Hello NY, NJ!!

[ss847859]

Hey guys. New to the spearboards. Figured I'd say hi in this section because I plan to be a regular in here. I'm from E. Patchogue NY (Long Island) but spent the last three summers in the Florida Keys as a divemaster. Thats where I picked up spearfishing. Edit: I just finished the post and realized I just wrote out a really long wall of text, sorry in advanced.

I'm moving back to NY again, probubly for good, so I've been trying to do as much research as I can in regards to the spearfishing up there. I plan on getting out to moriches inlet as soon as I get back. My old truck (97 tacoma) used to make it out there when we cut school to go fishing, so I'm hoping it will hold up. I've gotten some advice from an old NY diver whos now a keys captain, about spots to hunt and how its alot different, and more hardcore, then the diving in the keys. I do have some more questions and I figured who better to ask then the people that know the area.

So here goes...Hows the outer beach access at Smiths Point been recently? I know for a few years while I was going to school up in albany, it was closed alot due to those stupid birds. I hope they're letting people out to the inlet still.

On Equipment...Well I've only done the diving and spearfishing in the Keys, so I'm not too familiar with what I'll need in NY. I know the basics, but is there anything you guys use that is something I wouldn't think to get? I'm making sure I can buy everything I need now while I still get it wholesale from the shop I work at .

One of my major concerns was with a wetsuit. I just ordered one yesterday. Down here I use a 3mm in December. For NY I just ordered a BARE 3mm Thermalskin Hooded Vest, and their 7mm Arctic Full wetsuit for over the vest. The vest has a 7mm hood. Is this going to be enough? Too much for the summer? Should I bring my 3mm back with me from Florida or just leave it down here?

I'm also trying to figure out how much weights I'm gonna need for that wetsuit. I use 6lbs when I'm in full scuba gear and a 3mm wetsuit, 8lbs when I'm lobstering and like to be anchored to the bottom. I was thinking I may need at least 8lbs to be neutral with the wetsuit and vest but I guess this is something I'll have to experiment with.

The gun I'm brining up is a Riffe Comp 2XS. Bought it 3 years ago. I really like the Euros now but the comp is nice and I cant see spending alot more on another speargun just yet.

Lastly...I see alot of people are in freedive and spearfishing clubs. Is there one for the NY/NJ or Long Island area? I'd like to hook up with at least one other buddy while I'm up there.

Hope the long text didnt scare anyone away. For some reason when ever I write anything, even a short email, it turns into a fricken essay.

[goodvibrations]

Hello SS,

I will try to hit upon a couple of points you bring up. I spear in moriches on a regular basis. First thing you will find is that there are more guys diving the inlet than ever before. Smith Point is closed due to stupid birds. 3/2 is great for July through Oct. and then the 7 will be great for late fall early spring. Ditch the tanks when spearing. The difference in the amount of life you will see is extreme. Use the biggest flag and float combo you can get due to the boat traffic and high number clueless boaters on the water. I don't know the size of the Riffe you are using but people use all styles of guns with success. Euros at at least 90cm, pnuematics, billers, riffes. Nothing too big because of the often poor vis but something powerful enough to take down a bass. The vis has been great on the flood this year. Best year in the last 6 easy. Slip tips and reels are a plus depending on who you ask. I like to use them. I don't know if there are any active clubs on LI. I think I hit on most of your questions. Good luck and maybe I will see you on/under the water.

[ss847859]

Originally Posted by goodvibrations

Hello SS,

I will try to hit upon a couple of points you bring up. I spear in moriches on a regular basis. First thing you will find is that there are more guys diving the inlet than ever before. Smith Point is closed due to stupid birds. 3/2 is great for July through Oct. and then the 7 will be great for late fall early spring. Ditch the tanks when spearing. The difference in the amount of life you will see is extreme. Use the biggest flag and float combo you can get due to the boat traffic and high number clueless boaters on the water. I don't know the size of the Riffe you are using but people use all styles of guns with success. Euros at at least 90cm, pnuematics, billers, riffes. Nothing too big because of the often poor vis but something powerful enough to take down a bass. The vis has been great on the flood this year. Best year in the last 6 easy. Slip tips and reels are a plus depending on who you ask. I like to use them. I don't know if there are any active clubs on LI. I think I hit on most of your questions. Good luck and maybe I will see you on/under the water.

Thanks for the reply. Smiths point is closed indefinetly? I was hoping to be able to drive out to the inlet because I don't have a boat. I wasn't planing on using any tanks for the inlet. I'm still working on my freediving but I'm getting there.

My gun is 54" with no real and a standard tip. I may look into adding a reel and getting a slip tip, thanks for the heads up.

[njdiver]

Originally Posted by ss847859

Lastly...I see alot of people are in freedive and spearfishing clubs. Is there one for the NY/NJ or Long Island area? I'd like to hook up with at least one other buddy while I'm up there.

You might try these sites:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/286116/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Long_I...s_Association/

[ss847859]

Originally Posted by njdiver

You might try these sites:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/286116/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Long_Island_Divers_Association/

Hey man thanks. Both those links come up as blank pages on my work computer but I'll check them out on my home computer. Hopefully they work.

[njdiver]

Originally Posted by ss847859

Hey man thanks. Both those links come up as blank pages on my work computer but I'll check them out on my home computer. Hopefully they work.

Try them now, I edited out the offending code.