Florida in January

[jtkwest]

Originally Posted by settingsteel

we head out about a mile from the beach, its the first reef, you encounter along the east coast (Dade/Broward area), its not a "full on" reef like those in the keys, but it holds your mixed bag of fish, and they don't get alot of pressure-dives are 25-40 feet, the next reef is about 2 miles in 40-75 feet a bit more developed, but again not like most in the keys, and they are ok (IMHO the first reef is just as good, although some may not agree- but second is better for pelagics), and yes if you have a boat its much better, fact Dania is about the only place you can comfortably access without one

thanks for the infoo you think it is illegal to spear "linsiders" because they are too easy or endangered? they need to remove the ban on jewfish, (sorry "goliaths") there are so many now, even in the mangroves! they eat everything around. I heard they are the best tasting of all groupers. The carbon fiber strips in your gun project, are they ridgid? are they continuous? I have this wood we use on decks down here called, "IPE" it is brazillian walnut. it is the hardest and stiffest wood i have ever seen. It dulls bits FAST! I laminated a strip of it into one of my gon stocks, but I used too thick of a piece,"1/2" in a three piece laminate. the result was SUPER STIFF but a little heavy, -buoyant bya little. I will add wing kit ,(I got some purple heart i will try to use for looks)for extra buoyancy but i am onto something. next batch i will use3/16 strip should be perfectin a five piece laminate. where did you get carbon fiber? "That is impressive to me that you would use it, GOOD IDEA!Why are Riffe triggers hard to fit? are aimrite spears "shark fin" style or notched? handles seem to be most challenging part to find . what about safety mech? I plan to use a cam style one like on euro Riffe gun, because I think I could make one . How else could I do it? The safety on myRiffe comp 2s,(45 inch,spear)is like a custon bent ridgid wire that positively engages trigger but the notch looks daunting, if you are off even a little, I suspect it wont work, the cam style on euro Riffe looks easier to accomplish. and i took that thing about illegal stuff off "you are right" wont happen again. What about enclosed trac guns? do they shoot straighter under max power? Riffe has a kit in cat. for metal tech gun to retrofitenclosed trac, I was thinking to fit on one of my barrels?Worth a try or no? WOW thats alot of ques. sorry, ignore them or take time to answer or whatever

[settingsteel]

you think it is illegal to spear "linsiders" because they are too easy or endangered?

A sport fish hence illegal to spear here, in other country you can, and IMO yes they are quiet easy to spear, perhaps because they don't often get zapped, to catch on H&L , thats a different story

they need to remove the ban on jewfish, (sorry "goliaths") there are so many now, even in the mangroves! they eat everything around. I heard they are the best tasting of all groupers.

I agree on both counts, bigger ones have worms...so I have heard...tastes like any other grouper<or>

The carbon fiber strips in your gun project, are they ridgid? are they continuous?

yes indeed, quite, its unidirectional (11oz), the unique design of the gun called for this type of material (else I wouldn't have spent the $$$) bi-directional might have sufficed, but what the heck, can't hurt

I have this wood we use on decks down here called, "IPE" it is brazillian walnut. it is the hardest and stiffest wood i have ever seen. It dulls bits FAST

Never heard it called that, but have heard it as Bocote it is a type of ironwood, with a SP > than 1 hence it should sink, at least mine did, when sampled as a prototype wood...it is too hvy and is havoc on tools, I used a small piece where the reel screws in, and may implement it in the but, as an extension...rear handle

I laminated a strip of it into one of my gon stocks, but I used too thick of a piece,"1/2" in a three piece laminate. the result was SUPER STIFF but a little heavy, -buoyant bya little. I will add wing kit ,(I got some purple heart i will try to use for looks)for extra buoyancy but i am onto something. next batch i will use3/16 strip should be perfectin a five piece laminate.

the more laminates the better 1 of my guns has 8 lams the other 10, you should stay with the same wood different desities make wood act up (IMO) when you rip it let it sit a few days lam with crisscross grains and/or curves butting eachother like() Purple hrt is good as is Bubinga and Padauk- but Teak is king!

where did you get carbon fiber?

west systems I think has it

"That is impressive to me that you would use it, GOOD IDEA!

Thx, I hope so I'm an ID by trade

Why are Riffe triggers hard to fit? are aimrite spears "shark fin" style or notched? handles seem to be most challenging part to find .

Its what I have heard don't know why, I think its the dimensions, Fins (but don't think it would matter) and they come with handle (why I originally suggested), my handle will be polycarbon/mouldable poxy, delrin close second

what about safety mech? I plan to use a cam style one like on euro Riffe gun, because I think I could make one . How else could I do it? The safety on myRiffe comp 2s,(45 inch,spear)is like a custon bent ridgid wire that positively engages trigger but the notch looks daunting, if you are off even a little, I suspect it wont work, the cam style on euro Riffe looks easier to accomplish.

waste of time never use it, unless plan to mass market, if anything look at the Cyranos farters simple says it, perhaps in aluminum

and i took that thing about illegal stuff off "you are right" wont happen again.

WTG

What about enclosed trac guns? do they shoot straighter under max power?

