Dolphin question and others

[Thalassamania]

Don't be confused, in this day and age you can troll for whatever you want. Mahi mahi for me.

 

[MilitantMedic]

LOL...I'm going to let that go, so as not to hijack any threads.

 

[Thalassamania]

LOL...I'm going to let that go, so as not to hijack any threads.

Roger (pad to 15 stinkin' characters)<G>

 

[Chad Carney]

Hello scubaboard,

I have a few (more) newby questions for you if you don't mind. I have read about "riding" or slings, something I don't understand and not fully explained, do some people attatch some kind of harness to theirself for large fish? If not, do you just hang on to the gun?

Dolphin, As an occassional surface fisherman, I am of the impression dolphin are a schooling / traveling fast type fish, yet I have seen photo's of some taken by spear, how do you get close to them.

I went with the Biller (SP 48) as suggested by you folks as well as others, I don't want to look like Mr. accessory man, but what else will I need, i know I will need one of the fish retainer rings, anything else?

Thanks
Donny
Central Fla

Donny,

It would be wise to get started shooting smaller bottom fish first, like hogfish, sheepshead, mangrove snapper etc., so you can work on the basic skills of shooting, killing and stringing fish.

Dolphin or mahi are a pelagic species and not as likely to be shot by scuba divers. Freediving with a reel will give you a better chance with them, but the bigger ones should be avoided until mastering freediving and spearfishing.

I use a riding rig, an advanced type of spearfishing rigging with stainless steel cable and a rope with a clip, for shooting big fish on oil rigs.

Besides a stringer, get a good stiletto knife and kevlar gloves.

Pick up a copy of Fishing Lines, http://myfwc.com/marine/guide.htm, for all the rules & regs. It has great species ID and info too.

Good hunting!

Chad

 

[LowVizWiz]

<---- look at picture For clarification

 

[Thalassamania]

What are the implications of the required federal Highly Migratory Species permits for spearfishing?

 

[Johnoly]

Pick up a copy of Fishing Lines, http://myfwc.com/marine/guide.htm, for all the rules & regs. It has great species ID and info too.

Excellent book suggestion, and it's FREE !! Study this guide from front to back and keep re-reading it to help identify your fish for markings, and especially size restrictions. Shooting an illegal fish on a dive boat will not be fun.

 

[wreckchick]

It doesn't look like it affects it at all. The only species listed that you can spear in Florida are the tunas with blackfin being excluded from the list and the permit is $22. Dolphin isn't listed so it's not a problem to spear them.

I've actually never heard of an individual holding one of these so I'm not sure how many people have heard of it.

R

 

[Thalassamania]

I just checked the Highly Migratory Species permits. They cover taking tunas, billfish, swordfish and sharks (no Mahi). They do not address spearfishing directly but do speak in term of Harpooning (which I suspect the eco-cops would put spearfising under). The types of permits are Angling, Charter, General, Trap and Longline. Angling: Rod and reel (including downriggers) and handline. Charter/headboat: Rod and reel (including downriggers), handline, and bandit gear. General: Rod and reel (including downriggers), handline, harpoon, and bandit gear. Harpoon: harpoon. Trap: pound net and fish weir. Longline: longline. Purse Seine: purse seine.

For more data on HMS Permits

 

[Central Fla]

You folks are hilarious, No I'm not gonna put flipper on the barbi.

Thanks again for the help, particularly the warnings, I will certainly dive with experienced people and try not to stick ol'e Moby on the first jump~!!!

Central Fla