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Larry
10-28-2002, 03:21 PM
How many of you GOM rig divers string fish (I know most are incensed by this question because they don't mess with small fish...like umm... our Florida brethren - check the Fl threads and the... well.. rather embarassing photos), and if you do... how often are you harassed by sharks?
greyface
10-28-2002, 04:02 PM
Larry, them thar's fightin' words!:D
Larry
10-28-2002, 04:48 PM
OHHHH boy! - here come the redneck Texan jokes...


Just trying to see as Wildbill put it "where the hell are all the Texan's?". I know there must be some computer literate spearos in Texas (there you go Greyface - an opportunity for some payback - let er rip!)
Steel Shootin'
10-28-2002, 05:27 PM
If you're going to make a comment like that, you'd better back it up with some photos of monster fish you've pulled off the rigs out there! :D
Larry
10-28-2002, 07:46 PM
Scott and the rest of Florida spearo community

Actually, I never said I was taking the big fish off the rigs. I am just getting into this sport. However, for the greater glory of science I have been diving the rigs off Lousiana/Texas for the past 12 years (no spearfishing allowed). Fontova's (Helldivers Rodeo) description of the enormous size and abundance of fish on the Louisiana rigs is accurate and is reflected in Texas waters as well. On a few recreational trips in Texas waters I have witnessed the taking of large fish (AB, red snapper and cobia - most > 30 lb). I found it interesting that none of the divers ever brought up smaller fish. Fontova talks about the psychology of this selection process in his book. If you look at photo's of local spearo's and their catch you will never (speaking for myself here) see a stringer of 3 - 5 lb grouper or triggers etc. All you see are the huge AB, cobia, sow snapper, etc. I'll post some whopper pictures of my own next year - winter diving is not for me - and by the way... where the hell are all the Texans? I am about to get beat up by a bunch of Floridians here!
greyface
10-28-2002, 09:45 PM
We all knows everything is BIGGER in Texas! I'm thinking Photoshop is located there...:D Texas gulf coast: where the fish are bigger, and the goats run scared...:D howz that? :p
Larry
10-29-2002, 08:31 AM
You must be refering to our neighbors to the south,...but yes it is true.. everything is bigger in Texas. Round here it's the cows and horses that have to keep looking over there shoulder...so I hear anyway.
greyface
10-29-2002, 03:25 PM
LOL! :D :lol:
FredT
11-01-2002, 04:39 PM
Originally posted by Larry
Scott and the rest of Florida spearo community

Actually, I never said I was taking the big fish off the rigs. I am just getting into this sport. However, for the greater glory of science I have been diving the rigs off Lousiana/Texas for the past 12 years (no spearfishing allowed

A couple questions.
1. Why get on a boat without a gun unless being paid for the dive?
2. Are you measuring weight field dressed or not?

Most of the guys around here will give you grief for shooting "babies" if you consistantly bring up fish under 40 pounds dressed. An occasional "legal" snapper is excepted if shot to bring something worth shooting into range for your buddy to get. Weight is taken bled out, gutted and gilled ready for the chest.

BTW I have a decent snapper in my profile pic on scubaboard.

OTOH a "good" fish off Pompano Beach is4-5 pounds due to the pressure the mono and hook guys put on the reefs there.

Not many line fishermen make it out the 60 or 70 miles offshore it takes to really to hunt decent fish around here. In the first place most boats simply don't have the fuel range for a 250 mile day cruise. It also requires a good weather day and a good navigation skills. To put it in the south Florida perspective we depart before dawn to run to West End from Ft Lauderdale before the first dive of the day, then we dive our way south to past Ocean Key doing 15 to 17 drops for each diver along the way, and then cut back across to make it "almost home" to get though the most seaward pass before dark. (Passes are very poorly marked after dark, especially if any sort of sea is running!)


FT
FredT
11-01-2002, 04:53 PM
A decent cuberra
FredT
11-01-2002, 04:55 PM
A buddy with a midsize cobia
FredT
11-01-2002, 04:56 PM
A buddy with a small cuda
Steel Shootin'
11-01-2002, 04:57 PM
Excellent pics, Fred. I was hoping to see some of your stuff.

Stand by for a photo of a 17" hogfish I shot today. :D
FredT
11-01-2002, 04:58 PM
Catch and release spearfishing. This Remora came off the cobia out of frame at my feet.
Larry
11-02-2002, 12:24 PM
Fred,

Now that's more like it. As Scott said, truely excellent photos! Their is probably no point, based on these photos, but do you ever get over to Texas waters. BTW would you mind describing your weapon(s) of choice some time or provide pics. As always, thanks for the great/informative posts!
Reef Raider
11-02-2002, 12:33 PM
I could see if there are fish like those on every dive on the RIGS why you would bust some ones balls about smaller fish. Can me and my power head come and visit??As for me its like I say "I would just as soon shoot 5 , 10 lb gags as shoot 1, 50 lb gag"
but thats just me .

Hay in that cobia pic what is that at the divers feet???
Steel Shootin'
11-02-2002, 12:53 PM
Fred, do you fabricate those stringers? I especially like that one in the Cobia photo, and if you make them I'd be interested in pricing.
FredT
11-02-2002, 04:04 PM
Originally posted by Reef Raider
Can me and my power head come and visit?

Hay in that cobia pic what is that at the divers feet???

Power heads are VERY frowned upon on the rigs. Punch a hole in a 15,000 PSI gas transmission line and suddenly the water is way to thin to swim in and way too thick to breathe. Better to just practice your marksmanship. Remember you don't shoot at the fish, you shoot at the scale!

The fish at JK's feet is a trigger. Sometimes one is shot to pull in something worthwhile... :D

FT
FredT
11-02-2002, 04:06 PM
Originally posted by Scott
Fred, do you fabricate those stringers? I especially like that one in the Cobia photo, and if you make them I'd be interested in pricing.

But they are not a "product" at this time. I'll keep you in mind if we do another batch though.

FT
Reef Raider
11-02-2002, 04:46 PM
Do you shoot a line gun?? How deep are the rigs ya'll are diving and how deep do ya'll go to find the fish??Thanks for the tip I think the next time I shoot 20+ fish in 1 dive I will practice my marksmanship a little. We like to say "Don't take your shot place your shot"
Spear One
11-07-2002, 06:07 PM
It looks like these Texas boys are gonna be a handful! Ha! Welcome aboard. Keep dem pics & the stories comin'.