Best camo for Oahu, Hawaii?

[RoHo322]

Hi everyone,
I'm just getting into spearfishing and I'm completely addicted! I'm realizing very quickly though, that the fish don't just swim in front of you, broadside and offer themselves up for dinner . Honestly I didn't expect they would but I may have underestimated just how elusive they actually are. Sometimes I swear the little buggers are swimming just outside my spear's range and taunting me. Then when I'm out without my spear they come within arms reach :head!

I'm sure there are a lot of other factors like my breath hold and stalking not being up to par yet. Just wondering if camo will improve my odds and what patterns or colors would work best here on the windward coast of Oahu.

The water temp is mid 70's and I don't really feel like I need the wetsuit for warmth, coming from Maryland.

Anybody have any Ideas for the newby?

 

[sross]

Actually, this is a question I've had too.

Yeah, with us white folks bare skin stands out like a sore thumb, and I guess you shouldn't wear a fluorescent orange suit, or something like that when you stalk fish, but does anyone think that cammo is better than something like a black wetsuit that just makes you generally lower visibility?

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Camo is mainly a sales device. Lots of word records have been taken in the past by divers wearing black suits and I still wear one. Most recent new records have been taken by divers wearing camo suits, but that's because almost everyone is wearing them now.

I have not read a single study that gives a scientific basis of wearing camo, and I doubt I ever will. Its really hard to get the same fish to come by the same diver two times while he wears two different suits. Meanwhile, we have to settle for people saying that they think they notice a difference, when of course they want to notice a difference to validate the money they spent for camo.

But if it makes you feel better, wear camo. Feeling good counts.

 

[sross]

I have not read a single study that gives a scientific basis of wearing camo, and I doubt I ever will. Its really hard to get the same fish to come by the same diver two times while he wears two different suits. Meanwhile, we have to settle for people saying that they think they notice a difference, when of course they want to notice a difference to validate the money they spent for camo.

But if it makes you feel better, wear camo. Feeling good counts.

Thanks for weighing in, Bill!

It's good to know that someone thinks the same way I do about the cammo trend. I have to say, I am not even sure that fish avoid divers wearing brightly coloured suits that much.

The only scientific study I've seen that seemed to indicate an effect was one where the guys made a pretty good case that many fish displayed a short-lived fear reaction to divers wearing suits with horizontal (bee-style) stripes. They were testing the hypothesis that horizontal stripe patterns are a universal warning of venemonousness or toxicity, on land and in the water.

Having said that, the fish sure do seem to pick up the vibe when a hunter is lurking, looking for a good shot. I wonder if they can sense something electrically, or with their lateral line? Maybe the hunter is telegraphing something with his muscle tension, swimming behavior, that could be reduced if one relaxes?

 

[behslayer]

The infamous Camo Debate re-surfaces.. I can't let Bill's statement that Camo is mainly a sales device go unchallenged..

Let's look at this from a logical point of view.

We all agree that Camo is effective for military purposes right? That Sniper's become more effective with Ghilli Suits, etc. We all agree that Camo is affective for hunting purposes right? Deer Hunters, Duck Hunters, are more effective when using Camo.

We don't see all Black Sharks right? We see Light Countershading on the bottom and Muddy Colors like Grey's Blues, and Patterns on top. What about the host of other fish, both predators and prey which mimic their environment? What about Octopi and other Cephalopods? I think it stands to reason that Camo is effective underwater because we see so much of it in nature. So, if Camo/Different Colors are effective underwater, then why wouldn't they be of benefit to a skilled spearfisherman?

As far as a Camo for Oahu? I like this one from Spetton.. but I am biased, since I drew it..