Hello from Eleuthera in the Bahamas

[genetk44]

Gene here. Retired scuba dive operator and avid recreational freediver. Just starting out on the hunting thing. We are only Lowed to spearfish with polespears and hawaiin slings here...spearguns are absolutely forbidden. So never having gone after fish this is all new to me. I have hunted bugs but never scalefish....its a concept that I find a bit nervey..we got tons of sharks...big ones and they come in fast ...so I've set up a kayak for anchoring and as a base but its a bit cumbersome...also the whole idea of rigging a floatline to my spears has me a bit confused...makes sense so as not to lose them..but how to do it is got me stumped. Anyways, I'll read through thse forums and try to learn as much as I can.
Cheers
Gene

 

[cdavis]

Eleuthera, great diving. I'm envious. Where in Eleuthera are you?

Slings don't tolerate a float line, not enough power and it would throw off your aim. Assuming you are diving less than 60 ft for reef fish, You don't need it, water is plenty clear. much the same for your pole spear, you could use a float line, but don't need it.

Sharks are seldom a problem if you get the fish out of the water immediately. Having two divers in the water helps a lot as well. You will run into problems if you have to swim with fish any distance back to the shore or boat. We dive two guys in the water, one in the boat following. Its way more efficient and safer. a If you are diving by yourself, suggest towing the kayak or building a smaller float that you can tow and stash the fish in.

 

[genetk44]

Hey...I'm just south of Governors Harbour in N. Palmetto. Yeah...towing the kayak can get old quickly......I'll try to find a boogie board and set it up as a tow-float cargo carrier. The sling I figured a float wasn't an option....but the pole I thought might be worth it just so I don't lose it in deeper water. I can free dive down to about 40-45 ft at best....so anything deeper and the spear is gone.

Whereabouts are you??

 

[BatRay]

Hi, welcome to the forums. You can also post in the Spearfishing subforum, or in your local regional subforum if you're looking for locals. I'd be curious to see some photos of catches and diving grounds, if you feel inclined to take them and post them.

 

[genetk44]

Hi, welcome to the forums. You can also post in the Spearfishing subforum, or in your local regional subforum if you're looking for locals. I'd be curious to see some photos of catches and diving grounds, if you feel inclined to take them and post them.

Thanks for the welcome and posting info....no pics since I haven't shot anything yet

 

[cdavis]

I live in Sarasota, Florida. Dive at least one Bahamas trip in summer, Bimini, Berrys, west side of Abaco. This summer I'm planning a long trip, a month down to San Salvador, Rum and Conceptcion.

Not sure I understand about the pole spear. Unless you are shooting pelagics or swimming over deep water, how could you lose it?

Whatever you rig up, it should keep blood, etc contained or you will have sharks swarming around your float.

Connor

 

[Apneaddict]

Headhunter is coming out with a great looking sling setup that has a reel on it.

Might be just the ticket!

 

[genetk44]

I live in Sarasota, Florida. Dive at least one Bahamas trip in summer, Bimini, Berrys, west side of Abaco. This summer I'm planning a long trip, a month down to San Salvador, Rum and Conceptcion.

Not sure I understand about the pole spear. Unless you are shooting pelagics or swimming over deep water, how could you lose it?

Whatever you rig up, it should keep blood, etc contained or you will have sharks swarming around your float.

Connor

Connor...I meant if The pole spear slips away from me in water deeper than 40 ft I probably wont be able to recover it...even if its in only 50 ft of water, unless I have a line on it.
The blood,shark thing I understand...I'm very very familiar with Bahamian sharks.

 

[genetk44]

Headhunter is coming out with a great looking sling setup that has a reel on it.

Might be just the ticket!

Thanks for the tip about Headhunter....their page is very helpful.
Cheers.

 

[CochraneCowboy]

Yodel! Looking for some advice. Have have a reasonable amount of experience spearfishing and have our shore diving setup fairly tuned in. Depending on day, we sport either paddle boards that we can connect or small dive-boards (modified boogie boards).
We really enjoy shallow diving, down to 60 feet or so but can spend quite a bit of time shallower than that. We tend to keep our harvesting quite humble and really only hunt what we need for that day or maybe a few days. We have been looking at renting a place near N. Palmetto, kinda looks and reads like we have great access to both the Atlantic side and calmer shallow Caribbean side. Is there much spearing to be had on the West side in the Palmetto area if considering access being car, swim, paddle? Levy Island looked promising. We will likely hire a charter for one or two days over a two week period. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers