Disposable weights ???

[Marwan]

Originally Posted by Heinz57

Use a kayak

welcome heinz57 thats a brilliant piece of advice, simple and effective and staring us in the face
youre off to a good start mate

[Heinz57]

I personally have two boats a Hobie adventure kayak and a 23 foot Wellcraft with 250 horse evinrude. I personally get a lot more enjoyment out of the Kayak.

The simple reason the kayak is so much more versatile and cheap. A kayak will get you into channels harbors ponds marshes and areas near shore with no beach. It will also allow open up reefs and wrecks and rocks a couple miles off shore. Plus it carries all your gear. They cut through currents. The also provide similar feeling as diving, the Kayak makes you feel more part of the environment.

Now I personally use my kayak as fishing, spear fishing cruzing /sailing relaxation machine. Below is typically how I use my kayak

Early in the season May June I use my kayak to search for good fishing spots near or offshore. I use my Garmin Handheld to find interesting locations and once I get to the spots, I throw up the dive flag. Then you can either anchor up or attach your self to the boat via float line. I personally tie my boat directly to a spear gun via float line. The kayak becomes the float and dive marker. If I find a good fish location I mark it on my GPS. I will use this information for Kayak fishing tournaments all season long.

Diving: In addition to marking fishing spots, I enjoy spear fishing lobstering clamming and crabbing from my kayak. Most Sit on Top kayaks have large storage areas which can easy hold a couple nice size fish, lobster, clams etc. its great. Many people also scuba dive off Kayaks.
Getting in and out of kayak is a piece of cake but does take some practice. It’s also much easier with fins on. Here’s a link.
TopKayaker.Net: Deep Water Re-entry by Tom Holtey


fishing from a kayak is a lot of fun. There is nothing better than catching a 50lbs striped bass sitting in a kayak AKA Nantucket slay ride. I troll tube and worm rigs or if you’re lucky throw top water plugs into a bass blitz. Most of my Kayak fishing is typically done at night as Striped bass are more active at this time.

Below are link suggestions for great diving kayaks. I suggest something 14 to 16 feet long in the ocean. Longer kayaks are typically faster and cut through currents better.

Fishing Kayak Page - Types of Fishing Kayaks available, detailed decision making information

You don't need to by new either. Buying a used kayak will save you a lot of money.

Sell - Buy - or Trade - Forum By Kayak Fishing Stuff.

My personal favorite kayaks are the Hobie adventure and Wilderness tarpon 16 foot. They both cut though the water like a knife. But they are not as wide and tend to be less stable.

Good Luck.

[deep thinker]

Wont a kayak be mistaken for a boat by authorities, I know here that is a very definate possibility.
On the weights issue, why not make yourself some sealed mesh bags with a velcro open and close flap that could carry about 500grams of sand, perhaps less depending on the size the bag ends up to be. Carry these instead of weights and before you swim back just empty them out in the water after youve filled them on the shore before your dive with wet sand so it packs tighter...

[gladiator]

Originally Posted by Heinz57

Use a kayak

Hello Heinz: are you joking? do you think I am that dumb to swim 4 KM if I could use a kayak?

A kayak will be shot down by Saudi marine border patrol within the first couple of minutes.

In regards to leaving a belt and retrieving it on the next dive, it was a great idea but I also see sanso's point of view of trashing the water.

I guess the only effective answer for me would be to shut up up and swim.

[Erik]

Originally Posted by gladiator

In regards to leaving a belt and retrieving it on the next dive, it was a great idea but I also see sanso's point of view of trashing the water.

.

With respect to sanso, that's a fairly extreme end of the scale. Leaving a weight belt that you'll most likely be able to retrieve is not a big deal in my opinion, and any negative effect should be balanced by the fact that you are engaged in an activity that helps the ocean ie: you are hunting in the most ecologically responsible manner available, compared to buying your fish from a trawler.

You want to hunt and have fun and respect the planet- where the balance is your choice, not anyone else's.
Cheers and happy hunting,
Erik

[sanso]

It seems I put my post in the wrong context.
I have no problem with leaving something there just to pick it up another time. - no trouble at all with that. (As long as it doesn't seep out, say, hormones or mercury or such... )

It's leaving one's trash in the ocean I was about. - That is obviously bad, bad.
Right?