Dorset Spear Fishing 2012

[speerolee]

As for night dive guns; a 50cm banded gun or a 50-70 pnuematic will do the job

And cover alot of ground as stelthy as u can go and hug the shoreline.

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[gpb1]

Hey guys, I was thinking of getting a decent backpack, like the BEUCHAT
Mundial Backpack. First off, what do you think of it, can I get everything in it? And secondly, what would I do with it whilst in the water, don't fancy getting back to the beach to find its been nicked! At the moment I'm only spearing near car parks, so short walks, but I'd like to go o more remote spots.

 

[Curly87]

Hey guys, I was thinking of getting a decent backpack, like the BEUCHAT
Mundial Backpack. First off, what do you think of it, can I get everything in it? And secondly, what would I do with it whilst in the water, don't fancy getting back to the beach to find its been nicked! At the moment I'm only spearing near car parks, so short walks, but I'd like to go o more remote spots.

Have you thought about using something like this: Army holdall

This is what I use, its cheap (probs even cheaper from an army surplus store) and you can put wet stuff in it at the end of the dive without too much worry. You can also get ones with two shoulder straps if you have long walk ins. I just leave it on the beach when diving, hasnt been pinched yet.

 

[bobandsausage]

I use an old ratty backpack (with bin liner for wet gear) and carry my fins in my hand. Less likely to get nicked and I'm not too fussed if it does. But if you're a long walk from home, make sure you have crocks or sandals or something attached to your float - that way, if your stuff does get pinched, you won't cut your feet to shreds on the return journey. The other top tip that seems to work for me is to put your pants on top of your pile of stuff - I reckon most would-be thieves would think twice before getting tangled up in my Y fronts.

 

[SurfnSpear]

Cheers for the tips on the latest products all. Plenty to mull over especially the battery upgrade.
Actually been into night diving for quite a while, and a few of us used to do okay, until I just fell out of it somewhat in the lifecycle since the meetups years ago in Weymouth. The need for the best tool for the job is now quite obvious rather than a dodgy old torch with about 50 lumen!
The original inspiration for the night time forays came from the likes of Huan, Alison, Old Man Dave, Portinfer and even Weymouth lad Glowworm.
I have actually been using the search box to go back and have another read through some of their contributions as there are some great stories.
Sadly Alison and OMD are no longer with us but fondly remembered.

Looks like Tom has got you hooked on night dives now.

I use the xtar d06 torch as my main torch then a yetzl q2 as a secondary torch. They are both excellent torches, but i find the xtar a lot easier to use due to the magnetic slider switch as apposed to the twist switch. I find it useful to dim the torch for a bit then go to full beam for a bit, and keep repeating this, it drastically increases the usage time and is good because tour eyes adjust to the dimmer beam and then you go to full beam and it feels like youve got a brand new torch. Very helpful if doing long swims as it allows you to effectively use one torch for a lot longer.

Also Have a look at the batteries supplied with them torches as you can get a 2600mAh battery or a 3100mAh battery which is slightly brighter an lasts a bit longer.

Hope this is of some use to you

 

[Broseidon]

...and the Superstar with the charger etc....

Mate, I would avoid the Superstar torches - beautiful build quality BUT massive beam angle. WAY too much for spearing in the UK. You want a nice tight beam to cut through the murk!

 

[SurfnSpear]

Mate, I would avoid the Superstar torches - beautiful build quality BUT massive beam angle. WAY too much for spearing in the UK. You want a nice tight beam to cut through the murk!

Cheers Bro...I went in last night and the swell and bounce increased at the spot we dived and it was one of the worst and murkiest dives I have had. Did not spot bass until to late and it got me thinking that the tighter hotspot's on the Xtar d06 & the Yezl's do look better.
I see there is a new U2 LED now available on the Xtar rather than the T6...technicalities and technicalities...

 

[Highlander]

Cheers Bro...I went in last night and the swell and bounce increased at the spot we dived and it was one of the worst and murkiest dives I have had. Did not spot bass until to late and it got me thinking that the tighter hotspot's on the Xtar d06 & the Yezl's do look better.
I see there is a new U2 LED now available on the Xtar rather than the T6...technicalities and technicalities...

Just ordered the Xtar D06 U2 this morning, hopefully get it by Friday if not earlier & not by
'Sunday, Bloody Sunday'........... Of course it will be a
'Beautiful Day' when it arrives & then I'll get out
'Another Time, Another Plaice' & lay a
'Bass Trap'

Just as well I have a job, as I don't think I have a future in comedy.

 

[gpb1]

Thanks for the tips regarding bags, definitly makes sense to use a cheap army type one, and the flip flops on the float is a really good idea! Cheers. Oh and the Y-front idea is awesome!

 

[robdigital]

Thanks for the tips regarding bags, definitly makes sense to use a cheap army type one, and the flip flops on the float is a really good idea! Cheers. Oh and the Y-front idea is awesome!

