this for sure. But at least I got to practice splicing...

[colad]

Innovator,
I have a new poon...ever attach the handle to a separate line so it is not out with the fish and can be retreived separately. Or is this a terrible idea...?

[Innovator]

Colad,

Some guys use two lines- one to the harpoon and one attached to the dart. I do not like this method because inevitably the lines can get tangled.

The clip method by far works the best. In all of fish I have harpooned I have never had a problem using this method and never lost a Poon.

Also, the main reason for the clip is to be able to get the harpoon out of the way once the fish is brought boat side. If you are worried about the clip coming undone take some clear tubing and slide over where the clip pivots. I personally do not do this but have had people ask me. Longline clips may also be used in replacement of the Alpine Clip.

Kevin

[EJR]

I have a question. In theory I understand what your doing but without a permanent loop in the main line to hold the harpoon in one place wont the stick slide down to the fish? Ever have a problem with the stick getting thrown around by the fish if it ends up on top of him?

[Innovator]

EJR,

Generally the rigged dart is 4-5' then a loop to loop connection to the mainline. With the right size clip (small enough) it will stop at this connection 4-5' from the fish. People also ask me about the harpoon dangling down there, I have never had an issue using this method and have stuck quite a few fish.

Another thing to keep in mind, the fish are generally pretty whupped from the fight, then get blasted by the harpoon, it pretty much stuns them. I would say 9 of 10 fish take no more than 20-30' of dart line. The reason why I recommend the 200-300' of dart line in the basket, is because every once in a while you get a green fish or just a spunky one and you better off having the length than not having it. There is a misconception out there that the ball goes over on every fish. I have never had the ball go over, I have had 100-200' go out mostly on Giants, but again the average is 20-30'. Another reason for the basket is you never want to cleat off the harpoon line because if it comes to an abrupt stop the dart could pull. The idea of the dart line is to act much like a drag, if the fish wants to go you let him go, if you can gain line you take it.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

[EJR]

Makes sense, thanks for the info. I didnt realize you had that much on the dart line. I follow the clip not sliding over. We tie ours off permanently to the mainline about 10ft from the dart and just work over it and leave in the water until everything is clear and the fish is tail roped. Been there done that on the cleating off. When that fish wants to take a 100ft and it stops at 20-30 somethings got to give, just close your eyes and pray its not your cleat. The basket is a good tip for people. Thanks again for the info.

[Sea Draggin]

That second and third picture are solid gold. Pretty work.

[dunn6253]

Thanks for the tip Kevin. Saw the way you rigged it at the Big Game Bash, but forgot about it until now. Looks like a trip to Home Depot on this rainy night for me......

[blackhullcharters]

That looks good.
But, how are you keeping tension on the line so the dart stays on ?
I like using the paint stick method.