new to spearfishing

[peterzebbie]

Hey guys I'm new to spearfishing and have only gone a few times before but I enjoyed it and plan on doing it much more. I just got myself an AB biller for my first gun and am dieing to use it. I have a boat and I was wondering what are some good spots to go off the stuart inlet. Me and a buddy will be freediving so a depth of up to about 20-25 feet is deep enough any ideas on a spot?

[French]

for right now i would try to hang around shallow reefs artificial or not. most good beginners spots are easy to find on google, myfwc.org or divespots.com. you would be surprised what a 10' deep artificial reef can hold! just give it some time, the more time you have in the water, the higher the chances of you shooting a nice fish, also what size AB biller do you use? my buddy uses a 42" AB biller, and he swears by it (a little small for my taste) but he definitely shoots plenty of fish

[French]

Speaking of shallow reefs, My buddy just shot this 5lb mutton this morning in 8' of water, he said it was the small one, the big one got away

[AndrewG]

Since you have a boat, try the "sandpile." I don't have a gps number handy, but it's on the charts or ask anyone. It's pretty much straight out of the inlet a mile or so and is around 35' depth and a pretty sizeable area with scattered areas of rubble and wreckage. There can be some decent fish on it.

Good luck and dive safe!

[peterzebbie]

Mine Is also a 42 mahogany I don't know the range on it yet but it has a good reputation the things I plan to shoot are mostly snapper and hogfish because I don't have a reel yet so that's the kinda of reef I plan on going to anything that has thosefish but thanks for tye webistes.

[hogphish]

Invest in a reel or float line before you go.

[peterzebbie]

Is a reel worth the money?

[hogphish]

Just make a cheap float line with poly rope and a water bottle. This is a safety issue. that way you will never second guess dropping your gun if you get into trouble and eventually... if you keep freediving... it WILL happen.

[peterzebbie]

Oh alright I gotcha should I still do this if my gun floats? And do you freedive or go scuba?

[hogphish]

I am a freediver I don't think billers float with the shaft in but I don't shoot one either. Just develop good habits from the start and you will enjoy a long successful freedive/spearo career. I am sure this post will be followed by others encouraging you to take a course..the concept of which I support. PS the ocean is full of lost "floating" guns.

[peterzebbie]

Ok thank you for everthing so far my last question is any pointers on freediving? I'll just listen to your advice until I take a course.. because I don't want to kill myself out there

[hogphish]

Freedive spearfishing is arguably the most dangerous sport in the world. That said, it is really more of a lifestyle that is also incredibly fun and challengeing. I am hesitant to give advice because if you dive without proper training and were injured I would feel part of the remorse. Know your limitations. Know that your limitiations change day to day. Dive with a buddy (regardless of what you may other wise hear). Live the lifestyle and train constantly. It will pay off in everything else you do as well. There are truely hundreds of issues to address to become a competent freediver. Your next step should be to use the search function above and type in PFI or FII.

[AndrewK]

Billers float with the shaft out.

Like hogphish said... freediving is dangerous. Dive with a buddy. however, if you stay within your limits (when I first started I didnt go past 20 feet) you will be diving safer then say going out to 60 feet and aiming for 2 minute bottom times and shooting huge fish.

Ive never taken a freedive class, until I do Ive timed my dives to be long enough to shoot a fish or look around but not to drown myself going after a fish or trying to pull a bug out of a hole. Stay safe and see if you can find some buddies on here that have experience and are willing to tag along with you and show you the ropes and help you out a bit while staying within your limits.

Edit - FII class coming up in miami. Deep six in jensen also has freediving classes that are a little more convenient to you.

http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=147737

[chris d]

Always dive bathtub an I got a boat ....I stay port saint lucie if ya wanna meet up ? Di you scuba ? ? Always lookin for dive buds

[deich]

Dont do it.. There are white sharks in those waters.