New Guy

[MUDSLNGR]

Hi my name is Ray, and I'm new to this sport. I've been reading along for a few months picking up what I could to help get me started. I appreciate all the posts, i've learned alot. I just wanted to introduce myself and thank you in advance for the brain picking I'm gonna need to do to have some success. I've been out on a few shore dives in the laguna area, but haven't shot a bunch of fish yet. But I'am absolutely addicted!!

[amasterp1322]

Welcome to the board mud

[MUDSLNGR]

Thanks.

[Smash]

Welcome to the board.

[MUDSLNGR]

I would not be so brash as to ask for someones secret spot. But I've been out to Goff, Treasure Island, and Moss a few times. I've seen descent fish but not many. And other than some perch for target practice, I haven't come away with anything outstanding. Other than repeating "Here Fishy Fishy!" into my snorkel, I don't know how to get close to the ones I have seen, and attract more. Not looking for a new spot, but any tips would be appreciated.

[MUDSLNGR]

Thanks Killer,
That answers alot. I've invested a little money already but not a ton. I bought a wet suit, mask and snorkel, fins, booties, and a polespear. Although I got a low end JBL for christmas, (I know I know) but for my skill level, it serves the purpose. But I can see myself already growing out of it. I'am scuba certified, but I find freediving so much more of sport. And when im in the water, I can't hear my wife at all. I'm still learning the currents and tides, so shorediving is gonna be all I do for a while. For now its all so breathetaking. But I wanna take home something fit to eat too.

[Killer&Griller]

Welcome to the board

We'll go ahead and answer a few of your questions all at once.

Shore diving is a good way to learn, but you should consider spending a buck or two after you get comfortable and go on a charter. If you are going to scuba, than freediving sucks and they don't have enough money to buy scuba gear. If you are going to be a freediver, scuba guys are fat lazy bastards that can't get in shape and hold there breath or aren't interested in a real challenge. You can't possibly do both, so pick one and defend it.

Maybe rent some gear to start with before spending too much. Make sure you are going to proceed with the sport.

Wong, Riffe, Spearfishing Specialties, Biller

As big as you can afford so you don't outgrow it down the road, everyone starts out with a JBL

Any boat over 36' (Big enough for you to take a load of us too)

Nitrox is better than air if you are going to scuba in recreational limits

Cressi fins are worth it

Shark Shields work pretty good

Start with a line gun setup

Yes you can make a homemade floatline, just do a search on it

Go to galleries, then select my gallery, then click upload to load your pics

"Anchor Bitch" is not a putdown, it means that you will get invited back on the boat again

No, I don't normally give out coords, yes, if you have a handheld GPS on my boat, I hope you brought your "Jesus" shoes. If you need it that bad, ask.

That ought to get you going. I hope you have fun with it.

[mnguy]

Originally Posted by Killer&Griller

If you are going to scuba, than freediving sucks and they don't have enough money to buy scuba gear. If you are going to be a freediver, scuba guys are fat lazy bastards that can't get in shape and hold there breath or aren't interested in a real challenge. You can't possibly do both, so pick one and defend it.

That pretty much sums up spearboard in a paragraph.

Mud, the polespear is a great way to start out. I'm assuming you got the standard 6' one-piece gold JBL and a paralyzer tip. That's a great setup for starting out. When you feel more comfortable with it, I'd suggest moving to a stonger band if you want to keep polespearing. There are a few more mods that some people make to them to make them better, such as plugging up the spear behind where the bands go in with waterproof foam to keep it from flooding, adding grips, etc.

If you decide to switch to a gun later, consensus seems to be riffe or wong if you can afford it off the bat, or a cheaper eurogun (omer, beuchat, picasso, aimrite, spetton, etc.), though people differ in what size they like best.

Hope this helps some.

[MUDSLNGR]

Yea i've got a 6' gold, 1-piece JBL with a paralyzer tip. and a JBL D-7. But i will be trading up soon. Although i like to scuba dive, I will only be freediving while spearing. Thanks for the good advise.

[Killer&Griller]

My opinion, take it or leave it.

Spearing 101,

This might help you with your mindset on spearing. The primary reason that fish "react" to you when you are carrying a speargun or not is -------------- ------------"attraction/attention"!! If he has your "attention", he knows that you have singled him out from everyone else and that is the reason that he is going to shy away. Your are giving him that signal. The last thing a fish wants is to attract the attention of something bigger than them for fear of being eaten. What a fish picks up on is your tells, movements, reactions, etc. You may not realize that you are giving him a "tell" like in poker, but you are. As soon as you look directly at him, "tell". If he moves left and you drop your left shoulder (like how a plane turns), "tell". As he is swimming away from you, he goes left, right, left, right, and do you know what you do? Left, Right, Left, Right just by how you kick your fins. The fish is testing you to see if you are focused on him!!! The reason that people tell you to relax is so you are not so "focused". This in turn doesn't give off "direct intention" vibes, which CLASS, is what?--------TELLS!!! As you have figured out, the list goes on and on. For fish that are a little larger and skiddish, come done from on top of them or try coming up from underneath. They will roll on their sides to get a good look at you and see what you are doing. STONED!! Always approach on a 45 degree angle when trying to "chase a fish down". Don't make eye contact until the last second. Watch him out of the corner of your eye while aiming your gun in his general direction until the last second. "STONED". If you are chasing a fish, he keeps going, start making a commotion by stirring up sand, banging on a rock, whatever. They will stop running and come back to see what is going on. Try chumming to take the edge off of the fish that you are after. A chum bag will bring in small fish, then bigger fish, you get the picture. When you shoot a couple of fish. save the guts and bones. put the guts in a pair of panty hose with a rock and a string. Put the bones in a burlap bag and send it down with weight. Drop it in the area you are going to dive and watch what comes around in under ten minutes. Want to bring in some bigger boys? Shoot a smaller fish behind the dorsal fin towards the tail. Let him flail around a bit, LUNCH BELL. I will take him off of my spear and let him go straight down below me, first big grouper that comes out to get him, STONED!! Good Luck

[LakeHunter]

welcome ray-who didnt start out with a JBL?

[kjflyfish]

Welcome! K&G, that was a "killer" set of tips!

[MUDSLNGR]

I agree. I'm going to put them to good use this weekend, come hell or bad visiblilty.

[mokaction]

Welcome. Have fun, and be safe..

Larry

[Spearsd]

If you want a good fish that you can take in close, try a beach break for croaker and corbina, with the pole spear. Aim for water about 4-6ft deep and generally near some structure