St. Croix

[fishfan]

Has anybody been spearing in St. Croix?? Any info. that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Any good operators too if you used them.
Thanks

[SEATUX]

Has anybody been spearing in St. Croix?? Any info. that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Any good operators too if you used them.
Thanks

Yea, but it was so long ago....
I would go to Cane Bay, Walk in from shore and snorkel out in the shallow dead water till the bottom disapears over the 12,000' wall. Then start hunting. One word of caution, the hammerheads will come in droves as soon as you pull the trigger the first time. Doesnt matter if you hit anything, they know the sound. The low down is to gut your fish (underwater) and give the guts to the sharks and move on to another area, they will eat and follow like dogs looking for the next hand out. Put you fish in a plastic /canvus sack, NOT on a stringer. Best set up is one shooter and two buddies standing guard, then trade off.
PM me how it was, been a long time since i was there. There used to be a GREAT place to stay up the road called "The Waves of Cane Bay".
Now youve got me thinking, I need to get back there sometime soon.
Do PM me after your return.
~don

[Hamrrhed]

are you going to work?

Grapetree on the out side of the reef is good for Snapper and the caves hold a lot of lobster. Hams Bluff is known for good snapper and grouper.

If money is not an issue you can get up with a RnR charter out of Columbus Cover (Salt River) and talk them into leting you get in the water. You can expect wahoo, kings and Dolphin during the right time of the year.

Have a good time.

St Croix 96-00

[Hamrrhed]

Columbus Cove, St Croix '99

[fishfan]

Thanks for the info. They hold a 5 mile swim race there in October and a few of us were thinking of heading down there for the race. None of my other friends have ever been spearing before, but they are all eager to try it. Thought that I could combine this into a "multi activity" trip!! Don't know how they feel about the sharks though. Maybe I'll leave that detail out until we're in the water :D

[mjacobs]

I second the "Waves at Cane Bay" as a great place to stay. I wouldn't spearfish right there though, mainly because it's a tourist friendly draw and the fish right there are a part of that draw. It would kinda feel like messing with the local economy. Better to shoot with a camera there, and at the opposite end of the island, Fredericstaad pier.
Mark

[SEATUX]

I second the "Waves at Cane Bay" as a great place to stay. I wouldn't spearfish right there though, mainly because it's a tourist friendly draw and the fish right there are a part of that draw. It would kinda feel like messing with the local economy. Better to shoot with a camera there, and at the opposite end of the island, Fredericstaad pier.
Mark

The pier is good for lobstering at night, but very shallow. The diving in front of the waves is nothing to write home about either (there didnt used to be any lobster there, but I caught a bunch at the pier w/eggs and drove them over to the Waves and thru them in, let me know if there are lobster there now!). Cane Bay is down the road a "fer bit" from the Waves, and REALLY something to write home about. 12,000' drop off coral wall full of fish.
Go for it (remember what I said about the hammerheads!)

[mjacobs]

Just a little past Cane bay there is a small dirt parking area. Lock your car and wade in. The wall starts at about 10'. Go right at daybreak and you may not even have to shoot a fish to see sharks. There were lobster there a few years ago. If you choose to scuba, drift dive a single 80 along the wall between 60' and 100' and you will come up right at The Waves. Ask around Christianstaad for the local dive club. You should be able to hook up with some locals.

Yes, the pier is about 20' but at night LOADED with all kinds of fish...very good for photography.
Mark

[Cruzan Hunter]

I live and work here on the island, so when ever you are ready let me know and we can plan something to kill fish and collect bugs on the south shore....:thumps:

[fishfan]

So far, I have 3 friends coming in for the 12th Annual St. Croix, Virgin Islands Coral Reef Swim. I personally am still trying to make my schedule work so I can do this. I would love to shoot some fish with you and will let you know as soon as possible if I can make it. The other 3 people have never been out before and they're a bit sketchy on the idea.....that's the fun part!!!
Thanks for the offer and I'll be in touch with you.
Gil

[Cruzan Hunter]

When ever you are ready let me know.

[Hamrrhed]

"Lock your car......" Not to be nasty but that is a good way to have your windows busted! Leave your valuables at home and leave your car open.