Cornwall 2011

[SurfnSpear]

I never do get the whole safety catch thing on a speargun. I file mine off as, if you are doing anything else when not pointing it in anger at a fish or hunting, its unloaded.
I cannot trust a component that is quite capable of failing.:martial
Hence, if I am sure, I pull the trigger, that spear leaves the gun and no swearing at a tiny plastic piece responsible for your loss of shot.:mute
Had a nice long walk up and down Gwenver hill for the sum total of not a lot seen but I did have mostly what I did see, a bass and a mullet at least. Lovely ground and the comp said 13degrees so still chillax. Prefer to do that whole area in a boat methinks.

 

[SurfnSpear]

Unlucky with the spear Jim, nice sunset though
i like a good sunset meself

What? Like Glowworms butt going over the side of your rib?roflroflrofl:t

 

[podge]

What? Like Glowworms butt going over the side of your rib?roflroflrofl:t

Not quite the same think Brett:yackroflrofl, anyhow the fat boy has lost a fair bit of blubber lately, scrap business must be a bit slow.

 

[scottwilson]

Not quite the same think Brett:yackroflrofl, anyhow the fat boy has lost a fair bit of blubber lately, scrap business must be a bit slow.

Lead poisoning from all that church roofing roflroflrofl

 

[andycornish]

I never do get the whole safety catch thing on a speargun. I file mine off as, if you are doing anything else when not pointing it in anger at a fish or hunting, its unloaded.
I cannot trust a component that is quite capable of failing.:martial
Hence, if I am sure, I pull the trigger, that spear leaves the gun and no swearing at a tiny plastic piece responsible for your loss of shot.:mute
Had a nice long walk up and down Gwenver hill for the sum total of not a lot seen but I did have mostly what I did see, a bass and a mullet at least. Lovely ground and the comp said 13degrees so still chillax. Prefer to do that whole area in a boat methinks.

Personally I keep the safety on most of the time, I have yet to be in a situation when the second it take me to flick off the safety has stopped me getting a shot. With my cressi the safety sits in front of the trigger as a lever meaning i can flick up the safety with one finger and pull the trigger with the other.

I do most of my diving with TomH and we meet up every now and again to see how its going to we will be treading water so I like to be able to flick the safety on then. Also when I have done a deeper dive I take a break at the surface and I have the safety on then as well.

Just my opinion, maybe I will have a situation where I loose something because the safety is on I hope not. But with the odd report of people being shot I prefer the safety is there.

 

[podge]

Lead poisoning from all that church roofing roflroflrofl

That or the Big Issue sales must be down a bit.roflrofl

 

[sj257]

I tend to use the safety if I know I won't shoot the gun for a minute. For example if I'm diving down for a crab, and then bagging it. I don't want to unload for that minute as something could come by, but I want the added comfort of knowing I shouldn't be able to accidently trigger the release. I also thought actively using the safety would be a good habbit to get into before diving with others. It's a bit like going on a shoot and demonstrating to others that your gun is safe to put them at ease. I'd rather fumble to take the safety off and loose a hundred fish than cause an accident, alone or with others.

The Cressi safety is just behind the trigger so not difficult to use, I just had to get use to it. My old Beauchat is on top of the handle and marked with On and Off so is a really clear no brainer. I've got the Cressi clear in my head now as well and through use on Saturday have become better at flicking it on and off.

sj

 

[Crispin]

In last night, west coast, nice vis again 6m+, wind picking up a bit though, big fat seal was in as well, saw one bass following me, was too close to shoot, i turned, he turned...and ran for the hills. The End.

and fwiw:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pqDbJD3Y0&feature=player_detailpage#t=141s]YouTube - ‪Black Hawk Down Small Scene 2‬‏[/ame]

 

[Padaxes]

I personally never use the safety never trusted them, But I never have my finger on the trigger until i'm aiming at a target and never point a loaded gun at anything I don't want to shoot.

Seen some Bass around but not got any in the last couple of dives. So out of shape I can't wait long enough , knew I shouldn't have taken up smoking again!

 

[sj257]

I personally never use the safety never trusted them, But I never have my finger on the trigger until i'm aiming at a target and never point a loaded gun at anything I don't want to shoot.

I totally agree. I'm just wary of the trigger mechanisum failing somehow so see the safety as the belt and braces approach. I look at it as being exactly the same as using a rifle or shot gun, only worse as I'm in water where I'm not as agile.

