float technique

[tom ashton]

Hi folks

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere but I was looking for some advice on how to use float during hunting / photography dives.

I usually take either my camera rig, which is quite large, or a bag and go hunting for lobsters. I started a bit of spearfishing too and would like to get more into that this season. I would like to take all my kit out on longer sessions and I am considering taking a float to attach whichever item I dont want to carry at the time. That way I could do a bit of everything.

My question is really this - do I attach the float line to myself, or do I attach it to a small weight and let it drop while I operate nearby, then pick up the line when its time to move to another spot?

Ive never been out with a float before, Ive always just carried stuff, but I think its what I'll be doing this season.

Any advice and tips would be gratefully received.

cheers

Tom

 

[grantl]

Hi Tom

Depending on what I'm doing I use different methods-

For spearing I always have a float of some description and that is connected to the gun, never me.

I've got 2 float setups that I use regularly -
1 is a Sevylor Dive Hunter which can carry as much gear as you'd ever need. I usually have a gun / camera on it along with a torch, drinks, safety stuff like a phone / VHF and if I've walked in my clothes can also go on it in a dry bag.
It's a really great bit of kit, particularly if you are taking a gun and camera(s) as you don't have your hands full of gear. I'm not sure if you can still get them??
I generally connect it to my weight belt if I'm not spearing and just tow it about- you hardly notice it.
The only time that can be an issue is when diving through kelp and then it can tangle v easily, however if that's what I intend doing I have a tiny anchor on it and can tether it.
For quick dives or just for simplicity I also have a 10l float that I generally just tow. I've added a few stainless carabiner clips to it and often hang a lobster bag off it and maybe a camera.
Like you I never used to use a float and to begin with I was always quite aware of the line as a potential snagging point and thought it would be more hassle than it was worth but I seldom go out without one now.



Cheers


Grant

 

[tom ashton]

Thanks Grant

That sounds like the advice I needed! Im often in and out of dense kelp where even my snorkel can get snagged, so in those situations I could just detach the line and let it sink with a weight.

Cheers

Tom

 

[island_sands]

Hi folks

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere but I was looking for some advice on how to use float during hunting / photography dives.


Tom

Hi Tom although the thread below is titled "kayak" there are lots ideas in here on floats too.

http://forums.deeperblue.com/spearfishing-equipment/65152-rigging-sit-kayak-spearfishing.html

 

[aquariumdiver]

Me myself using a large lifeguard buoy, rigged with velcro straps and a flag, but these are would fit ur needs I think

Best Hunter Flat Double Bladder Buoy Oasi. Accessories Buoys, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, dive

Omersub Shardana Surface Board with Removable Flag

 

[aquariumdiver]

here is a good one. u can really load it up!
Best Hunter Okipa 2 Double Bladder Board

Best Hunter Okipa 2 Double Bladder Board. Accessories Buoys, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, dive

 

[kingy killer]

hi there
i always use one float with clip at each end .
one end got my float line, attached to my gun[clip on back of gun as well]
an on back of float got my catch bag with sea anchor an camera etc in it .
if im after cray etc i clip gun near float , on float line - an put anchor on end of float [clip on anchor]
swim with anchor in hand [if murky can drop anchor outside cray hole] or tuck into weight belt to be hands free.
this way ,always got all my gears on me an no need to back track[some times anchor up in strong current] an not much to drag through kelp.
have hard plastic torpedo shape float,
hope this helps an didn't confuse ya
ps if blue water hunting have no catch bag - anchor - longer float line

 

[Mr. X]

...For spearing I always have a float of some description and that is connected to the gun, never me.
...

Ditto for me. Simple, safe, low risk of gear loss.

Not all spearos attach to the speargun though:

Many (Magpie springs to mind) weight the end of the float line so that they can place it and the dive around it, unencumbered.

I believe some of the Dorset spearos attach their float to their weight belt. I think this is intended primarily for those diving with a buddy (good practice). That way they can, in an emergency do one of more of the following:
1. detach quickly from float, float-line and weight-belt all in one operation
2. a down diver can be quickly located by their floatline
3. a dropped weight belt will be marked for recovery, being tethered to the float.
I have never tried this though, so cannot recommend it - but it seems to have potential.

Definitely check out the float-specific threads though. One of our forum members in the USA moulds 3 excellent box-style floats which may suit your needs perfectly. Althernatively the inflatible "mini-rib" style or a boogie/body board style float might work.

