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Fishbuster · 03-13-2004, 11:07 AM

I'm new to diving and am interested in spearfishing, but i was wondering when your spearfishing how do you tell the size of snappers, groupers, etc without shooting them(just by looks)?

Does it just come naturally after awhile or can you notice a difference between a legal and illegal fish? Also if you shoot an illegal fish what do you do with it once you shoot it and realize its too small? But when I spearfish I plan on shooting the bigger fish anyhow but its just out of curiousity. Thanks for the help

*Spear One* · 03-13-2004, 11:14 AM

It will come in time, but in order to minimize "bycatch" try to get someone who is familiar with "legal" fish to go down with you and point out the ones which are, and are not legal, before you shoot anything.

f94gator · 03-13-2004, 11:50 AM

Just gotta get used to it and, like Spear One said, dive with someone who knows.
Rule of thumb; if there's any doubt it's legal, don't shoot it, 'cause chances are when you take a look at it topside, it's going to be short.

junior · 03-13-2004, 12:45 PM

When I first started spearing, I measured the length of my fins and used them for a reference. I would look at my fin and then look at the fish to get an idea of it's size. Also, some guys put marks on their guns at measured intervals. By looking at a known length underwater, it gives you a reference. And after time, like the other guys said, you get used to what a legal size fish looks like. If ever in doubt, it probably is not legal. Good luck.

FredT · 03-13-2004, 01:04 PM

If you visit most fishing shows, and some tackle supply places, various adult beverage companies make handy adhesive measuring gauges (stickers) with the legal lengths of the area's most common targets marked for attachment to a bots gunwale. They are too wide to fit on a gun, but a few seconds with a straight edge and razor blade will prune the add space off and leave the marked scale. Budwieser is the one supplying them locally but I've seen them with Miller and a few other brands as well.

As an alternate MSC carries a 1/2" wide mylar adhesive rule designed to be attached to a bench top in lengths up to 10'. The 60" or 72" versions will do a nice gun mounted reference and not look as tackey. Cost for these is under $10

FT

*Charlestondivin* · 03-13-2004, 01:09 PM

I used to put marks with a black marker on my gun for Grouper, Flounder, etc. Helps you judge when you have something else to look at.

*biggsy* · 03-13-2004, 05:58 PM

You will get used to it in time but I agree, if there is any doubt, dont shoot it. There are plenty of legal guys out there. Grouper tend to have a wider and thicker look to them when legal. The smaller ones look more streamline and dont have that bloated belly or pregnant look to them.

biggsy

f94gator · 03-14-2004, 11:15 AM

I have those marks on my gun and, honestly, I hardly ever use them. The only time I do is if I've already shot something and I'm not sure if it's legal.

Fishbuster · 03-14-2004, 12:32 PM

oh ok thanks guys....i figured that experience will be the main part, but if it looks small im not going to shoot it because i know there will be other fish out there either on that dive or the next. ill probably put some marks on the gun just for a reference also. but thanks again.

Fishbuster · 03-14-2004, 10:35 PM

what if you shot a fish that you thought was legal but bring it to the boat and you find out its illegal....what would you do with the fish?

greyface · 03-15-2004, 05:57 AM

If ya bring a short on board, you will be more worried about your pride, than what to do with the fish!

*biggsy* · 03-15-2004, 07:24 AM

After that it gets chucked back overboard to be recycled into the ecosystem.

Screen Name · 03-15-2004, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishbuster
what if you shot a fish that you thought was legal but bring it to the boat and you find out its illegal....what would you do with the fish?

Smack yourself in the side of the head with it.

Just dont shoot small fish and you will be OK. What everybody said was "If you are not sure, don't shoot it". One of the main advantages to spearfishing is that we have nearly no bycatch.

Denny · 03-15-2004, 08:16 AM

The first small fish is a lesson. The second one must be consumed raw by the errant shooter. A by catch of 0% will surely follow.

And when they say it should look big... they mean it should look BIG.

straight shaft · 03-20-2004, 12:14 PM

Sorry, Fellas. My appologies! Remind me not to drink and post.


