Greetings... Key West to Maui

[spearu]

Hey all. I spent the last year in Key West working as a charter fishing boat mate and as an underwater photographer on a charter sail boat. I'm not certified for scuba, but did spend quite a bit of time hugging the reef at 25' - 40' freediving taking pictures of sea life. Not really a fan of charter fishing from above the water...it's too hard on the sealife, however I LOVE to spear fish. Currently making arrangements to move to Maui, and should be there in mid November. I'm looking to land a job as mate on a snorkel charter, kayak charter, free diving or spear fishing charter...sail boat...dive shop....

Hope you're all out enjoying the water

Go Deep!

 

[blaiz]

Whats up Spearu,

Unfortunately I wont be home in Maui until Late March, leaving for NZ mid november. Hit me up if you need any recommendations or info about Maui.

Aloha
Jake

 

[devondave]

Welcome, it sounds like you're living the dream.
Good luck finding job.

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello and welcome on DB

All best

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas! I figure if I punch air holes in the box and take a couple of bottles of water UPS can get me there pretty cheap! :blackeye

 

[spearu]

Thanks for the welcome's all!

blaiz...been reading your posts, and would love to chat with you when you get back. Having more deep water in Maui, I got some work to do! Excited to be getting more skilled. I will most likely still be on the island when you return. I am looking for some spear fishing buddies, so if you have any recommendations that would be soooo cool. I hear Maui Sporting Goods in Wailuku is a place to pop into? Most likely I'll be staying on the North Shore, just east of Jaws. In Key West, the best way to get hooked up as mate on a charter is to just walk the docs and bug captains. That true in Maui?

agbiv...make sure ya bring an extra big bottle to ah...ya know...recycle.

Aloha!
tommyB

 

[blaiz]

Thanks for the welcome's all!

blaiz...been reading your posts, and would love to chat with you when you get back. Having more deep water in Maui, I got some work to do! Excited to be getting more skilled. I will most likely still be on the island when you return. I am looking for some spear fishing buddies, so if you have any recommendations that would be soooo cool. I hear Maui Sporting Goods in Wailuku is a place to pop into? Most likely I'll be staying on the North Shore, just east of Jaws. In Key West, the best way to get hooked up as mate on a charter is to just walk the docs and bug captains. That true in Maui?

agbiv...make sure ya bring an extra big bottle to ah...ya know...recycle.

Aloha!
tommyB

There are a few shops on Maui. MSG is owned by Brian Yoshikawa who is a renowned spearo with a lot of knowledge and experience. He is a friendly guy as with most of the guys in the shop but you wont find it easy to get much info out of them. You will find that spearos in Hawaii tend to be pretty quiet about their spots, and for good reason as a lot of Hawaii is overfished, no one wants to give up there honey holes.

Bluewate Inc is a shop that just opened up in Kihei. Whitney is the owner and my buddy Keoni helps run the shop. Both are nice guys and would be stoked to get you out in the water or help you network with other divers.

There aren't really any big marina cultures here. Aside from Lahaina Harbor and Ma'alaea Harbor there aren't any other harbors that have permanent slips for boats. You wont find too many Charter captains who are willing to give up any spots nor will you find many SCUBA charter captains willing to do the same.

The best way to find spots is to search yourself. I know it sounds harsh but in reality your more likely to stumble upon a honey hole than have someone else tell you about theirs. Not to mention its a better way to learn the layout of the bottom. There is plenty of good diving where you plan on living (Im assuming Haiku area?) the problem you will run into is access as you have to cross private property in order to get to a majority of it (big no no) and the water tends to be pretty rough most of the time due to it being the windward side of the island.

I have plenty of friends who enjoy diving and are always looking for guys to go out with so when it gets closer to the time you will be here send me a PM and Ill try to put you into contact with some of them.

Good luck with the move!

Aloha
Jake

 

[spearu]

hear ya on the prime spots...probably the same anywhere ya go. I certainly wouldn't expect and wouldn't even solicit secret spot info. Fortunately, I'll be on a piece of private property with ocean front access. In addition, It looks like there are a couple of little protected bays that might offer some good hunting. I'm mostly interested in Gear info, fish behavior tips, hunting techniques, and some bro's to go out with.

Thanks for answering so readily Jake. I've already learned a lot from your posts.

Mahalo,
tommyB