Y-fronts ? I always go commando under my wetsuit !rofl

 

[Gaz D]

Hey guys, I was thinking of getting a decent backpack, like the BEUCHAT
Mundial Backpack. First off, what do you think of it, can I get everything in it? And secondly, what would I do with it whilst in the water, don't fancy getting back to the beach to find its been nicked! At the moment I'm only spearing near car parks, so short walks, but I'd like to go o more remote spots.

That Beuchat backpack looks lovely, but I think you have pointed out the obvious snag: what do you do with it when you enter the water? Like many other spearos, I often enter the water in one spot and exit again hundreds of meters (even kilometers) away, sometimes on the other side of a feature, so it wouldn't be much use to me.

Personally I use the mesh bag that my Sevlor Dive Hunter came in. It works like a dream. It has handles on it so can be worn like a backpack. My float (fully inflated), fins, mask, snorkel, gloves, socks, etc, all fit snugly into it (and even a couple of smaller guns), and it then gets slung on my back, leaving my hands free to carry my longer gun. I wear my suit, weight belt and a pair of reef shoes down to the water, with the bag on my back, and then swap the reef shoes for my socks when I unpack the mesh bag. The reef shoes then go onto my float, so that I have the option to exit the water wherever I want, and the mesh bag screws up to about the size of my fist and gets tucked away in a pocket on my float, where it then doubles up as my lobster/crab/scallop bag. When I exit the water I've got everything I need with me, ready to yomp off into the sunset (wondering where I left my car).

I'll get a photo posted up tomorrow if you want (although you'll probably have to remind me, as I've got a lot on at the moment).

I have seen a similar bag on the market, somewhere, and if I spot it again I'll post a link for you.

Hope that was helpful in some small way

.

 

[Broseidon]

I use one of these:

Fully waterproof with straps for fins and guns - I leave it on the beach but people tend not to pinch things too often in Wales rofl

 

[Gaz D]

Here are a few bags that are vaguely similar to the one i use, although all of these have some kind of panel on them, whereas my is completely mesh. Like i said, remind me tomorrow and I'll get a photo up.


Google Image Result for http://www.scuba.com/images/bags/Armor-Mesh-Backpack-Dive-Bag.jpg


Google Image Result for http://www.deepbluedive.com/media/catalog/product/cache/9/image/300x300/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/r/product433254image1.png

Google Image Result for http://www.clicktobuy.com.au/images/diving_products/gear%2520bag1.jpg

Google Image Result for http://www.houseofscuba.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/bag185.jpg

Google Image Result for http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/attachments/classifieds-other-gear-multiple-items/133473d1345690731-mesh-dive-bags-img_3462.jpg

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00sMQazYOqgvro/Diving-Mesh-Bag-XB-083R-.jpg

Mares Cruise Mesh Bag | Simply Scuba UK

.

 

[speerolee]

I use an inflatable float board (best hunter) I blagged some elastic rucksac straps for it.

Has straps for up to 4 guns, large pocket that i store 3 torches and a grab bag. There are two elasticated luggage / cargo nets on top. There are also loads of handy clips for bits and bobs (like crappy sandals for hiking along chesil)

All i carry by hand are my fins.

Nobby has the bigger best hunter (like the dive hunter) but he looks like a giant M & M or a ninja turtle with that on his back, but he can also store his fins on it and body board on huge waves when exiting chesil

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[Curly87]

Has anyone been in lately? Any chance I'll find some vis this evening with the recent weather we have been having?

 

[robdigital]

Hey curly - late reply but i was in dorset on tuesday and it was very stirred up east of weymouth zero vis, not sure what the harbour would be like - i must make an effort to start exploring that area

 

[Curly87]

Hey curly - late reply but i was in dorset on tuesday and it was very stirred up east of weymouth zero vis, not sure what the harbour would be like - i must make an effort to start exploring that area

Thanks for your reply, did end up going in last night for a quick swim only to find zero vis, like you said very stirred up but did get me a chance to check my buoyancy after adding some more weight to the belt, so not all was lost.

Well if you ever short of someone to explore that area with let me know, east of weymouth is closest to me at the moment so is normally where I head.

Cheers,
Tim

 

[Mr. X]

RE. bags: travel light. I use a small, cheap swimming bag, like the ones kids use for school (usually about 99p-£3) for small items & wear or carry the rest. On the beach, I leave only really cheap or grim looking footwear (arranged carefully so that it doesn't look discarded or washed up) & the bag, which contains nothing of value - usually just a small water bottle (e.g. an old Evian/Buxton bottle) & an old cork for the end of my spear.

 

[BarnacleBoy]

A bouyant, rugged totally dry bag for dry clothing that doubled up as a float would be ideal.

 

[Curly87]

A bouyant, rugged totally dry bag for dry clothing that doubled up as a float would be ideal.

How about using something like this then? http://www.worldofmarine.co.uk/waterproof-barrels-pehd-food-quality.html

Could paint it red, add a couple of staps to carry it when out of the water. Would have thought 15ltr would be plenty big enough to store clothes and other items. You could also put a flag on one end and a lump of lead glued to the side to keep it upright. Not sure how much drag there would be?