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03-13-2004, 11:07 AM	#1
Fishbuster Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Winter Springs Posts: 41	Spearfishing Question I'm new to diving and am interested in spearfishing, but i was wondering when your spearfishing how do you tell the size of snappers, groupers, etc without shooting them(just by looks)? Does it just come naturally after awhile or can you notice a difference between a legal and illegal fish? Also if you shoot an illegal fish what do you do with it once you shoot it and realize its too small? But when I spearfish I plan on shooting the bigger fish anyhow but its just out of curiousity. Thanks for the help

03-13-2004, 11:14 AM	#2
Spear One Retired Comm. Shooter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 4,567	It will come in time, but in order to minimize "bycatch" try to get someone who is familiar with "legal" fish to go down with you and point out the ones which are, and are not legal, before you shoot anything. __________________ Ocean Rhino Spearguns: Designed & Built By Commercial Spearfishermen *Manufactured By: Spearfishing Specialties (727)-548-7686* E-mail: oceanrhino@gmail.com Web: OceanRhino.com

03-13-2004, 01:04 PM	#5
FredT Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The remains of the MS Gulf Coast Age: 61 Posts: 2,608	Easy method. If you visit most fishing shows, and some tackle supply places, various adult beverage companies make handy adhesive measuring gauges (stickers) with the legal lengths of the area's most common targets marked for attachment to a bots gunwale. They are too wide to fit on a gun, but a few seconds with a straight edge and razor blade will prune the add space off and leave the marked scale. Budwieser is the one supplying them locally but I've seen them with Miller and a few other brands as well. As an alternate MSC carries a 1/2" wide mylar adhesive rule designed to be attached to a bench top in lengths up to 10'. The 60" or 72" versions will do a nice gun mounted reference and not look as tackey. Cost for these is under $10 FT __________________ Ocean Engineer Design and manufacture of custom dive gear. Contact: FredT_Gear@cox.net Last edited by FredT; 03-13-2004 at 01:08 PM.

03-13-2004, 01:09 PM	#6
Charlestondivin Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mt Pleasant SC Age: 40 Posts: 2,411	I used to put marks with a black marker on my gun for Grouper, Flounder, etc. Helps you judge when you have something else to look at. __________________ Rob Harding Charleston Diving Online Furniture Outlet Fish not Biting? Try a fast presentation of spring steel

03-13-2004, 11:50 AM	#3
f94gator Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa - one of the Brothers Hermes Age: 40 Posts: 5,337	Just gotta get used to it and, like Spear One said, dive with someone who knows. Rule of thumb; if there's any doubt it's legal, don't shoot it, 'cause chances are when you take a look at it topside, it's going to be short.

03-13-2004, 12:45 PM	#4
junior Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,634	When I first started spearing, I measured the length of my fins and used them for a reference. I would look at my fin and then look at the fish to get an idea of it's size. Also, some guys put marks on their guns at measured intervals. By looking at a known length underwater, it gives you a reference. And after time, like the other guys said, you get used to what a legal size fish looks like. If ever in doubt, it probably is not legal. Good luck.

03-13-2004, 05:58 PM	#7
biggsy No, it's a sachel Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Age: 39 Posts: 8,121	You will get used to it in time but I agree, if there is any doubt, dont shoot it. There are plenty of legal guys out there. Grouper tend to have a wider and thicker look to them when legal. The smaller ones look more streamline and dont have that bloated belly or pregnant look to them. biggsy __________________ John Biggs Mega Moderator

03-14-2004, 11:15 AM	#8
f94gator Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa - one of the Brothers Hermes Age: 40 Posts: 5,337	I have those marks on my gun and, honestly, I hardly ever use them. The only time I do is if I've already shot something and I'm not sure if it's legal.

03-14-2004, 12:32 PM	#9
Fishbuster Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Winter Springs Posts: 41	oh ok thanks guys....i figured that experience will be the main part, but if it looks small im not going to shoot it because i know there will be other fish out there either on that dive or the next. ill probably put some marks on the gun just for a reference also. but thanks again.

03-14-2004, 10:35 PM	#10
Fishbuster Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Winter Springs Posts: 41	what if you shot a fish that you thought was legal but bring it to the boat and you find out its illegal....what would you do with the fish?

03-15-2004, 05:57 AM	#11
greyface Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Augustine. Fl Posts: 1,031	If ya bring a short on board, you will be more worried about your pride, than what to do with the fish! __________________ 60" of cold sprung steel

03-15-2004, 07:24 AM	#12
biggsy No, it's a sachel Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Age: 39 Posts: 8,121	After that it gets chucked back overboard to be recycled into the ecosystem. __________________ John Biggs Mega Moderator

03-15-2004, 08:16 AM	#14
Denny Grounds Hog Day Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pinellas County, Where else? Posts: 2,912	The first small fish is a lesson. The second one must be consumed raw by the errant shooter. A by catch of 0% will surely follow. And when they say it should look big... they mean it should look BIG. __________________ Protecting and promoting the rights of offshore spearfishers and anglers. Join us! http://www.thefra.org Check out OFFSHORE HUNTER Waypoint management software for the serious spearfisher. Got numbers? http://www.offshorehunter.com

03-20-2004, 12:14 PM	#15
straight shaft Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Florida, Puerto Rico, Mass. Age: 48 Posts: 313	Sorry, Fellas. My appologies! Remind me not to drink and post. __________________ Be normal and get nowhere!

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