Tha New Guy: S New Jersey

[surf2live]

So, I'm the new guy with too many questions, so I'll limit it to a few.
Here's my background: I surf almost every week of the year, so I am very comfortable in rough and cold water.
I would prefer to freedive and really have no interest in scuba yet, so....

Which Diveshop in S NewJersey (Ocean City to Cape May) could I go to to learn/purchase the proper spearfishing equipment?

Are there any non scuba spearfishing clubs in the S NJ area that would be willing to take on a very very very new guy??

(I have near zero experience...so Im not even sure what kind of gun/spear is even appropriate, let alone what ETIQUETTE I should adopt)

Help me if you can- I have a place in N Wildwood, and also N Liberties are of Philly.
Thanks

[bruce_s]

Welcome to spearfishing.
There are quite a few shops right on here that can take care of anything you want.Sumora,neptonics and florida freedivers to name a few.
It would be best for you to tag along or hook up with someone who would be willing to show you the ropes.There are some good spots south and many jetties north.You need to start as cheap as possible so you don't need to buy the best gear.A 70 to 90 cm gun will be just fine.Apnea suits are the warmest but any wetsuit will do.Weight belt,mask,snorkel,fins floatline,float with a good dive flag.Good luck
http://www.flfreedivers.com/.
http://www.hanapaahawaii.net/shop/default.php?cPath=27_59
http://www.sumora.com/Railgunchart.php?PHPSESSID=4dad4406c725c7ea81af1e7 888b1ceda

[surf2live]

Welcome to spearfishing.
There are quite a few shops right on here that can take care of anything you want.Sumora,neptonics and florida freedivers to name a few.
It would be best for you to tag along or hook up with someone who would be willing to show you the ropes.There are some good spots south and many jetties north.You need to start as cheap as possible so you don't need to buy the best gear.A 70 to 90 cm gun will be just fine.Apnea suits are the warmest but any wetsuit will do.Weight belt,mask,snorkel,fins floatline,float with a good dive flag.Good luck
http://www.flfreedivers.com/.
http://www.hanapaahawaii.net/shop/default.php?cPath=27_59
http://www.sumora.com/Railgunchart.php?PHPSESSID=4dad4406c725c7ea81af1e7 888b1ceda

Mahalo!
You're tha man! Thanks for the help....Im so stoked to get wet...I've always wanted something to do when there arent any waves....and in my opinion, surf fishing is a bit boring.
peace

[taimenz]

i sent u a pm with my # if your interested in seeing it in person

[GoRU]

Check out Atlantic Divers in EHT, NJ. They were very helpful to me and answered all my questions...there are some items you just can't buy online, like a mask for instance...you really want to try it on in person first.

[surf2live]

Any freediving clubs in the S New Jersey area?? I have too many questions...

Also- how long does the freediving season last???
I know from surfing the ocean temps will remain in the 60s well through october....

[jmik90]

there are no clubs that i know off and the season pretty much lasts until you stop seeing fish or the water gets too cold

[surf2live]

Just bought the JBL Sawed Off Magnum 53" speargun- soo stoked.
Now all I need is someone to guide me- I have a place in N Wildwood, NJ and surf there every week year round- just need someone to help me with the spearfishing...
Anyone willing to show me the ropes??
As I said, Im in the water EVERY week, so Im very hardcore and dont mind cold water at all, so Im always available, even during the week, if the conditions are good.
Send me a private message or email me: surf2livelive2surf@yahoo.com...I have some equipment yet to pick up too....

[jmik90]

Just bought the JBL Sawed Off Magnum 53" speargun- soo stoked.
Now all I need is someone to guide me- I have a place in N Wildwood, NJ and surf there every week year round- just need someone to help me with the spearfishing...
Anyone willing to show me the ropes??
As I said, Im in the water EVERY week, so Im very hardcore and dont mind cold water at all, so Im always available, even during the week, if the conditions are good.
Send me a private message or email me: surf2livelive2surf@yahoo.com...I have some equipment yet to pick up too....

awwwww,did you ask anyone want kind of gun to get,jbl sucks and 53in is pretty long for nj

[surf2live]

awwwww,did you ask anyone want kind of gun to get,jbl sucks and 53in is pretty long for nj
You're very negative- first off I'm looking for help, not citicism I can't do anything with.
Also, I go on surf trips to Central America and the Pacific as well as many caribbean islands where there are bigger fish and blue water
- so a bigger gun will suit me there. I could also use only 1 or 2 bands in Jerz, not all three.
A South African former freediving champ and spearfisher sold me this JBL- he likes them a lot and uses them here in NJ....I hope you like my answers.
So....anyone willing to show me around- I do need a buddy to give me tips.
Thanks

[LeMonstier]

Yeah, that gun is a bit big for the jetties in Jersey. The main problem is with moving it around in the water and the fact that you will need at least 8ft vis to see beyond the tip with the gun outstretched. Sorry I didn't read your posts earlier. I started with a polespear and learned what fish were what and how to judge the sizes of fish underwater and such. Take your time learning how to dive well and knowing the areas of where you want to hunt. N Wildwood is a fun place. I used to dive there at night all the time. You really want to learn to dive down and know how to hold onto rocks and watch the fish and know the surroundings. Don't get too hyped on shooting things right away. Spearfishing is about respecting nature and experiencing the sea life on the same level as the animals that live there, and carefully choosing what fish you want to cook for dinner.

