NSW for 2 semesters

[LakeHunter]

So I decided to head to the University of New South Wales for my study abroad. I will be arriving late July for my first semester. Obviously I am very excited, spearing, surfing, and i hear the women aren't to shabby either :D.

I'll be doing mostly day shorediving trips I imagine (I'm living in Coogee), if anyone cares to chime in it would be much appreciated.

Brendan (IslaVista) told me that Jewfish are a common target of shoredivers (or is it 'rockhoppers' down there?). Are the kingies too far out for shorediving? Or more general: what are the good target fish for shorediving near south sydney?

Is a 90cm gun going to be too small?

Is there a lobster season?

Thanks guys,

Greg

[zenspearo]

So I decided to head to the University of New South Wales for my study abroad. I will be arriving late July for my first semester. Obviously I am very excited, spearing, surfing, and i hear the women aren't to shabby either :D.

I'll be doing mostly day shorediving trips I imagine (I'm living in Coogee), if anyone cares to chime in it would be much appreciated.

Brendan (IslaVista) told me that Jewfish are a common target of shoredivers (or is it 'rockhoppers' down there?). Are the kingies too far out for shorediving? Or more general: what are the good target fish for shorediving near south sydney?

Is a 90cm gun going to be too small?

Is there a lobster season?

Thanks guys,

Greg

Dude, I'm seriously jealous. Look forward to your spearing reports (the underwater kind--although I'm sure the women are not too bad) from down under.

[kjflyfish]

Bondai was fun when I went there. Just watch out for the white pointers! :D

[keezdiver]

spent a couple weeks studying there for a summer program. nice campus, much bigger than what i was use to.

the local town is pretty cool as well, and only a short bus ride from downtown sydney and the fresh seafood of the docks. and you can't go wrong with all the pubs down in "the rocks".

bondai was a nice beach as well, as is the cliff walk down along cogee bay.

keep us posted.

[LakeHunter]

Ugh I can't wait. This is the first time doing well in school has paid off so far haha-I just found out I got a scholarship for the semesters abroad. Also I got a paid internship in Croatian Parliament for a month and a half before Aus. I'll be sure to post some Adriatic reports too hopefully when I'm down in Split, and Dubrovnik (where my grandparents came from)

[Desert Diver]

Greg,

I'm totally jealous. I spent a year and a half there in the early 80's in Sydney, Newcastle and just north of Wollongong in a little place along the coast below the Queens Highway called Thirroul. Lots of beautiful beaches.

During that time, I probably had a dozen older blokes show me shark bite scars, mostly on the legs. So pay attention while you're out there.

I'm sure you know their seasons are opposite of those in North America and it gets real cold and wet during the winter. Beware of vegemite sandwiches! It is an acquired taste..... not sure where you acquire it or that you would want to but proceed with caution.

The people there are very likeable and friendly for the most part, you should have a great time. :D

We expect a full trip report when you get back.

[Judge]

Hey Greg,

You arrive in Sydney in the off season: July. Most of the big kings have left the waters and coming across jewfish can be quite a rarity. However I take it you will be there through the summer Dec - March... Well that is when it is cranking.

From December it is not unusual to take 25lb kingfish (yellowtail) off most of the headlands in Sydney while "rock hopping". The jewfish are more common but in Sydney you have to know where to look. However a few hours north during the summer you come across much bigger kings, cobia, spanish mackerel and many more exciting fish.

In Coogee you will be about 4 miles from my house and it will be a pleasure to show you a couple of spots to get you started.

I belong to the North Shore Underwater Club... you have probably watched a couple of videos about the young guns in our club. You will be welcome to come to any of our club meetings and meet the troops. It will give you more people to dive with too. They are a fun bunch with always something happening.

You will be able to take fish with your 90cm gun but when the summer comes you will be pleased you have a 120 - 130cm gun with a 7.5mm spear. (sorry can't do the converstion) That is the stuff to shoot kings and jewfish with. Your spears will last longer... a good king or jew will put a nice bend in your spear if you spear light.

Ha ha ... forget the vegemite sangers... yuk... I grew up on the stuff and don't eat it now.

See you in July and don't hesitate if you have questions.

