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/de...hp?cPath=27_59
http://www.sumora.com/Railgunchart.p...af1e7888b1ceda

[surf2live]

Originally Posted by 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/de...hp?cPath=27_59
http://www.sumora.com/Railgunchart.p...af1e7888b1ceda

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]

Originally Posted by 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....

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

[surf2live]

Originally Posted by jmik90

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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.