Introduction
Survival fishing techniques are essential for obtaining food in emergency situations. This guide covers various methods, including gorge hooks, barbed hooks, spear fishing, fish traps, and netting. These techniques can be practiced with basic tools or improvised from natural materials.
Gorge Hook Construction
Carve a wooden, bone, or antler shaft with sharp edges and a central groove. Ensure it’s large enough to lodge in the fish’s throat when pulled. Modern hooks evolved from this design. For a gorge hook, you need a shaft that is about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Sharpen both ends and create a groove in the middle to hold the line securely.
Barbed Hook Creation
Use thorns as barbs attached to a hook via twine. The barb ensures secure attachment in the fish’s mouth or gills. For a barbed hook, you need a straight piece of wood or metal for the main body, a sharp thorn for the barb, and a strong thread or wire for attaching them. Ensure the barb is sharp enough to penetrate the fish’s skin but not so sharp that it falls off easily.
Spear Fishing
Craft a spear from wood, bone, or metal with a sharp tip. Use it in shallow waters to target visible fish. Account for water refraction when aiming, and use a flashlight for better visibility in dark conditions. For spearfishing, you need a sturdy shaft about 6 feet long and a sharp tip made from metal, bone, or a sharpened piece of wood. In murky water, use a flashlight to spot fish. In clear water, aim slightly above the fish to account for refraction.
Fish Traps
Construct barriers using poles in tidal areas to trap fish during low tide. Alternatively, weave branch baskets with one open end to guide fish inside. Build a V-shaped stone/wood barrier pointing downstream, with a holding pen at the V’s tip. Use plastic bottles as makeshift floats for jug fishing. For fish traps, you need poles, branches, and any available natural materials. Position the traps in areas where fish are likely to swim, such as near the mouth of a river or in shallow tidal zones. Ensure the trap is secure and fish cannot escape once inside.
Net Making
Use natural materials like cedar bark, grass, or green branches. Position nets in river bottlenecks with weights and floats to maintain shape. Craft a simple rod using a straight branch and a string or vine. Tie a hook or baited thorn to the end. Cast the line and reel in fish using the branch as a handle. For netting, you need materials that can be woven tightly, such as cedar bark strips or grass. Weave the strips together to form a mesh. Attach weights to the bottom and floats to the top to keep the net in place. Use a rod with a line attached to a hook for casting and retrieving fish.
Improvised Gear
Create hooks from nails, bones, or whittled sticks. Sharpen both ends and notch the middle for attaching line. Use strong threads, wire, or braided grass for lines. Test strength by tying to a sapling and pulling. Use shiny objects like feathers, aluminum, or live bait (earthworms, insects) for lures. For improvised gear, you need basic tools and materials found in nature. Test the strength of your lines and hooks before using them in the water. Experiment with different types of bait to see what attracts fish in your area.
Setting Lines
Attach lines to stakes or springy branches over water. Use bobby poles (sapling spears) angled into riverbanks. Check lines regularly and reset as needed. For setting lines, you need stakes or branches to anchor your lines. Position them in areas where fish are likely to swim. Use live bait or artificial lures to attract fish. Check your lines at least once a day and reset them if necessary.
Spring Reels
Compact, self-contained devices ideal for emergency kits. Spring reels are small and portable, making them perfect for carrying in a survival kit. They can be used with a variety of fishing lines and hooks. Ensure the reel is securely attached to your fishing line to prevent it from coming loose.
Throwing Rocks
Stun fish in shallow water with well-aimed rocks. Bowfishing Requires skill to shoot fish in clear water, accounting for refraction. Firearms Only effective with vertical shots to counter refraction. For throwing rocks, you need a good aim and a rock that can be thrown accurately. Bowfishing requires a bow and arrow designed for fishing. Use vertical shots with firearms to counteract the refraction of light in water.
Noodling
Use hands to catch catfish in undercut banks or hollow logs. Block escape routes and grasp fish by gills or mouth. Works best in warm water. For noodling, you need to be comfortable in the water and able to reach into tight spaces. Block the fish’s escape routes and grasp it firmly to prevent it from escaping. This technique is most effective in warm water and shallow areas.
Herding Fish
Herd fish in shallow areas and manually capture them. Multi-Hook Rigs Bottom rigs: Use weights and hooks suspended 1 foot above the bottom. Midlevel rigs: Use spreaders with hooks hanging 1-2 feet below. Surface rigs: Use floats with multiple hooks. Anchor rigs to trees/shrubs and check periodically. For herding fish, you need to be able to spot fish in shallow water and guide them into a confined area. Use multiple hooks to increase your chances of catching fish. Anchor your rigs securely to prevent them from drifting away.
Natural Toxin Application
Crush buckeye, mullein, or black walnut rinds and add to shallow pools. This method is only suitable for true survival scenarios and should never be used in regular fishing. Always avoid consuming raw wild fish due to potential parasites. For natural toxin application, you need the rinds of buckeye, mullein, or black walnut. Crush them and add the resulting liquid to shallow pools to stun or kill fish. This method should only be used in extreme survival situations and never for regular fishing.
Summary
Survival fishing techniques can be practiced with basic tools or improvised from natural materials. Techniques include gorge hooks, barbed hooks, spear fishing, fish traps, and netting. Each method requires specific tools and materials, and careful planning to ensure success. Always prioritize safety and ethical considerations when fishing in survival situations.