Long fins vs shot fins

[spadefish]

Hi All,

An obervation which may be pertinant or not, since the advent of the use of long blades (both composite and carbon) - from the short fins of the 80's, I have noticed that sharks behavoiur towards me while spearfishing has become far more relaxed.

I suspect this has to do with the lower frequecy of the fin stroke. I now often have scenarios whare I have noticeably realxed bull and tiger sharks swim up to me while waiting on the bottom. I also notice that I have far fewer shaks following me up off the bottom - definitely a good thing!!

Perhaps it is a question of being more relaxed in their presence - I still lose the occasional fish, but this is usually to blacktip sharks and in some cases bull sharks (but this usually happens when the fish is quite a way form me). Could it be that the length of the fins now makes me a far bigger foe than previously.

OK for all the guys in Cape Town and Skipskop - this does NOT apply to you!!!!

Cheers

 

[fcallagy]

Hi Spade I know bugger all about sharks but it strikes me that long fins also make you appear bigger to the shark and he may therefore see you as a bigger threat just a thought.

 

[tuffstuff]

Hi Spade I know bugger all about sharks but it strikes me that long fins also make you appear bigger to the shark and he may therefore see you as a bigger threat just a thought.

I agree my fins add like 3ft to me

 

[Pastor]

Hi Spade I know bugger all about sharks but it strikes me that long fins also make you appear bigger to the shark and he may therefore see you as a bigger threat just a thought.

They also add a fair old percentage to your body length that might get bitten before you do too rofl

 

[spadefish]

I am also convinced that the slower fin strokes send out a different message. Its like the difference between stoning a game fish and not! Even in the presence of sharks, I have found that stoning (not spining) a game fish has little impact on a sharks behaviour - see what happens when a wahoo takes off - its like the mongolian cavalry chasing it! Every shark in the area is attracted. Surely the fin stroke must have an impact.

 

[foxfish]

Short fins have a place in our type of hunting too (cold water) I still use my old jet fins when hunting the shallows, this is espesally beneficial if the water is shallow enough to stand in.
Long fins are great (& very fashionable) for certain typs of diving but not the be all of hunting!

 

[spadefish]

Hi Foxfish,

I will agree with you there. When there is a decent swell and shaqllolw water, long fins can be conter productive. Under these conditions, a mouth full of teeth (usually in the form of a sand tiger) can give you quite a start .

I still tend to use my long (nylon blades) fins inthe shallows, but may quite a lot of attention on wedging them under an overhang to prevent the next wavr neatly picking them up and giving you an unexpected headstand!!!

Here on the east coast of SA we don't get the cold water you guys get in the UK, so I cannot comment on the cold water side (the coldest I have ever experienced is 13 degrees C)

Cheers

 

[MARMIR]

....within shallow waters short fins remove much less rubble....

 

[spadefish]

Hi Marmir,

Here in South Africa, you can easily tell people who hunt in very shallow water by the lack of front teeth and scars on the head. We have wuite a strong sea and there is nothing worse than being sucked back into a wave!! Without the thrust of long fins you end up looking somewhat disfigured - the rubble removes you!

Cheers

 

[MARMIR]

.....Ho Yes Spade, in the ocean there are always waves...where I spear sea/lakes
sometime it is so flat that you can't even tell waves....anyway it's a pity, the dental plate is so expensive....you know, when people love a great sport like this ...they would do anything....have they ever thought to spear with an american football helmet on?

 

[Mr. X]

Interesting observation. I noticed in the pool when I first switched to long fins that my speed seemed to stay about the same but my finning cadence dropped (just could not fin at the same old rate) which allowed my heart rate to drop & allowed me to fin further on a single breath. Perhaps the lower heart rate is a factor (as well as longer profile and/or finning rate)?

 

[spaghetti]

Remember this?
http://forums.deeperblue.net/beginner-hunting/71506-spearos-long-fins-what.html
I finally bought the short Cressi Reaction Pro to replace the old Cressi Freefrog (they were too rugged) and if someone asks me, the Reaction Pro are "class A superior" concerning with what you can expect from a short fin. Excellent for the category.

 

[armandozx]

My wife has a pair of Cressi Plumas I know they are for snorkeling but I have to admit they feel so comfortable. I don't expect any here to tried them lol specially since they are feminine fins.

 

[spaghetti]

My wife has a pair of Cressi Plumas I know they are for snorkeling but I have to admit they feel so comfortable. I don't expect any here to tried them lol specially since they are feminine fins.

My Cressi Reaction Pro are definitely Macho: you don't need Viagra with fins like those. Pure testosterone! :martial
What you need with them is the current to be gentle, cause honestly speaking when swimming in strong current one could regret he's not wearing long fins. But I still can witness these shorties are really good in rocky bottoms.

 

[Lenny]

When it comes to kelpy areas, the shorter the better

 

[riffehunter717]

i think that the longer fins make you look alot less like a fish because of their curve motion and rounded edges

 

[Mr. X]

Hi Marmir,

Here in South Africa, you can easily tell people who hunt in very shallow water by the lack of front teeth and scars on the head. We have wuite a strong sea and there is nothing worse than being sucked back into a wave!! Without the thrust of long fins you end up looking somewhat disfigured - the rubble removes you!

Cheers

Yes, swimming in strong current, big fins help & give confidence. I can think of a couple of locations (both headlands/points) that involve navigating at least a patch of strong current. Long fins make this relatively straightforward but w/o fins, you'd need to over-arm it to have any chance; with small fins it would be hard work & I'd avoid it.