Florida regulations for polespears and slings?

[cwclendinen]

In Florida I found the following in the Fishing Regulations.

Are polespears and Hawaiian Slings classified the same as a speargun?

Is it OK to shoot a crossbow or spear a fish with a gig while swimming underwater?


You May NOT Spearfish (Excluding bowfishing
and gigging):

Effective July 1, 2001, spearfishing of marine and freshwater species
in freshwater is prohibited. Possession of a spear gun in or on
freshwater is also prohibited.
Within 100—yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial
or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public
fishing is allowed.
Within 100 feet of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of
the sea—except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more
than 1,500—yards from the shoreline.
In Collier County and in Monroe County from Long Key north to
the Dade County line.
For any fish for which spearing is expressly prohibited by law.
In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Department
of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks.
(Possession of spearfishing equipment is prohibited in these
areas, unless it is unloaded and properly stored.) Fishermen
who catch and/or sell fish harvested by spearing are subject to
the same rules and limitations that other anglers in the state are
required to follow.
In Monroe County there are additional regulations for Spearfishing.
For more information call 305-289-2320 or visit
www.floridakeys.noaa.gov.

You May NOT Spear, Bowfish or Gig:
In Volusia County inland waters with the exception of
Flounder and Sheepshead using a spear with 3 or fewer
prongs.

[florfreediver]

In Florida I found the following in the Fishing Regulations.

Are polespears and Hawaiian Slings classified the same as a speargun?

Is it OK to shoot a crossbow or spear a fish with a gig while swimming underwater?
[/B]

Hi,
My interpretation, after
1. Dealing with the authorites i.e. getting checked out at sea.
2. Speaking to many friends and customers in the shop
is that:-
Polespears and Hawaiian Slings are considered the same as spearguns w.r.t the spearfishing regulations pertaining to Florida Waters.

I personally would consider a crossbow a form of Speargun.
I am not sure of the practicality of using a crossbow under water. I imagine the standard crossbow shaft would not be conducive to accurate shooting underwater. Likewise using a gig.

Rather just use a standard speargun.

Note the words "my interpretation" & "I personally" exonerates me from speaking with any authority or from being quoted ;)

Mike.

[azspearo]

Is a "gig" like a frog gig in Florida. It's a long pole with a trident type head fixed to the end.
When I was a kid my Dad, Uncle and I would go out late at night and hunt frogs with these up to 16' gigs.
If you can use a gig and if it's the same as I described I don't know why you couldn't use a polespear with the rubber sling removed.
My brother in law took a 6lb Calico last year with his polespear and no rubber sling.

[fishspearit]

My understanding is that if you are standing on a boat or the shore, than it's considered a gig or bowfishing. As soon as you physically get into the water, then you're spearfishing.

[NOTANX]

any spearing from in the water is lliegal in freshwater. period.

Spearing is defined as “the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing its body. Spearing does not include the catching or taking of a fish by a hook with hook and line gear or by snagging (snatch hooking).”

Spearfishing is defined as “the catching or taking of a fish through the instrumentality of a hand or mechanically propelled, single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water.”