Help a bginner out - where to (or not to) fish?

[BigShot]

Hey folks, nice forum you've got here.

I'm hoping to be seeing Mr Millard for a proper freediving course some time in the next couple of months, but in the mean time I'm working on O2 and CO2 tables and plan to put together some sort of hand spear, pole spear or Hawai'ian sling for some shallow fishing.

Being in Manchester my most likely spots are around the North Wales, North East of England and Yorkshire coasts. I'm also planning on heading north of the border in the direction of Fort William for a few weeks too (heading off in 2 or 3 weeks) and plan to get in a bit of fishing while on that little trip too.

Before I go wading in with a spear in my hand though, I'm trying to find out if there's anywhere we're not supposed to fish. Are there any byelaws I should be aware of around this part of the world that would mean trouble if I was seen on my way in with a spear or out with fish?
Is there a definitive source that details such byelaws?

Then there's the other bit of the thread title... where TO go? Are there any good (and non-secret) spots worth getting to where one can fish from the surface and not too far below without the need for the long/deep dives that I have no intention of attempting without first getting some instruction?

Cheers.

 

[Hyscore]

Hi BigShot! We may meet soon as I too am waiting to hear from Steve about a course. I can't tell you about specific spots because I don't know, but as regards the legality of entering the water with a spear you don't have anything to worry about. Just use common sense with regard to transportation and use near swimmers to avoid falling foul of the kind of laws that make it an offence to own a realistic toy gun in this free country of ours.

Bill

 

[BigShot]

I'm such a menace to society that I carry a knife everywhere I go. Being an archer I'm occasionally out and about with a bow and set of arrows too. In short, I'm happy enough with dealing with lunatic-bed-wetters of this free country and know there's no issue having spears/slings/spearguns/arrows and so on out in public if you've got "good reason". Ditto knives of the non-EDC type too. Speaking of which, I really aught to sort myself out with a dive knife soon.

The only thing I'm unsure about is specifics of some places (hence my question about byelaws). I read somewhere that some places around this the most lovely of islands (and I mean that) have byelaws prohibiting spearfishing and wanted to get some clarification on that.


As for Steve and his courses, I'm told he's off somewhere exotic right now but next week I'm giving him a bell to see when his next course or two take place.
As ever, money remains tight though so I may have to save up a bit of pocket money before I can take one.

 

[Spaniard]

Hi BigShot and welcome. I don't know how to post the link here but i'm sure someone with a brain will - there is a North Wales spearo thread where you can make friends and ask all your questions. Good luck.

 

[BigShot]

Thanks, Spaniard.
I think you mean this thread: http://forums.deeperblue.com/wales/66565-spearing-north-wales-121.html

If so I've already subscribed to it so I can follow along and I've marked one of the spots mentioned with a pin in Google Earth to remind me to get wet there next time I'm in that part of the world.

 

[Broseidon]

If you're in Manchester, your best bet it to travel to either Angelsey or to the Llyn Peninsular.

 

[BigShot]

Cheers Broseidon, I hadn't really thought about Angelsey as a hunting ground. My main thought was to try something over this end of the North Wales and NorthWest coasts, though I'm not sure what kind of pickings are to be found around there.

Llyn will definitely be happening as I try and surf (really, really badly - seriously, I'm decent on a snowboard and can windsurf - but surfing is f****** hard!) when I can and Hell's Mouth is often the nearest break worth going to.

Is there much to be found at the shallower depths around Angelsey and Llyn?
Until I get along to a course and start working on technique, breath and safety at length I'll be going nowhere near the deeper grounds.

 

[Broseidon]

Pretty much all of the waters around the Llyn are shallow - we found deeper water yesterday and at a guess it was around 12m at the deepest, which in reality, isn't that deep at all.

In my experience you tend to find bass in the shallower areas of the Llyn, 3 - 6 meters which is easily divable by even very novice spearfishermen! I've done a few deeper dives, 9+ meters, and have never seen bass.

I was very close to Hells Mouth Yesterday in Aberdaron direction - lots of good spots around there.

I wouldn't worry too much about doing a course - just keep reading the forums and asking questions about safety and you'll be just fine!

 

[Hyscore]

Hey! I'm another surfer (well bodyboarder) returning to snorkelling/spearing! It's a great combination of sports - surf if the break is going off and enjoy the underwater world if it's flat.

 

[Hyscore]

Oh... and I had a thought today about where not to spear. So far as I can remember spearfishing in fresh water in the UK was an absolute no-no. Can anyone confirm if that is (still) correct?

 

[BigShot]

So it looks l have a good idea of where to head around Llyn, I could still do with shallow places to head along the North coast of Wales and anything from the Wirral up to Fort William (as I think I mentioned earlier - I may be around Fort Bill way for a couple of weeks soon).


Broseidon... 12m is far more than I'd be happy trying right now. I'd be happy enough to go down to 3 to 6 though.
As for a course - I'll be fishing before I take one. I'm off on a road trip in a couple of weeks (Scotland or Wales). Mainly I'm after the course for techniques, advice and safety points I may not otherwise have thought to ask about.


Hyscore... I have a surfboard and I can paddle it onto a wave, get to my feet and ride in to the beach... but to call me a surfer is an insult to surfers everywhere! Haha. Last time I went (and it's been a while) I was trying to figure out how on earth to trim along the unbroken wave. But then, I'm a city kid who should have been born either on a beach or in the alps. I blame the parents!

I read something saying spearfishing was generally fine in the sea and tidal parts of rivers and otherwise not allowed.

 

[spudguncat]

Hey there bigshot, i to am interested in finding places a bit closer to home and further along the nw coast of england and into scotland. i found round me it is all sand and very tidal indeed but yet to venture into cumbria i have seen a place whilst out walking which i will try sometime as for north wales i dont think there is much doing in the areas which you mentioned just to keep on driving to llyn or anglesea.
i did the first part of steves course it was ok but like bro says do all the reading you can and ask questions on here! your going to need all your money for kit!!!!
peace

 

[Spaniard]

Oh... and I had a thought today about where not to spear. So far as I can remember spearfishing in fresh water in the UK was an absolute no-no. Can anyone confirm if that is (still) correct?

You are correct. Freshwater spearing in the UK is not allowed. You'd only end up catching shopping trolleys and cider cans....rofl