Free diver pole spear newbie looking for buddies in Laguna

[redpanda608]

Originally Posted by newportnewbie

I just moved into newport beach and really want to get into freediving and spearfishing. Never done it before. Never salt water fished before either : ( I am from wisconsin so the only water i had was green bay and lake michigan. If anyone in the area has time to show a newb how do this that would be great. New to this site also so I might have difficulties navigated to any PMs. Thanks : )

Welcome to the Sport and the Forum! I would be happy to show you what little I know so far. I have been spearing for about a month or so now. Learned a lot and loving every minute of it. The best way to get to your PM's is to look at the "Quick Links" that is just to the left from were the "Log Out" button is. I will send you a PM so you can get used to how it works. Look forward to meeting you.

[redpanda608]

Originally Posted by RydDragyn

Currently dining on a nicely fried fish taco freshly speared but 2 hours ago

My fiance and I are looking for more people to go with on successful hunts such as today. We tend to frequent crystal cove state park and other areas in the LA-OC area.

If anybody is available specifically on weekend days for spearing or freediving, PM me.

I also like venturing down to La Jolla and am getting ready for a Catalina trip soon. I'm a newbie myself, but willing to go with anyone of any experience. I have my own gun.

Nice RydDragyn! What kind of Fish was it? I just got back from a trip to Lake Havasu and we had lots of fresh fish! Though I found out that it is Illegal to spearfish Big Mouth and Small Mouth Bass. Live and learn!

Going to Catalina eh? How do you normally get there? I was thinking about doing some major strength training and taking my new two man kayak for the 20 mile trip to the great island!

[RydDragyn]

I just take the Catalina express over, and go camping with my gear in a locker. I haven't ever kayaked there, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, it would give flexibility in terms of getting to all the right places along the coast. Especially since the areas near Avalon that are legal for spearfishing are now inaccessible. You used to be able to walk to the beaches where lots of different bass would congregate, but there have been rock slides onto the roads lately.

It's just a simple sheephead. Fried it up in a pan with some olive oil. The area where I speared it was very popular today, and the surge wasn't too bad. Visibility was pretty good considering it was high tide and the light angles of the sun were all wrong. There were a few other young guys out with some 12+ foot(!) homemade tridents, and they got quite a few fish of their own.

Hope the move goes well, and let me know when you're in town. Take care!

-Alex

[redpanda608]

Originally Posted by RydDragyn

I just take the Catalina express over, and go camping with my gear in a locker. I haven't ever kayaked there, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, it would give flexibility in terms of getting to all the right places along the coast.

Do you know if they would let you take a kayak on the Express? I was thinking that it would be cool to do that and then kayak out to one of those campsites. I just didn't know if they would let you do it. I would guess they would want a little extra money for the extra room.

[mike5150]

I looked into takin my kayak to catalina. Don't remember if they even let you, or just charge way too much, but I decided it wasn't worth it to transport my kayak, I rented one over there, and just brought some fishing gear to strap onto the rental. Cought a bunch of Bonita on a two man kayak.

I also looked into kayaking to catalina. I've got a sit ontop kayak, and from what I found, it takes all day and everyone seems to use sit-in kayaks. It's a serious trip, but it's done often enough. You could probably find a group to go with.

[VaclavH]

Hi all.
I just came back to L.A> and trying to catch up on my E-mails.
I just wanted to let you know last year I have created a yahoo group for Freedivers in L.a. and surrounding areas to get together people who are interested in training in the pool and open water as well as recreational and competitive freediving.
So far there is 21 members ( not many post much so far), but I hope and it's my goal to change that. So that way even if I'm not posting dives there will be others and we can always find buddies to dive and train with .
The link is
lafreediving : L.A. Freediving
So if you want to join, please do so and lets do some freediving.
Also that way we will not have to check 10 different forums to find local people.
Vaclav

[LGHT]

Originally Posted by VaclavH

The link is
lafreediving : L.A. Freediving
Vaclav

Vaclav I created a custom banner to join the group. Basically they just enter their email address.

Let me know if you want me to e-mail you the source code

CLICK HERE FOR THE BANNER

[VaclavH]

Thank you for the banner. Looks great. And yes I would love to get the source code.
Are you still doing the PFI clinic next week?
Vaclav

[VaclavH]

Actually I just copied it. But still thank you for making it.
Vaclav

[LGHT]

Originally Posted by VaclavH

Thank you for the banner. Looks great. And yes I would love to get the source code.
Are you still doing the PFI clinic next week?
Vaclav

Ohh yeah looking forward to it. Haven't had much time for diving, so this will be a well needed time for diving. I'm gonna try to get a quick dive in this weekend so I can work on my Frenzel equalization.

[mateusz h2o]

hey guys just recently got back into spear fishing after a long time off. wanted to know if anyone was free this saterday or sunday to take a trip out? i got my own gun and gear. probably some gear you guys can buy or borrow if needed. let me know if you want to go out

[redpanda608]

Originally Posted by mateusz h2o

hey guys just recently got back into spear fishing after a long time off. wanted to know if anyone was free this saterday or sunday to take a trip out? i got my own gun and gear. probably some gear you guys can buy or borrow if needed. let me know if you want to go out

Hey Mateusz,
Welcome back to spearing! I am busy over the weekend with fathers day and all. Otherwise I would be happy to hang out with you some time. I am a pole spear fisherman but I don't know of any reason why that would be a problem.

[mateusz h2o]

i have no problem i was there once

i think its better to start with a pole just because you tune your stealth skills and are more easily able to sneak up in the fish without them noticing.

let me know when you are free to go out preferably on weekends

[Jared9191]

Hey you guys still around in Laguna? I'm pretty new to free diving, but I've been frequenting around Shaw's or crystal cove lately. I bought a pole spear but I swear the fish can see me coming a mile away.

We have a swell right now but soon as the water clears up, it would be nice to have someone to go with.

[redpanda608]

Originally Posted by Jared9191

Hey you guys still around in Laguna? I'm pretty new to free diving, but I've been frequenting around Shaw's or crystal cove lately. I bought a pole spear but I swear the fish can see me coming a mile away.

We have a swell right now but soon as the water clears up, it would be nice to have someone to go with.

Hey Jared9191
I'm going down to Shaw's pretty often these days. I like going mid week to avoid the crowds. Did you have a time in mind to go down this week?