Spearfishing is kinda dangerous

[zeN||]

Yeah, I didn't stutter, I said he was diving with other divers in the area, also spectators, judges, communications, etc. on shore, watching. Lots of spearos hunt seperately, even if they buddy up. More risk diving alone, but that is HIS business, I don't feel the need to berate this diver like I'm the churchlady.
Yes, I think spare air is a good idea, it's not meant to be another al 80, it's designed to give you enough of an edge in an emergency to get you out of a jam, e.g. if this diver had been on his last 500 lbs when he started to fight this fish and gotten entangled, his spare air would have given him enough air to get his bearing and cut himself free, there's myriad scenarios where spare air for a solo diver would save your life, and give you a sense of security.
FRANKLY Walter, you only show how little you know as a diver when you knock spare air, esp for a solo diver. zeN

 

[BradB]

Hey Flex,Loose Cannon pointed ya in the right direction, if ya want to learn about spearing hit the link he provided. If you have followed this board you knew you were gonna get flamed for a)spearing and b) diving solo, especially as a new diver. But you are not alone. The only reason I got certified was to spear/lobster and my first 6 dives out of open water were in the 110' range shooting. In the last 8 months I have 70+ dives, most in 100'+, most solo and many in poor vis and high current situations. The most important thing I have learned is if this is what you want to do ya better be in total control of yourself. I have been in a couple of uncomfortable situations but the only time I came real close to really screwing up was a dive I was depending to much on a buddy. I got to see the results of lack of control last Wednesday when my buddy who had way more dives than me and was much younger and in better condition than me freaked out under low vis/high currrent, lost his reg, dropped a $350 speargun and did a Polaris ascent from 65'.(He never even got to the bottom). He gave in to the darkside, pure panic, but luckily did not get hurt..My only real suggestions would be don't ever atttach the gun to yourself and learn shot placement. Hit that sucker in the lateral line just behing the eye and you won't go for a ride. And Crispos, if you are a vegetarian more power to ya, but if ya eat anything other than veggies and wear anything other than cotton, don't whine at folks who have the juevos to look dinner in the eye and pull the trigger. That walleye had plenty of chance, in nature its not smart to swim 10' in front of an apex predator.

 

[JustAddWater]

Captain,
I'm interested in the riding rig set up. Do you use this for all fish or just when you are hunting large ones? I've also heard arguments for and against attaching the gun to yourself/BC. I have a quick clip (crampon clip) that I use to attach a lanyard from my gun to my BC that I could easily detach if the need were to arise. A couple of saltier spearfisherman told me that was a bad idea, and that I should let the gun fall. (We were hunting at the bottom; approx 60 feet) I'm interested in what fellow hunters think.
I hit my biggest fish so far last weekend, a 40lb halibut, and it gave a good fight (and great filets). I couldn't imagine those 100+ pounders off of the gulf rigs.
JAW

 

[Walter]

No, you didn't stutter, you were very clear in your delusions.

Other people may have been in the area, but he had no buddy and would not have had help had that fish seriously tied him up. He would have likely drowned.

Yes, it is his business if he wants to dive alone. He has every right, but it is important he knows the extra risk involved before he makes his decision. If you don't want to inform him of the additional risk, don't.

Anyone who shoots a fish with 500 PSI needs more than spare air, they need a better gas management plan.

I agree, spare air does give a sense of security, but it's a false sense of security.

A solo diver does not need spare air. A solo diver needs doubles, but even more important, a solo diver needs lots of experience. Maybe you consider 15 dives lots of experience, I don't.

I'm aware there's plenty left for me to learn about diving, but I think I'm doing pretty well for one with my limited experience.

 

[zeN||]

I never attach the speargun to me when I am actually hunting, I do have a reel on the gun, so if the fish goes nuk'lur he'll just pay out the line, with what ever drag I give him; I think it is a mistake to focus on keeping your weapon in a fight, rather, control the shot, and play the fish, think nothing of cutting the line and giving up the spear as soon as your safety is compromised, let go of the gun last (but let it go!); a spearo has to remember, you are diving first, spearfishing second, take care of safety issues and only then continue the hunt (Powerheads can also....oh, never mind ~zeN

 

[joens]

loose_cannon once bubbled...
www.spearboard.com

You'll get advice, not a lecture....

definately , also reach your hand into the gills and rip them out that takes some of the fight out fairly quickly. come over to spearboard though .
Joens

 

[Bob3]

Powerheads can also....oh, never mind...

I was selling some powerheads to a Spanish tuna farm; they thought that a .44 mag wouldn't be strong enough. When they tried out their new .444 Marlin on a 750 lb Bluefin, it went clean through & stoned a second the same size. Passed clear through that one too. 3/4 ton of sashimi with one shot. :tease:

 

[crispos]

BradB, that's my line, about if you consume, be prepared to kill.

I AM a spearfisherman. I just don't believe in using tanks. Because I saw my home country get fished out (Greece) and also reefs off Mexico too.

Freediving allows a natural conservation. The fish can swim deeper than humans. Scuba puts the balance of power into the hands of the "apex" predator as you call us. Check your own juevos and come back see me.

 

[Dryglove]

crispos once bubbled...

I AM a spearfisherman. I just don't believe in using tanks. Because I saw my home country get fished out (Greece) and also reefs off Mexico too.

Freediving allows a natural conservation. The fish can swim deeper than humans. Scuba puts the balance of power into the hands of the "apex" predator as you call us. Check your own juevos and come back see me.

Some people prefer to free dive while others prefer to scuba. Dont knock those that use scuba as it is personal preference.I guarantee you that commercial fishers do more damage than scubadivers ever will. I guess its real sportsman like to use nets or whatever method commercial fisherman use.

You spear your fish your way, and ill spear mine my way. The main thing is that the speared fish doesnt go to waste.

 

[zeN||]

Millions of Spare Air or similiar have been sold, lots of divers believe in using an alternate air source, lots of experienced divers use it, is that Delusional? One of the most reccomended books I own on solo diving reccomends spare air for the solo-diver is that delusional?
And diving in the environment this young diver was diving in, namely, a spearfishing tournament, shallow water, other divers in the vicinty, snaking all around, close to shore, judges, spectators, cell phones, emts, etc. on the shore watching this event-you don't Think that's safer than this guy soloing Monastery beach in Monterey? How much spearfishing HAVE you done? Who is delusional here?
The only delusion I see are people talking abusively to new divers with honest questions ~Z