How do I get started?

[Cast]

Hi,

I am a fisherman and SCUBA diver. It is funny that I never tried spearfishing. Could anyone please give me some advice how to get started? Is there any class that I can take?

Any infor will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot!

[ROCK BOTTOM]

Where are you located and where do you dive? It is best to try your local dive shop(s) for more information. You gotta find dive buddies to go with, so get out there and meet some people and ask around. Once you have a few dive buddies to go with, borrow a gun and give it a try.

Zz

[Cast]

I live in Nashua,NH. Usually I dive in MA. As far as I know, spearfishing is not legal in MA. I know RI is OK, I don't mind driving down there to try it. How about NH? Is there any dive shop that you could recommend?

[CTFreeDiver]

Welcome to the board Cast!

Atlantic Aquasports is located about Rye, NH, and they are top notch! You can poke a bass in NH legally, Mass. -NOPE, and Rhode Island is the summertime playground for many spearfishers.

I have been freediving for bass the last couple of years and in that time I have also brought scuba spearo's with me. My observation has been that on scuba they see less fish and get less fish than me when spearing. I've been in schools of 30 pounders and dropped a scuba diver in the water..... it's like magic.... striped bass vanish. I started freediving in 12-15 feet depth and increased my comfort depth 5-10 feet annually.

In low vis New England many divers use guns that can blow a spear through anything within 15 feet and often dive in 5-8 feet of visibility. I, personally, don't want another diver anywhere near me for fear of being shot in those "average" conditions. If you exclusively scuba a dive buddy within arms length is a necessity.

To help limit the learning curve I suggest you buy the spearfishers' bible, "Bluewater Hunting and FreeDiving" by Terry Maas. It has equipment rigging and a section on striped bass as well as a lot of useful info reguarding the physiology of breath hold diving.

Second, call Atlantic Aquasports, Narragansett Pier Dive (RI), or Let's Go Diving (Middletown, RI), to inquire of any spearfishing clinics by David Sipperly. Everybody knows him and he puts on a great presentation! He has about every tank diving cert possible and has taken a fish or ten in local freediving meets. If no clinics are available check him out at the Boston Sea Rovers Event in March.

Also check out the Mass FreeDiving Club or the RI FreeDiving Club. You won't find a group of more dedicated spearfishers in the North East.

Oktoberfest is in stores now... yeah!

Dive safe!

CT

[Chauggie]

Cast,
Give Atlantic Aqua Sport in RYE, NH a call 603-436-4443. They hosted a meet there on Sept 12 (see photo). They can help send you in the right direction. You might try joining the Massachusetts Freedivers. Not many use SCUBA while spearfihing in your area, just about all free dive
Chauggie

[clavinr]

Chauggie, quit throwing that photo in my face! I didn't even see a fish that day! Just kidding I had a blast.
;-)

Cast, ditto. If you can link up with Chauggie or someone from the board on the beach you can get some good tips.

MA Freedivers - Good bunch, I would definately recommend it. Bo at Let's Go Diving has set me up with great bargains and lots of advise. Freedive and Bluewater hunting...both are on my coffee table. Boston Sea Rovers is cool, teh workshop is very good, and a good chance to see some faces that you will see on the beach.



I love to SCUBA dive, but I don't even bother when I spearfish.

PM if you want to meet up on the beach. RDC

[Cast]

Thanks a lot! You guys are very helpful! I will visit Atlantic Aqua Sport tomorrow.