Think of spearfishing the same as if you were to go hunting in the woods. You don't just buy a shotgun and walk into the forest ready to shoot anything that moves, but one needs to know the forest first, where the animals are and how to avoid pointing or shooting your gun in the same area as other hunters. A day in the ocean where you don't even shoot at anything but get to experience things not seen by most people, can be so much more rewarding than getting a bunch of fish sometimes.

Another word of advise would be to try and hunt for triggerfish first. They don't have the same regs as say, tog or stripers since they come up from Southern waters. The are relatively easy to shoot, and really good to eat.

[IrieSpearo]

Hey surf;

Dont listen to the child (jmik90) above, jbl's have always been very productive guns. Most people I know, including myself, started with a jbl (I still use mine). The sawd off is a great first gun, it will probably last you forever. One usefull tip: probably most questions you have can be answered by searching topics on this board. This is the best tool you will have. PM me if you plan to come to Miami Beach, we'll hit the water asap.

P.D. Be sure to read and learn about Shallow Water Blackout, very important.

Stay Irie!

[surf2live]

Iriespearo and Lemonstier,
Thanks for the advice!!!
I definitely wanna get out there soon- lemme know if anyone wouldn't mind me taggin along.

[jmik90]

Hey surf;

Dont listen to the child (jmik90) above, jbl's have always been very productive guns. Most people I know, including myself, started with a jbl (I still use mine). The sawd off is a great first gun, it will probably last you forever. One usefull tip: probably most questions you have can be answered by searching topics on this board. This is the best tool you will have. PM me if you plan to come to Miami Beach, we'll hit the water asap.

P.D. Be sure to read and learn about Shallow Water Blackout, very important.

Stay Irie!
so because im just a stupid little boy my opinion doesnt count,jbls are awsome,they are the best guns ever made,i love them,and i didnt mean 53in is too powerful,i meant that in the bad vis you wont be able to see the tip,im sorry ill keep my childish opinions to myself

[LeMonstier]

I use a Riffe metal tech #1 38" mid handle and it is the best gun I ever used around the rocks and in murky water. I also have a Riffe metal tech 44" that I have never fired. It's just too big and slow to swing around, but hopefully I'll get out to some blue water someday to shoot some Mahi. JBL makes some really crappy useless guns in their "carbine series" which is what gives them a bad rep (I unfortunately bought 2 of them when I started out), but their more expensive guns seem fine. jmik90, the gun in your photo looks like a great gun for the areas we dive in NJ.

[IrieSpearo]

so because im just a stupid little boy my opinion doesnt count,jbls are awsome,they are the best guns ever made,i love them,and i didnt mean 53in is too powerful,i meant that in the bad vis you wont be able to see the tip,im sorry ill keep my childish opinions to myself

Sorry jmik90, did not intend to put you down, I really meant "young man"...and its not that your opinion does not count, but you struck down a perfectly fine weapon without any reasons. Not everybody has money for a wong or a riffe; not everybody needs one either. With some rerigging (beef the bands to 5/8) a jbl will last you forever and once you love the sport and get more experience and switch to a new gun, your jbl will still be there for your friends to use. You might say go euro then, but some euro guns seem flimsy to me, although I agree that they are good guns since I have used some of them (mainly the comanche and the excalibur.). I like things that tend to look indestructible.

[FLETCHOSAURUS]

Surf bro,
Give me a shout. I'd be glad to teach you what I know and what I have learned from diving with other members on the board. I'll shoot you a PM with my contact info

[spear kook]

I use a cheap old ass 39" jbl for the jetties. I put 5/8 bands on it and camo taped the barrell. Put a drill hole through the grip for float line attachement and use 300lb mono instead of the line they give. Any fish I have shot has turned into a dead one so I guess it works ok.

[waterman482]

I would have chose a decent moderately priced railgun over a jbl! a few of my friends have used jbl's only to switch after bouncing off a big striper. We all use atleast 45 inch guns and i use both a 50inch hybrid and a 55inch magnum on the bunker pods when there are big bass around so your gun is not too long plus like you mentioned it is a good all around size for travelling! i have taken my 55inch on all my surf trips to Australia,Indo,south and cent america and it has done a great job! you may just want a bit more punch than what it has to offer.

