How to Make a Fishing Harpoon

Originally people fished using spears and harpoons, which are thrust through the water when fish pass by. Harpooning is still an active sport, both for fishing in shallow water and at sea with the use of air-propelled harpoons. A primitive but effective fishing spear or harpoon can be fashioned at home or in the wild.

Things You'll Need

  • Sapling
  • Knife
  • Twine
  • Twigs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a suitable tall sapling. It should be about 2 inches in diameter, and have few branches, as these weaken the main shaft.

    • 2

      Cut down the sapling with the knife and clean up the cut end.

    • 3

      Place the narrow end of the sapling against a firm object, such as a rock or tree stump, Lay the knife blade across the thicker end of the sapling and press down to create a foot-long slice down the center. Tapping the back of the knife blade with a heavy object may help make this cut.

    • 4

      Pull out the blade, rotate the sapling 90 degrees and repeat the last step so as to make another cut, perpendicular to the first, straight down the center.

    • 5

      Tie a piece of twine securely about 18 inches from the cut end of the sapling so it cannot split below this point. Elongate the two cuts to this depth.

    • 6

      Cut two twigs so they are just longer than the diameter of the sapling. Force these into the cuts to force the four prongs of the harpoon apart.

    • 7

      Attach more twine above the twigs and wrap tightly so the twigs will not fall out causing the prongs to collapse.

    • 8

      Remove the bark from the prongs and carve them into sharp points using the knife.