float

[willloomy]

okay i need to buy a float. in Hawaii its illegal to spear without a flag. i don't want it to be to big. i will be hunting from the shore.
most people use one like this

Hanapa'a Fishing - HSD FLOAT

i would like the float to be small but in the event i shoot a decent size fish i don't want the float to break or get lost or anything. i was thinking about the omer atoll
nothing to expensive I just finishing making a gun so i don't have a lot of spending
please some help would be greatly appreciated?

 

[Mr. X]

Probably best to go with what most people use locally to start with. Those Baywatch style floats are pretty big & robust -- is it filled with some sort of closed cell foam so it doesn't collapse if pulled under water by a big fish?

Another candidate would be a Rob Allen 11 litre solid float with flag & ballast lead options (with the ballast either hidden inside or screwed in underneath). I have one. As it is solid, you could take the flag off & use it as part of a multi-float bluewater rig later too.

http://niledivers.com/

I normally use an inflatible float these days (a Seatec one currently, it looks really cheap & tacky but is actually suprisingly thick and strong - Seatec seem to be a good brand) - easy & light to carry. I just blow it up using my breath (2 or 3 big puffs). Then collapse it when before I leave the beach. I often walk in to dives - so that works well for me. Also cheap & cheerful. However, there is probably a good reason that the locals where you are use those solid floats -- probably because you get bigger fish out there than we get here.

The RA inflatible float has a schraeder valve, so I see that as more of a travel float that you'd inflate at the gas station after landing at your destination.

Shop around a bit and chat to the local spearos, I would think you can get a good deal on what the locals think is best. Send member blaiz a Private Mail - he's in Hawaii.

 

[willloomy]

the lifeguard style float is not filled with foam but the local dive shop said that they fill them for a price. unfortunately its very much in demand so the price is not great.

 

[blaiz]

A couple of things to think about

1. Are you planning on doing a lot of blue water diving where a foam filled float will be necessary? Are you primarily going to be using a float as a means to land your fish? If so an inflatable, foam-filled inflatable, or foam filled plastic float will be necessary.

2. Are you planning on doing more shallow to deep reef diving with a lot of beach entry? If this is so you may want to think hard about getting a life guard style float. These are virtually indestructible and will last many seasons of being pulled through the surf, over rocks, and so forth. They easily hold a legal (12"X12") flag, even in winds. You also may want to think about getting a reel for your gun. I only use floats (connected to my gun) when I go blue water hunting or know that I will be shooting Ulua, which is not very often. I have found that in most situations I like using a reel a lot more than pulling a float line down with every drop. In this case your float is anchored to the bottom and only there for safety and to hold your fish. A lot of species of fish here in hawaii get spooked by a float line (i.e. Mu, uku, papio, ulua) A reel enables you to get low on the reef and virtually disappear.

My thoughts one inflatable floats are that they are not very good for shore diving in Hawaii. I had one of those omer floats and they are great, but the thing popped within about 4 dives due to the reef.

Spend the money now and your only going to cry once:blackeye

I forgot to mention that they do make two sizes of the lifeguard float. You can get a smaller one as well and Im pretty sure hanapa'a has those in stock.

 

[Mr. X]

Thank's Blaiz, great response

...I'd post a link but I'm not too computer savvy!!!

You don't have to be computer savvy, it's just the web! If you use Microsoft Windows, highlight the link (holding down left mouse button), right mouse-click menu on the highlighted text - select copy, then click where you want to paste it into you post and select paster (right mouse button menu). roflSounds more complicated when you have to explain it! Alternatively highlight the link, press Control-and-Insert keys to copy, then click the destination and press Shift-and-Insert keys to paste.