comming to maui

[KELPHUNTER]

I am comming to maui in a week and a half . Anybody want to do a little spearing? let me know.
John

[austin_phisher]

I don't have very much experience but I'd love to join you. I'm new to the sport but strong in the water. I'm living in Lahaina at the moment. Let me know if you don't mind hunting with a novice.

[MauiFreeDiver]

Before either of you think about jumping in the water you need to study up on our regs and please abide by them. Heres the link

http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/fish_regs/marfish.htm

[KELPHUNTER]

Hey Austin,
I Will Be Arriving On The 20th. Maybe Give Me A Call On Wed Or Thurs And We'll Hook Up. If You Know Of And Blue Water Charters That Would Be Cool To.

John

[austin_phisher]

Yeah man,
I have to drop my girlfriend off at the airport around 7/7:30 so if you need a ride or anything let me know. I don't know about any charters but I'll look into it and get back to you. Keep in mind I'm a little green under the gills, so to speak. I've only dove a hand full of times and have never done a blue water dive. But if nothing else you'll have someone to watch your back. I'll get back to you on the charter. Later.

[KELPHUNTER]

Austin, Thanks For Offer Of The Ride But We Already Have A Rental Car. If You Find Out Anything On The Charter Let Me Know, If Not Then Shore Dives Are Fine.

John

[MauiFreeDiver]

Where are you staying maybe I can give you some spots nearby? And dont forget to read up on the regs.

[KELPHUNTER]

We Definatly Will Be Following All The Regs. Don't Want To Piss Anybody Off. I Am Staying At Wailea. If You Know Any Good Spots Or Techniques I Would Appreciate It. Also If You Are Up For A Dive Let Me Know.

John

[MauiFreeDiver]

There are some pretty decent shore dive spots in Wailea, in front of the Four Seasons hotel there is some pretty good game, a good breath hold will help out alot and laying on the bottom and dusting sand and scratching rocks will get the fishes curiosity, if you swim out about 75 yards from the hotel in about 40-65ft of water and chum you might bring in some good fish.

Im not worried about you pissing anybody off, I just know that our fishery management is nothing like the mainland, we are understaffed and not enough rules anyway, so I figure I can at least stress our current regs to visitors. Like my Kupunas say, "take what you need, not what you can"

How long are you going to be here for?

[KELPHUNTER]

We Will Be There For 10 Days. Were Arriving Feb 20 And Flying Out On March 1.

[Tino Bernazzani]

I just got back from Maui and was out and about on that side of the island diving for three days. The best hunting was found in around 60' of water just South of where you will be at (I was closer to the 5 graves/caves popular scuba site. The larger game fish seemed to swim along the sandy bottom near random coral structure. I saw several larger uku, one large ulua, lots of omilu, and plenty of other cool stuff. I am told that a little squid in your pocket goes a long way, he he. I was not hunting of course when I saw all these tasty critters. Good luck. I have to say though, the best tasting fish in Hawaii are the smaller ones. I really liked the red, larger scale soldier fish, I think they are called Menpachi (don't know if I spelled that right). Only tools you need for those little guys are a pole spear, and the ability to dive 40 feet or so. They were by far the most liked fish my family and I tried. I seemed to find them consistently on large chunks of Elk Horn Coral.
You will need to swim a lot farther out than 75 yards though (where I was at I swam out about 400 yards only to find 35' water). I used a kayak to find the deeper water of 60-100 feet, I would estimate at around 1/4 to 1/2 a mile off the beach.
Great time of the year to be there. Be prepared to get spooked the first several dives. The whales are so loud when you are on the bottom its hard not to think they are all around you. Really cool. Can't wait to post some video with audio of my dives.
Good luck, dive safe, and have lots of fun.

[austin_phisher]

No luck on the dive charter. Too many scuba and fishing charters to be able to find a spearfishing charter. But shore dives are cool too. I haven't been out near Wailea yet. I know there is some good snorkeling around the Maui Prince resort area. Haven't actually hunted there yet. Kala seem to be prevelent along with a lot of turtles. I met a guy out by Hana on this site. Check out my "looking for a mentor" post in this same forum. Not sure if you were planning to head out that way.

[KELPHUNTER]

Austin, Did You Get My Number? It Is Posted In Your Private Box.
I Am Up For Anything.
Later

[KELPHUNTER]

Austin, We Are Leaving For The Airport Today So Give Me A Call And We Do A Little Spearing.
John

[austin_phisher]

I'll be calling you tomorrow. Hopefully we can go out on Wednesday.

[thecrab87]

If you can freedive to 65-70 feet, the St. Anthony wreck is off of Ulua/Mokapu Beach in Wailea. I like that dive. You can get uku there some time.

[KELPHUNTER]

Hey Austin,
I Am In Maui And Cant Wait To Here From You. My Wife's Cell Phone Is Off But I Check The Voice Mail Every Night And Morning So Let Me Know. I Have Heard About The Pinacles Off Big Beach But Am Not Sure If I Can Find Them. Give Me A Call.
John

[MauiFreeDiver]

So hows the trip going? Did you dive anywhere yet?