[bluesquids]

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.