Spear fishing info. wanted.

[ppinder]

IÃÎ looking for some assistance or guidance setting up a spear fishing trip to the keys. I plan on taking my boat and probably two of my kids. Our dives will be limited to the intermediate level. IÃ×e done some research on the dive sites in the keys, but IÃÎ hoping to get a little help from the ScubaBoard members that have experience in the area. Where would our best bet be? Where would be the best place to find information that would help me narrow down my choices? Any information on lodging, dive shops, etc. would help. IÃÎ not totally sold on hauling my boat all the down there, so chartering out could be an option. Thanks!

 

[cmburch]

SpearBoard Florida Section may also be helpful.

http://www.spearboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1

 

[cldomson1]

Call Divercity in Key West. They are pure spearfisherman, and can recommend charters too.

 

[Speargirl]

Try this and if you have anymore questions I will be more than happy to help you.

Spearfishing in the Florida Keys

 

[ppinder]

Thank you for the info. Speargirl. I printed it out and will share it the young ins'. We booked in Marathon. I'm up to 4 kids now, including my daughter and one of the kids from the neighborhood. I'm sure I'll get some info when I'm down there and I'll certainly visit Divercity during our travels. If you have a favorite dive shop in the area please let me know and I'll certainly give them some business. We seem to go through some gear. Hopefully somebody down there will point me in the right direction, I'd like to turn the kids on to some fish and fun without getting into trouble with the water police. If you haven't checked out the "Accidents and Incidents" forum, please do so if your interested. Look for the couple rescued from the Gulf after a 24 hr drift. You'll find that I pretty much travel with the young ins' all the time.

Thanks again!!!

 

[spoolin01]

As one option, there are plenty of affordable boat rentals from Marathon down to Key West. We just used http://www.vacationboatrentals.com/ and I can recommend them highly. The boat we had was in top shape and not at all expensive, the outfit went out of their way to take care of us. We did some spearfishing on wrecks and the reef edge, and a little on the gulf side, as well as some dolphin fishing below Big Pine Key. I'm no local expert so I won't try to recommend any particular spots.

 

[imwright1985]

Atlantic side, depending on how deep you want to go there are coral heads you can freedive like 15-20ft that have hog snapper and some yellowtail the 30ft reef isnt bad for grouper just watch out for some of the preserves unless your just looking to sight see, they are very strict about those areas. most of the diveshops are cool too asfar as tips on where to go but some hate spearfishers. be careful with the boat though because some of the areas are very shallow and get shallow quick.

 

[ppinder]

Bought a map last night and spent several hours rubbing my head, then my eyes and then had a cold one.....or two....

thanks again!

 

[imwright1985]

that was all you had?? just take your time on the water because some of it is shallow but almost any reef should have a couple fish on it, i look and see if the shop has spear stuff in it if it does they arnt against spearfishing and should be able to help you. but also make sure of the preserves in the areas your going, i almost got caught once spearing with a snorkle and it was completely accidental. lou key has bouy's marking it so look for those and stay outside of them

 

[ppinder]

Leaving tomorrow! Hopefully fryin fish next day!!!