Absolutely, open up the first 6" (muzzle)and the last 2-3", rest enclosed
Riffe has a kit in cat. for metal tech gun to retrofitenclosed trac, I was thinking to fit on one of my barrels?Worth a try or no? WOW thats alot of ques. sorry, ignore them or take time to answer or whatever[/quote]
look into the Aimrite, give Daryl a call...great guy Daryl Wong's Legendary Spearguns - Custom Built in Hawaii, never used it but it may be the ticket, or go with the other guys that make triggers, but you may have to make a handle (not to difficult with a rasp, file and spokeshave)

Help this helps, I'M BY NO means an expert in gunmaking (4 barrels, 6 guns abvout to be completed...I can taste it), but I have done a bit of research, hopefully some of the other fellows here will chime in...Good Luck

[jtkwest]

thanks so much for info.trac gun is definately next then. 2 more ques. :how do you attach handle to gun in such a way to prevent breaking at joint ? what about carbon fiber center laminate extending to form handle? I want to do a wood handle but I think it may break at seam (brittle?)maybe make handle seperate and bolt and glue on?

[settingsteel]

Originally Posted by jtkwest

thanks so much for info.trac gun is definately next then. 2 more ques. :how do you attach handle to gun in such a way to prevent breaking at joint ? what about carbon fiber center laminate extending to form handle? I want to do a wood handle but I think it may break at seam (brittle?)maybe make handle seperate and bolt and glue on?

the best bet is to make the handle from plexiglass (1/2"), delrin (1/2"), UHMW (1/2"), or aluminum (1/4" or>) then make wood or poxy grips. Attach either with thru pins or screw from the bottom...Your Carbon fiber idea sounds good, but you may have to buid up that section to about a 1/4" IMO, and then the handle won't be removable, which is ok, in my guns all the handles come off for easy storage/travel, but this is not necessary...btw hows the weather been over there? vis?, water tempt?

[jtkwest]

Originally Posted by settingsteel

the best bet is to make the handle from plexiglass (1/2"), delrin (1/2"), UHMW (1/2"), or aluminum (1/4" or>) then make wood or poxy grips. Attach either with thru pins or screw from the bottom...Your Carbon fiber idea sounds good, but you may have to buid up that section to about a 1/4" IMO, and then the handle won't be removable, which is ok, in my guns all the handles come off for easy storage/travel, but this is not necessary...btw hows the weather been over there? vis?, water tempt?

thnx again for info. What is an ,"ID ", (your trade?) key west has been very warm / 77 at night 81 or 82 day Water temp is about 72 or so Vis has been shitty the last couple weeks, but the blue water from the gulf stream has made it to the reef maybe one day a week. Everything nearshore is silted up from the waves. This wknd was 15 to 20 MPH winds out of the southeast. Which is exactly the way you have to go to get out to the reef.Every day 1to 3 inside the reef 4 to 6 outside, (too much for my 17ft mako) Sunday was especially windy. At this point the first calm morning I am calling in sick Vis or no vis! i was working on my boat for over a year, (now like new) it is my first boat, I just finished it three weeks ago. Now every day is too windy! I need a no wind chant or spell or dance or something!what about Miami vis?

[settingsteel]

ID-Industrial Design...Last time headed out vis was good 15-20', but water was way too cold to hunt comfortable (managed a few grovers, groupers and hogs), ordered a wetsuit from spiros, will hopefully be here by this week or next (coming from greece)

[redsbest]

If anyone is intersted, I am from Massachusetts and am looking to go diving with someone who knows the local water. I will be everywhere from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West from Jan 22nd to Jan 27th. Thanks.

[Boggspc]

i just read a post of yours on spearfishing in Florida. I'm going to be up in Orlando the first week of February and want to head out and spearfish for an afternoon. i've been an instructor and spearfisherman in oregon for ten years and don't need a guided trip...have my own gear...either free-dive or scuba...just need someone to point me in the right direction... Where would you go if you only had one afternoon? What regulations and/or hazards do i need to be aware of? What are the species i'll be going after (what's legal)? i'm going to check fish and game website...just thought you could help??? Thank you so much!

[settingsteel]

Originally Posted by redsbest

If anyone is intersted, I am from Massachusetts and am looking to go diving with someone who knows the local water. I will be everywhere from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West from Jan 22nd to Jan 27th. Thanks.

PM me a couple of days in advance and I'll try to set something up.

[settingsteel]

Originally Posted by Boggspc

i just read a post of yours on spearfishing in Florida. I'm going to be up in Orlando the first week of February and want to head out and spearfish for an afternoon. i've been an instructor and spearfisherman in oregon for ten years and don't need a guided trip...have my own gear...either free-dive or scuba...just need someone to point me in the right direction... Where would you go if you only had one afternoon? What regulations and/or hazards do i need to be aware of? What are the species i'll be going after (what's legal)? i'm going to check fish and game website...just thought you could help??? Thank you so much!

WOW lot of great places to go (boat or shore dive???), but if I were you I'd say to hit the Keys, quite a trip from Orlando though. Another good choice would be Jacksonville (closer to ORL), but I can't give you exact detail, if you decide on Miami/Keys let me know and will direct you to some decent spots.

[Boggspc]

i only have one open afternoon, so not up for a huge drive south...hoping to stay within an hour or two of orlando...

i had one person tell me spearfishing was prohibited on the West Coast of Florida...they said because of sharks? this sounds off...what's the story?