Charters and Spearfishing

[simbrooks]

nobody is going to try to spear a whale.

Imagine that ride!! I have heard a few stories on here now about those who just wont let go of the big one and end up on a ride while they wait for it to die/tire - a whale i cant see giving up that easily.

Just to add a little humour into what is turning into a hot debate on several forums here.

BTW, the only guy to make a point about the "T" word, was a mod - watching over us all.

 

[Roland_C]

As an avid spearfisherman, I find myself only going on charters that do allow spearfishing. but if I were going to go on a charterboat that I didnt know I would ask. I would expect the non spero's to seek such info on an unfamilure boat, but really most of us divers tend to be creatures of habit we know the charters we like. We have friends to recomend new charters. spearing or not. now with the exception of a couple of people on this board this has been one of the most cival debates on this topic. To my knowledge there are no Spearfishing only charterboats you want to pay they will take you out if you dont like to fish/spearfish there are plenty of non spearo charters. I know of a couple of charters in the Boynton area that are usually a mix of both if someone complains they are asked politly not go with them again, but every time I go with them its mostly the same people on board.

 

[cdiver2]

now with the exception of a couple of people on this board this has been one of the most civil debates on this topic. To my knowledge there are no Spearfishing only charter boats you.

I do believe the finger was pointing in my direction?. I'm sorry if you think I was being uncivil I am sorry you took it that way. I started by simply stating that I don't think spear fishermen and non spearing divers should mix. Even though I don't like it I am not one to tell a person that he should not spear or tell a boat Capt how he should run his boat. If you look back in the thread I did say something along the lines "you do what you want and I will do what I want" now if someone has a problem with that, then its there problem, I will not change my views to please someone else.

I had a conversation with a spearfishing diver on this board the other day and he informed me there were boats that catered to the spearfishing group and suggested I look on a board for spearfishing to find them

 

[ScubaFriend]

Migratory and pelagic fish are fair game since they will be moving on the next time the sun sets.

FT

I am sorry i do not agree with this line of thought, in some places they tried this argument with sharks, if we dont catch them the next place up the coast will. Look what happened we kill approx 100 million sharks a year worldwide and yes i know that a lot of that is commercial fishing but i personally know of one boat with 12 spearfisherman that in 3 hours killed 20 sharks

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

i personally know of one boat with 12 spearfisherman that in 3 hours killed 20 sharks

I'm curious ... and this is a serious question ...

To what end do you spearfish sharks? Are they really edible? What breed of sharks are we talking about here?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Johnoly]

I also don't like the preferential treatment that spearfishers get, extra room on the boat to store their crap, the first ones in the water so the rest of the divers don't scare the fish away... etc...

Preferential treatment for Spearo's? I'd like the name of that boat charter. We are mostly given every dirty look on the boat, but are always the first invited to the Pot Luck Dinners!

Your comment about " extra room to store their crap " should have several of the photographers with fresh water rinse buckets and camera tables sliding up to support you!!!

 

[Damselfish]

I'm curious ... and this is a serious question ...

To what end do you spearfish sharks? Are they really edible? What breed of sharks are we talking about here?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Shark used to be commonly sold in the grocery store (at least around here) right next to the other fish. Tasted much like swordfish. (No, I wouldn't eat it now even if they still sold it.)

 

[dxxxiii]

many restaurants in FL have sold shark under the name swordfish because it is easier to catch can yield better "steaks".

I believe that the fat content is medium high for a fish (but still less than Orange Roughy) which is a part of the good taste.

To keep the post on topic, I'll ask about spearing on my next charter in Fort Lauderdale. Spearfishing looks interesting if nothing else...

 

[sgtmnstr]

Personally I don't think spear fishing should be allowed in Scuba diving...........dive with snorkel, give the fish a fair chance..........

A skin diver actually has an advantage, no noise, and coming down from above the thermocline, bubbles scare fish which is why I am looking at rebreathers for spearing.

Fish are yummy.

 

[sgtmnstr]

I would think that if that was a specific requirement of your trip, that it would be YOUR responsibility as a consumer to do the research, not the captain's to spoon feed you every detail.

(QUOTE)
Running a boat is like any other service industry, If I am paying its not my job to do the research, it is the servicers job to disclose ANY restriction and or provide for the clients needs. Thats why you gotta love the Ritz, and why they will stay in business long after others have come and gone. Service at least GOOD service is about SERVICE.
Rich