My best so far

[stone_shot]

Hi Everybody!
Here is my best fish of the past summer. I got it at about 12-15 ft and 50 yards from shore in Dublin bay--I was preparing to introduce one of its smaller siblings to its maker when this one made the critical error of bumping into my spear. Huan you were right--the big ones are harder to shoot!

 

[spaghetti]

not bad mate. And compliments for the gun: it's a valerio grassi's Mb old glory, isn'it? I still regret the day I gave mine away

 

[Huan]

Good shooting right through the gills, didn't even need to bleed it...
Nice one, did you try my pollock recipe? It's in the recipe section.

 

[ajwaverider]

not bad mate. And compliments for the gun: it's a valerio grassi's Mb old glory, isn'it? I still regret the day I gave mine away

They pop up on ebey every now and then.

Nice shooten Stone Shot

 

[mundial]

nice catch and nice shut
what fish is it ?

 

[Huan]

White Pollock (Pollachius pollachius)
Member of the cod family (Gadoid)

 

[Mark Laboccetta]

Nice fish Stone Shot, water must be cold there! I bet that gun is older than the fish too, deserving of a few nice preys like that one. Clear waters,

Mark
ps- we went diving with Mike Davis from your old club in DE last fall in NC, you probably remember him. We took him offshore 40 miles and he started with a 90cm gun with his tennis shoes and open heeled jet fins typical of the breakwater gear him and his club members use for stripers. By the end of the day he was shooting grouper and african pompanos with long fins, a 120cm gun and a float and float line

 

[PhilLJCA]

nice going, whats the water temp and visibility in eire this time of year. you need to wear a dry suit?

 

[Huan]

Water temp currently 12ºC or thereabouts. probably drop to a low of 8-9ºC during January-February.
More info here
No need for a dry suit, in fact how do you freedive in a drysuit?

 

[Mr. X]

Nice fish Stone_Shot! (Nice gun too)
Where do you guys usually spear? Looking at Huan's link, I am thinking the west coast look pretty interesting, specially the south-west. I would imagine the west coast is pretty rocky facing onto the atlantic -- is it like Cornwall (brown granite cliffs & clear blue-green water)? [:duh just noticed Stone_Shot already said Dublin Bay! ]

 

[PhilLJCA]

ive never worn a dry suit so i dont know i just assumed that it would be freezing cold up there this time of year. so you can get away with a 7mm?

 

[Mr. X]

ive never worn a dry suit so i dont know i just assumed that it would be freezing cold up there this time of year. so you can get away with a 7mm?

I can't speak for Ireland but my (bottom-of-the-line) 5mm open cell Elios spearo suit has proved plenty warm enough for Dorset in November & December. Does Ireland get Gulf Stream warming effect? I am planning to try a late December dive (Dorset or Devon?) and I plan to keep going through the winter or until I find it too cold. Not all wetsuits are equal though --I believe open-cell is generally warmer (& cheaper) than lined (you need to lube up though). The spearo design is simple and effective -- the hood makes a big difference, the lack of zips probably helps too. I have been extremely happy with mine so far.

I am thinking of getting a weight vest (prob. Seatec or Omer?), I originally thought the Omer might provide a little extra insulation (& camo) -- but I have found that I have more than enough insulation already. A vest that vents well (like the Seatec) is now looking like a more practical proposition (I was overheating in November 20th!).

 

[Huan]

I have dived extensively around Ireland and have found the SW to be the warmest (or most affected by the G.stream)place.
it is also the richest (in terms of sealife) part of the west coast.
Yep W. coast is pretty rocky but there are a few nice sandy places

 

[seamunki]

Hi Chris,

I remember that day well! Hopefully we'll bag a few more in the spring..

Pat

 

[seamunki]

I have dived extensively around Ireland and have found the SW to be the warmest (or most affected by the G.stream)place.
it is also the richest (in terms of sealife) part of the west coast.
Yep W. coast is pretty rocky but there are a few nice sandy places

Huan,

Have you dived anywhere in Co.Mayo?
I'm moving to Louisburgh next spring when our house is ready.

All the Best

Pat the Dulchie (ex. Tallaghtfornian!)