Newbie...West Palm Beach Kayak spearing

[DonJeffVivo]

Hey Folks,

I will be moving down to the Palm Beach area soon. School location has kept my spearfishing to a minimum the past 7 years and I am looking to begin spearing again on a regular basis. Upon lurking through this forum's section, I've learned that a lot of people spearfish from a kayak. I am pretty new to kayaks and the palm beach area, which leads me to a few questions.

1) What kind of kayak would be good for spearfishing? I will likely be doing a beach entry. I am 6'2" 190ish.

2) What kind of add ons can I make to the kayak? Depthfinders, speargun holders, kayak carts, coolers, etc?

3) How realistic is kayak spearfishing in the Palm Beach area? I have seen that their are several members that do it in the Broward area, and I would love to tag along on some of the trips, but would I have any options in my own backyard?

4) What kind of range can you get in a kayak?

I look forward to hearing people's input.

-Jeffrey

[DonJeffVivo]

Titties

[DonJeffVivo]

Bump...massive titties

[Bulit7]

Jeff. try posting in the florida east coast section.
BTW, where are the massive titties? LOL

I had a Cobra fishndive. Great stable yak
I paddled about 10 miles one day.
A fishfinder and gpster are great.
Search my yak thread up. some ideas for riggin.

:toast:

[DonJeffVivo]

Built,

Thanks for the reply. I am just trying to get a feel for everything before I purchase a kayak. I searched your rig, nicely done. I will contact you when I purchase one, seems like you are a little bit more mechanically inclined then I am.

The titties were just an effort to get people to look at my thread...it always works for women, though I would give it a try. LOL

[LunkerBuster]

first of all, welcome back to diving.

second. yak diving is awesome, good move on having interest.

At your size, your main limit will be comfort and gear haulage...i would say you should look on craigslist for yak as there arre tons of folks who think it will be the greatest thng ever for them and then they realize it requires physical effort and they sell the new yak to you at less than half price :D

i would look for a Scupper pro, an Ocean kayak trident ( i prefer the 15 ft cos I'm long as well, 6'4" and 215), a hobie mirage or expedition, any cobra yak (they hold a TON of weight) or any other yak over 14 ft w a few big hatches.

I dive miami and broward mostly so I have no comments on WPB, but you are 45 minutes from broward so I'd say go for it...flamencoguru, errol is a great guy and an amazing diver and he lives up there, I'd PM him for some advice.

you are welcome to join me or any of the plastic fish assassins anytime you want, even if just for a shore dive to see how the structure looks to you.
I have been shore diving a lot more because I love my Banks Board and it is easier than hauling the huge Yak...kayaks are still better for the range they offer though

[LunkerBuster]

sworry i didnt see i skipped two questions...as for rigging there is unlimited options for you to explore..I had the eagle cuda 250 s map on my single yak and love it...gps, chart plotter and FF in one small package..

an anchor trolley is nice but not needed..clearly a big tall flag is the most important piece of gear. a comfy seat is nice, a light strong paddle, a small anchor.

I use velcro strips from West marine as my gun holders, search threads I have started for one that says "rigging"

as for range...on the ocean I think Bulit's 10 miles is a long paddle, you need to be in good shape, have a good amaount of confidence in your abilities (so you dont get sacred) and have good conditions to go 5 miles out .

I will regularly paddle 10 miles but with a lot of zig zaging and following the coast...the most i have been offshore is porbably a mile and a half.

on a canal I have paddled over 15 miles in a day and I was exhausted.

[DonJeffVivo]

Lunker,

Thanks for the info. Very thorough, I am very excited to be able to dive consistently and at my convenience.

I am sure I will have rigging questions when I get around to purchasing a kayak.

[LunkerBuster]

my thread about some rigging ideas
http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=79840&highlight=kayak+rigging


Lee's
http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=97876&highlight=kayak+rigging

[DonJeffVivo]

Sweet, both rigs are badass. Thanks.

[Hunter S]

I live in the West Palm area. I just started spearing, but I'd be glad to show you around.

I have an old 2 person kayak and there's a couple beaches that I launch from. I dive the first reef....nothing spectacular but if I get a few snapper/macs/bugs I'm happy.

Give me a shout when you get in town...

Drew

[DonJeffVivo]

Thanks Drew. Will do.

[makorob]

hey hunter S i'm also new to spearfishing and live in West palm Beach and have only been able to swim from shore in boynton. where do you go near shore? if you ever want anybody to go with let me know.

[Hunter S]

sure man, i'd be happy to take you out. I don't know if it's any better here than in Boynton, but at least it's closer. I'm planning on going next weekend, weather permitting, let me know if you're in.

[Slip-Tip]

I have a scupper pro with a cuda 350 in Jupiter. Send me an email if you ever want to get together to kill some fish.

[sacha58]

Hi Don Jeff, when you can come to a Palm Beach freedivers meeting, wei meet every 3rd thursday of the month at Florida Freedivers Shop on Us 1 near the Toyota Dealer.....
Lots of guys dive from Kayaks.......