Judge

[pirate_diver]

TOTALLY jealous of your full year your spending in Sydney. I did a semester abroad at JCU in Townsville, and only made it to Sydney for a few days. I still hada fantastic time in Queensland. Didn't get to spear unfortunately...am dying to go back to try though. If you are looking for a good all around dive trip (not spearing but diving) check out South West Rocks http://www.southwestrocksdive.com.au/. It was the only time I dove in NSW (did tons on the GBR) but it was FANTASTIC. If you make it to Townsville area, check out RAD (Remote Area Dive http://www.remoteareadive.com.au/)...they are top notch.

Veggemite is gross and beer/alcohol is expensive. Have fun and keep us posted.

[elnq]

LakeHunter:

I spent a year in Sydney a couple of years ago. It was there that I actually began spearfishing. The best advice I can possibly give you is that if you have a guy like Judge offering to take you spearfishing and introduce you to the area and other Sydney spearos don't let this offer pass you by.
Judge and his son (Ant) are some of the best spearos not only in Sydney but very possibly in Australia. They are also very much into freedive training. I am sure you will learn heaps from them. They can introduce you to a buch of top local spearos from the North Shore Underwater Club.
Anyway if you get Judge to be your Aussie spearfishing godfather, you are pretty much set for the best spearfishing in the Sydney and other nearby areas.
Best of luck.
As for an allround gun for Sydney I would go for a 1.2 or 1.3 railgun.
Best of luck.

Eduardo

[Bill McIntyre]

Damn I'm jealous. It sounds like a lot more fun than four years in Alabama where I went to school.

You may already know, but just to make sure- you do know that their "jewfish" looks like a white sea bass rather than a giant grouper, don't you?

[Judge]

During that time, I probably had a dozen older blokes show me shark bite scars, mostly on the legs. So pay attention while you're out there


Australian spearos have a wicked sense of humour and after a while you get used to it but you were probably looking at scars from falling out of cars or boats half drunk... The old spearos can be the most devilish. :lol:

Judge

[LakeHunter]

Sorry haven't checked this thread for awhile.

Judge-I'd be honored if you would show me a few spots and I would love to come to some of the North Shore Underwater Club's meetings, thanks! Oh, and yes I have seen the Young Gun videos...WOW :notworthy.

Bill-I have heard that their jewfish looks like our WSB, although I hear it is not as delicious :)

My concerns-I may miss most of the summer working in the US or Croatia (I am seeing my family less and less so I might have to go home). However I am going to do my best to be there for some of it. Also, sharks. No real solution here, just gotta think with my cajones I guess.

I'll fly out July 19th-I can't wait!

[Dutchie]

LOL you yanks fear sharks more than the KKK (are they still around in America?) fear Barack Obama!

If I was you, it isn't the White Pointers, Tiger Sharks, Bronzies, Bulls or Hammers that will keep you out of the water........its the Coogee Bay Hotel:beer:;):thumps:

I live in Maroubra (yes suburb of the Bra Boy) which is next to Coogee and $9.80 cab ride home from the Coogee Bay.:thumps: Eastern suburbs is where I do the majority of my diving. Summer time as what Judge says, a main target of a spearo is a kingie. June through to October are the quieter months. Onshore the usual reef suspects are caught pigs, niggers, bream, goaties, mowies, salmon, trevally etc etc. Usually my onshore diving thins right out during winter and I end up sitting 40km offshore targeting yellowfin Tuna. We've had a sh!thot run over the last 3 weeks with fish up to 75kg being caught (mostly around 30-45kg) and boats bagging out in a day on occasions.

UNSW is a good uni. The Roundhouse (Uni Bar) goes ok. I was at Uni of Technology Sydney and did a Business Law/Accounting degree there. You'll have fun with the uni life.

In Sydney we have 4 spearfishing clubs. The North Shore and Mosman clubs in Northern Sydney (north of harbour bridge) and Sans Souci and St George on southern side of the bridge. I am part of the Sans Souci Dolphins Spearfishing Club which is located in Chifley (a couple km from Coogee). Some of you Americans would know Ian Pucko Puckeridge (won the LaPaz two years running), Andy Ruddock, Alex Lewis and Paul Rosso (they are all members of the Aus spearfishing team and members of the Sans Souci Dolphins).

Oh and if you see a Groper.....DON'T SHOOT IT!!!! Groper are illegal to spear in NSW. You Americans have nice relaxed rules in regards to us Aussies, who are constantly fighting greenies!

P.S - the girls aren't bad either

P.P.S - do you no how to drive a boat? Wanna become a boatie at some of our comps and learn what compeititon spearfishing in Aus is all about?