[Cherbub]

There is a dive club in Sea Girt meets at the fire house has both free divers and scuba We have a good time and good vidios lots of onfo done on free diving. Shore Aquatic club. Meets on the 2d fri of the month be there between 7:30 and 8

[surf2live]

Cherbub- thanks braddah- that's exactly what I need!

[HANGTIME NC]

1st, take a class, 2nd, take a class, 3rd take a class; don't let a little money make you surftolive become divetodie.

[FLETCHOSAURUS]

What a class for what? The gun proved more than sufficient today. Pat and I went out today. Pat shot a sweet tog. Not bad for his first day. Way to go Pat:thumps:

[surf2live]

What a class for what? The gun proved more than sufficient today. Pat and I went out today. Pat shot a sweet tog. Not bad for his first day. Way to go Pat:thumps:
Mahalo Fletch! We did well and saw plenty of good fish- I gotta saw you're right- my JBL was perfect given the conditions, and it was NOT too big as others have said on the forum. When the vis jumped to 15ft the gun was great, when it was worse tha pole spear was awesome. I gotta say it was soo fun and a couple great tog to show for it
A lot of elitists out there all about whàt guns they have....great time Flecth, we gotta do it again.

[IrieSpearo]

That sound irie!!! Glad you guys had a good time...

[static_apnea06]

i started out polespearing to learn the ropes and learn sizes, regs, and mainly what was good to eat first, then i purchased my first gun which was a jbl woody 38 special. it has been good to me, but i do catch shit from some other people for using it. they have a bad reputation for some reason, but i love mine. i recently purchased a marc valentin 100 cm. love it, but will still use the jbl for shallower waters, as a 100 cm gun isnt very suited for shallow reefs. good luck and dive safe, and remember that the board is your best friend right now as there are many many posts every day about many topics. just do a forum search,irie spearo was right about that.

[TriggerNJ]

Way to go on your first fish.....the addiction begins:beer::D


1st, take a class, 2nd, take a class, 3rd take a class; don't let a little money make you surftolive become divetodie.

He's talking about a freedive class. Does anybody know if they hold one in the NJ area?

[HANGTIME NC]

Thanks TriggerNJ, new guy needs class to know what to do when in trouble. Just look at the FL. area yesterday&friday. 1 no longer with us and 1 missing. These guys had been diving a long time and 1 will be truely missed by friends and family; I hope the other is found in AM and has story to tell. have fun be safe. I pushed myself saturday without O2, had to hit hang bottle, maybe I need another class! I understand surftolive is wanting to freedive, but I hope you learn the basics. By the way, congts on your 1st kill. Hope manymore are on the way. Welcome to our world, it only get's better!

[Cherbub]

Wefreediving and scuba divig club here in North Jersey We meet at the sea Girt fire house 2d fri. of the month And don,t let anybody tell you that JBL is not good I have a 38 NW special have used for about 15years put 58th band on it also a JBL 450 mag with 58th bands that is just as good as my riffe Islander. I also have a few pneumatics the small ones are very good but the big one are hard to load . have to load them in the boat very acurate and light in the water.also my riffe metel tech is as good as the jbl it has 2 bands but the shock cord is a pain to rap the jbl is easier If you want to dive around Shark river call me Tony 732 299 9905

[Cherbub]

We have a freediving and scuba divig club here in North Jersey We meet at the sea Girt fire house 2d fri. of the month And don,t let anybody tell you that JBL is not good I have a 38 NW special have used for about 15years put 58th band on it also a JBL 450 mag with 58th bands that is just as good as my riffe Islander. I also have a few pneumatics the small ones are very good but the big one are hard to load . have to load them in the boat very acurate and light in the water.also my riffe metel tech is as good as the jbl it has 2 bands but the shock cord is a pain to rap the jbl is easier If you want to dive around Shark river call me Tony 732 299 9905

[Cherbub]

Hi Just to let you know there is a dive club in northern NJ that has freedivers and scuba.The shore Aquatic Club, SAC .We meet 2d fri of the month at the sea girt fire house. and don,t let anybody put down the JBL gun I used and still do a 38 special with 3 58th band used it for years I also have a 450 mag with 3 58th bands that is just as acuate as my Riffe islander and the Jbl 38 is easyer to rap the line on than my riffe metel tech with 2 58th bands The best guns are the pnumatics the small ones are great for fluke and tog But the big ones are hard to load you have to load them on the boat they are very acurats and easy to move in the water. If you want to dive North NJ aroud Shark river call me I have boat will dive. Tony 732 299 9905