At a beach called Thurlestone. Apparently they were on a road trip from Porthleven. The guy thought his mate was a big wrasse and nailed him in the kelp
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Cornwall 2011
- Thread starter foxfish
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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At a beach called Thurlestone. Apparently they were on a road trip from Porthleven. The guy thought his mate was a big wrasse and nailed him in the kelp
At a beach called Thurlestone. Apparently they were on a road trip from Porthleven. The guy thought his mate was a big wrasse and nailed him in the kelp
Poor guy was born in Devon, the Wrasse thing was a cover story....we've got to keep the numbers down somehow....
I was equally confused out of which bucket of statistics you might have got "99% of spearfisherman"?
That's quite a confident figure delivered...I apologise I antagonise you in any way.
I humbly thought that by estimating the UK spearfishing population as a whole, from beginners to hotshots, from the day they start to the day they end...that yes "A large percentage of the 99% have shot a wrasse as a novice or experienced spearo"
I agree, in an ideal world and to a certain degree.
On a realistic, perhaps hypothetical level, a beginner spearo in this case from Croydon (not knowing his background),
without the privilege of living at the waters edge,
without meeting other divers or spearo's,
without having been directed to Deeperblue, the LIC, the BSA or had so much as a passing glance at the Tesco fish counter.......perhaps maybe only a chance sight of a spearo exiting the water while on holiday at Bognor?
.....is so excited, bright eyed, fully stoked just to get into a new thing because some family or friend either gave him a gun or he bought it himself...
Well, I believe that there might just be a little cordiality.
I am dubious that shooting up to 100kg of NZ Black Grouper and dragging that up the beach to a waiting reception of fisheries enforcement officers has the outright merits of a parallel link back to the UK Wrasse shot by a complete novice at Bognor Regis.
I am of the same opinion regarding ringing up Defra after bagging a salmon, a large percentage of spearos even if they did would not be ringing up the DEFRA helpline for assistance, they would google it or come on here for a cordial welcome.
Both the Grouper and Salmon are set distinctly apart in that they are not a legal quarry, whereas the Wrasse is, and swims right up to you just as the bass or pollock does, albeit for playful periods of time. For reasons well raked over, again, it is quite up to the person whether to shoot it.
I think the pertinent links you provided to guide and assist 'wwc_gang' and anyone else onto the right track are great. You will only find the wrasse mentioned on the LIC link though and the legal limit is 36cm.
LIC and/or BSA members, myself included, would be glad to offer out any further 'basics' to people in a cordial reply much in the same way as I am continually learning and appreciating from some amazing spearos I read club/BSA reports from, and at times, am lucky enough to dive with.
Completely agree with the balanced response Brett. I was spearfishing in Normandy about 10 years ago with a local chap from the LIC whose family members all live there still. I went there saying the same kind of stuff about wrasse - I was quickly corrected (much as I don't like um personally) I was told in no uncertain terms that alot of the older folks would take a wrasse (called 'old woman' locally) instead of a trigger fish (baliste) (which I love to eat) each to their own.
Then I went out to Guernsey with foxfish years later and he would take them and cold smoke them and again they tasted different and some people love them (hey podge).
So I'd be careful with some of that finger wagging.
Then I went out to Guernsey with foxfish years later and he would take them and cold smoke them and again they tasted different and some people love them (hey podge).
So I'd be careful with some of that finger wagging.
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I do take the very odd Wrasse, probably 3 of 4 a year and the fish that I do take are always towards if not over the 5lb mark as there is a bit of wastage because of the amount of bones. Nice in a curry or part of a fish soup. That said I wouldn't take them all the time purely as there are just no challenge to shoot.
As for the safety issue, you can take it from somebody that has been working in the firearms trade for over 17 years that "the only safe gun is one that isn’t loaded”
As for the safety issue, you can take it from somebody that has been working in the firearms trade for over 17 years that "the only safe gun is one that isn’t loaded”
Can't see a problem with taking the odd wrasse or two.
A couple of people on here absolutely love them and good luck to them.
I think what has ruffled feathers is that a fish was shot without knowing if it is edible or not.
Most of us (I hope all) kill to eat only and that is the ethos we want to promote here on db.
The guy made a mistake, people do that from time-to-time, now he knows better, educated by the good folks on db.
On here we point out mistakes, forgive them and then move on.
A couple of people on here absolutely love them and good luck to them.
