480lb Marlin

[Mullins]

I think that many pelagics are short-lived and fast-growing compared to reef species. Mahimahi being the prime example I guess. We have a few demersal species over here that can live more than 40yrs, and orange roughy live to be over 150. Ironically they're also one of the most heavily fished species Easy to net in huge numbers because they aggregate over seamounts each season.

[Fondueset]

When I was in BC I was told the rockfish there can live to over 100 as well.

[argus66]

sorry cisco i wont get over it, you started this topic. i like spearfishing and respect it. i understand how hard it can be but sometimes mayby its best to let the big one get away. to me this is the same as the guy who hunts dear in his back yard by leaving food out for them and then when they show up to eat knocks off the biggest oldest 8 point buck from his porch not much skill or hunting in that. another thing i see being overlooked is that he claims to be 25 miles offshore, 1/2 mile from nearest boat, alone, and in the water with large predatory fish, and seems to be perfectly aware of this, even asks to be dropped by the log knowing there would be big preadators there. if this is perfect example of how to die freediving i dont know what is. for so much experince i dont see it at all. just acting foolish.

[Fondueset]

I wonder if smaller long-lived fish accumilate heavy metals and other toxins to the same degree the large pelagics do.

[Cisco_Kid]

Originally Posted by argus66

sorry cisco i wont get over it, you started this topic. i like spearfishing and respect it. i understand how hard it can be but sometimes mayby its best to let the big one get away. to me this is the same as the guy who hunts dear in his back yard by leaving food out for them and then when they show up to eat knocks off the biggest oldest 8 point buck from his porch not much skill or hunting in that. another thing i see being overlooked is that he claims to be 25 miles offshore, 1/2 mile from nearest boat, alone, and in the water with large predatory fish, and seems to be perfectly aware of this, even asks to be dropped by the log knowing there would be big preadators there. if this is perfect example of how to die freediving i dont know what is. for so much experince i dont see it at all. just acting foolish.

Yes..i agree in some way. I in particular wouldnt of killed "the big one". But on the other hand, if I were in his shoes/fins(considering the evidence), I too would of taken its life to protect mine...I wouldnt of just floated there saying, " Well...... im a fool.. ive just decided to float next to this log, miles away from shore, next to this magnificent predatory fish......Now then, instead of defending myself, i think i will let it bash me in, BECAUSE, im in its territory.."
I certainly dont think so...

I do care a great deal for the world i live in.. But if I had to choose between my life and a Fish, I think i'd choose mine..Like any other animal would..
This is a cruel teritoreal world. And we have every right to be in the ocean along with everything else..And unlike most animals on this planet, we havent got many ways of defending ourselves..

[Amphibious]

I purposely go to bear territory, invade their turf, sometimes to the point that they are bluff charging me. then I shoot and consume them.

don't see much different with this marlin. you go where the fish are.

the baited deer analogy is far from applicable here. he didn't put the log there.

[jimdoe2you]

Originally Posted by argus66

i understand how hard it can be but sometimes mayby its best to let the big one get away.

......Nah, it's the whole reason I am out there! If it is legal to harvest (which means it is not endangered and/or protected for any understandable and legitimate reason) and edible, I usually go after the biggest one I can. You come across like hunters shouldn't harvest the larger, older fish, but those are the ones that should be harvested. The only other option would be to kill the younger, smaller ones. This would be conservationally wrong and minimum size requirement laws are evidence of this.

Originally Posted by argus66

to me this is the same as the guy who hunts dear in his back yard by leaving food out for them and then when they show up to eat knocks off the biggest oldest 8 point buck from his porch not much skill or hunting in that.

......this analogy is wrong on more than one level. First, your argument is hypocritical since your above analogy contridicts your earlier statment in post #26 that reads:

Originally Posted by argus66

this is the marlins log in the marlins ocean!

Is it the marlin's backyard or the hunter's back yard? It is self evident that 25 miles off shore in the middle of the ocean is in absolutely no way comparable to the familiar territory or convenience of a hunter's own porch and backyard. Quite the opposite! Second, the actual comparison of a hunter luring deer into his backyard as a trap has nothing to do with this hunter and the situation he found himself in. It is an absurd comparison to say the least. Third, many of us hunters do put food out to attract large fish. It is called, chumming. It is a perfectly legitimate technique for attracting palegics.

Originally Posted by argus66

......even asks to be dropped by the log knowing there would be big preadators there.

This is an outrageous assumption to make. I have jumped in along the weed lines in the gulfstream because predators can and may congregate under them, but never have I dropped in knowing there would be big predators there. That happens only when I am lucky!

With your internal battle on where to draw the line on harvesting fish, perhaps you should rethink spearfishing as a hobby. I have friends who will only use polespears and hawaiin slings, but not guns. Food for thought.

[Fondueset]

Aye Jim. This thread is fraught with rampantly self-ventilated arguments. Good on you for attempting to find enough viable structure to even counterpoint.

[IB Boyd]

Originally Posted by argus66

another thing i see being overlooked is that he claims to be 25 miles offshore, 1/2 mile from nearest boat, alone, and in the water with large predatory fish, and seems to be perfectly aware of this, even asks to be dropped by the log knowing there would be big preadators there. if this is perfect example of how to die freediving i dont know what is. for so much experince i dont see it at all. just acting foolish.

Yeah......this is called blue water hunting. Its pretty fun. You should try it sometime.

[argus66]

[quote=IB Boyd;625046] Yeah......this is called blue water hunting. Its pretty fun. You should try it sometime. what are you even taliking about?

[jimdoe2you]

argus66,

First, for the mutual benefit of all I feel we should put some closure to this thread and end what may possibly develop into a p1ssing match ...(which spaghetti would win because he is Italian and has what NBA players call "The Hang Down").

Second, please consider that someone who is new to freediving is precluded from being an experienced spearo (sans scuba spearos) with first hand knowledge of fish harvesting. Just about every truly experienced spearo I have ever met has a keen understanding that he or she must not abuse the very environment we all enjoy hunting in. I respect you as a diver, a vocal member of the forum, as well as your desire and willingness to verbally protect aspects of the environment, yet please notice that more than a couple of highly experienced forum members are at odds with your previous statements. We can all appreciate the fundamental desire to protect a beautiful creature such as a marlin, however statements regarding a diver's location, reason to harvest, and right to harvest need to be conscientious statements. With experience comes knowledge which allows one to be conscientious.

Through it all, I am happier to be discussing this topic with someome who may be considered over zealous than with someone who doesn't care!

Your aquatic brethren,
Jim



P.S. I couldn't tell if you were being funny or serious about "What blue water hunting is". PM me if you have questions.

[Fondueset]

You're scaring me Jim.

[dallasdiver]

Hey Jim
I going to sell my RA flashers. Where can I buy one of those pelagics attacting logs?

[IB Boyd]

So Argus, Im a little curious. Have you ever speared a fish? Read through your posts, really liked the one where you told the guy to go eat vegetable curry. Are you for real or are you just an angry vegan starting crap on a spearfishing website?

[jimdoe2you]

Ken,

Tuna are attracted to logs only after you buy them jewelry!

.