Free diver pole spear newbie looking for buddies in Laguna

[redpanda608]

Hey all,
I am new to the forum and Spear Fishing. I went out myself about a week ago next to Seal Rocks and got a little 12 inch Sheepshead my second day out!:martial This is probably not all that exciting to most on this forum but for my second day ever spearing I was pretty happy.
I am going to be moving down to Lake Forest the second week of June and was hoping to find some buddies that I could go spearing with in Laguna. I hope to get a Kayak when I save up the money and go search some kelp beds too.
I am not quite sure how deep I can get yet, but I have been practicing my static breath holds and I can do 2 minutes on my third try now after two days of practicing. I am also a life guard if that makes any one feel better.
Any way enough about me, I was hoping to start getting to know you all a little bit now till I move in June. Then we will know a little bit more about echother before going out.

 

[slimsteve]

Hello Climbing Panda
I to am a newbie and am heading to Monterey area from Iowa in mid May and have been trying for a month or so for a buddy with no luck. I did have three people try to put me in contact, got one return call from a referral and then nothing. I am not sure if cause I'm a newbie or because they worry about some one from Iowa even though I spent years in the Ocean. Congrats on the kill. Keep the good karma flowing.
slimsteve

 

[RydDragyn]

Panda-

My fiance and I go to Laguna a lot for snorkeling and freediving, but haven't done a lot of spearfishing yet. From what I hear bass and halibut are big here. Anyways, PM me back when you get into the area and we can meet up to have some fun at 'guna.

-Alex

 

[VaclavH]

Hey Panda.
I do live in L.A. and looking for people to dive with as well. I do not do much spearfishing (just when I want some for dinner) , but I do dept, some video and just dive for fun. But also want to do more training so I can start competing again.
Let me know when you are here and lets do some freediving.
Vaclav

 

[LGHT]

Anyone going out next weekend. Can't make it this weekend, but I need to get into the water soon!

Vaclav did you end up going out last week? I noticed your e-mail, but already had plans and couldn't make it.

Abel

 

[VaclavH]

Unfortunately I will be in Toronto next weekend.

 

[redpanda608]

Sorry, I'm on vacation to Lake Havasu next week.

 

[mike5150]

Hey Panda
I'm a Newbie too. Been out kayak fishing in Dana Point several times, a little success. I got a pole spear some time ago and have planned on dropping anchor and freedive down, but haven't done so yet. It'd be great to have other freedivers around. I go out to the water on Sunday mornings. PM me and we can make plans.

 

[RydDragyn]

Mike5150 - do you do any beach entries? Don't have a kayak

From what I understand the viz isn't supposed to be very good this weekend. I'm going to the beach for a 6am run soon though, so I'll see what it looks like as a possible harbinger for sat/sun.

 

[mike5150]

I plan on beach entries, but haven't yet, maybe that's how Ill spend this Sunday (takes a bit of practice I hear). BTW my kayak seats one, or two, (even has a place for a third, but it's for a child) I'll be rigging it to be more surf friendly (more tie downs) this week. My goal is to eventually kayak to a good spot, freedive down, and polespear halibut. No criticism please I plan on plenty of practice and planning to ensure I don't injure a fish and let it get away.

 

[LGHT]

I plan on beach entries, but haven't yet, maybe that's how Ill spend this Sunday (takes a bit of practice I hear). BTW my kayak seats one, or two, (even has a place for a third, but it's for a child) I'll be rigging it to be more surf friendly (more tie downs) this week. My goal is to eventually kayak to a good spot, freedive down, and polespear halibut. No criticism please I plan on plenty of practice and planning to ensure I don't injure a fish and let it get away.

Mike if you plan on halibut the time is now. They are in very shallow water right now and a lot of guys have been having a bit of luck. The hardest part of beach dives is the 100+ stairs you have to take to get to most of the spots in OC. Other than that it's just a matter of timing your entry between sets. If you have a yak there are only a few places you can launch easily that don't force you to navigate stairs so that means a bit of paddling to get to the sweet spot. However if you have 2 guys you could either carry the yak or pickup a one of those trailers that have the huge bicycle tires on it the help you get the yak to the spot. Anyone diving Sunday? I may be up for a quick 9-12 dive.

 

[mike5150]

LGHT,
Which beaches specifically has had luck with halibut? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I paddle Doheny from Dana Point, can probably hit Salt Creek without a problem (trolling along the way). I'll be going out Sunday morning ~7-12, and Monday morning ~7-11. Don't have wheels yet, just hoist it over my head and walk. Wouldn't try 100+ stairs like that though. Where do you normally dive out of? Maybe I can find a way to get over there.

