Guernsey 2006

[Mr. X]

I hope I don't have to go as far as 22lb! Don't think I'd get back up the beach again carrying that round me waist!

I just bumped my belt up from 16lb to 20lb -- surprising how much more cumbersome that additional 4lb makes it .

...So much so that my chest it now quite bruised from reloading :blackeye.
My suits loading pad isn't much of pad so I'm sticking so old bits of neoprene to it to give me some more protection.

I have been thinking about beefing up my loading pad too. Before I had the spearo wetsuit (with loading pad) I tried sticking a neoprene mousepad which had a hard top layer inside my 2.5mm shortie wetsuit -- it helped but not enough. A SA spearo mentioned that some folk use an old thong sandal (flip-flop) -- I tried that and it worked very well. Rob Allen also sell a substantial loading pad with straps for about 5 pounds.

Thing is I also hunt so I'm used to having a very precise aiming system and being very careful to ensure a clean kill etc. So I'm practicing a lot to make sure I can shoot the thing straight when the opportunity arises, not just take a random pot shot in the rough vicinity. Its taking me a bit of time to get used to not having sights on the gun, and yes, I have thought about bodging something onto it......

Have you tried aiming down the side of the barrel, rather than over the top? This was suggested & explained in the Len Jones booklet. It seems to work well - it feels quite natural, the view is less cluttered & emphasis is on getting the critical vertical accuracy right. (Anybody use a both eyes open shotgun-style approach?).

Ed. Don't spose you can get these back plates anywhere over here can you? They'd cost a lot to have posted.

You could also try a weight vest (we had a thread going on that last year - talks about the various options) -- you can add your own weights to several of them.

BTW I have to ask: what is a sea hare? [Never mind, found it: http://seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=seahares ]

 

[Spaniard]

Thing is I also hunt so I'm used to having a very precise aiming system and being very careful to ensure a clean kill etc. So I'm practicing a lot to make sure I can shoot the thing straight when the opportunity arises, not just take a random pot shot in the rough vicinity.

Shooting a speargun is more of an instictive style of shooting rather like a cowboy shooting a revolver. Once you get used to your gun setup you will start hitting your intended target with increasing frequency. You don't really want the butt near your eye for sighting reasons because of the nasty consequences recoil can deliver.........

 

[Magpie]

A sea hare is a type of large sea slug thing: http://www.pznow.co.uk/marine/seasluge.html

My loading pad is going to be bolstered by a two layers of neoprene sandwiching a rigid plastic plate to both cushion and spread the load over a wider area. Though you've got me thinking now, I do have some old sandals that could be chopped up, hmm. Think I'm going to make some amendments to the bit on the end of the gun as well.

Yeh, I've read the vertical aiming being more important that horizontal as the fish are long not tall. At the moment I'm aiming using the line of the band, which seems to provide decent enough accuracy.

Cheers spaniard, yep, I'm using it at arms length, I'm well aware of the hazards and wouldn't have the thing anywhere near my head. My face would heal in time but I've just got a nice new mask....

 

[foxfish]

Interesting dive this evening, the tide (hope you get to read this Mr X) was crap, small neap & going down!
When I arrived at my chosen spot (you know the one Andy) I almost didn't bother. As it turned out I have now discovered a new "tide going down" venue.
After finding some japweed in about 8 or 10' I hid on the bottom & did some Ed style, on the third dive a nice little bass appeared, he got the usual Foxfish welcome, spear through the head. I moved on to some slightly deeper water & came across a absolutely huge cuttle fish. I did consider shooting him but decided to prod him a bit just to see his reaction. After a few gentle prods there was so much ink in the water I thought the sun had gone in.
On the way in I spotted a big mullet feeding on the bottom in about 4' I actually touched him on the tail with my spear tip, most likely would of shot him if I hadn't already shot the bass.

 

[stevew]

Mart,
another nice bass, you seem to be averaging one per dive, not bad for this time of year. The new wet suit looks interesting, do you think the camouflage makes a difference? Steve.

 

[foxfish]

Yeah the camo helps hide me when walking down the beach, I have painted my van to look like a sea wall, that helps as well.