I remember having pretty much exactly your words drumed into me when I was 7 and started shooting with an air rifle, and now I'm drumming it into my kids.

I also thought that if spearing in company, said company would expect me to use the safety. That's why, as a relative newbie, I've tried to get into the habit. If I was spearing with you guys, would you expect me to be using the safety? Or would it be acceptable to not use it, and have confidence in a buddy's gun sense? Only speared on my own so far, but hope to hook up with Fishnerd soon, and possibly some of you other guys.

sj

 

[Crispin]

my mates Rob Allen trigger mech failed last night actually, gun went off, safety wouldnt have stopped it - whole thing failed.

I can't believe people are actually shooting each other on the South coast - thats so bad it's almost funny...whereabouts did it happen anyone know?

 

[TomH]

So out of shape I can't wait long enough , knew I shouldn't have taken up smoking again!

Well get your ass up to Chepstow this weekend! Soon sort you out!rofl

 

[wwc_gang]

hi does anybody know is this fish edible?and hows that fish called?

 

[Tunny]

hi does anybody know is this fish edible?and hows that fish called?

That's a wrasse mate, they are edible but bland in my opinion.

Some on here do like them and some people use them in curries I think.

Others will frown upon these being speared, but as long as it is for the plate then it's fair game - again IMO.

Cheers

Ryan

 

[sj257]

Tried one I caught on rod and line once. Like Tunny says, bland but lots of meat. Curry or bulking up a big fish pie. IMHO.

sj

 

[Crispin]

It's called a Wrasse.

It's barely edible, it takes a lot of preparation to get any meat off it, and is an extremely bony fish.

99% of spearfishermen will not target Wrasse, because of this, but also because it is an extremely friendly fish - there is no hunting necessary to shoot it - it will swim right up to you.

One of the most important (if not the most) ethics of spearfishing is that you "Eat what you shoot". We don't just go round killing fish for fun and leaving them in the ocean.

 

[wwc_gang]

ok thanks for info.i shot it in bognor regis yesterday.so i will try it and see if i like it.

 

[SurfnSpear]

A large percentage of the 99% have shot a wrasse as a novice or experienced spearo. All start somewhere.
You clearly never shot it for fun nor left it in the ocean as its in your hands in presumably your picture. Totally agree to ignore them unless you have a very specific cooking reason for one. Hone your skills on the the more challenging fish and yes, eat all you shoot.
Look up the Sussex threads as the Bognor area is a great spot to have within driving distance and you should explore the reefs stretching out for bass, bream, pollock, lobster and crab.

On a separate note, and its all what suits for your level of comfort, lets say the shooting range is 5m max, I have never wanted to go loaded any nearer to another spearo even close to that distance and I would not expect people to be using a safety at all. I too have a background with all things cordite, still do, and I have seen some very interesting barrel directions when people are trying to work out why it never went off:mute

 

[sj257]

Cheers Surfnspear. Good to get an experienced view on that.

I've just made the jump from air rifle for rabbits, to firearm and FAC shot gun for a variety of vermin/game. I think it's got me even more safety aware, and more sensitive to the aprehensions and expectations of others. Fortunately I haven't experienced any real lack of muzzel awareness at the clay shoot......yet.

sj

 

[Crispin]

A large percentage of the 99% have shot a wrasse as a novice or experienced spearo. All start somewhere.

Have they? Really? not sure where you get that idea from....

If you know it's a wrasse and shoot it, then like someone else said - it might not be your cup of tea in either a moral or culinary sense, but if the guy shooting it eats them then thats up to him...

But shooting "something" in ignorance and asking afterwards is no excuse.

If you went out and shot a spotted black grouper in New Zealand "in ignorance" and walked up the jetty with it, you would have your boat confiscated, and your car, and get fined about 25,000 dollars. Same goes for various other species in other parts of the world - the grouper is just one example. Go shoot a Salmon in ignorance and give DEFRA a ring - see what they think about that.

The guy might be "starting somewhere", but he should at least go read about what he's shooting at. Here is some basic information from our friends at the LIC:

http://spearfishing.org.uk/aboutus/conservation/index.htm

and here at the BFA:

http://www.underwaterfishing.co.uk/Guide/Spearfishing Guide.htm