Need Advice on Learning to Spearfish

[MarkD]

Ok, so I have the dive gear and a good speargun from Spearfishing Specialties, now I need to learn to shoot. I know most of you on this board are either real good or better, but you all learned it and I was hoping you could give me some guidance on how to shorten my learning curve.

I purchased the 'Spearfishing and Underwater Hunting Handbook' and will be reading it in the next couple weeks. I also read Spear One's story about diving the oil rigs and it had some great tips. I will also be subscribing to Spearfishing Magazine.

So where else can I read about how to spearfish? Are there some good sites with some tips and techniques or any good books you can recommend? I know the real answer is practice, practice, practice and I will but I need to learn some techniques to practice.

Thanks, Mark

[Steel Shootin']

Hey, Mark. Congrats on your purchases, but now it's time to get down to business. The first thing you need to do is attend one of Spear One's seminars. There is one coming up on November 21 at 6:30 at Macs in Clearwater, and I am going to start a seperate thread on that. Kevin wants to see people succeed with his guns, and will answer your questions. He'll also chew on your ass when you get skunked with one of his guns!!:D)

Also, we'll get you out shooting some more on the Venture. Like you said, nothing like shooting to hone the skills. Which SS gun did you get?

--------------edited-----------------

Note corrected month of November....Not October.

[f94gator]

I didn't realize he did seminars. I'm going to try to make that one.

I also haven't been out in a while, so if you're ever looking for a body, I'd love to hunt with y'all.

[Reef Raider]

Heres some food for thought .

This is a aiming tip , when you look over the top of your gun to shoot the error in your shot will be a vert. one. Seeings how most fish are longer than they are tall this could result in a miss or bad shot. So try this look down the side of the gun the error in your shot will more than likely be a horz. one. You will find what is the best for you. I could be here a while but lets see what the others have to say .

[Steel Shootin']

f94, I hunt with John a lot, so you need to make some of those trips. We're talking about Friday, in fact.

[Reef Raider]

Is it HOOTERS time???????????

[f94gator]

You guys and your workday trips! Arrgh, I pretty much can’t get off during the week for the timebeing. We’ll figure it out sometime, though!

[Diver Dan]

Gotta work on Friday, but am off sat, sun work on monday,off tues. and wed. you know the schedule Scott. I'm there!

[MarkD]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will look for Spear One's seminar notice.

Scott, I purchased a 52" Rhino (blue) with a single shaft. A bit of a stretch for my vertically challenged body, but figured I might as well buy something that I can grow into. :D It sure shoots straight and quick, now I just need to better understand where and how to aim (Reef Raider's tip helps.)

Keep the ideas coming.

Thanks, Mark

[Reef Raider]

This is one that will have to grow on you .
Feel the gun align with your eyes and look at where you want to hit the fish ok ok this sounds like kung-fu shit but if you can master it you will be stoning fish lt & rt.

OH the conservation boys are going to love this one but here go's

The next time you go diving shoot every fish ( the ones that you or someone will eat)thats legal swim as little as poss.
do not and I have to stress this do not pass up not 1 fish. The thing here is to get as many shots in as time allows. unless you where born with a gun in your hand you will need all the shooting time you can get.

And to make everyone happy STAY OFF THE REEF take the fish in the sand to string him or her later you will learn to do it in the water column.........

[MarkD]

Thanks Reef Raider, that type of information really does help. I do appreciate you sharing your experience.

Mark

[Divin' fool]

Practice....take your time and take the easy shots at first....after a couple missed shots.....you will start to get the feel of it. Soon it will become second nature to you. Listen to the guys on this and other diving forums....they got loads of great info.

[Mako]

I'm getting back into spearfishing. I remember the days when we could shoot Jewfish. My last big shot was a 75lb Jewfish in the keys back in the 70's. Since then I have been using a sling freediving on smaller fish. I want to eventually pick up a new gun from SS.

[Shooter Dan]

Remember that a bent shaft, although very pleasing for some, never travels in a straight line. If your barb is bent or not laying flat against the shaft, it will not shoot for shit. If you feel your doing everything correctly, recheck all of your gear. Listen in on Kevin's seminars and stay wet.

[dlock]

http://www.atypically.net/smilies/laugh.gif bent shaft...very pleasing to somehttp://www.atypically.net/smilies/laugh.gif Hey G-Bag I know you're lurking out there. I bet you know first hand what he means!!!!http://www.atypically.net/smilies/butt.gif

[Reef Raider]

Hes got to have one for it to be BENT

[MarkD]

Just wanted to post a thank-you again to those of you that gave me some pointers. The SS 52" gun met its mark today off of Port Richey. Stilled missed a few, but put a grouper, a mango, and a couple of triggers on the stringer. I think I got the hang of it now. Looking forward to slingin' some more steel.

Reef Raider, thanks for the aiming tips.


Mark

[Reef Raider]

THANKS where do I spend THAT !!!! Can I eat it ?? NO !!

But any time I can help let me know . By the way when did you say that fish fry is ??
Maybe I'll see you at Hooters........