Help! My buddy just suggested we Freedive for lobsters

[wbrewster]

Hello,
I am in the Navy, and interested in this freediving due to a friend of mine suggesting we go diving for lobsters. I really have no clue what I am in for. I started reading the forums on how to begin, but I don't even know if I can hold my breath for 45 seconds. What are some good techniques I should practice. He said that they are about 30 ft down. Isn't that along way for a begginer? If any body has any ideas shoot em my way. And if anybody in the san diego area is into this hook me up with a training group. Thanks Wyatt

 

[maytag]

Hi Wbrewster,

I don't know about training, but there are two groups, www.sandiegofreedivers.com and the LA Fathomiers www.fathomiers.net, that might be of interest.

Cheers, maytag

 

[Lockedin]

Brewster,

1st - get very comfortable in the water. Technique is important, but if you are uncomfortable, or stressed, it won't be any fun. Why bother if it's not fun?

For bug hunting; my buddy & I have had great success by going to spots with a lot of eel grass, and rocky holes (with antennae sticking out!). Then we get in the water just before dusk, when the bugs start coming out into the open. We've been catching up to 5# bugs in 3-5' of water, rarely going deeper than 10' - 15'. For deeper / longer dives, or for scouting, we usually go SCUBA; but the shallows technique is relatively easy, requires little gear / prep, and has proven successful. While it was warm enough, we would bring our families, some wood, a pot and some butter. Dinner never tastes so sweet as when it's cooked just meters from where it was caught!

You'll find a lot of help in San Diego, there's a fairly large group of people diving that area (but that can also mean that a lot of the known spots are over fished :naughty ).

Be safe & have fun!

Rick

EDIT: I didn't touch on diving technique, as it's well covered in the forums.

 

[Polystigma]

We free-dive for lobsters here all the time and we slay them too!
Free-diving for bugs can be very productive, but is pretty tricky for the beginner. You need to get your catching technique down... Do NOT try and grab them, but rather go for the pin. Pin them against the rock/reef or whatever. Then wrap your fingers around them, get a solid grip and in the bag they go!
You do not need to be able to dive 30ft to get lobster. I find them in anywhere from 5' of water all the way up to 30-35'. However, I find the majority of them in about 10-15ft... sometimes 20'.
If you spot any lobster in caves or under ledges... I suggest that you do not go into the cave after them. The risk for an inexperienced diver is simply to great. Hell the risk for an experienced diver is even great. You may get stuck or something of that nature and find that to be your final resting place.

Good luck

 

[sanso]

Just to make sure You read through this. Here's How to start Freediving .
Helped me a lot! Have fun!

 

[keyone]

My husband and I freedive and scuba alot here in the Keys, Free diving is alot of fun and you will enjoy yourself, one you don't have a tank on your back and you can move around in the water more freely which is great. Just remember always have your buddy close by just in case. Here is a sight you might want to checkout just for your saftey. Go out and have fun but just be safe. Shallow water blackouts.

www.safteycenter.navy.mil/MEDIA/ASHORE