 

[Magpie]

Cor la, right thats it, me and sarah are going in tomorrow and I was wondering where to go, but not anymore!

I've deliberately avoided going down there but you're just rubbing it in now so its your own fault :t

 

[foxfish]

That's fine with me mate. Good luck. The outer reefs where I fish have some very strong tides, be careful.

b lucky Mart.

 

[Old Man Dave]

Funny old game spearfishing.

Been going most every or every other day for the past couple of weeks. While my brother has averaged a bass a trip I hadn't even seen one.

There's been; cold water, problems with my gun (overpowered it with 20mm bands), different locations to try (I've been absolutely everywhere) and that nagging feeling that my brother was probably at that moment spearing yet another bass.

So in today using my strongest characteristic, my eternal optimism. I was way down west in at low tide, dead neap. Flat calm inshore (as in like a mirror) with just a low, lazy swell breaking a mile out on the offshore reefs. Decided on this bay as it has beds of bootlace weed and I had been noticing lately that the weed has already half grown.

Well an hour and a half later I was very cold and fishless. However, I had seen, successfully stalked and shot at 3 bass from short range. Then why was I fishless? Missed 'em all. First fish was only a 2lb'er but the other 2 were both about 4lb+.

After all those bloody cold, bassless hours over the last 2 weeks I finally find the fish and ..........I let them get away.

Funny old game spearfishing.

Dave

 

[Magpie]

Least you've seen some Dave!

We were in at Foxy's spot for and hour and a half, mid tide rising (what tide there is at the moment!) and saw none as usual.

Sarah did spot a big old ballan, 4-5lbs I'd say, it just sat there trying to look like weed until I dived down and got within touching distance before it realised it was rumbled and legged, sorry, finned it.

Was still one legged as my right still ached, think I'm going to look at some new fins. Anyone got any interest in some second hand but mint Cressi Gara 3000ld's (size 44-45, would fit a 8-9 with socks, I'm 9.5 and they're a tiny bit too small).

Banged a lot more weight on and it was a lot better, but still not quite enough, just put the belt as it is on my bathroom scales, 1 stone 6! Now I'm not old enough to remember imperial measures but isn't that 22lbs!?

Speaking of weight I did find one problem now that I could stay down for a bit (whilst hugging a convenient rock), my legs would be floating up, and it took a lot of effort to get them to stay down with me. Might look at ankle weights, least it would take some of the strain off me belt!

Hey ho, another trip, some more leasons learnt.

 

[Old Man Dave]

1 stone 6! Now I'm not old enough to remember imperial measures but isn't that 22lbs!?

I am old enough to remember. Nope! It's 20lb. I wear ankle weights and so does Mart. Think Ed sometimes does. Depends on your fins but even with "heavy" fins, ankle weights help in the shallows. Stops you splashing and helps keep a better body angle. Stops neck ache as well 'cause you don't have to look up as much as if you were floating on (parallel) to the surface.

Wouldn't worry about not seeing much at present, as there isn't much to see yet. Another couple of months and the sea will be warm and alive with fish - I hope!. I might even hit a few. :vangry

Dave

 

[Magpie]

Oh right, so there's 16oz in a lbs but 14lbs in a st. Right, makes me feel a little less like a fat bloater!

Yeh, I had hoped it would help keep me fins splashing on the surface too. So if I add them to what I've already got that should be about right

 

[portinfer]

Nice catch Mart - I popped in yesterday morning for a quick dive and found some nice pollack, wrasse and mullet but no bass ... Must wash my wetsuit I think

Looks like you have been enjoying some early season diving Tom ! Good on you mate - as for the back plates, that is on my 'things-to-make-for-shallow-water-spearing' list... but the 'hot-water-and-a-roof' list is taking precidence at the moment ... Should be easy to make - Fabio's is 3kg I think - My plan was to make a mold and then pour the lead (Dave recommended a one or maybe two time use of a routered wood mold) and then use the water gasket rubber strips with which you are no doubt familier - to make the arm straps... have marked the straps but have not cut yet.

