NY Times Article on Kayak Fishing

As I read the article a couple items caught my attention.

“I actually consider myself safer than the average boater because all the safety equipment is attached to my person,” he said. He also carries dive fins in case he has to swim home. “I don’t plan on calling the Coast Guard or the commercial fishermen for help,” he said. “I think that’s irresponsible.”

This statement bothers me because someone else, having read this, may hesitate to call for help when their life depends on it. And, depending on the situation, every second could be critical.

and;

Bluefins are powerful enough, he said, that if given too little line, they can cause a kayak to flip end over end. When they get close enough, commercial fishermen harpoon a tuna, but Lamoureux right away realized that that would be a disaster from a kayak.

“Even I’m bright enough not to do that,” he said, laughing.

Would a harpoon with a buoy be an effective way to end the battle? If so, it would seem to be more humane than fighting the fish until it dies of exhaustion. Hey, if it turns out that a harpoon w/buoy would work... We won't tell him... It will be our secret! 

- Karl

a speargun or pole spear with detachable tip with float attached to the end of a float line would work. it's what many freedivers use for bigger fish.