 

[kingy killer]

yes i do that as well
unclip gun an anchor up when in nice spot
nothing like just you yr gun going solo 'in the zone'
That sounds like very safe practice clipping onto weight belt.
i dont have reel gun though ,so if i spear something good i can let gun go an
grab float
cheers

 

[mabster]

I have an Omer Atoll with about 20m of trawler line on it which floats pretty well.
On the other end I have a 1kg weight clipped on.
When swimming around etc I have it tucked under my weight belt and gives me an extra kg when fishing in the shallows. If I'm working an area or want to mark something I just drop it down.

Its a rare event that the weight gets stuck but when it does I just swim down and get it.

If you are in shallower water what I have done is add loops the line which allows me to clip this onto the float and shorten it quickly. It does however mean you have some line trailing behind the float.(A line winderwould certainly help).

I've got my eye on the best okipa as I want something to keep my head out the water when heading offshore.

If you've not got one yet Tom you're welcome to pull mine around

 

[tom ashton]

Thanks for all the advice guys!
So it seems like there are no hard and fast rules...just common sense!

I have a scuba dsmb on a reel. I wonder if that would stay inflated? I could attach a weight to the reel and drop it, with the right amount of line paid out. Other times I could just clip it on to my belt and tow it along. Maybe not big enough to support my camera.

I do like the look of those mini boat style floats with lots of clips etc

Cheers

Tom

 

[grantl]

I have an Omer Atoll with about 20m of trawler line on it which floats pretty well.
On the other end I have a 1kg weight clipped on.
When swimming around etc I have it tucked under my weight belt and gives me an extra kg when fishing in the shallows. If I'm working an area or want to mark something I just drop it down

Thats got me thinking - why do I carry a .75 kg folding anchor that's redundant 90% of the time when I could just use a weight and shove it under my belt and drop as required. Makes sense and I'll try that next time I'm out with my dive hunter.

 

[Jonny250]

Thanks for all the advice guys!
So it seems like there are no hard and fast rules...just common sense!

I have a scuba dsmb on a reel. I wonder if that would stay inflated? I could attach a weight to the reel and drop it, with the right amount of line paid out. Other times I could just clip it on to my belt and tow it along. Maybe not big enough to support my camera.

I do like the look of those mini boat style floats with lots of clips etc

Cheers

Tom

Tom, also remember the drag of any gear you attach to the float; even just a mesh bag can become a pain when towing it for a while. If you plan to carry camera gear, plus gun, plus any other kit then it might be good to look at the options for keeping it out of the water. The sevylor/best hunter or the rotomould are good options, and dont forget the trusty body board option too.

 

[terallan]

If it is of any help, the Mares float I use has 6 points that you can hang items from. It also has a chamber at the bottom which you fill with water for ballast. As far as how I go about things, I find the area I want to freedive and then just drop the small anchor, which has bright orange strap to it. A small bit of chain as a drag, as sometimes on sandy bottoms, the float drags a bit.

The small anchor from e-bay was only a few quid.

Each and every one of us will probably do what suits the individual.

cheers

 

[tom ashton]

I have a bright orange body board in the cupboard. I could modify that with a few clips and bungees and use my dsmb reel to tow it / anchor it.

I reckon I can do this without spending money - thats a real result!

ps thats a great catch! Bass and lobster!

 

[growingupninja]

I always take an inflatable signal float with me for hunting in heavy kelp. My big gun is rigged for a floatline and has a 100' on it but in kelp you don't want an actual float on the end since itnwould tangle. I swim with the inflatable float tightly rolled (it is the size of a prescription pill bottle), then when I get to my reef or the outside edge of the kelp I will inflate it and clip it to kelp. I hang my fish and lobsters off it; I have a large lobster bag that has had the hard wire parts removed so that it also rolls up into a very tight packet, for stringers I use pieces of coated cable with loops in the ends, a couple carbiners to close it. Makes it easier to dive if your game is near you but not on your hip (a limit of lobsters plus a mess of fish is a LOT of drag and weight!). At night you can hang a dive LED on the float as well.

I don't like the anchor approach with floats because it means you also need to carry a bunch of line and manage it, plus I find that an anchor that works in a current is too heavy to swim with.

To get stuff back through the kelp I usually have to deflate the float; or if the current is just to strong to swim back with all that stuff I wil tow it, inflated, to a more suitable exit point...