Dave - reminds me of that early season session I had when I missed SEVEN bass ... most were large ones too. I think that the eigth and ninth I saw that day I just watched - or I threw my gun at them - can't remember. Better luck with the Mamba maybe ?!

Was going to go today but the nocturnal dry land fishing got in the way

Ed

 

[foxfish]

Least you've seen some Dave!

We were in at Foxy's spot for and hour and a half, mid tide rising (what tide there is at the moment!) and saw none as usual.

Hey ho, another trip, some more leasons learnt.

Bad luck mate, the thing is "Foxy's" spot is actually free for any one to dive but the bay has a vasts area. Swimming around the outer headlands can be quite intimidating, deep water strong currents & very often a swell. I dont think Foxy's spot is any better than dozens of other spots, but I have been diving the bay for 20 years & know where & when to go. Yesterdays dive was a good example, although the tide was crap I new where to find the right type of weed, at the right depth & of course I have been very lucky of late.
As it happens I also went in this morning & drew a blank! After a hard swim carrying 22lb of weight belt + ankle weights & propelled by sinking, heavy, fins. I swam out to a exposed point surrounded by deep water where a kelp covered reef rises off the bottom almost reaching the surface. If you are prone to sea sickness this is not a good place to be! (the best surf break in Guernsey) That is where I saw a real big bass, it seemed a easy shot, no more than 3' I did not panic or rush the shot just squeezed off the trigger for a dead cert. Still cant believe I missed :head
Apart from that fish I saw very little, still the good mounths start soon
B lucky Mart.

 

[Magpie]

Ah yeh, Foxy's Spot was more by way of identification rather than ownership, and it sounds like you're lucks changing, hopefully its coming my way :t

Not too sure I like the idea of a back weight Ed, one more thing to faff around with (says he who definately getting some ankle weights, and some new fins, looking at them Ice ones....)

 

[Old Man Dave]

Thinking about new fins. Omer ice would probably be my choice too. Best price was £83 delivered Guernsey. Can show you some very simple and cheap (free) ankle weights, home made. PM me if you want info on either.

Boat (Spearfish) relaunched today, ready for the season.

Dave

 

[foxfish]

Maybe I should call myself Fog-fish very foggy out there today!

 

[portinfer]

Very nice Mart ! ANOTHER bass Def. becoming 'Foxy's Reef' - think I know the spot you are hitting so will graciously avoid it - besides it is out of parish and I'd need to get permission to leave (chained to the house).

Congrats on the launch Dave - maybe we'll see a sleeker, faster boat this year - not that 'Spearfish' was a slouch at all last year - but the new prop should help and I am sure the luxury padded couch you now have over the engine will encourage the ladies onto your vessel

Tom - weights are good - you can make ankle weights from roofing lead (but make sure it is 'english fine rolled' and of course Code 5... or whatever nonsense they put on lead these days.) Just snip some up and then bind with tape or not. As for the back weight - good idea and there are plenty of commercial ones to buy with many pockets etc.

Looks like a bit of swell on Thursday and then dying right off from Friday - looks likely to be a very calm weekend swell wise and nice and low tides too ... might be able to sneak away for a short dive !

Ed

 

[Magpie]

Well I've ordered them fins already, £90 was the best I found. They just looked so cool in the pics (like ice you could say) I couldn't resist!

Was foggy indeed, was playing cricket and you couldn't see the ball! Its a good job I left you all those fish when I went there at the weekend Mart....

Looks like I'm off to the parish church to nick me some lead then!

 

[Old Man Dave]

Okay this is how I make my ankle weights. Nothing special but very effective (in my opinion).

It's just strip lead cut and folded to create a "safe edge" and rolled to form a bracelet.

Most important to wear them on top of your socks/bootees and under your suit trousers. They are very secure and hydrodynamic. You don't need any other fastenings. Because lead is so flexible they are easy to open up, put on and tighten.

I start with 2 pieces of approx 1.5mm thick lead, 2 inches wide by 12 inches long.fold the outer half inch edges of the width over onto the centre and create a strip 1 inch wide with round "safe" edges. Roll into a ring shape (bracelet). Ditto the other piece.

Weighs about 3/4 lb each. Hard to describe, so added some pics.

Dave