Any particlar depth you guys prefer or is it more the place?
How long are your typical dives?
Do you use nitrox?
Do you stalk or just set up in a stationary position?
How close do you keep your dive buddy if your trying to be concealed?
Do you carry pony tanks or any type of redundant systems?
If you got a speared fish, do you take time for a safety stop?
How often do make a free ascent versus using your anchor line?
Key West 1720 90 4 srtk Yamaha
Depth- from 50-150 ft. I prefer about 100
Time 12-40 minutes
Nitrox- Yes
Stationary- no way, keep moving around the reef.
Buddy- what buddy? Not real smart, but serious hunters don’t like company.
Pony- always- 3 regs total
Safety Stop, yes- especially when you’re down deep for quite a while
Finding the anchor line is tough. Lots of current out there, viz is bad…lots of things. Nice when the boat comes and gets you.
Hope this helps. Les@charlestondiving.com
Can you give a breakdown on costs if you want to start spearfishing…to include getting certified?
9.9 Riveted Alumnacraft
3 1/2 gas powered weed-wacker
“Home-Made”
Hey Chum,
as a beginner it appears to be more of a function of time than money (ie. lots of dives). Maybe someone can comment on that.
As much as I am interested in spear fishing, it appears clear that diving needs to be a second nature before you start chasing fish with a spear gun.
Lots of fun just to read what these spear fisherman are doing.
Key West 1720 90 4 srtk Yamaha
Chum it really depends on how much you want to spend.
you can get certified for around $250 give or take.
*Your B.C can range from a used for around $60 to a new one over several hundred dollars.
*Fins, you can get a decent set for around $120
*Mask, will be anywhere from $40 and up, get a mask/snorkel package.
*Boots, eh around $20 and up
*Wetsuits can range from $160 and up
*Weights and weight belts I couldn’t tell ya because I never had to buy any…just took em from ma dad.
*Dive knife, $30 and up
Those are pretty much the bare essentials…but I know in my haste to finish this post I’m forgetting something.
For spearfishing its best you get some time in the water before you start chasing fish. You burn alot of air w/ the eagerness to pull a trigger. That and fish can really sense a new diver and will very much avoid you. Get comfortable in the water. Then we’ll talk about spearing gear.
14’ G’3 w/ 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke “Both Seasons”
The class can be done in two weekends and start at about $200.
It is GREAT and more than worth the time and money!!
Jeremy
Charleston Bound!!
Went to lake keowee this weekend and the bass and bream were everywhere.
Funny how they just sit there and look at you.
They were plentiful right down to the thermocline (about 30 ft) then when you could feel the temp change you also noticed very few fish.
Key West 1720 90 4 srtk Yamaha
Stretch,
We should go to lake Keowee.
Chum,
I started out free diving with Stretch. Fun stuff. I have a friend
thats a dive master. I plan to take classes from him this year if your interested.
Did I mention a sweltering 71 degree water temp? Obviously we were diving near the cooling tower exhaust pipes.
Key West 1720 90 4 srtk Yamaha
Thanks for the info fellas. JMAC, I’m interested. Stretch, will a wetsuit make me look fat? Also, are there any inserts to, well enhance the ahhh,ummm…wedding tackle?
Seriously, I will be in a position to start around the first of March.
9.9 Riveted Alumnacraft
3 1/2 gas powered weed-wacker
“Home-Made”
You might want to rent gear till you decide what you would like best.
The dive shops have everything you could need for rent.
Here is a link to the charleston area dive shops.
http://www.charlestondiving.com/nuke/html/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=5
Get certified and comfortable before you pick up a gun. You can find yourself in a bad way if the excitement of hunting fish makes you forget the basics. (like checking your air.)
Always dive with a buddy. Be careful and try to go with someone who has done it before. Some of the dive shops also have underwater hunter courses. Also think about coming to some of the SC spearfishing club meetings.
I hunt hard so my dive buddy is the redundant 30cu pony bottle on my back. He is always there if i need him:smiley:. Only problem is that the pony cant watch your back. I had a shark tear the belly out of a grouper on my stringer a couple of weeks ago.
Rob H Ghost Rider
rob@charlestondiving.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _</font id=“red”> http://www.charlestondiving.com
(Fish not Biting? Try a fast presentation of spring steel)</font id=“green”>
definatley get comfy in the water 1st.
Listen to Rob.
Hey Rob what kind of shark?
14’ G’3 w/ 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke “Both Seasons”
SHARK HUMMMMMMM THIS ONE FOLLOWED A GROUPER UP TO THE BOAT 4 YEARS AGO
http://savannahnow.com/stories/031100/LOCfishstory.shtml
quote:
Originally posted by StretchArmStrong definatley get comfy in the water 1st. Listen to Rob.Hey Rob what kind of shark?
14’ G’3 w/ 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke “Both Seasons”
Yall fellas kick a$$. I plan to start, as I mentioned earlier, with my certification in March. Ballpark figure, when would it be ideal to consider spearfishing.
ON a side note, I’ve read yalls posts in the past, and thought they were awesome. I am an avid hunter, and fish all the time. This sounds like the perfect compromise.
9.9 Riveted Alumnacraft
3 1/2 gas powered weed-wacker
“Home-Made”
Diving is the BOMB!! I have not been spearfishing yet but will soon. If you want to see some monster fish, dive in a fishing restricted spot.
Charleston Bound!!