Are we allowed to spearfish from the beach in San Clemente, CA?

[myloudkids]

My kids want to go snorkeling and spearfish. They say spearguns on eBay for about $40-70 and want to use their Christmas money for that. Is this legal to do? I have a fishing license and they are all under 16.

Thank you!

 

[mathauck0814]

So long as you're not in a marine preserve, and you're following the state limit (size and bag) laws, yes. You might want to do some educating to ensure that they recognize what they are allowed and not allowed. There are a lot of pressured species in southern California. Spearing a black sea bass, for instance, can be a costly mistake.

 

[Bob DBF]

More important is how much training have you given them on the use of lethal weapons, and how responsible are they with said weapons.



Bob
------------------------------------------
I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[g1138]

Firearm safety and spear gun safety go hand-in-hand.
If they don't know one they don't know the other.

 

[myloudkids]

Thank you!

 

[danvolker]

I think you should also consider the issue of spearfishing near a public beach with plenty of kids swimming...If your kids are shooting fish, sooner or later they will attract a shark. I question if it is "RIGHT" to allow a behavior that could bring a shark in, especially if it is going crazy over the vibrations from a speared fish. The kids in the water, have a right to be swimming at the beach, without someone potentially causing them to be attacked.

If your kids can spearfish off a beach there are no swimmers at, and you have taught them well about not pointing the guns at each other, and what fish species to shoot, etc., then this sounds like a great plan, to me.

I only mention the spearfishing off of swimming beaches , because this DOES happen here in Florida, and it DOES cause problems sometimes....There used to be tons of cuda off the rocks on the Palm Beach inlet, and a bunch of freedivers started shooting the cuda to sell for catfood....they shot many hundreds, and in the process, often brought 10 and 12 foot bullsharks to within less than 100 feet of a swimming beach, with kids in it ( by the pumphouse).
Fortunately, I know of no attacks that occurred, but this is dumb luck

 

[cmburch]

Welcome to SCUBABoard!
Sign up on SpearBoard. Check and post for Spearos in your area with children in SpearBoard California section. There are many knowledgeable San Clemente Spearos. I assume they are already comfortable and confident SoCal ocean snorkelers. My dad took me out when I was a kid. Check Mako Spearguns for ideas. MAKO Spearguns and Spearfishing Gear Pick-up or order CADFG Regs for each child as well as fish ID and passport. California Department of Fish & Game, California Fishing Passport Probably best to start with a polespear ~$30. CADFG Regs are sometimes different for spearfishing in some locations compared to H&L. For example, Cabezon and Lingcod may have a longer season for spearfishing. Can also post in the SCUBABoard hunting section. SpearBoard California section also has fishing reports with pictures.