Floating Catch Bin? Do they exist? Easy to build?

[EricO]

When pole spearing in the Bahamas I find myself having to swim to shore with every catch. Is there any kind of floating catch bin that is stable and can be anchored? Has anyone built something like this? I've been imagining that a modified boogie board could possibly work, but how to keep it stable? Any opinions or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you much.


Eric

[Erik]

How about a regular spearo float and a fish stringer?

[EricO]

I'd also like to limit the amount of blood in the water. Getting bit by a shark might put a damper on my trip.

[Erik]

I have used (and still do sometimes) a tire-tube float that's made for scubadiving. It has a canvas/mesh cover that zips up at the top, holding anything you put in it. It'd be easy to put a small cooler or ice-cream pail or something else that seals inside it. I'll look for a link and post.

[Erik]

http://www.tridentdive.com/Export174.htm

[EricO]

Didn't see a price. So I guess you supply the tube and that just slips over it? Thanks for the link.

[Erik]

Yeah I bought the tire tube at a tire shop, then bought the cover for about 60$ a few years back. It's actually a really well made unit. That company TRIDENT is well-distributed in America and you should be able to track one down at a shop or on the net.
Cheers!
Erik

[EricO]

Thanks for the help. That looks like what I need. I guess it could pack down pretty well? I'm trying to limit the amount of things I'm taking as we're camping on the beach the entire time. I guess I would have to find a way to fill it up while I'm there. I'm going to be on Eleuthera, which is less than touristy so it's hard to find things and I can't carry too much. Hmmm. I'll figure it out.

[cdavis]

Camping Eleuthera? You sound like a surfer as well as diver. Where in Eleuthera?

Erics idea probably works better than mine, but we used a wash tub stuffed into a small truck inner tube with a garbage can top, attached with bungy cords. Water tight, keeps the sun off your catch and holds a ton of fish, but its bulky. A slow swim if you have to go very far. I agree on the sharks. In the Bahamas, an unattended stringer would be gone in nothing flat, then they would come looking for you. I really would not like a long swim back to shore with a bleeding fish.

Connor

[Erik]

Originally Posted by EricO

. I guess it could pack down pretty well? I'm trying to limit the amount of things I'm taking as we're camping on the beach the entire time. I guess I would have to find a way to fill it up while I'm there. .

Yes it packs really compactly. You could bring a tiny bike pump that's not much bigger than a big marker pen to fill it! Any good bike store has them for cheap.

[chrismar]

Something like this? We call them plats here, though I don't think that's universal.

[EricO]

Connor, I'm not a surfer, I'm just too poor to afford to stay in a house and I LOVE the idea of camping and catching all of our food. I went to Eleuthera for my first time last year and fell in love. That was my first time spearfishing and I'm dieing to get back out. We're staying mostly around North Palmetto Point and Rock Sound. We're hoping to visit many different spots. Lat time I visited I swam to shore every time I speared something. It was quite the unnerving experience.

Erik, I emailed Florida Freedivers and they recommended the same thing. That looks like what we're going to do. I had already thought about the little bike pump. I ride bikes so we have one.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Eric

[cdavis]

Sounds like a fabulous trip; I'm turning slightly green.

Most of the ocean side of Eleuthera is an area little visited by anybody but the locals. It should have some outstanding terrain. Please post a report when you get back. It has been on my list for a long time.

Connor

Connor

[EricO]

I'll do that. I wish the plane tickets weren't so expensive. I'd go much more often. Take a trip!

[Dawgdirt]

Check out your local ski and watersport shop, or do an online search for towables. For less than $50 you can get a nice big tube that will hold a couple of hundred pounds of gear. The are very durable, have double stitched nylon cover, reinforced internal tow harness, (anchor attach point) etc. Look for them on sale. Good hunting!