Originally Posted by Deamon (Post 156376)

If I were getting into freediving...for quality fish...I would take a major shortcut in the learning curve by paying for real information. To some he's a man...others, just a myth...to most he's a legend...

DARKHORSE...for hire

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE (Post 130749)

Which brings me to my next disclaimer: Spearfishing is f'n dangerous!

Being an expert sight fisherman and tracking White Sea Bass for a living, I've never once thought of spearing one. I've even free-dove with giant White Sea Bass a few times. It was an incredible experience swimming with those fish and something I'll always remember. It was as if they knew I wasn't holding a gun. Something I'll most certainly be doing again. I've dove at night in search of Lobster for the last fifteen years, too. I'm very much at home below the surface. But, I've never so much as picked up a speargun until this day. I'm reluctant to admit, I had a near-death experience within five minutes of picking one up for the first time as well.

True story: after watching lock-jaw fish swim around with zero interest to our offerings, I decided to just go for it. Why not? I searched the big-blue for days to find this thing and these fish were giving me the finger. Not to mention, time was running out. After trying every trick in the book from chunking fresh baits, to brailing live squid, to using ridiculously light line I had seen enough. The only thing these fish were going to eat was steel---and I was going to give it to them. I jump in with my mask and ask for a few pointers as I strap my Go Pro to my head. I vaguely remember my friend say something along the lines of, "watch out for the recoil", as I attempt to load the gun. I think to myself, recoil, sure yeah got it---blindly focused on trying to film something for the Discovery channel. What's the big deal---it's only 3,000' deep, right? What could possibly go wrong?

Little did I know at the time that, of course, the camera wasn't recording video. It was capturing still photos instead. Anyone with a Go Pro knows exactly what I'm talking about here. With a loaded gun in my hands I quietly approach the paddy. The fish are swimming just down current from the only shade in town. It's without question, one of the most breathe taking sights you'll ever see. There's this giant Mola Mola guarding the paddy. Thousands of Salp in my face and just as many micro baits in every direction. Through the haze, I see the school of Dorado come into view and begin my stalk. If you know me you'll realize I'm pretty competitive. In essence, I wasn't coming up without a fish. Or so I thought.

I lined up on what looked like a nice Dorado the same way I'd line up on a Billiard shot. You know, a game with money on the line? I control my breathing and try and minimize my movement. I'm staring straight down the barrel and aiming for the eyes as my target turns broadside---then I pull the trigger and am knocked unconscious.

When I come to, I had just started to swallow water and I'm coughing and gagging. I clear my breathing tube and am surrounded by Dorado. Instinctively, I grab the gun and line. I then realize that my fish had sunk to the depths like a rock; unbeknownst to me I had stoned the fish. A dead center perfect shot right at the gill line. When I shot the fish she was on the surface, but was straight down by the time I realized what was going on. I proceed to swim back to the boat and keep what had just happened to myself.

I'll just blame that on a weird concoction of pride, adrenaline, and determination to redeem myself. A truly selfish moment that I'm not very proud of. Apparently the gun slammed me in the face pretty hard. In a freak, last second decision, I brought the weight belt back to the boat before swimming off. That split second decision, apparently, saved my life. I had never worn one before and felt like I was struggling to stay near the surface. I had put way too much weight on there and the fish were on the surface, anyway. Had that weight belt been around my waist, I'm 100% positive, that I wouldn't be telling this story.

Kind of sketched and for very good reason. I slowed down my breathing and immediately developed a new level of respect for spearfishing. Gnarly. Instead of filming a clip for the Discovery channel I almost filmed my last catch. The thought of my camera floating to the surface. The floating gun attached to a stoned Dorado. A confused friend searching through the night freaking the f--k out! A lot of reflection was going on in the minutes to follow. And rightfully so. I snap out of it, regroup, grab a different gun and swim back to the paddy. Otherwise I might have never picked up a gun again. If anything, an attempt at redemption felt necessary at this juncture in time.

This dive was similar, but my perspective had completely changed. As cliche as it sounds, all the colors seemed even more vibrant. The 400 lb Mola Mola is guarding the up current side of the floating city. It was as if I never left. I look off in the distance and slowly through the haze, I see my targets. They're curious by nature. And eventually swim a giant circle behind the paddy. I'm waiting and really trying to find a larger model this time. This might be my second time holding a spear gun, but after all, I'm a fisherman. I then spot the particular fish I'm looking for and prepare my stalk. To my amazement the school changes direction as I'm pointing at the largest fish I could find. Then BOOM---I fire off my shot. Only this time I'm prepared for the recoil---and my camera is actually recording. Video to follow.

My second shot and my second Dorado!
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/DSCF1142.JPG
I'm stoked out of my mind as I swim back to the boat. Like I said, you'll never see a prettier fish in local waters. They're not worth dying for, though. Whether you're a kook who's never held a speargun (like myself) or an unprepared kayak angler blinded by gold, it's just a fish. An incredibly beautiful fish.

Originally Posted by Siebler (Post 156408)

Used to do a lot of it, some awesome guys on these boards that are Spearos.

We will be Revamping the Spearfishing gear at the new OEX as well. Still have a selection at OEX mission Bay but nothing like we used to have.

You know you can come see me any time and get a hookup :cool:

Originally Posted by bus kid (Post 156398)

Mako's a Good gun, Riffe if your going to stick with it.



Jim, are you sure he's spearfishing? because if he is I need to get in touch.

Josh are you guiding spear trips?

