rusky4u
Guest
yes, I`m confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!
is it ok (legal...) to hunt with scuba???????????????????????
Underwater Hunter Course
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yes, I`m confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!
is it ok (legal...) to hunt with scuba???????????????????????
pchelp
Guest
It depends on the instructor. I took this class, and was very pleased with it. The instructor is the owner of the LDS, an avid freediver and tournment spearfisher. He also runs spearfishing only charters and writes occasional pieces for the local newspaper (spearfishing reports).
As for the class, as usual, safety was of prime importance. Then a background of the various types of spearguns (e.g. Sling, pnumatic, banded). And the advantages/disadvantages of each type and of the possible materials it can be made from. After a heavy emphasis on safety, on to local federal and state regulations regarding spearfishing. Proper ethics for spearfishing, including only catching what you are going to eat, and never more than needed. How to properly identify the size and species of fish. Where to target each different species, and it's habits (e.g. if shot will it run, try to hide in a hole/under a ledge, will it come back at you?). How to remove the fish from the spear and put it on the stringer, where to keep the stringer, what to do if a very large predator wants the stringer (give it to them, if it's not a species you want). Getting in/out of a boat with a speargun. After all this and more, time underwater, proper loading/unloading techniques, how to aim / shoot.
Overall very pleased I took the course, cost was $70, class consisted of 2 days, 3 hours each.
As for the class, as usual, safety was of prime importance. Then a background of the various types of spearguns (e.g. Sling, pnumatic, banded). And the advantages/disadvantages of each type and of the possible materials it can be made from. After a heavy emphasis on safety, on to local federal and state regulations regarding spearfishing. Proper ethics for spearfishing, including only catching what you are going to eat, and never more than needed. How to properly identify the size and species of fish. Where to target each different species, and it's habits (e.g. if shot will it run, try to hide in a hole/under a ledge, will it come back at you?). How to remove the fish from the spear and put it on the stringer, where to keep the stringer, what to do if a very large predator wants the stringer (give it to them, if it's not a species you want). Getting in/out of a boat with a speargun. After all this and more, time underwater, proper loading/unloading techniques, how to aim / shoot.
Overall very pleased I took the course, cost was $70, class consisted of 2 days, 3 hours each.
pchelp
Guest
In Florida (salt water), yes, it's legal to spearfish on SCUBA, with a valid fishing license.
Sounds like you had an excellent instructor and got a very good class. That's just the way it should be taught and just the type of experience it takes to teach it properly.
Tom
I'm diving again -- after a long injury-related hiatus --with a couple of friends who are avid spearfishermen. With an extensive diving background, but no spearfishing history to speak of, I find it fascinating to learn the strategies and techniques these guys employ.
My friends are so much more advanced spearfishermen than myself that it's almost embarrassing to compare respective catches, but I'm getting a bit better with each trip! Another advantage is that their favorite spots are in a shallow, brackish lake near New Orleans. With average depths of 10' - 15'. This lets a 72 or 80 last "forever" and gives lots of practice time for very little air. If anyone has an opportunity to practice at a shallow location before spending a lot of money on a deep blue water charter, I think the investment in time will be well-spent.
The main things I've learned so far is that it's a not quite as easy as one would initially imagine and that boning up on freediving/snorkling skills is a necessity. Also, keep a knife handy! One of these guys nearly bought the farm when, while freediving, a 10 lb. sheepshead wrapped him up in the shock cord at a piling!
Best regards
Doc
My friends are so much more advanced spearfishermen than myself that it's almost embarrassing to compare respective catches, but I'm getting a bit better with each trip! Another advantage is that their favorite spots are in a shallow, brackish lake near New Orleans. With average depths of 10' - 15'. This lets a 72 or 80 last "forever" and gives lots of practice time for very little air. If anyone has an opportunity to practice at a shallow location before spending a lot of money on a deep blue water charter, I think the investment in time will be well-spent.
The main things I've learned so far is that it's a not quite as easy as one would initially imagine and that boning up on freediving/snorkling skills is a necessity. Also, keep a knife handy! One of these guys nearly bought the farm when, while freediving, a 10 lb. sheepshead wrapped him up in the shock cord at a piling!
Best regards
Doc
cid90
Contributor
I too find this topic extremely interesting. A friend of mine has been going to the NC coast for years and taking flounder. He has offered many times to take me. I am going to head out with him after reading these post.
Stone
Contributor
My weapon of choice for flounder is a 6 ft polespear with a "paralyzer" tip (picture below). If I don't have the polespear with me, I will usually poke them with the loaded speargun so I don't have to reload. Occationally I'll disturb one accidentally, in which case I'll take the shot.
Regardless of your equipment or technique, have fun!
Regardless of your equipment or technique, have fun!
cid90
Contributor
I have an old, but still sharp as hell, trident style tip I used for lobstering in Bimini YEARS ago. Would that work for flounder? The tips are only a two inches long.
otter-cat
Guest
Just curious because I know nothing about spearfishing. If so, how does it do it?
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