Impaled by a Swordfish!

RodH

Saw this article about a guy getting impaled and killed by a swordfish....so, how common is this? Also, how often do Sails or other billfish "stick" folks at the boat? Thanks.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/29/officials-hawaii-man-impaled-killed-by-fish-bill-after-jumping-in-water-to/

dpdash

So the guy jumps off a pier and try's to wrestle a baby sword, in process gets impaled? I wouldn't worry too much about that being a common occurrence, lol

RodH

I agree, pretty stupid. However, there are a bunch of billfish brought to boats and handled by people....how often has one took a last second run and propelled itself out of the water and toward someone? I haven't seen a lot on this, but I can tell you that everytime I catch a Sail, I'm careful not to put myself in the front of that thing. I've never taken one out of the water, by the way...hehe

Kevinwwings2

This is the reason they always say thumbs together when handling bill fish. If you grab the bill with both hands, thumbs together it is virtually impossible for the bill to be pointed towards you. Of course that is provided you bra but like you mean it and you don't wimp out and let go when that fish is a bit greener than you thought. Is also why I like the idea of catching Sails on fairly light line, I figure they are a bit more tired when I can finally get them to the boat, sure it means a longer revival time but I am ok with that if it keeps it safer for myself and crew. Remember that fish is fighting for it's life, as it has no idea you plan to release it or kill it.

Also a good reason to keep someone at the controls. It is much easier to move the boat quickly out of the way of a frantic jumping fish than it is to stop the charging freight train.

Roc N Rol

that is very good and accurate information Kevin wings but does not apply in this scenario the guy jumped off of the jetty with a spear gun and Shot the fish and apparently the fish attacked him while he was swimming trying to subdue the fish

[email protected] Special

Guy wasn't impaled. The swordfish took him out of the water for a picture before releasing him. It was post release mortality!

Roc N Rol

LOL I think he took him deep underwater and held him for a few photo ops before releasing him to the surface

dpdash

Lol

Silent snooker

Heard about it Friday night as it was my buddy's old co-worker. I didn't read the article so I'm not sure exactly how they described it, however we were informed he shot the fish with a speargun and the line connecting the shaft to the gun got caught around a mooring bouy line. With the line wrapped around the bouy line and still connected to the fish the pressure turned the fish around back at him. From the way it was described to us it was more of a freak accident than it was the fish attacking him.