Hi from Melbourne, Australia.

[Shorerider]

Hi there,

Just a quick intro. I've been Spearfishing/Freediving for the last 8 months now and can't get enough. The waters down here are pretty cold at the moment 11-13 deg celcius. Although, with today being the last day of winter, it should start warming up soon. I can't wait for summer.

If any of you are in the area and want to hook up fo a dive just shoot me a PM.



Cheers, Shorerider.

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas. Post pics if possible.

 

[Shorerider]

Howdy partner,

Until I just Googled it, I didn't think Texas had a Coastline. My first thoughts were desert and and Cowboys.

You learn something new every day!!

Much like everyone thinks we Aussies keep Kangaroo's for pets. rofl

Only yesterday a man got attacked by a big red Kangaroo while he was out for a jog. It cut his face up pretty bad. He had to walk for 10 minutes to the nearest house for help. This is a true story. It happened in a place called Sunbury, in Victoria.

Anyway back on topic. What sort of fish do you get in the waters there?

I'll try to post some pics in my next post.



Cheers, Shorerider. (Please excuse my bad taste in humor)

 

[agbiv]

Nearshore we get spadefish; sheepshead, mutton, mangrover, or grey snapper, flounder, mullet, grunts, whitefish, black drum and some others. Blue water amberjacks & dorado (Mahi). Offshore (beyond 9 miles) we can take cobia, mackeral, red snapper, grouper and some others.

 

[Shorerider]

I'm in Melbourne, which is in the bottom south east corner of Aus, just above Tasmania.

Down here from the shore we get Snapper, Whiting, Flathead, Sweep, Wrasse, Squid/Cuttle fish, Leather Jacket, Red Mullet and more. Kingfish can be found in the deeper waters offshore also.

Stingrays are always seen in any location with a sandy bottom. They are everywhere!!! I've had a monster - would have had a 2 meter/6ft wing span - circle below me and my dive buddy, who almost turned white when he saw it.

Pelagics can be found in the warmer waters up north, off the Queensland/North Queensland coast.

Like I said earlier the water is pretty dam cold at the moment, which means it's hard to get motivated to dive. Although having said that, I've still been in the water all through winter. I'll dive any chance I get.

I've included some pics (as promised) of some of the fish I've speared, and a shot of one of my favourite spots to dive.



Cheers, Shorerider.

 

[agbiv]

Great! I'm heading to Port Aransas on the the Gulf of Mexico this Saturday. Hopefully Gustav hasn't screwed the viz up. We'll hunt some jetties, a seawall and maybe some oil rigs. Hope to get some pics as well. Adios.

 

[Shorerider]

Sounds like a good trip. If you take any pics, I'd love to see them. Good luck, and dive safe mate.


Cheers, Shorerider.

 

[agbiv]

Frustrating trip!!! Late people, other boat turned into a charity case & was a pig on the water, lost high tide due to dinking around w/ other boat, lost viz w/ high tide, wind came up, no one got into water turned tail & came in. Oh well, flush the punchbowl & start the party over next time.

 

[Shorerider]

What a shame of "what could have been?". It's so annoying when you rely on others, and it comes back to bite you in the ass. Has happened to me too.

I think what makes it worse is that someone else is spoiling your day. I'd rather drive for 2 hours for a solo dive, only to realise I've left my gun on the kitchen table. That way I'd only have myself to blame.

Better luck next time.


Cheers, Shorerider.

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Hey paul, do appologise for the other week, conditions were crap every where and i tried ringing you from the schanck but no signal and by the time we got to the bay it had turned to crap. I'm diving the comp this weekend just to see how it all runs and what the go is. Will definately be keen for more dives soon though.

 

[agbiv]

Exactly...thing is my little sloop can be ready in 15-30 minutes. It's ship-shape w/ everything in a place. I was helping a "buddy's" parents with their boat & it was a total tangled rat's nest. The older gentleman had nothing stowed right, wasted tons of time hooking up stuff not needed & left driving up to me 'cause my "buddy" wasn't there yet (called all morning no answer, comes up w/ lame excuse). Okay the deed is done but I'm not ever picking that sciorpion up again 'cause I know what it is now! Yall have a good hunt & I'll send good karma to ya.

 

[Shorerider]

Hey Jono,

Well to be brutally honest, I was annoyed that I didn't hear from you. I waited for your call for 2 hours, calling you every 1/2 hour or so. No B/S. I drove to the Schank to see if you were there as I know there is no mobile phone reception there.

I ended up driving back up to Mornington and dived there, alone.

I knew you were on these forums, and was honestly speaking in general terms (you're not the only one who has bailed on me for a dive). I actually thought long and hard how to word my reply to agbiv, so you wouldn't think it was specifically about you.

As always, I'm always keen for a dive and will let you know when I have one planned.


Anyway, agbiv I'd still like to see any pics you have, especially some of your most prized catch's.



Dive safe, your mate, Shorerider.

 

[agbiv]

If I can figure out how to scan photos...well my daughters (both in 20's) definitely say I'm "challenged"!:head but I'll try.

 

[Shorerider]

Hey agbiv,

I have been seeing the news reports on TV, and things don't look too good the coast of Texas. Hurricane Ike is sure making a mess of things up your way.

I hope you, and your family and friends are safe.


Take care, Shorerider.