[Mr. X]

I have some follow-up to my previous posts, above. I returned to the same spot at the weekend and had a very similar experience (for details see the Omer XXV thread), albeit with considerably more success this time. The critical factor was, I think, my new shorter, lighter gun, an Omer XXV 75cm with 18mm bands. On entering the chamber I saw the rear of a large mullet disappear round a boulder. When I followed, gingerly letting the speargun lead the way I encounter 2 medium size mullet (the larger fish had disappeared). I took one fish. Then I circled round but saw nothing the second time. However, I figured there were at least two mullet nearby, so I explored some nearby string-weed & was happily surprised to see a large mullet tail through the weed. I shot through the weed just as it was about to glide slowly behind a boulder. Another hit, probably a clean spine shot as it didn't struggle much at all.

Not sure what the morale of the story is. I'm tempted to say a smaller gun is the thing to use in shallow water conditions such as these (I certainly found my longer gun awkward there). However last year I hit a huge mullet in similar conditions at a different location with my bigger gun (90cm with 20mm rubbers) & the spear just bounced off the gill plate. Both the fish & I were stunned with surprise and stayed put for several seconds afterwards not knowing quite what to do.

BTW my larger fish this week was about 54/55cm about the same length as a 4lb fish I got last November. However, this fish weighed only 2.5lb. The head is quite large, so I am thinking this one might still be depleted after the hardships of winter.