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Alaska Freediving/Cod Hunting
- Thread starterUMPQUA
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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Just been reading about rod angling up your way. Looks amazing. Was wondering what the spearing was like. Let us all know when you find out.
Dave
Dave
Wow, Alaska has been on my mind a lot lately. I've been up there a couple of times and the water has seemed very clear. I've scrubed the internet looking for info on freediving and spear fishing, but haven't come up with anything. When do you plan on going out for cod? I was looking at average water temps in Alaska in July and August and it looks like they're in the low to mid 50's. I've never dove in cold water, but with the right wet suite that should be do-able. What I'm really interested in is some of those big Halibut's, but would love to go after some Cod. Just not right now. Please let me know how the conditions are up there for spear fishing. Thanks.
John
John
Low visibility and strong currents make freediving and spearing very challenging. Not to mention the water temps and large salmon sharks. Still, it is possible if you are determined. However, very few charter captains will take out freedivers to spearfish, and it is rare to find quality fish in shallow water. Also, be certain to read the AK fishing regs thoroughly before going in. They take them very seriously. Good luck, and report back!
I have located two serious divers here in the area. Both begin fishing in March, its cold but worthwhile. Black and Dusky Rockfish are on the menu for the entire year. Halibut in May. Salmon from July through fall. 7mm wetsuits and 100cm guns. One guy pole-spears with a triple prong. No cod can be hunted legally in the bay and no cod locations have been found to make a 2 + hour boat ride worth it. Average water clarity is not more than a 2 gun lengths and yes, currents are strong. So I start my adventures in a little over a month. I will let everyone know how it goes.
Wow I never knew the water in Alaska was warmer then in california. I dive in water that ranges for 49% to 53% on a high with the average being in the very low 50s. A 7mm weitsuit worsk fine for me. Right now the water is 52.9%. Those NOAA bouys are great.
I havent dove here yet, its still much to cold, sub 40. By March I am told it is slightly warmer but your still coming out blue. By July the air temperature warms up and the 1.5 hour ride out is alot easier, atleast youll have a bit more energy when you get there. As far as visibility and gun length is concerned the guys here hunt with 90-100cm guns. I beleive alot of its an average of the year. From May on ,these guys are after big King Salmon and Halibut so packing that extra punch is worth it....if you can spin around fast enough to get it. Im going to sit down with one of the most notorious spearos on wednesday to get the filthy details about a season in alaskas waters. Ill keep you all informed. Cheers
Umpqua,
May I inquire as to where a 1.5 hour ride is necessary? Perhaps in a slow boat, but my experience (from 16 years spent fishing and hunting and living in Alaska) has shown me a good number of very good fishing locales within swimming distance of the shore and with quality fish shallow enough for freediving.
Certainly, you can run out past Kodiak to almost virgin spots, but why bother.
Do you happen to know the spearfishing records for King Salmon and Pacific Halibut? I have been unable to find them.
Looking forward to hearing of your efforts and successes. Best of luck.
.
May I inquire as to where a 1.5 hour ride is necessary? Perhaps in a slow boat, but my experience (from 16 years spent fishing and hunting and living in Alaska) has shown me a good number of very good fishing locales within swimming distance of the shore and with quality fish shallow enough for freediving.
Certainly, you can run out past Kodiak to almost virgin spots, but why bother.
Do you happen to know the spearfishing records for King Salmon and Pacific Halibut? I have been unable to find them.
Looking forward to hearing of your efforts and successes. Best of luck.
.
Hi Umpqua,
Yes, there is spearfishing and freediving up here (Anchorage). I've been doing it for quite a few years, and in the last 2 years the group has grown from 1 to 6, and 7 with you.. Mostly rockfish, but lingcod, greenlings, salmon and halibut. I'm not sure who wrote back. Water during winter and spring has been a deterrent. it is typically 37 or 38F, and the fish are wy too deep for us. I ususally start in April or May with play dives, and we start spearfishing in June when the fish start coming up shallow (<60 ft).
I got one king last year, but no record; it must be speared with a hand spear (pole spear), and the diver must be fully subnmerged. We will hopefully get spearguns accepted next year when the Fisheries Board meets. At pesent there are no official IUSA records for any of the salmon or halibut.
The closest decent freediving is out of seward, and yes, it is over an hour out to the good stuff. If there's closer, I'd be very interested in knowing where.
Call me if you want to talk.
Howard Teas
274-5918
Yes, there is spearfishing and freediving up here (Anchorage). I've been doing it for quite a few years, and in the last 2 years the group has grown from 1 to 6, and 7 with you.. Mostly rockfish, but lingcod, greenlings, salmon and halibut. I'm not sure who wrote back. Water during winter and spring has been a deterrent. it is typically 37 or 38F, and the fish are wy too deep for us. I ususally start in April or May with play dives, and we start spearfishing in June when the fish start coming up shallow (<60 ft).
I got one king last year, but no record; it must be speared with a hand spear (pole spear), and the diver must be fully subnmerged. We will hopefully get spearguns accepted next year when the Fisheries Board meets. At pesent there are no official IUSA records for any of the salmon or halibut.
The closest decent freediving is out of seward, and yes, it is over an hour out to the good stuff. If there's closer, I'd be very interested in knowing where.
Call me if you want to talk.
Howard Teas
274-5918
Hey guys. I posted in another section of this site, but then I found this thread. I'd be really interested in talking to you guys about the regs on spearfishing in Alaska. I live on Prince of Wales. We have mild tides, clear water, tons of big fish in the shallows in protected bays. I have a great boat also.
Hi UMPQUA. I live in Girdwood and scuba at Smitty's Cove in Whittier. I hope to have the 7 mil wetsuit by this summer so I can start freediving as put-putting around the bottom looking at starfish is getting old. I'd be interested in talking to others who freedive here to find out just how cold do you get.
The guy to talk to would be hteas, he is here on DB. He has been in the groove here for many years and has got it dialed. This will be my first year freediving in AK so Its all new to me. I am training alot to be ready so I can only advise the same. My number here in Anchorage is 2993757 call anytime.
- Jake
- Jake
Perhaps I'll have an opportunity to connect with some of you this summer. I'm looking at checking out B.C., then probably stopping in S.E., before going over P.W. Sound and to Cook Inlet. Personally, much of my experience is in the inlet.
Hoping to identify the season's gravel hole, where halibut like to lie in wait, down-inlet some distance from the big king rivers. It'll be tricky to find the right mix of conditions and fish, but I imagine it can be done. I've got the gps library of many years to check out. Perhaps we should consider hooking up.
Hoping to identify the season's gravel hole, where halibut like to lie in wait, down-inlet some distance from the big king rivers. It'll be tricky to find the right mix of conditions and fish, but I imagine it can be done. I've got the gps library of many years to check out. Perhaps we should consider hooking up.
Awesome. I am feeling great about the summer months here. I hope you will join us for a few outings. I can accomodate a visitor in my home if you may need a place to crash. We all look forward to anyone familiar with more areas, HTEAS mentioned you may be joining us this summer. The water is 35-39 degrees at the moment so we still have some time on our hands. Cheers.
-JC
-JC