First hunting trip!

[colt.45]

Well, I came back from my first hunting trip this weekend. It was on starvation reservoir where I first got the bug for spearfishing. atlantis divers (diveshop in vernal) were having their weigh in just as we were cleaning up our boat after a day of wakeboarding.

They had the fish cleaning station almost buired in some of the biggest carp I have ever seen in my life. So off I went into the water almost a year latter with high hopes of shooting my first fish,hopefully good sized fish, and guess what, I came back with absolutly nothing not even a flash of scales in the murk. the visability that day was about 10 feet and then my googles wlould fog up so I could barely see past the end of my spear. I had no float so aspetos were out of the question and the water was about 58F so my times were cut and no fish finder. so, I was basically cruising around in the dark hopeing to run into something. but, at least I had fun.

Next time I hope to have a fish finder de foging spray and some one that actuall knows what they are doing. I will have a chance to redeme myself in a week or so though because we will be going down to newport beach california with carona del mar a short bike ride away and catalina Island on the horizon.

I use a 75cm sporasub black viper with 16mm desasault bands and a 6.5mm tahitian shaft. No reel just a bungi on the end of about 17feet of line. regulations places to hunt and nessicary upgrade suggestions would be appreciated.

[spaghetti]

Enjoy it Colt, I wish you'll have lots of fun!
If you'll ever need any tips about the Black Viper and/or about freshwater hunting techniques, please just ask: there's plenty of freshwater experienced spearos here, as you see.
But first, what about using a mask instead of goggles?
(do a search on DB about mask fogging, you'll find many good tips)

[ajwaverider]

Originally Posted by colt.45

Well, I came back from my first hunting trip this weekend. It was on starvation reservoir where I first got the bug for spearfishing. atlantis divers (diveshop in vernal) were having their weigh in just as we were cleaning up our boat after a day of wakeboarding.

They had the fish cleaning station almost buired in some of the biggest carp I have ever seen in my life. So off I went into the water almost a year latter with high hopes of shooting my first fish,hopefully good sized fish, and guess what, I came back with absolutly nothing not even a flash of scales in the murk. the visability that day was about 10 feet and then my googles wlould fog up so I could barely see past the end of my spear. I had no float so aspetos were out of the question and the water was about 58F so my times were cut and no fish finder. so, I was basically cruising around in the dark hopeing to run into something. but, at least I had fun.

Next time I hope to have a fish finder de foging spray and some one that actuall knows what they are doing. I will have a chance to redeme myself in a week or so though because we will be going down to newport beach california with carona del mar a short bike ride away and catalina Island on the horizon.

I use a 75cm sporasub black viper with 16mm desasault bands and a 6.5mm tahitian shaft. No reel just a bungi on the end of about 17feet of line. regulations places to hunt and nessicary upgrade suggestions would be appreciated.

Clean the lense of your mask with toothpaste a few times and it won't fog.
Welcome to spearfishing ,sometimes you get alot and other times you come home empty handed but as long as you're having fun it's all good.Try to get ahold of a float so boaters will know you're there and avoid a close call.
Make sure to have someone with you for safety and happy hunting.

Happy Birthday by the way.

[BatRay]

Cleaning the mask (?) with toothpaste will help remove manufacturer coating from your lenses. Spitting on the lenses helps to keep the fog away.
Congrats on your first trip.

[colt.45]

Hi guys, sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. I just spent the last 6 days back packing 56 miles acrost a place called hells backbone down in southern utah. So what do you guys think about my trip to newport down in So Cal what kind of fish should I go after and where should I hunt?

Is there a difference between masks and gogles?

[poacher]

A mask has one or 2 lenses in a one piece rubber "Cup" (not the correct word for it) that seals to your face with one air space and covers you nose. This is used to equalise internal pressures , wheras goggles have 2 lenses in 2 seperately lealed cups that go over each eye but not your nose only good for swimming traing not spearing.

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by poacher

A mask has one or 2 lenses in a one piece rubber "Cup" (not the correct word for it) that seals to your face with one air space and covers you nose. This is used to equalise internal pressures , wheras goggles have 2 lenses in 2 seperately lealed cups that go over each eye but not your nose only good for swimming traing not spearing.

Poacher is right.
For spearfishing in shallow water (0-15 meters), go for a mask with clear lenses (not mirrored) , black frame and skirt (not clear), medium-low volume, wide field of vision and generous nose-pocket.
Among so many brands on the market, my advise is the Omer Asia: it's the one I use for 0-15 meters spearing. But it's just me.
http://www.omerdiving.com/product.aspx?product=23

[matrixed82]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

For spearfishing in shallow water (0-15 meters), go for a mask with clear lenses (not mirrored) , black frame and skirt (not clear), medium-low volume, wide field of vision and generous nose-pocket.

Do mirrored lenses scare fish? I was under the impression that some spearfishermen use mirrored lenses so the fish won't see their eyes, is this true?

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by matrixed82

Do mirrored lenses scare fish? I was under the impression that some spearfishermen use mirrored lenses so the fish won't see their eyes, is this true?

It's your eyes that scare the fishes: if they realize that you're watching them, they'll stay away from you.
Mirrored lenses can prevent this, but they turn to a loss of visibility, especially if water is not crystal clear and the sky is not sunshiny. So to end up, mirrored are advisable only if you spear in very good visibility (say in Maldives on a perfect sunny day).
With normal lenses, if you do aspetto hunting, a tip is to keep your eyes half- closed.
For Colt 45: if you can, buy a mask in a shop and not on line: ot's better to try if it fits your face.

[colt.45]

When I bought my speargun I also got a mako mask by oceanic they have a neoprene strap which I really like because of my long hair (by a guys standard anyways) and are also low volume with a wide feild of view. they fit my face verry nicely

[Oldsarge]

Go to the www.spearboard.com and check out the California forum. There are lots of places along the Orange County coast to try for sheephead, halibut, corbina, calico bass, white sea bass (if the blue gods are smiling!) and edible rays and sharks.

[drbabs]

Originally Posted by colt.45

When I bought my speargun I also got a mako mask by oceanic they have a neoprene strap which I really like because of my long hair (by a guys standard anyways) and are also low volume with a wide feild of view. they fit my face verry nicely

COLT,
you doing much hunting around utah?
where are you going lately?