i would be ineterested. could get 6 divers or so on my boat.
I am in… Will need to pick up a pole spear for the event. My 52" gun pretty much destroys the little bastards. I still shoot them every chance I get, but there usually isn’t much left to grind off the spear & let the BSBs & triggers go at the remains.
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They are getting worse every year. Still not the levels of infestations that the folks in the gulf coast have to deal with, but they are are plentiful in the right locations.
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Here is a neat device for holding the catch until you ascend: http://www.zkstore.com/ Definitely nice to have, instead of a stringer & lift bag.
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PS: If a fly lost it’s wings, would it be called a walk?
Sure would like to join in on someone’s boat that can put us on them and we’ll share the expenses. Myself (Divemaster)and at least one other (Dive Instructor) I could get some more experienced divers if someone has room for more. We sure want to get these invasive fish knocked down (wish we could get rid of them but…)
FishnBarrels, sounds like you got a winner idea going on. Set a date and get this thing going!!!
“Ships and Sailors Rot in Port”- Admiral Nelson
I’m interested. I haven’t seen but a few in the areas that we dive, probably have to tag along with some of you guys to some other spots that are holding more. And like Skeeter, I’ll need a pole spear, the gun takes too much work and requires handling the fish.
I like the guy’s Home Depot bucket for keeping the fish in. That’s pretty clever.
218WA Sailfish
200 Verado
The "Penn"sion Plan
I would be interested. Just bought a new polespear and I can think of no better way to break it in. You’ve got a great idea going here FishnBarrels!
what is the most shallow you can find those things ??
You can find lionfish on any wreck or live bottom from 55ft -400ft and possibly even deeper. Nearly any spot you dive off charleston right now has lionfish on it with some spots being absolutely covered in them. From my personal experience they prefer ledges with decent relief (3-7ft). I have seen 20-30 within a 50 ft area on the same ledge. It seems they move around in packs and take over spots this way. I am not aware of reproduction data on these fish but I think they reproduce pretty quickly. They also grow fairly quickly given the stats of eating 6-10x their weight in small baitfish per day. Going out for a dive trip to target this fish should not be hard. You have many options to dive strictly going to DNR published wrecks and many more options diving live bottom and ledge spots.
I’m down. I guarantee I won’t win though. A.D.D. will kick in and you’ll all laugh at me when I come up with everything but lion fish. How do you get those prickly little suckers off the pole spear anyways? Leather gloves or something?
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
caught a nice 16" one in 100’. need to do a kill dive there.
i have been reading that the hexarmor needle proof gloves are the best for resisting sticks.
Watch the video, the guy from Jax gets them off with a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket.
218WA Sailfish
200 Verado
The "Penn"sion Plan
Buy a Zookeeper. They come right off with a spear. Or you can do as commercial divers do. They shoot then remove with stringer that they poke thru their eyes.
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
quote:
Originally posted by FishnBarrelshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SwVncsrRc&feature=youtu.be
Would there be an interest in this from local divers/fisherman? I would be happy to get it organized with prizes and etc if enough people were interested in this. Please respond with any/all thoughts/criticism
The dude needs to put one or two of these on his bucket:
I wish I was still an active diver. That would be a blast.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 20 year old (boy of leisure)
1 - 17 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
By the way. A team off commercial divers came in today with 700lbs of lions. Plenty out their.
There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. ~Steven Wright
quote:
Originally posted by killinRI’m down. I guarantee I won’t win though. A.D.D. will kick in and you’ll all laugh at me when I come up with everything but lion fish. How do you get those prickly little suckers off the pole spear anyways? Leather gloves or something?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Here is a good example of how to kill & harvest efficiently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnAbtkMdCoI
The ZooKeeper and pole spear combo works well, without a lot of wasted movement.
BTW… This is what areas of the gulf coast look like. Minimal bait fish or ingenious species to be found. Entire wrecks or patches of live bottom, overrun with Lionfish.
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PS: If a fly lost it’s wings, would it be called a walk?
pretty funny how they just sit there. you can tell they have NO predators
Charles,
if the dates work, you can count me in. I could spend all day cleaning up one spot.
Here are some suggestions:
Make sure that you don’t limit where the fish come from. In other words, you can drive them from anywhere on the coast. Honor system. And who really cares if they’re old fish anyway. If you’ve killed them, you’ve done your duty. The most important element to success is the after-party. Have a full kitchen staff preparing lionfish, outdoor bar and a good band. Get the media to attend to raise awareness. Send multiple press releases before the event to get bystanders. Simple, cheap prizes. Like a plaque that’s donated. Entry fee should be cheap, but should provide enough revenue to pay for t-shirts, and the after-party. DNR requires a permit (cheap), so don’t forget that. If possible, get a big screen and play spearfishing videos in the background. Get someone cool to emcee. Ask Fleets or someone else who buys lionfish to sponsor. They could use it for marketing. There are also a few lionfish supply companies around. They sell slings, capture devices, gloves, etc… They would probably sponsor and provide some prizes.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
quote:
Originally posted by sniper7what is the most shallow you can find those things ??
didn’t Brooke Shields find one in a tidepool in the Blue Lagoon? 
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Yellabird,
Thanks for the positive words. I have a list of good ideas and you gave several more to add to my list. You have more experience in the water here than just about anyone. Do you personally feel there is a “best” time to hold this rodeo…regarding lions being in more abundance in relation to water temps, time of year, depth, vis etc? I have my own thoughts on this but please advise from your own experience.Thanks
Charles, I appreciate you putting this together. Personally, I don’t see much of a difference in the lionfish population, densities or locations in warm vs. cold months, but you will certainly get more participation in warmer months. Most people, other than us crazy people, really don’t start diving in SC until Grouper season opens. You may want to pick sometime just before or just after the season. That way it’s warm enough to get the weekend warrior and everyone should have their gear together…but you’re also not interfering with what could be productive grouper shooting.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”
One more thing…think about liability releases for the divers in case someone has a bad reaction to a lionfish sting. Never seen a bad one that required hospitalization, but I’m sure it happens. I really don’t react at all, but I’m not allergic to bees either.
Stephen Goldfinch
“Sleep When You’re Dead!”