How to Make a Hawaiian Sling for Spearfishing at Home

A Hawaiian sling allows you to hunt the type of fish you want without any by-catch.

Spearfishing is an efficient method of underwater hunting that allows for zero by-catch (no unwanted fish are caught or killed). A Hawaiian sling is a tool used in spearfishing that is basically a slingshot used to launch a spear. Hawaiian slings can be made of plastic, wood or metal and are used at short range. Making one of these handy little tools for yourself allow you to customize your equipment to suit your likes and needs while bringing you closer to the spirit of the sport.

Things You'll Need

• PVC pipe (3/4 inch by 6 inches)
• 2 screw-adjustable pipe clamps
• Screwdriver
• Slingshot replacement bands with rawhide pad
• 72 inch pole spear with detachable head
• 20 foot float line
• Swim fins
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Boat

Instructions

1. Hold the PVC pipe by its middle. Slide a pipe clamp over the end of the pipe and allow it to rest against your hand. Place one end of the replacement bands against each side of the pipe, placing the ends of the bands 3 inches from the end of the pipe pointing at your gripping hand. Slip the pipe clamp back up the pipe and over the ends of the bands. Tighten the clamp with your screwdriver, leaving 1 inch of each of the ends of the bands in front of the clamp.

2. Flip the pipe over, slip the remaining clamp over the pipe and allow it to rest against your gripping hand. Place one end of the float line against the end of the pipe and slide the clamp over the float line and tighten the clamp with your screwdriver.

3. Tie the free end of the float line to the grommet on the detachable head of your pole spear. Slide the blunt end of the spear into the float line end of the pipe and allow it to slip back into the leather band in the middle of the replacement bands.

Tips & Warnings

• Enter the water from your boat while wearing your fins, snorkel and mask and holding your Hawaiian sling firmly in both hands. Clear the water from your snorkel and swim along the surface of the water looking for your target fish. Take a series of deep breaths finally holding the sixth breath. Dive slowly down to within 10 feet of your target fish. Hold the pipe launcher section of the firmly with one hand and aim the pipes at your target. Pull back the butt of the spear and the leather pad of the bands. Release the spear and bands to launch the spear at the fish.

• A Hawaiian sling is a weapon. Always use caution when firing this weapon in or out of the water. Never aim a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot and kill.

• Always use caution when spearfishing. Keep a keen eye out for sharks, barracuda and other predators when in the water. Leave the water immediately if you spot a predator.

References

• Boat US: Tom's Tips - When You're the Fish Out of water