I think what has ruffled feathers is that a fish was shot without knowing if it is edible or not.
Most of us (I hope all) kill to eat only and that is the ethos we want to promote here on db.
The guy made a mistake, people do that from time-to-time, now he knows better, educated by the good folks on db.
On here we point out mistakes, forgive them and then move on.
I was equally confused out of which bucket of statistics you might have got "99% of spearfisherman"?
That's quite a confident figure delivered...I apologise I antagonise you in any way.
I humbly thought that by estimating the UK spearfishing population as a whole, from beginners to hotshots, from the day they start to the day they end...that yes "A large percentage of the 99% have shot a wrasse as a novice or experienced spearo"
My figure comes from all the spearfisherman i've encountered, and that have ever expressed the "we don't really shoot wrasse" sentiment to me for the reasons i mentioned. I disagree with you that's all, I humbly suggest you don't worry about it too much.
I don't think it does the OP any favours to not point out "hey friend - maybe have a read about what species you shoot, because some are illegal". Which is what i've done, without mollycoddling him.
Regardless of how stoked you are that you got a new gun, or regardless of where you live, if you are going to take the time to kill something, you should know what it is you are killing. just my 2p, again - different from your 2p - but don't be fazed by it eh
I'm not sure you get it....It's not about a Wrasse (in particular) at all.
Here's the point one more time ok.....
The guy had no idea what he had shot. If he had shot an illegal fish....and gotten caught.....the authorities would not have been "cordial" or "humble" or "forgiving", they would have fined him, and punished him.
The bit about the Salmon is also not literal, I'll explain for you...
Maybe I should have said, "Go shoot 5 salmon, take them up the jetty and ask the fisheries guy on the quay what it is you have just killed".
feel free to pm me if what i've said above doesn't sound rational to you. This thread has had enough big long scary words on it for one day.
@wwc_gang,
Welcome to the forum mate, there's decades of experience on here as others have said, so if you've got any questions don't hold back, like devondave said, we're all here to help each other. I'd be interested to know what you thought of the wrasse
My figure comes from all the spearfisherman i've encountered, and that have ever expressed the "we don't really shoot wrasse" sentiment to me for the reasons i mentioned. I disagree with you that's all, I humbly suggest you don't worry about it too much.
I don't think it does the OP any favours to not point out "hey friend - maybe have a read about what species you shoot, because some are illegal". Which is what i've done, without mollycoddling him.
Regardless of how stoked you are that you got a new gun, or regardless of where you live, if you are going to take the time to kill something, you should know what it is you are killing. just my 2p, again - different from your 2p - but don't be fazed by it eh
I'm not sure you get it....It's not about a Wrasse (in particular) at all.
Here's the point one more time ok.....
The guy had no idea what he had shot. If he had shot an illegal fish....and gotten caught.....the authorities would not have been "cordial" or "humble" or "forgiving", they would have fined him, and punished him.
The bit about the Salmon is also not literal, I'll explain for you...
Maybe I should have said, "Go shoot 5 salmon, take them up the jetty and ask the fisheries guy on the quay what it is you have just killed".
feel free to pm me if what i've said above doesn't sound rational to you. This thread has had enough big long scary words on it for one day.
@wwc_gang,
Welcome to the forum mate, there's decades of experience on here as others have said, so if you've got any questions don't hold back, like devondave said, we're all here to help each other. I'd be interested to know what you thought of the wrasse
Ok
Statistics quantified, specifics addressed, debated to and fro on the "we don't really shoot wrasse", "It's not about a Wrasse (in particular) at all"...and all that :t
Crispy old chap...questioning, not worried...prefer you take me as just straight forward.
Moving on, I won't trifle you on the PM....I noted a past self-statement that you have "the IQ of a genius...."...I therefore assume by the tone and quotes of the last, that I have by now bored you, and with your experience is probably my loss and another student's gain.
Cheers....friend:friday
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I like the way differences of opinion on DB get aired, talked about and discussed. Everyone learns something new and are all friends at the end of the day.
Over on Yorkshire-Divers however, they have, at the moment, a 30 page thread dedicated to "discussing" weather you should have a clip an a scuba harness. Which quick release? It must be all the nitrogen they absorb.
Over on Yorkshire-Divers however, they have, at the moment, a 30 page thread dedicated to "discussing" weather you should have a clip an a scuba harness. Which quick release? It must be all the nitrogen they absorb.
