Heard about grapple fishing?

[PatrickM]

This is a grapple - it is thrown out over a shoal of fish, mullet being a good choice, and swifly pulled back through the shoal.

I was shown this technique twenty years ago in Yugoslavia by an old fisherman. I have made a few of these over the years varying in size. The spikes should be made from hard wood and fire hardened as they soften at the tips with prolonged use.

Although illegal in the UK, grapple fishing is still a worthwhile skill, as is the pole snare, in the world of bushcraft and wilderness living skills.

 

[British Red]

Thats a beautiful thing Patrick. How are the spikes attached? It looks like a binding covered in glue there but I'm probably wrong. Thanks for sharing - its great to see such traditional crafts

Red

 

[OutBackP]

Great looking piece, just been studying your photo looks cleverly put together. Have you used it?

 

[PatrickM]

British Red - The spikes are pushed into hot pitch that has been dropped into pre-burned holes. They are then bound and sealed will beeswax

Outback - of course, but not in British waters (it's not legal)

 

[Toddy]

How big is it? and what size of fish would you expect to catch with it?

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[British Red]

Well without wanting to embarrass you - thats proper bushcraft - fantastic stuff thank you! Absurdly neat cordage too!

 

[torjusg]

Very nice Patrick.

Don't know it is legal here, but it would sure be fun to try. Am I right assuming that herring may be a little too frail for this type of fishing?

 

[Tor helge]

Very nice Patrick.

Don't know it is legal here, but it would sure be fun to try. Am I right assuming that herring may be a little too frail for this type of fishing?

Looks very nice.
It is a more primitive variant of a fishing kit we used as kids. A large treble hook was used in the same manner to catch Salmon in the creeks.
And no. It is not legal.

Tor

 

[stovie]

Looks very nice.
It is a more primitive variant of a fishing kit we used as kids. A large treble hook was used in the same manner to catch Salmon in the creeks.
And no. It is not legal.

Tor

Known as "stroke haulin'" where i come from, and rather frowned upon

Nice piece of kit Patrick. What woods have you used and is it weighted to get it below the surface, or is it strictly a surface tool?

 

[andyn]

Wow, that looks positively evil! Stunning craftmanship as always.

 

[Tantalus]

Used something similar to catch Grey Mullet in Greece when I worked on a fishfarm there

The mullet would swim outside the fishcages to scrounge any food that was swept out by the currents and the water was literally black with them.

Biggest one I managed to catch was about 1.7 kilos

Naturally they are very canny fish and difficult to catch with baited hooks, cage traps or nets.

But had more than my share of free suppers fishing for them this way

Tant