sharpening shafts

[GeauxSaints]

Do you guys generally sharpen your shafts after a few Mangrove hunting trips? Shooting through fish and smacking rock behind them has worn my tips down to the point where they often bounce off of a scaly fish instead of penetrating it. It does not happen to grouper or AJs but Snaps and their kin are too scaled unless I hit them flat from the side.

If so, do you just use a grinder?

On another note, I don't usually use powerheads at all...but the few times I have tried I have shot amber jacks and the powerhead (B&B .223) has penetrated the fish without going off...maybe I am putting too much fingernail polish on the firing pin?

[Hogwild]

I use a grinder to sharpen my spear tips before every trip. However, having them that sharp makes them more vulnerable to damage when they hit the reef.

When your PH does not go off in the AJ, as you sure the .233 round was not wet? Shake the bullet and make sure you can hear the powder moving inside. :cool:

[Reefrat]

Just my lil .02 on the powerhead not going off. I noticed that my buddy was having the same problem on flounder. We figured out he was to close(go figure) to the fish. Coming up a lil higher and putting some distance above the fish solved the problem.

[johnhermes]

Powerheading a flounder????

[Steel Shootin']

I want to see a picture of the powerheaded flounder! :D

Growing up, there was a kid in the neighborhood that would stick a firecracker under small lizards. The flounder probably looks something like that.

[Divin' fool]

PH a flounder?? I don't even pull the trigger.....just poke him good:D

[Hogwild]

Let me guess. You had to PH the flounder in self defence. I hear they can be real mean when provoked.:eek:

[dothanfrogman]

Sounds like a g-bag thing.

[deepfish]

I have put nice points on a shaft with a standard file, w/o screwing the threads up. If you take your time there ain't much to it.

[blue gun]

Please, tell us more about powerheading flounder.:D

[GeauxSaints]

Originally posted by deepfish
I have put nice points on a shaft with a standard file, w/o screwing the threads up. If you take your time there ain't much to it.

I tried filing, but man alive, that takes ages...


And as far as PHing flounder goes...Huh? Maybe a HALIBUT! Yeah, my bullets were good and dry. I must have had too much polish on them.

[inletsurf]

I do the same as deepfish. Get a fresh new metal file and it will be quick. I always sharpen my tips before I go (and there's been a lot of time for sharpening with the weather over here the way it is)

[esmiami]

Best way I've found for sharpening shafts (and tips) is to put the other end of the shaft (or tip) in a drill and then grind the spinning tip on a grinder or belt sander. Don't forget to tape the flopper or you'll seriously **** up your hand. Put a small extra bevel on the end to prevent the tip from curling on rocks.

[Screen Name]

Spearshafts are heat treated. While you grind the tip, cool it in a container of water a lot so as not to make the point soft. Sharp points are actually a little tricky to grind because the very point overheats since there is no metal left to dissipate the heat. If the point discolors at all while you grind, it will be softer than its previous state.

That taping up the flopper is a swell idea.

No, I am not taking writing lessons from G-bag, honest. :D

[Reefrat]

Originally posted by Reefrat
Just my lil .02 on the powerhead not going off. I noticed that my buddy was having the same problem on flounder. We figured out he was to close(go figure) to the fish. Coming up a lil higher and putting some distance above the fish solved the problem.


Alright guys for the record IT WASN'T ME! It was one of my dive buddies. I always carry my custom pole spear on my side for those. (my good ole flounder pounder) Hey I like that I might name my boat that.

I aint even got my upgraded gun with new powerhead wet yet.:(
Unless you count me drooling over it.
I'll look through my photos I'm sure I can find some precleaned doormats in them somewhere.

[Kasshia]

I touch up my points with a file every time before I go. I'm currently using Riffe large heads ground to my own point design. I like a vise to hold the head and a file because it doesn't heat up the steel. Much like testing a sharp fishhook, I test the point on a thumbnail. Poke the thumbnail with the point, if it slips it's not sharp, if it digs in and tries to penetrate it's sharp.