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Originaly I am from Lithuania.I live in uk just for couple a years and I started spearfishing in uk just last year. Most of my catches are sea basses,mulets and flat fishes. Usualy I dive in Brighton and it was my first time in Bognor Regis. Thanks for those who support me and I apologise for my bad knowledge.
Comments here if you please http://forums.deeperblue.com/deeperblue-com-announcements/91254-server-maintenance.html Not keen myself!
Nice one Si.
I didn't get out this week so far. Might get chance after I go to Cornwall Show tomorrow.
sj
Very nice conditions on the south coast this evening. Tried a new spot with Jim and with the help of 15hp raced out to some outside reef that seemed to be holding fish in very particular spots. I had variable dives up to almost 15m with very wary pollock, but it does still feel chilly. One spot about 11-12m on a slight drop off had a majestic but VERY skittish large school of lovely sized bass. I only managed one the bravest and smallest touching 3lb.
Change of location for the flatty hunt had calmed coves with crystal water in places. One flatty hiding in the sand seemed to have been on 7 lives, with tail and fin munched, never to reach 6 lives...cheers
Edit..And Spiderman on the South Devon thread has just prompted me to note I did also see a beautiful 8-10cm topknot and cuttlefish that came right in to me so fast, realised something was not on....and bolted as quicker as I could fin! Nice.
Change of location for the flatty hunt had calmed coves with crystal water in places. One flatty hiding in the sand seemed to have been on 7 lives, with tail and fin munched, never to reach 6 lives...cheers
Edit..And Spiderman on the South Devon thread has just prompted me to note I did also see a beautiful 8-10cm topknot and cuttlefish that came right in to me so fast, realised something was not on....and bolted as quicker as I could fin! Nice.
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Been diving a new sheltered spot on the south coast all week this week as it was right next to our caravan site and I think its stolen my heart as my new favourite spot despite me not catching a single thing lol
Vis was amazing all week between 10-20m, loads of canyons to explore and the most Bass I've ever seen at any one spot. The only thing was that I couldn't temp any of them close enough to take and they all seemed very skitty. Saw some absolute monsters as well, but they stayed well clear (probably why they where so big )
I have a question for you guys, do you think that great vis comes with a curse that as the Bass can see you better, they don't come as close? Or was it just me doing something wrong or being unlucky. To be far I've not got the longest breath hold :/ But by the end of my holiday, I was seriously contemplating buying some long range, double bander for a bit of sniping lol.
Loved it though and can't wait to get back
Vis was amazing all week between 10-20m, loads of canyons to explore and the most Bass I've ever seen at any one spot. The only thing was that I couldn't temp any of them close enough to take and they all seemed very skitty. Saw some absolute monsters as well, but they stayed well clear (probably why they where so big
)I have a question for you guys, do you think that great vis comes with a curse that as the Bass can see you better, they don't come as close? Or was it just me doing something wrong or being unlucky. To be far I've not got the longest breath hold :/ But by the end of my holiday, I was seriously contemplating buying some long range, double bander for a bit of sniping lol.
Loved it though and can't wait to get back
Following on Tony's question about bass: When hunting for bass among the stringweed, I've had several occasions where the bass spotted me before I spotted it. Is it worth waiting at that spot to see whether it comes back? Or just swim on and visit the same spot later? Or is that it, as soon as it darts off you've lost all your chances?
Hey pnut,
Personally I think its well worth taking a few more dives at the same spot to see. Last week I bumped into two bass which darted as soon as they saw me. I dived that spot another 5 times straight after and saw them on 3 of dives. I gave up in the end because they kept well out of range.
I do think its worth popping back too at the end of your session. Not sure if anyone would agree with this but sometimes (very rarely) it seems that bass can chill in the same spot. Those two bass I mentioned were at the same spot 2 days later. I could tell it was the same bass because the bigger one had a chip out of its tail, I've noticed this with Pollock as well (on the odd rare occasion).
Personally I think its well worth taking a few more dives at the same spot to see. Last week I bumped into two bass which darted as soon as they saw me. I dived that spot another 5 times straight after and saw them on 3 of dives. I gave up in the end because they kept well out of range.
I do think its worth popping back too at the end of your session. Not sure if anyone would agree with this but sometimes (very rarely) it seems that bass can chill in the same spot. Those two bass I mentioned were at the same spot 2 days later. I could tell it was the same bass because the bigger one had a chip out of its tail, I've noticed this with Pollock as well (on the odd rare occasion).