Utila Spearing ?

[Stealthdiver]

Is polespearing legal anywhere around Utila ? I'm going in Feb and wonder if the island or some of the near areas are legal ? thx

[smartin]

I've spent a couple of winters in roatan. I'm pretty sure spearing is illegal in all of the Bay of islands. On the plus side there is absolutely Zero enforcement. I speared all over the place and no one ever said anything. If you get to Roatan check out the Reef house in Oak Ridge. Good prices and they will do or take you to do what ever you want. David (Dahveed) the divemaster is awesome and will help you out finding fish,crab,lobster whatever. Tip them well and they'll do anything for you. Wages are horrible. The whole island is pretty much a coral wall. I got real good at holding my breath here. Bottom of the first wall is usually 60-100 feet. I'd recomend a spear gun unless your using scuba, then a good pole spear with a slip tip would be fine. Only disapointment was the lack of many gamefish. Deep reefs and overworking by the locals has hurt the fish population near the towns. I did however see a few grouper in the 40-70lb range. Unfortunately I wasn't confident enough to stick it with a pole spear on a breath hold. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Just don't give anything to the locals bugging you to buy shit. You'll never get rid of them. Learned that the hard way.

[Stealthdiver]

Thanks for the tips. I figure to take my pole spear anyway , just in case there is somewhere nearby a boat can take me thats legal !

[smartin]

Nicaragua is a long boat ride. Probably won't find anyone to take you there. 70 miles to Belize. Don't know about their regs. Keep in mind that "legal" is a very grey area in central america. In Honduras a person can only be charged with a crime if there are at least three witnesses.