3-pronger from Oklahoma

[Carrero]

Hey fellas,

Thought I'd join up before heading back to Maui for some 3-pronging! Currently using a 5ft graphite w/ paralyzer, but about to order a 3 foot extension from the blue water hunter. I'm working on my bottom-time and my ability to stay calm. Last year (first year) I primarily ambushed goats and even got a small Uhu and other miscellaneous bait.

Always looking for tips, so feel free to share. Currently looking forward to the Epic Spearfishing DVD that will accompany my extension.

cheers,
Carrero

 

[blaiz]

First off Aloha and welcome to the DB. I hate to be that guy but Im going to say it anywho... next time you come over to Maui do a little research on fish sizes and bag limits. Your catch is impressive but I will say that the Uhu (parrot fish) is not of legal size. The Kumu (whitesaddle goatfish) on the bottom right is also pretty questionable. Also.. be careful because the pink-tailed durgeon on the top right are known for having ciguatera fish poisoning.

Regulated Species - Marine Fishes and Other Vertebrates

Here is a link you should check out. THis should take you to the fish regulations for hawaii.

Im not trying to be an a$$h0!e but i figure I wouldnt be doing my job as a responsible fisherman if I didnt give you this information.

Next time you head over to Maui PM me. Id be happy to take you out for a dive and give you a little more info and show you some good diving!

Aloha...Dive safe...Dive responsibly!

 

[Carrero]

Mahalo for the kind advice and warning about the pink-tailed durgeon.

I stayed up late reading the regulatory pamphlet prior to our (3 of us) first dive and had planned on only hunting for weke, manini, and Kala in the shallows near Kahana. I stoned the small Uhu against the coral when I missed the Manini I was aiming for from above. I'd thought it was a type of wrasse and wasn't upset about it until I got back and compared it to the images online... The small Kumu was the first fish I'd intentionally taken (second to the Uhu), thinking it was a foot long Weke. They went on ice that night.

The second day I picked up the two fish in the bottom left, the upper goat, and the durgeon in the top right. The two fish in the top left were all that my partners caught during our second day of diving. We cooked and ate them all that evening (yes, even the durgeon).

Up until your post I was convinced that both goats were Weke. Can you please tell me how to better differentiate between the Weke, Moanu, and Kumu?

Also, I cropped the original picture down to just one fish. Can you identify it in the original image?

 

[blaiz]

Here is another good link to check out. This website has a fair amount of our hawaii fishes. This link will take you to the goatfish page.

Goatfishes

Dont get me wrong, Id be lying if I said I never shot an illegal fish while I was starting out. In fact the first hawaiian spinny lobster I ever caught was out of season and I shot it with my three prong. I was only about 14 when it happened and never even heard the term "season" before:blackeye I have found that unfortunately the best way to learn is the hard way.

you have done the right thing by checking out these websites because they are a great source of information. Spearfishing is an awesome sport and I just want to make sure that its around for my kids as well.

Good to hear that all your fish were eaten! Thats the most important thing!

And my offer still stands as far as going for a dive!

When are you comming over to Maui again?

 

[Carrero]

I'll be around for a week starting June 7th, and I'll take you up on the offer any day you're willing to take the time!

 

[blaiz]

I'll be around for a week starting June 7th, and I'll take you up on the offer any day you're willing to take the time!

Sounds good, just drop me a line!