As an avid Darkhouse angler for more than 50 yrs. and collector of quality made spears for half of that time, I've had the opportunity to experience what is required of a good "user" spear.  Most spears, quality made or not, appears too heavy for any shot other than straight down the hole.  Like most spear fishermen, I usually attributed a missed throw to the fault of the spear.  When a spear is thrown straight down the hole, the momentum carries true because of the weight of the spear.  When a side angle throw is made, the weight of the handle, unless the handle is a long wood shaft, will control the momentum of the throw and usually will make the spear "swim out" and the chance of a clean miss will happen.  The deeper the water, the more chance this will happen.

About eight years ago I purchased a Dave Pawlak spear.  I now own five Pawlak spears, from a perch spear to a special made sturgeon spear.  Pawlak spears have been created from experience and research.  Dave Pawlak owns a tool and die business and knows first hand what steel does when worked into various shapes and forms.  He took this knowledge and created a spear that does what is expected of it by Darkhouse anglers, to carry the momentum farther and straighter on angle throws, than all other spears. 

The difference in a Pawlak spear is that they are balanced and weight forward the most other spears.  It's a concept thought about by many old spear makers due to many of the old spear that have lead attached to the head of the spear heads.  But, like too much lead in a good working fish decoy which doesn't swim well, didn't make the spear any better at angle throws.  Pawlak spears use an overall balanced head that, in all of their models, creates a spear that is user friendly to the angler.

In deeper water, sometimes up to 20', I use the Pawlak spear with the wood handle, about 10", at the top of the spear.  It holds a truer momentum like the fletching on an arrow. Misses are still blamed on the spear and not the spear thrower and misses are forgotten quickly.

I am happy with Pawlak spears.  They do what I expect in a good spear.  I have recommended Pawlak spears to every Darkhouse angler who asks about spears. 

Mike Holmes, President

Michigan Darkhouse Angling Association

I have used a Pawlak spear for 10 years now in 2 different states and absolutely love it!  The hardness of the steel and sharpness of the tines are unmatched with any other spear I have used.  The head and tine size are perfect for pike and musky.  The barb design makes it almost impossible to lose a fish.  Balance is excellent and it throws true.  I highly recommend these spears to any serious spearer.

Mike Kitt

Marinette, WI

I live in a state that does not allow spearing, and feel it is crucial to use the best available equipment when I make my annual four day darkhouse angling trip to Michigan.  I use two Pawlak spears, a 9" musky spear for pike and his 4" perch spear.  Both have worked impeccably for me, and I would not leave home without them!   

Scott Morrison

GLFDCCA’s  Carving Show Chairman,  Certified Fisheries Scientist, and two time winner of the GLFDCCA’s “Best Fish Decoy in the World” award.

Dave,   I just wanted to drop you a few lines to tell you that the spear I bought from you at Outdoorama worked aw some. You were right about the pike not getting off. It flew straight, was comfortable in the hand, locked into the fish and preformed outstandingly. I was spearing in relatively shallow water. About 6 or 7 feet. I speared from the evening 3/2 to morning 3/8, I saw 60, threw at 14 and got 14. The first night I got there with my buddy I wasn't going to go out cause it was about 5:30. Thought I'd just have a couple and get a early start the next day. But with a new spear I just had to go out, so I grabbed it and walked out to my shack. About 200 feet away. Sat down, dropped my Walter Welch decoy down and before it got to the end of the string, It got hit by Mr. Pike. Long story short, in 1 hour Ii saw 12 fish and speared 2. I was pumped. 33" and30". No huge fish but got every one. I guess they get the larger ones earlier in the season or real late. I'll find that out next season. The ice started getting bad.

You wouldn't believe it Dave, I had a tree trimmed on my property and I showed a couple of the guys from the township the spear. I had more people saying to me that they heard about the spear and asked me if it was OK to see it. Probably about 2 dozen guy's. Hell, I should have had a catalog and been a salesman for ya. Most of them freaked when I said how much it cost, but then I asked what they had in their bow, hunting rifle or shotgun. That put the breaks on and they understood. Anyhow it was pretty funny. A couple even took pictures of it on their phone. 

I wish I could have sent you a picture of a big one but most of the fish I was seeing were from 25 or 26 to 32 or 33. Anyhow it was a blast and it worked great.

Let me know your thoughts if you would. It's a beautiful weapon performed without a flaw. Thanks again and looking forward to hearing from you.

Ron Lepisto

Goodrich, Michigan

p.s.  The best part was I told everyone that it was made in Michigan in the good old U.S.A.!!!  

Dave-Your spear is hanging in my restaurant, it’s beautiful. I showed it to my friends you will be hearing from them. Stop by some time when you’re headed north!

Thanks,

Forrest Friend

Brutus Camp Deli

So my son Josh and I go up to Escanaba to spear.  Holmes says go ahead and use the shack.  I ask if it has the same lock on it.  You bet, he says.  We get there and it's his twin shack with a different lock on it.  I call him, and he apologizes, telling me to break the lock off.  I tell him I can't do that.  Lucky for me, I brought my tent just in case (known Holmes a long time).  So we go over to the "other spot" about 1/2 mile away.  This was the 5th one we saw.  As you can see, it came to a #7 Pawlak  Muskie spear, on a "one hell of a throw, just barely got her with 2 tines near the tail".  I can't think of a better testament to your spears!  Thanks Dave! 

Oh yeah, thanks Mike!

Hi Dave,

I was going to send you pictures of my fish, but it looks like Holmes beat me to it.  What a year! First my son's fish of a lifetime, now MY fish of a lifetime!  I tried entering it on your website.  Don't know if it took or not.  I worried about bringing her in, but I didn't need to.  I had all I could do to get the spear out of her.  Another testament to your handiwork.  One of my "Minions" that I taught to make decoys this summer just bought one of your spears.  His dad got his first fish today on it   out of my hole - a 29" er.  He loves his spear and 12 fish came to his first decoy that he made.  He is absolutely thrilled!  Hope you can make it up this winter.

Mike

Hi Dave, I just got home from Gary Hulls. I speared a 40 in. pike with my new spear. Drove it right to the hilt. We got her out of the hole and almost took her head off trying to get the spear out. The spear worked great! There is no pulling off that one. If you want a shot at Big Pike Gary Hull's is the place to go. We saw small pike all day long and took home our limits to eat. And Gary is a great host and guide.

Thanks, Harley

Hi Dave, Here is my first fish ever while spearing. Your spear worked great for me. Even us Montana boys get lucky every once in a while! Just over 8.5 pounds and 32 inches. I submitted the story to your contest as well. Thanks again!

Tyson Woods

Hamilton, MT