Arizona spearing!

[Mako993]

Yes, for real...I recently read that you're allowed to spear striped bass and some other species of fish in the larger lakes in Arizona. Has anyone here every done it? If so, how is it?

[titaniumdiver]

I spent some time in Tucson....in 88'.....We used to go up to Sebino Canyon...and Use a bow to nail some trout........I honestly never thought about actually using a speargun there....

[Bill McIntyre]

I've read about guys spearing big striped bass in the Colorado River and its lakes. I don't know the details, but its legal some where out there, and its something I've always meant to try.

[element]

Lake Powell is open to spearfishing and you can spear striper's there. I recently spoke to a guy that went there with a three prong and got some smaller striper's in the two to three pound range. I haven't heard of anyone shooting larger ones.

[sdbr911]

I also read recently, somewhere deep in Arizona regulations, that you can spear stripers in Lake Mohave north of Cottonwood. I take the boat to Laughlin a couple times every summer and this time I'm gonna stuff a speargun and some gear in the ski locker! Never had blood on the river boat before, but there's a first time for everything.

[Mako993]

See page 18 of the following regs posting on the AZ fish and game site:

http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/fishing_regs_w_maps.pdf

It refers to taking striped bass with a speargun. I posted because I'll be out that way in January for a week, or rather in Phoenix area for a week. So, why not hit the oasis and bag some stripers in the fresh :}

[Jkeeler]

There is quite a bit of spearing going on in that area of the world.... Check out ww.atlantisdivers.com On there is a spearing section, mainly for Utah, and gives dates and locations of meets. I cant wait to leave Iowa and get back to Wyoming as the Walleyes are going to be in some serious trouble.

Cheers,
Justin

[Mako993]

Walleyes are delicious, Keeler. I wish we could spear them here in the fresh.

[scubadown16]

Walleyes fear my spear 11lbs 4oz pending national record for mens scuba spearfishing.
Mike McGuire holds the record for freediving mine was out of Colorado when it was legal several years ago but no more. Mikes is out of Utah where two fish a day is your limit Stripers are legal checkout my web page
www.myspace.com/spearfishinggod
james

[calicojack]

There are some posts on Deeper Blue on this subject. I think that some of the posters there are trying to get a trip together - like rent a houseboat or two and spend a week os so..............

[Mako993]

I'd be up for that trip, so long as there are also plenty of bikini clad spearo fans on the houseboat too :O

[Mako993]

Walleyes fear my spear 11lbs 4oz pending national record for mens scuba spearfishing.
Mike McGuire holds the record for freediving mine was out of Colorado when it was legal several years ago but no more. Mikes is out of Utah where two fish a day is your limit Stripers are legal checkout my web page
www.myspace.com/spearfishinggod
james

That's a pimpin' website, James! Are you planning to spear SD this year? I'll be there in October for some pheasant hunting, and I'd also like the spearfish some of the lakes there.

[scubadown16]

I would be down to go shoot some pheasant. I have afew friends that are big spearos in South Dakota so if you are up for it let me know and I'll make a trip out there. Pierre is a great place to dive. Scuba Nationals was there in 03' great vis, lots of walleyes and buffalo carp were on the menu.

[Mako993]

Sounds good, I'll hit you up before I make it out there, to be sure. Walleye sounds good on the tastebuds, but carp - ???

[scubadown16]

Checkout the Thread about Inland Nationals I posted a picture of a walleye I shoot in Utah's Deer Creek Resv. What a hog. I look forward to shooting South Dakota.

[Mako993]

Nice bro!

[scubadown16]

Thanks I got lucky..

[desertbake]

I'm picking up my first boat in about 2 weeks and am planning to make a few trips to Powell before I take it to Baja and Lake Pacific (I'm a bit of a novice). I'm located in Phoenix, AZ...so anyone in this area interested in some trips lemme know.

[Mako993]

Ever speared Lake Powell before? I am interested, but I won't be out there until January. How are things about then? Send me a PM and we can make a plan, bruh.

[desertbake]

Ever speared Lake Powell before? I am interested, but I won't be out there until January. How are things about then? Send me a PM and we can make a plan, bruh.

I've actually only heard about the spearing at Powell, but my family's been renting house boats off and on for years. Everytime I've been there the vis has been good and the lake seems like it should have good potential (I've heard it has more coastline than the West coast of the U.S.) I'll post again in 2-3 weeks after I've made a trip there soley for spearing.

[scubadown16]

I have some friends who own a dive shop in Page Az and they dive the lake and spear all the time Give them a call Its Chase with Twinn Finn Dive shop out of Page Arizona.

[Mako993]

I've actually only heard about the spearing at Powell, but my family's been renting house boats off and on for years. Everytime I've been there the vis has been good and the lake seems like it should have good potential (I've heard it has more coastline than the West coast of the U.S.) I'll post again in 2-3 weeks after I've made a trip there soley for spearing.

Desertbake,

Do let me know how it goes. I'm anxious to hear how the spearing conditions are at the lakes out there, for when I visit.

[Mako993]

I have some friends who own a dive shop in Page Az and they dive the lake and spear all the time Give them a call Its Chase with Twinn Finn Dive shop out of Page Arizona.

Cool, I'll do that, bruh.

[Incysor]

Desertbake, I want to hear about your trip too. Any luck? Anything big? Did you free dive or use Scuba? Any special techniques? Was the water warm and clear? Hope you had a good time. Thanks.

[droberte]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the sport and this forum and was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on equipment (gun, fins, mask, etc.). I've been spearfishing in the past but always used someone elses equipment. I live in the Dallas area so I'll be doing mostly freshwater freediving (lake texoma, toledo bend, among others).

