First Post

[Stoaty]

Greetings All,

My first spear gun arrived through the post yesterday - it's a Velos 75 (what ever that means?). It is 2 years old and hasn't been used. I've had a quick browse around here to try to understand how to rig it up properly and I have test fired it once in the garden (I know I shouldn't but couldn't resist!). A couple of questions for you experienced folk (if you'd be so kind);

1. Loading it seems to be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable on my chest - any tips?
2. There is some evidence of perishing on either end of the two bands, although it seems to be surface only - should I replace them anyway?
3. I will use it in England on the South Coast - is my water skiing "steamer" type wetsuit sufficient (5mm I think, but maybe 3mm?).
4. I'm a diver too - can I use my dive fins?

That's all I can think of for now, other than to ask if there are any licence requirements, or a closed season to consider. Can you spear fish through the UK winter months?

I look forward to hearing from you - any help/advice gratefully accepted.

Regards,


Stoaty

 

[slingshaft]

Hey Sloaty,I can address a couple of your questions. I use my scuba fins when I freedive any kind of structure, such as shallow reef, or under bridges, and jetties. But if I have the need for speed, I use my graphite full foot fins. And I would replace or repair those slings. I'm pretty sure the term '75' refers to to length of the gun. As for the rest of the questions, Pastor is your 'go to' guy, He is in Wales, and perhaps He will post his pictorial on chest loading.

 

[Pastor]

I'm your go to guy? rofl

Welcome to the forums Stoaty

1. Loading it seems to be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable on my chest - any tips?

Stick at it, it will hurt for a week or two but once you get used to it the pain will go and never come back, trust me it does work. The pic came with my old Rob Allen

2. There is some evidence of perishing on either end of the two bands, although it seems to be surface only - should I replace them anyway?

Change them mate, they aren't expensive and it's much better than having your hands opened up by a metal wishbone wanging through them when a band snaps

3. I will use it in England on the South Coast - is my water skiing "steamer" type wetsuit sufficient (5mm I think, but maybe 3mm?).

You can use it but you will get cold, spearfishing is a low movement sport and cold soon sets in. A better option if you get dead keen on spearfishing would be a dedicated 5mm open cell spearing suit, keep you warm for hours

4. I'm a diver too - can I use my dive fins?

Again you can and it's all some do use but I much prefer long blade freediving fins but again wait a while to make sure it's the right sport for you

No licence required in the Sunny UK but no game fish or fresh water spearing

 

[Stoaty]

Thanks Lads,

I'll replace the rubbers and have a go with my existing kit. Good solid advice though and much appreciated gents, I saw Pastor's pictorial on the spearo site (or somewhere) earlier today an figured it must get easier (I used to bench 100K regularly enough). It's the discomfort that surprised me most.

The gun is 75 cm long and aluminium so that's understood now and the steamer went to my dive shop today for confirmation on it's build - it's a 5mm with 3mm arms! I'll manage with it, til' it gets really cold!

Great stuff from everyone - thank you all.


Mike

 

[Old Man Dave]

Welcome Mike

Where are you gonna fish on the south coast? There are threads for most areas; Devon, sussex, cornwall, even Guernsey. Best advise is to trawl through some of these threads and then ask for some help from the guys in your proposed dive area. Most of the threads have lots of info for newbies, however some are rather long but with the nights drawing in what esle will you be doing. Oh yeh! Night diving - forgot about that.

Good Huntin'

Dave

http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo-board/68839-dorset-spearfishing-2007-a.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo-board/69385-south-devon-report-2007-a.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo-board/69310-cornwall-2007-a.html

http://forums.deeperblue.net/trip-reports/69083-guernsey-2007-a.html

 

[Stoaty]

Hi Dave,

Cheers for those links - South Devon and Dorset will be my chosen hunting grounds - can't wait either!!

Regards,


Stoaty