New and getting into it

[Mako993]

Hey to all, I'm new to the board and live in Alexandria, VA. I realize it may be a bit late for this season until next spring, but I am looking to get into spearfishing at that time. As of right now my thoughs are on getting my basic NAUI Open Water certification (I have dived before, just not officially) and getting the gear thereafter.

Any ideas from anyone on a course of action as to how to break into spearfishing around the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay area? Anyone out there who does it in my area?

Thanks, and I'm glad to be on the board :]

[biggsy]

Welcome to the board mako!

[Mako993]

Thanks for the welcome...I hope to learn alot and get into spearfishing next Spring, to be sure.

[gumshoe]

mako, do a lot of diving before you worry about spearing. once you get comfortable with all your gear, buoyancy, etc. then get yourself a speargun - you'll never go back to pure sightseeing. Enjoy and welcome to the site, tons of good info here!
Chris

[Mako993]

Thanks Chris...I'll begin the certification process this winter and get comfortable by Spring and by summer get a speargun and get into it.

I'll have find some places to go spearing, and in my getting acquainted with myself in the water, I can scout those out, too.

[spearo #uno]

Welcome!
First learn how to dive and get familiar with your new (is recomended) or rented gear well. Get in as many deep dives offshore as you can so your divin gear becomes another part of your body, only then you should try holding a gun and all the rest of thing you will need to kill, hold and land a nice size fish. With time the divin thing will become secondary and that's when you'll call it "going spearfishing" and NOT going diving.
Good luck and remember... shoting the fish is eassy, placing the shot in the "right place" securing it and bringing it on top side is the hard part.

[Mako993]

Thanks Spearo...That's good info. I need to get more comfortable with my dive gear and diving before I pick up a speargun and start doing it for real.

I'm just curious as to where most people around my area go spearfishing when the time comes. I live outside of Washington DC, and I know that I least go fishing from topside in the Chesapeake Bay area.

[spearo #uno]

I'm not sure around where you are but Va. Beach area has several dive shop that will take you divin and spearfishing offshore if that's what you want to do. There are plenty of wrecks there from 40-50fsw on up.

[Mako993]

I'm 4 hours from VA Beach here, and an hour or less from the Chesapeake Bay.