Hello from the OC - New member & Spearo eager to learn!

[Spearo_Stu]

Hi all,

This is my first venture onto this forum, I've enjoyed many threads, tips and insights from some amazingly knowledgeable folk on here, so I thought it time to jump in!

I'm all about free dive spearfishing and hungry to learn and grow! I've been spearing a year now and absolutely love the sport, the community and it's values.

Looking forward to many good discussions!
Cheers
Spearo_Stu

 

[BatRay]

Welcome to Deeperblue! Glad you could join us. Feel free to post and reply in the USA/Canada subforum if you're looking for locals in your area.

Enjoy the forums

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Welcome to Deeperblue. Nice sheephead.

 

[Spearo_Stu]

Welcome to Deeperblue. Nice sheephead.

Thanks Bill. I just had coffee with Dave Rice yesterday and he was showing me some sweet Yellows you got a little while back. Would love to get out with you guys sometime - soak up the knowledge like a sponge and shoot some feeesh

 

[Bill McIntyre]

So you know Dave. That's OK, we won't hold that against you. Here is a haul from SCI yesterday.

 

[Spearo_Stu]

So you know Dave. That's OK, we won't hold that against you. Here is a haul from SCI yesterday.View attachment 42468

HAHA! Yes, I got to meet him through a mutual friend and he's been awesome to chat with, pick his brain etc! Oh man... thats a LOT os Sushimi!! Amazing. I really like yellowtail meat, but I haven't been able to get into many of them yet. I've been limited to shore diving for the most part of the last year, but we just bought a small 17 boat for coastal stuff which has been fun!

Diving in the OC Classic competition this Saturday - really hoping to score some decent yellows!

Whilst you're here - what do you reckon is a solid gun choice for that type of hunting (yellows, dorado, wsb). I know you could get one for each respectively, but I'm looking for a bluewater / wsb gun. I got a Riffe Island yesterday for a great deal but I havent taken it out yet and I am hearing worrisome stories about this gun stock (which is what i have).

Dave has mentioned a Wong hybrid which is nice, but STEEP. I'm also used to shooting rear handles - Bleutec, Pathos, Rob Allen.

Thoughts?

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I'll have to agree with Dave about Wongs. I've been using them for about 19 years and currently have four from 50" to 60". If I had to pick one for all around SoCal hunting, I think I'd go with the GR Plus, in either 57.5" or 60" length.

But if you are into rear handles, I just made the leap. I haven't used the models that you mentioned, but I bought an Abbelan Denton 110 just because I thought I should try a rear handle before I died, and I heard a lot of good things about this gun. I'm having trouble adjusting to shooting a rear handle, but its promising. A friend got me into a pool with the target at 20 feet from the tip, and I was amazed at how fast and level it shot. My group around the bull could be covered with my palm, and it got great penetration. I would never have believed that a gun could propel a 5/16 shaft with two 14.5mm small ID bands, but but it seems to work. I'll show some photos.

My first white sea bass/yellowtail gun was a Riffe Island. I sure got some fish, but its too light for its shafts and bands and has a lot of recoil and muzzle flip, which causes it to shoot low. I eventually adjusted, but then when I got a Wong I was missing high until I realized that I was supposed to aim where I wanted to hit. Most experienced guys that I know who use them ended up adding external side stocks to increase mass. It's hard to get Jay to change, but I think he is now selling an Island Elite model with side stocks and enclosed track. I prefer a gun that is properly ballasted without the external stuff.

 

[Spearo_Stu]

Wow! That's a great Yellow Bill! Love that you're giving the rear handles a go after all that time on the mids - good for you!

I got my first decent size yellow on Saturday - 28.2lbs. Couldn't be more stoked!

I also ended up getting a Teaksea Azimuth 125. Greek made gun that came highly recommended and did not disappoint!