SpearMax – Max Depth = Actual Depth!

[SpearMax]

I started this section on technical spearfishing to explore new frontiers in the sport. More and more people are venturing into the realm of technical spearfishing which is any hunting below the recreational limit of 130 feet. I always encourage people to get the right training and equipment before doing this aspect of the sport of spearfishing.

I personally know a few people who do not have the proper training and equipment and still do “bounce dives” on locations they probably should not be messing with. They reason “Oh ….. I’m not going to go that deep and I will only be down a few minutes.”

I believe this is very faulty logic.

So, on this past weekend’s deep dive, I have a good example of

Max Depth = Actual Depth

As a technical spearfisher, I believe you must plan that your actual depth will be your maximum depth. In other words, you should always treat your dive planning as though you will end up on the bottom at the deepest possible point.

So, here is the story. On Saturday April 14, JfJf and I went out the Palm Beach Inlet for a splash on my boat. We both landed nice dinner fare

– me a 9 pound mutton snapper at 230 feet and JfJf a 14 pound black grouper at 70 feet. Jim’s dive was on a bridge structure area.

[SpearMax]

My dive was on a deep wreck called Korimu which had lots of big Amberjacks that day.

[SpearMax]

Towards the stern, I spotted a nice mutton heading down toward the prop area.

[SpearMax]

I followed him and placed a steel shaft in his head. The mutton dove straight for the bottom at 230 feet a little east of the stern.

Knowing how muttons can shake a shaft better than most fish, I followed him down and found myself on the bottom in the sand with swarms of AJ zig-zagging in and out.

[SpearMax]

The shot was good and I proceeded to string him with my lift bag stringer. I sent it up and almost had it hang up on the ship. I reloaded my gun and being a little narced I almost ran into an overhanging pole.

[Bottom Dweller]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpearMax
Then, there is the drunken, mind-altering effects of nitrogen narcosis to deal with below 130 feet or so. Everyone is affected differently. Lucky for me, I am pretty good with nitrogen narcosis and am able to operate at those depths and retain most of my faculties.

Quote:
for example you do not believe me when I say narcosis does not affect me as much as it does other people. Hundered of deep dives on air have shown me what I can and cannot do.

Originally Posted by SpearMax

I reloaded my gun and being a little narced I almost ran into an overhanging pole.

Tony Helium is your friend. With your experience, a Helitrox or HeliOx class can be done in a day, class in morning and a couple dives later that day. Then take the time to get your full blown Tri-Mix. I really don't have much experience with this but the little I have tells me I am a lot better off with the Helium. On Mondays, I keep worrying these stories are gonna end bad. Nice photos and Mutton.

[SpearMax]

The following shots are of the strange red algae I have been seeing growing in that area. See that the colors are properly balanced for my flashlight and speargun. I need to collect some samples of the algae for the county biologist and some scientists at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Ft. Pierce.

[SpearMax]

These shots show the FADS in closer detail on this wreck.

[SpearMax]

More Fads stuff.

[SpearMax]

My last shots. Note the little baitfish.

[Mobile Diver]

Great pics as always, Tony!!

[OceanEd]

Great Pictures.

[Johnoly]

The red algae is been working it's way up the coast. I'm wondering what kind of growth it will take as the waters warm up.

Nice fish!!

[Man-O-War]

Good job guys

230 feet for a 4 pound mutton?

Cool pics though.