Also if anyone wants to share tips on strategy for stipers, catfish, safety tips, lakes I should dive in....anything. Please include that as well.

Thanks,
Daniel

[scubadown16]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the sport and this forum and was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on equipment (gun, fins, mask, etc.). I've been spearfishing in the past but always used someone elses equipment. I live in the Dallas area so I'll be doing mostly freshwater freediving (lake texoma, toledo bend, among others).

Also if anyone wants to share tips on strategy for stipers, catfish, safety tips, lakes I should dive in....anything. Please include that as well.

Thanks,
Daniel

Freshwater hunting is different then salt in that you don't need big guns or be able to dive deep to get big fish. I would look at using a pnumatic gun or a short euro style band gun like an Omer or Sporasub. Vis is usually poor and so the short gun is a better choice. Your going to be laying on the bottom waiting for the fish to come to you especially if your hunting stripers. Stripers are a very weary fish and if you get the chance on one to pull the trigger don't hesitate because you don't usually get a second chance.
For Catfish I usually hunt trees and rocky structure were the cats lay in the shadows or under ledges they usually don't spook out quickly so you can line up a good shot on them. I like to take a downward shot if I can and pin'em to the bottom but any placement will work.
Mask and fin choice is not as big as gun choice I believe but people might disagree with me. I like a black silicone mask because it keeps ambiant light out so I can focus on whats in front of me. I also like using my long freediving fins from 20 fathoms they won't break when you push off the bottom and bend the fin in half and they kick like a carbon fin.
I hope this helps if you have more questions let me know I am always willing to help new divers.
James

[desertbake]

Desertbake, I want to hear about your trip too. Any luck? Anything big? Did you free dive or use Scuba? Any special techniques? Was the water warm and clear? Hope you had a good time. Thanks.

I haven't made the trip yet. I leave to go pick up my boat in about 30min and will prolly make a trip in a week or two. I've been going to Powell for years with family and friends for camping, skiing, etc but have not thought about spearing there until recently. I'll be freediving though, and will have room on the boat and room in my truck for others. I also plan on making trips to Lake Pacific starting in a few months so if you know any spearos in the SW, tell them there's a rookie with a boat who's anxious to get in the water.

[Incysor]

I haven't made the trip yet. I leave to go pick up my boat in about 30min and will prolly make a trip in a week or two. I've been going to Powell for years with family and friends for camping, skiing, etc but have not thought about spearing there until recently. I'll be freediving though, and will have room on the boat and room in my truck for others. I also plan on making trips to Lake Pacific starting in a few months so if you know any spearos in the SW, tell them there's a rookie with a boat who's anxious to get in the water.


I don't know if that was an invite, but I'm busy for the next few weeks. I am going to San Carlos Mexico for my first attempt at spearfishing at the end of August. I thought I'd look into going to Powell, Mohave, or Mead for Labor Day weekend for my second attempt.

[desertbake]

I don't know if that was an invite, but I'm busy for the next few weeks. I am going to San Carlos Mexico for my first attempt at spearfishing at the end of August. I thought I'd look into going to Powell, Mohave, or Mead for Labor Day weekend for my second attempt.

Yes, that was an invite.

I've got the boat, now I just have to register it. It's nothing fancy but the place I bought it from has been using it for years in the Sea of Cortez for scuba trips so I figure it'll work just fine for spearing. It's also pretty long (26ft) so hopefully in time I'll be able to get a regular group together willing to make frequent pilgrimages to blue water (as soon as I figure out what I'm doing).

[Incysor]

Yes, that was an invite.

I've got the boat, now I just have to register it. It's nothing fancy but the place I bought it from has been using it for years in the Sea of Cortez for scuba trips so I figure it'll work just fine for spearing. It's also pretty long (26ft) so hopefully in time I'll be able to get a regular group together willing to make frequent pilgrimages to blue water (as soon as I figure out what I'm doing).


Sounds great! I've got a bass-fishing boat too. It's not fancy, but I've taken it up to Lake Powell and Lake Mohave too. I've never tried spearfishing either of them, and have been trying to find info about it. Sounds like stripers spook easy, so success may be tough. (perhaps thats why I haven't found a lot of info about spearfishing those lakes.) I did see that someone suggested tying several silver spoons (without hooks) on a line and hang it from the diver down float (or boat) and that it can attract the stripers. So if you make it up to Powell and try spearfishing there, I'm really curious about what you find out. So thanks for the invite. Lets find time to do it while it's still warm.

[desertbake]

Sounds great! I've got a bass-fishing boat too. It's not fancy, but I've taken it up to Lake Powell and Lake Mohave too. I've never tried spearfishing either of them, and have been trying to find info about it. Sounds like stripers spook easy, so success may be tough. (perhaps thats why I haven't found a lot of info about spearfishing those lakes.) I did see that someone suggested tying several silver spoons (without hooks) on a line and hang it from the diver down float (or boat) and that it can attract the stripers. So if you make it up to Powell and try spearfishing there, I'm really curious about what you find out. So thanks for the invite. Lets find time to do it while it's still warm.

I'm still in the process of getting my boat legal (bought it in old mexico) and it might be a few weeks if I run into too many problems, but if we used your boat ;) I'd be game pretty soon. I've just got to buy some more gear.

Even a trip when it's cold out wouldn't be out of the question as long as you have a wet suit. Besides, logically it seems like the lake would have better vis in the winter months since algae wouldn't grow as much...right???

[Incysor]

I'd bet that's true with the colder water = less algae, and probably less sediment churned up by recreational boaters too. I have a 7mm wetsuit. I'd probably have to suck in my gut to fit in it as it's been a few years since I've worn it. I was born and raised here in Phoenix, so I tend to be a wuss when the water's too cold. Give me that 90 degree water. :-)