is this gear good?

[Hypersquid1]

hey everyone, i want to get started in spearfishing, and i did some research and this is the gear i came up with. i will be spearing around rocks mostly, and also flat sandy bottoms for flounder, stripers, bluefish, scup, blackfish, and hopefully some small sandsharks in the waters of rhode island. anyways, here is what i thought of buying.

Riffe Competitor #00S

Riffe Sight mask

Cressi Alpha II dark snorkel

Cressi Prostar fins

Riffe Spearfisher knife or OMER Thunder Still

US Divers Comfo Sport gloves

i already have a suitable wetsuit, and i think i might want to buy better gloves, but i dont know which ones are good to buy. any info or feedback would be great.

Hypersquid1

[Amphibious]

The Cressi fins are not really adequate for freediving, you'd be better served by some Cressi Garas or Omer Milleniums.

I would also step up to the #1 or #2 Riffe's. not much bigger, but far more versitile in the long run. (if your Viz permits it)

The Alpha 2 snorkle is a lot more snorkle then you need. a simple J-tube will be cheaper and serve you better.

the rest seems fine.

[Hypersquid1]

ok but about the snorkel. i am sometimes going to spear in the surf off of a beach, so i thought that a j-tube would let in too muck splashed water. also, would the Riffe 00s be big enough to spear a rather large striper? what i mean is, would there be enough penetration? forgive me if i am going around like an idiot, i am new at this.

[Hypersquid1]

ok ok thanks. but i am going to be spearing in the surf off of a beach. i thought the j-tube snorkel would let too much water in. and what size fish would the #00S be able to spear? i will be going after rather large stripers, some big bluefish, and most likely sandsharks. o btw, what does Viz mean?

[jimdoe2you]

I'm going to bed so I won't type everything I would have liked to.

Listen to Amphibious. My daughter has the Prostars, they are light duty snorkeling fins.

I am a big fan of the Omer masks, and the alien is great, but masks are all about facial size and shape.

Most importantly, in my humble opinion, is don't go out and buy a brand new Riffe!!!! Look for a used gun on eBay. Now this is going to make some of my brethren cringe, but I feel you should start out with a inexpensive and simple gun like a mahogany A.B Biller in 42" or 48". Great gun to learn and start with. I still dive with 60 year old guys who have been shooting Billers since back when God created dirt!

I will jump into this thread tomorrow.

Jim

[Hypersquid1]

ok that helps alot. o and btw, ignore the fact i replied twice to amphibious, my computer went crazy and i thought my reply was deleted.

[jimdoe2you]

You know what???

If you don't know what "viz" is, you need to slow down and learn more before you toss $$$ around. Start reading the previous deeperblue.net forums.

See you tomorrow.

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by Hypersquid1

ok but about the snorkel. i am sometimes going to spear in the surf off of a beach, so i thought that a j-tube would let in too muck splashed water.

never seems to be a problem for me. I have had nothing but trouble with "dry" snorkles, and the little valve on the bottom, although handy, is just a nother point of failure. damage or loose that little silicon flap and your snorkle is useless.

Originally Posted by Hypersquid1

also, would the Riffe 00s be big enough to spear a rather large striper? what i mean is, would there be enough penetration?

According to the Riffe website it's the equivilent of a 56cm Euro. albeit 3 little 1/2 bands.

Jim's suggestion of passing on the Riffe is a sound one. I am a big proponet of "buy quality gear first" but when it comes to a speargun and a new diver you're better off avoiding the Teak. it;s gorgeous, but you're going to give your gear a serious shitkicking as travel along that learning curve, weather you like it or not.

Not a fan of billers, but I started with a JBL NW Special and it surved me well for a long time. range sucked, but it dug deep. an Omer T20 75mm would be another sound investment for the rookie.

Originally Posted by Hypersquid1

forgive me if i am going around like an idiot, i am new at this.

we all start someplace. better to ask and get advice then to spend a lot of money on inadequate kit.

Viz is short for Vizibility : the distance you can see underwater.

by far the best question you can find an answer to is: "What are the locals using?"

here is a deal for a newbie that is VERY hard to beat!

http://www.spearfishinggear.com/Merc...ategory_Code=P

[Hypersquid1]

that is a great deal. i might definately look into that. btw is that like a special sale, or is it one of their products?

[Hypersquid1]

o and also, is it a good investment to buy one of the bigger competitiors, like the #0 rather than the #00? if possible, i would like to buy a gun once and have it for a long time than buy a gun for learning and then buy another gun later on. also, after going out, should you wash off your gun with freshwater? i think it is rather self explanatory, and it would not hurt the gun, but is it really necesary?

[mishu1984]

dont buy a riffe right now. like Jim and Amp said, get something simple and sturdy. I started of with a AB Biller Pro 42. gun still shoots straight today no matter how many times ive tossed it around or shot a rock. most importantly, find yourself a dive buddy, preferably one that has a lot more experience than you. let him teach you the ropes, because the only way to get better, is to get wet. J snorkles are best. up until very recently, i used to wear one with a valve. very nice, but it created a lot of drag. J snorkles last longer, work just the same, create less drag, and most importantly are A LOT CHEAPER. you will soon find out that this can be an expensive sport/hobby.
Spearfishinggear.com always has the best deals online. Later on as you get better, you might want to upgrade your wetsuit.
AMp gave you the best peice of advice: check with your locals. in the US you have the advantage of spearfishing/freediving clubs, which here in the Middle East, we dont have. get in contact with a club and im sure they will take you under their wings. Also, check with your local Fish&Game authorities and know what you are shooting and size limits and so forth.

g'luck and happy diving

[Hypersquid1]

ok ok so dont start on a riffe. does anybody know what are some good (cheap) guns to start out with? and what are some good snorkels to buy?

[Amphibious]

Omer T20
Omer Excaliber
Beuchat Mundial
Rob Allen Railgun

would be my choices for starter guns.

Omer makes a nice, standard J-tube.

[Hypersquid1]

are there any cheap fins out there that are good for spearfishing? some of this stuff is so expensive, and i dont think i will be able to afford some of it. what r some good knives to buy?

[BatRay]

Define 'cheap'. Some are more expensive than others. The mask/snorkel/fins package on spearfishinggear is just about as good a deal as you're going to find anywhere, and I second the recommendation to buy it. Another fin option is the Sporasub H Dessault, a fairly good fin. Omer's Millenium fins have a good reputation, too.