<P> There are references to fishing with spears in ancient literature; though, in most cases, the descriptions do not go into detail . An early example from the Bible is in Job 41: 7: Canst thou fill his (Leviathan) skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? . </P> <P> The Greek historian Polybius (ca 203 BC--120 BC), in his Histories, describes hunting for swordfish by using a harpoon with a barbed and detachable head . </P> <P> Greek author Oppian of Corycus wrote a major treatise on sea fishing, the Halieulica or Halieutika, composed between 177 and 180 . This is the earliest such work to have survived intact . Oppian describes various means of fishing including the use of spears and tridents . </P> <P> In a parody of fishing, a type of gladiator called retiarius carried a trident and a casting - net . He fought the murmillo, who carried a short sword and a helmet with the image of a fish on the front . </P>

Why do fishermen aim at the tail of the fish while fishing with a spear