Any hunting tips on Venezuela?

[Molinaro]

I'm considering to go on vacation to Venezuela and would like some spearfishing tips on places to go. Anyone can help me? The Los Rocks look increadible.. Any hunters up there?
cheers

[azapa]

Hmm, I can probably help you find some freedivers there, but not sure on hunting spots. To be honest I would google, or use the search here (db's pages are all indexed there anyway). You could try to call some dive shops there?

good luck and document your trip with a post please

[Molinaro]

Thanks man! I'll probably do that..

[Blenny]

Hi ,

I just got back from venezuela three days ago and for your benefit and that of anyone going out there for the world comp in October have the following observations:-
a) The women are beautiful..five miss world's was no accident.
b) They drink more scotch per capita than any other nation on earth.
c) They really know how to party.
d) Their insects are voracious..you haven't been bitten like this before.
e) The official rate of 2.1 bolivars to the dollar is beaten by just about anyone except banks and hotels. I got 3.2 without really trying so be very aware. Take dollars and change them prudently there rather than use plastic.
f) Lots of spearos about, some professional. Because of very cheap petrol everyone has a 20 foot fibreglass pirogue with huge outboard(s)..twin yamaha 75's even. They shift at a fair lick but net result is that everywhere has already been fished since accessibility is so simple.
g) I visited Choroni which is in a land national park which allows spearfishing along most of its coast. Very pretty reefs with good viz but conditions more atlantic than caribbean. Shore accessibility poor...you'll need to bargain for a boat.
h) Los Roques is a marine park with no spearing there.
i) I've travelled extensively..of the caribbean destinations I've visited(The Caymans, Cuba and Guadeloupe) I'd say it is possibly the least attractive to a spearo but all things are relative. It's still great compared to many places and... as I indicated Venezuela has other compensations.

[azapa]

thanks for the report Blenny.

you say you have speared in other parts down here, wheres your fave spot?

[Blenny]

It's probably politically incorrect for a spearo's forum but I think everyone who freedives ought to experience the Galapagos. It's totally unique and unforgettable.

[azapa]

i went there 10 years ago. I was ONLY a snorkeler then though (hahaha) it is indeed an amazing place.

[settingsteel]

ahhh venezuelan womennnnnn....








oh yeah spearfishing venezula google it

[spaghetti]

It might be interesting to say that Isla Margarita, Venezuela, will host the next Cmas Spearfishing World Championship late this summer. So we may assume it can't be a bad place for spearing...
I read an interview to Italy's top spearo Stefano Bellani, ex world champion. He said he's already had a recognition tour on the Isla Margarita with the other team members, and they came to the conclusion that they'll make their competition on "targeting selected big fish rather than many small ones", he said. Italy's team members, in particular, reported of big Tarpon fish from 15 to 30 kilograms, and barracudas never smaller than 5 kilograms. The competition will take place in an area with three shoals whose top is 15 to 25 meters deep. Strong currents up t0 five knots.

[azapa]

thanks Spago. You know the Chileans MUST be going, but I also KNOW they have no money to check the place out first.

I will try to find out who the team will be. The recent nationals (to decide who goes) in Antofagasta, north of Chile, have been canceled first due to pathetic bureaucratic and organizational issues, and now due to HORRIBLE storms we have been having in the ocean.

As you may guess, Chileans do well in crappy, cold, current filled water with 1 to 5Kg fish. I'm not hoping for too much in VE! But of course, I'll be hoping for a team, or individual win!

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by azapa

thanks Spago. You know the Chileans MUST be going, but I also KNOW they have no money to check the place out first.

I will try to find out who the team will be. The recent nationals (to decide who goes) in Antofagasta, north of Chile, have been canceled first due to pathetic bureaucratic and organizational issues, and now due to HORRIBLE storms we have been having in the ocean.

As you may guess, Chileans do well in crappy, cold, current filled water with 1 to 5Kg fish. I'm not hoping for too much in VE! But of course, I'll be hoping for a team, or individual win!

It's not going to be easy for the italians, as well. Conditions, fish and techniques will be totally different than ours over here.
Our team did good in Brazil 2002 and even better in Chile 2004, but this world champs in Venezuela are gonna be much different. It looks like the typical sort of Caribbean hunting situation, with a few very big fish to hunt with very powerful guns. One of our team members reported that he tried to shoot a 30kg tarpon from 2 meters with a double bands Cayman: he aimed to the gill plate, but the 6,5mm shaft just bounced back. He checked and the shaft was BENT!!! Not exactly the mediterranean type of situation...

[azapa]

haha, so you won't be sending your omer XXV with 25mm tube and 6mm shaft along?

other problem for the Chileans. We only have/use single band guns, up to 20mm bands, and I have never seen over 6.5mm shafts, and never seen a gun longer than 110. I am the only reel user i know......I have no idea where they will get the guns.....or afford them if they find them..

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by azapa

haha, so you won't be sending your omer XXV with 25mm tube and 6mm shaft along?

other problem for the Chileans. We only have/use single band guns, up to 20mm bands, and I have never seen over 6.5mm shafts, and never seen a gun longer than 110. I am the only reel user i know......I have no idea where they will get the guns.....or afford them if they find them..

If you send your classy Pato Saez he's sponsored by Picasso, so he at least he will be geared up properly?
Our frontliners, 2 are sponsored by Cressi and they'll be using the Geronimo Pro. The other is sponsored by C4, and I guess that in those conditions he'll be likely to make a debut for the new C4 Urukay with 3 bands and 8mm shaft, a monstruously big one for being an european speargun.
But...I wonder how effective might be such a big gun in a comp: I guess he'll spend more time trying to load the 3 bands than actually hunting. In Italy the most used gun for competitions is a 60cm bandgun or a 50 pneumatic....

Ok now, back to Venezuela...

[settingsteel]

Tarpon???who shoots tarpons? here in Miami Tarpon are gamefish (very strong and fight like hell) look like big sardine and are quite inedible (too boney)....but those venezulean women , ahhhhh

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by settingsteel

Tarpon???who shoots tarpons? here in Miami Tarpon are gamefish (very strong and fight like hell) look like big sardine and are quite inedible (too boney)....but those venezulean women , ahhhhh

Of course it has to do with the comp rules. If tarpon is a valid catch for the competition, the guys will target tarpon. There is a quote from our national spearfishing glory Renzo Mazzarri, who won three world championships in a row. He said: "Moray eels are no fun hunting and no fun eating. But if they can give me a win, I will hunt moray eels".

Now back to venezuelan women. There is one that's famous here in Italy as a model and talk show character. Here name is Aida Yespica.....Aida, which makes this pic diving-related....