For underwater hunters in Norway, the lyre is not a rare sight. We find it all along the Norwegian coast, from the surface to deep in the dark, and the underwater hunt for this fish can be very exciting.
By Simen Wilberg
In the spring and autumn, the great lyre comes up to shallow water to bask in the pale hours, but also in the summer season we find large individuals in shallow water. If you want to become a skilled lyre hunter, it is important to have a good knowledge of its characteristics, hunting techniques and, not least, its "temper".
The lyre is a predatory fish that often hunts in areas with large shoals of small fish such as halibut, herring and mackerel. Here it positions itself directly under the shoal while it waits for an inattentive prey to come close enough to strike. You will also find it patrolling along the kelp forest and near walls and headlands. Your reaction determines whether there will be a catch!
The lyre is a very curious fish, but at the same time skittish and easy to scare away. It has a good field of vision, making it difficult to sneak in for harpooning undetected.
When you have discovered a lyre that you want to invite home for dinner, the hunting plan must be ready. as you observe the lyre, it is important that your reaction does not reveal your intentions. If you make a sudden movement or clearly focus your attention on the fish by swimming straight towards it, looking it in the eyes or pointing the harpoon at it, it may be enough to scare it away, and you will have to stop by the fishmonger on the way home. Your first choice therefore depends on whether you have been discovered or not. If you are undetected, you can use calm, silent movements to approach for harpooning. If the fish is aware of you, you have to act differently, and this is where the art of hunting begins.
AT A GLANCE!
You are in Lyren's curious gaze, and your movements and intentions are carefully analysed, now a game of cat and mouse. the challenge as an underwater hunter now lies in getting into firing position without revealing your intention.
The first thing to take into account is the direction and speed of the lyre. If it moves, you try to set up a crossing path, and you wait until the lyre slips into your sights. If it is stationary, you approach the fish at an angle, not directly towards it. While you have it in your side view, you slowly position the harpoon towards the target while constantly thinking "I'm not going to hurt you, kind fish". when you've tricked yourself close enough you can take the shot.
YOU ARE EXPOSED!
It is not a matter of course to get close enough to shoot without scaring the prey , but even in such situations you can use your knowledge of the prey to regain the upper hand in the hunt. when the lyre has perceived you as a threat, it slowly but surely begins to swim away. If you pick up speed and follow in the hope of catching it again, you confirm your intention, He Will take me, and the fish picks up speed. Goodbye!
The right thing to do when the fish starts to move away from you is the exact opposite, stop completely or swim another way. You are then not perceived as a threat, and the lyre seems to think: Hello? Aren't you supposed to be swimming after me? I'd better turn around and see what he's up to. now the lyre comes swimming straight towards you and you again have the upper hand and can position yourself for harpooning.
SWIMMING AROUND WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT?
Another way to hunt for lyre is to lie down in the kelp forest and wait. The best places are right next to shoals, where the lyre swim around hunting. If you are lying
completely calm, the fish often won't see you, and you can use the barb on the harpoon as bait, shiny and fine, it can look like a real treat in the sunshine. While you are "fishing" with the harpoon, you will discover that fish slowly but surely come closer and closer, but remember, the biggest always comes last... This can be a very pleasant way to hunt if you want to have a break from the current, or simply want to take it easy. But as I said, the biggest always comes last.
Happy underwater hunting!
FACTS ABOUT THE LYRE
Description: cod fish with a distinct underbite, large eyes often with hints of brown. Strongly curved lateral line. curious by nature. Up to 13 kilograms and 1.3 m.
Distribution: From Italy, Morocco, Iceland, the North Sea, Britain and the Norwegian coast.
Biology: Occurs periodically in shoals during spawning, otherwise scattered. At mountains, seaweed, rock and sandy bottoms, estuaries, etc., fish and crustaceans eat (as most fish do...)
UV hunting and food value: Attractive game fish, good food fish, especially fried and salted (better than salted cod). The liver is also often finer than in cod.