spearfishing at shaw's

[scottfiji]

This is from the dive report thead:

Nice report, I was actually going to post one, but now I dont have to. You had to tell everyone about my poor Pole Spear ability. I guess I need to learn somehow. Was a fun dive though
John

Hey John, nothing personal, but since you mentioned trying to spear sheephead at Shaw's, I thought I'd mention a couple things, imho only...

- I thought spearfishing at Shaw's was illegal, but I'm not positive

- Since I believe most people go to Shaw's to see the fish and not to spear them, this might not be the best place to talk about your spearfishing stories in Laguna, I suggest the hunting thread, especially if your aim gets better.

- Not calling you pathetic at all, but most divers I know think of spearing sheephead as pathetic. IMO, they are like puppy dogs, coming right up to you. I almost think of them as pets. And some people have said male sheepheads are overkilled in so-cal waters.

Of course, we all know spearfishing has no by-catch, so its better than trawling. Happy hunting!

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

How could you spear these puppydogs?

 

[hermosadive]

mmmm, sheephead. Scott why did you have to get me hungry!

Its not illegal at Shaws, neither are Sheephead. I do agree that they are easy targets, and I don't hear too many people raving about Sheephead chowder.

I'm sure he's just excited and out to actual bag something. I have a pole spear, but I only use it when we go camping around Baja and take enough just for dinner. Triggerfish make pretty good tacos. Don't bag on him too much, as long as he's eating what he takes.

 

[Ross-O]

mmmm, sheephead. Scott why did you have to get me hungry!

Its not illegal at Shaws, neither are Sheephead. I do agree that they are easy targets, and I don't hear too many people raving about Sheephead chowder.

I'm sure he's just excited and out to actual bag something. I have a pole spear, but I only use it when we go camping around Baja and take enough just for dinner. Triggerfish make pretty good tacos. Don't bag on him too much, as long as he's eating what he takes.

You guys just had to drag me into this one, end years of lurking, and cause me to make my first post in yet another SCUBA BBS, didn't ya??? :14:

Although tasty, Sheephead are the easiest targets on the reef. They always enhance a dive because they aren't afraid of you will hang out with you the entire dive. They have much the same personality as a sea lion or dog.

I do a lot of local wreck/reef diving and I've seen the same Sheephead in the same spots for months or years at a time. They don't seem to have large ranges like some of the pelagics and when you take a big bull off a reef you significantly change the place. This is especially true for places that get a lot of diver attention such as Shaws. It would be a shame to do anything that makes the place less interesting for all the other visitors. This is why I don't harvest scallops in my common dive spots off PV. If everyone did it, the spots wouldn't be as interesting anymore.

I'm all for spearfishing and gathering your own seafood. I think it gives one a greater appreciation for our resources and it's the most responsible way to obtain seafood. I just wanted to toss out a few thoughts about my big black and red friends.

Cheers,
Ross-O
www.diver.net/ross

 

[Ann Marie]

I have a question for those of you that are giving grief for taking the sheephead--

Do you ever kill one animal to feed another for your entertainment?

Personally, I like to forage for my dinner at either Pavillions or Bristol Farms. The less messing with guts the better. Not that I don't mind playing with guts if it is already dead, but I don't want to be the one that does the dirty work.

Anyway, taking a sheephead is legal (as long as you follow the posted laws and the regulations of the fish and game dept.) but I would think it would be as much sport as drilling my knife into one of those fast moving urchins.

:07:

 

[pasley]

...- I thought spearfishing at Shaw's was illegal, but I'm not positive
...!

I understand your confusion. Shaws is a Marine Refuge. You can't take anything from the tidepools. in the ocean it limits you on what you can take. When your read the sign it says you can only take, ....well.... just about anything. The attached sign is from Crescent Bay, but it reads the same as Shaws Cove.

 

[JustAddWater]

Ross-O
Are you spearing that sheephead with a sea urchin? That makes it a bit more challenging. :fork:
I enjoy spearfishing, but agree that Shaw's Cove is best for looking. I also wouldn't want to traumatize the younger beachcombers as I drag a black sea bass out of the surf....Oh wait, those aren't on the take list in Laguna.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I was shooting video at Santa Barbara Island once. I had a large male Sheephead looking at his reflection in my dome port when all of a sudden a spear rocketed through him. When I got back on the boat I asked the girl who shot him if she realised I was trying to get a picture. She said she couldn't pass up such an easy shot.

 

[SNOBORDJON]

Ross-O
Are you spearing that sheephead with a sea urchin? That makes it a bit more challenging. :fork:
I enjoy spearfishing, but agree that Shaw's Cove is best for looking. I also wouldn't want to traumatize the younger beachcombers as I drag a black sea bass out of the surf....Oh wait, those aren't on the take list in Laguna.

Wow, I didnt realize my poor aim would create such a ruckus. :blah:
Puppy dog my *** that was a fast fish!
Yeah I am very aware of what you can take from where, and was sure that you can spear most fish at shaws, before I took out my spearpole. Lucky for that 4 pound female sheephead that the reef took the brunt of the poles' agression!
I would have prefered to find a nice Calico Bass to bring home, but it wasn't meant to be.
I love eating fish and fishing, but I also love diving. In this capacity I can do both. I only hope my aim improves.
I also hope this thread doesnt become a moral discussion on fishing, and whether it is more just to catch fish by bait and pole or by net or by trap or by spearpole. I dont know many fisherman who would hook up a 4 pound sheephead, and throw it back, saying, "poor puppydog".
Sheephead taste great! If at some point, these poor puppydogs become illegal to catch, I will gladly abide by the regulations. But until then, You are all invited to have "sheephead handrolls" at my place with "sake bombs" :beer_yum: to wash 'em down!

John :1poke:

 

[Frank O]

You guys just had to drag me into this one, end years of lurking, and cause me to make my first post in yet another SCUBA BBS, didn't ya???

Hey Ross,

You've been a member for almost three years but this is your first post -- now that's self-control.

If you're going to post more, though, you'll need an avatar picture. (I know, I need to get around to one too.) Could you edit this to fit?

http://www.hot-streamer.com/ross/Arc_pics/ross_cage.jpg