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE (Post 156522)

Whoa whoa whoa.
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Hold up.
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Lets think this through...
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You'll shoot your eye out!
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http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...0/GOPR2279.JPG
If you haven't seen me around on the water lately, keep looking, I'm there---somewhere.

Since my name's being brought up and it relates to my business, I suppose I should clear up some misconceptions. From a legal standpoint, as a licensed guide for the past five years I've carried a million dollar liability insurance policy. Maybe that's overkill; maybe not. Just what monetary amount allowed me to sleep comfortably at night. And that was just for putting clients on Yellowtail, White Sea Bass and Halibut from a kayak!

Of course, giant Sharks and humungous Black Sea Bass are common bi-catch as well. Species that could easily be more dangerous than our original targets and probably deserve a flag of caution. Oh yeah, careless boat owners who practically drive around blind folded! Not to mention, congested boat traffic when the fishing really gets hot and heavy---which in my opinion still trumps any probability of natural dangers being a realistic concern. It's all relative. So, maybe that million dollar liability insurance policy doesn't sound so extreme after all?

Taking someone with limited experience and putting a $1,000 gun in their hands, then placing them in a kelp-bed loaded with fifty to seventy pound fish---especially with the intention of actually taking a shot on said fish, as of now anyway, isn't a liability that I'm willing to take on.

However, with a pipeline of repeat / V.I.P. clients that I've been built up over the years, a possible extension of my business model is being tested. At the time being these are purely bonus trips, though---for free! Only with clients who have already taken up an interest in spearfishing on their own, I might add. This select portion of my clientele have been invited to share my new obsession. The way I look at it, spearfishing, is nothing more than an extension of the service I already provide. When I'm not pre-fishing for clients, fishing with clients, or fishing off skiffs the days in between---I'm scoping out every bed within driving distance North and South. It's one thing to run the sonar for twelve hours and rely on sight fishing from a tuna-tower; another thing entirely diving to the bottom for eight hours a day. For sure---a real eye opener (pun intended).

My advice to the original poster: please don't take this as a slam or some sort of disrespect, but being that you're asking this question on the internet (much less a kayak fishing website regarding spearguns of all things :D) certainly raises a brow. No offense, but internet forums are incredibly misleading in my professional opinion. Especially when it comes to gear advise or techniques.

Why you ask? Simple. There's just too many uneducated opinions. Or worse, brand loyal bias. Typically a toxic combination of both! Often (we're talking about more than 90% of the time) the reader will leave the forum more confused then when they arrived. That's just a fact. An exaggeration you say? Feel free to look back at pretty much any gear question and see for yourself! It's pure comedy more often than not. Same with techniques often published via the net. The few times solid advice is given it's quickly buried in misinformation.

Also, as is typical with internet forums, you left a few giant holes in your question itself. Without telling someone exactly what you'd like to target (are we talking Calico Bass and Sheephead---or 70 lb White Sea Bass and 30 lb+Yellowtail?). Without saying where you'll be hunting beyond just saying, "kelp", it would be impossible for even the likes of ,Terry Maas, to answer your question. You neglected to mention your budget as well. Which, really leaves the door open for every possible suggestion known to man.

For starters, yes, Spearboard would be a step in the right direction. If after a few hours you get sick of all the constant bickering, and you're bored, feel free to check out a recent thread of mine: http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=160805

Tons of great information can be found on that site. Especially in regards to safety. Just realize that you'll have to hunt down the right answers to your questions. And I mean hunt. A simple search isn't going to cut it. Be prepared for the brand loyal bias and boat loads of misinformation, though. It is what it is---an internet forum. Also, might I suggest, doing some soul searching in the process to realistically decide what you'd like to target---and what you're willing to spend. Unfortunately, until you answer the above questions, I really can't offer you any specific advice gun wise. Above all, dive safe!


The gun that slammed me in the face was a Riffe. I take 100% responsibility for the accident; in this case it was clearly the Indian---not the arrow. I mean, come on, I held the damn thing up to my face before I took that first shot; what would you expect! Lesson learned. My point, though, is that in this very thread people are suggesting guns which are very well known in the dive community. For certain things specifically. Unfortunately, the wrong things: lacking proper ballast and being over-powered.

If you want a gun that's way over-priced and kicks like a Mule look no further. :cheers1:

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Originally Posted by Deamon (Post 156525)

What a photo...nuff said...Bus Kid, you owe me...:paddleersmilie:

Originally Posted by bluesquids (Post 156547)

First thing you should focus on is a proper freedive suit. They are completely different than a surf or scuba suit. You feel like you are wearing nothing and you are more warm and comfortable than you could imagine.
You need to be very comfortable so you can keep your heart rate down(breath hold) and stay in the water for long periods of time. You're looking at around $300 or more for one.

You get cold very quick being completely under water and don't forget the icy thermoclines.

I've taken newbies out several times ...they'd say "Oh...I have a real good 5mm surf suit" and after one hour they are hating life shivering uncontrollably...you can't concentrate and stalk fish like that.

Don't think you're gonna be blasting wsb and yt right away unless you can swim down to 60 feet and cut them out of the kelp and the 7gills are becoming more and more of a problem in LJ. Stick to reef fish and halibut and lobster in the winter for awhile. For which a polespear or small gun is fine. If you catch the addiction, you'll soon have weapons of all sizes.

ps- don't forget that bass are now 14" and they look bigger underwater so a 15" almost looks like a monster.

Originally Posted by bus kid (Post 156533)

F@CKING EPIC! :notworthy:

but come on did we expect anything less.


At least you can now sleep at night! I will be down in LJ hopefully in a few weeks to grace you with my presence!