 

[LGHT]

LGHT,
Which beaches specifically has had luck with halibut? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I paddle Doheny from Dana Point, can probably hit Salt Creek without a problem (trolling along the way). I'll be going out Sunday morning ~7-12, and Monday morning ~7-11. Don't have wheels yet, just hoist it over my head and walk. Wouldn't try 100+ stairs like that though. Where do you normally dive out of? Maybe I can find a way to get over there.

PM sent...........

 

[newportnewbie]

I just moved into newport beach and really want to get into freediving and spearfishing. Never done it before. Never salt water fished before either : ( I am from wisconsin so the only water i had was green bay and lake michigan. If anyone in the area has time to show a newb how do this that would be great. New to this site also so I might have difficulties navigated to any PMs. Thanks : )

 

[RydDragyn]

Currently dining on a nicely fried fish taco freshly speared but 2 hours ago

My fiance and I are looking for more people to go with on successful hunts such as today. We tend to frequent crystal cove state park and other areas in the LA-OC area.

If anybody is available specifically on weekend days for spearing or freediving, PM me.

I also like venturing down to La Jolla and am getting ready for a Catalina trip soon. I'm a newbie myself, but willing to go with anyone of any experience. I have my own gun.

 

[redpanda608]

I just moved into newport beach and really want to get into freediving and spearfishing. Never done it before. Never salt water fished before either : ( I am from wisconsin so the only water i had was green bay and lake michigan. If anyone in the area has time to show a newb how do this that would be great. New to this site also so I might have difficulties navigated to any PMs. Thanks : )

Welcome to the Sport and the Forum! I would be happy to show you what little I know so far. I have been spearing for about a month or so now. Learned a lot and loving every minute of it. The best way to get to your PM's is to look at the "Quick Links" that is just to the left from were the "Log Out" button is. I will send you a PM so you can get used to how it works. Look forward to meeting you.

 

[redpanda608]

Currently dining on a nicely fried fish taco freshly speared but 2 hours ago

My fiance and I are looking for more people to go with on successful hunts such as today. We tend to frequent crystal cove state park and other areas in the LA-OC area.

If anybody is available specifically on weekend days for spearing or freediving, PM me.

I also like venturing down to La Jolla and am getting ready for a Catalina trip soon. I'm a newbie myself, but willing to go with anyone of any experience. I have my own gun.

Nice RydDragyn! What kind of Fish was it? I just got back from a trip to Lake Havasu and we had lots of fresh fish! Though I found out that it is Illegal to spearfish Big Mouth and Small Mouth Bass:head. Live and learn!

Going to Catalina eh? How do you normally get there? I was thinking about doing some major strength training and taking my new two man kayak for the 20 mile trip to the great island!:t

 

[RydDragyn]

I just take the Catalina express over, and go camping with my gear in a locker. I haven't ever kayaked there, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, it would give flexibility in terms of getting to all the right places along the coast. Especially since the areas near Avalon that are legal for spearfishing are now inaccessible. You used to be able to walk to the beaches where lots of different bass would congregate, but there have been rock slides onto the roads lately.

It's just a simple sheephead. Fried it up in a pan with some olive oil. The area where I speared it was very popular today, and the surge wasn't too bad. Visibility was pretty good considering it was high tide and the light angles of the sun were all wrong. There were a few other young guys out with some 12+ foot(!) homemade tridents, and they got quite a few fish of their own.

Hope the move goes well, and let me know when you're in town. Take care!

-Alex

 

[redpanda608]

I just take the Catalina express over, and go camping with my gear in a locker. I haven't ever kayaked there, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, it would give flexibility in terms of getting to all the right places along the coast.

Do you know if they would let you take a kayak on the Express? I was thinking that it would be cool to do that and then kayak out to one of those campsites. I just didn't know if they would let you do it. I would guess they would want a little extra money for the extra room.

 

[mike5150]

I looked into takin my kayak to catalina. Don't remember if they even let you, or just charge way too much, but I decided it wasn't worth it to transport my kayak, I rented one over there, and just brought some fishing gear to strap onto the rental. Cought a bunch of Bonita on a two man kayak.

I also looked into kayaking to catalina. I've got a sit ontop kayak, and from what I found, it takes all day and everyone seems to use sit-in kayaks. It's a serious trip, but it's done often enough. You could probably find a group to go with.