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Whopperhead

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter
Mar 2, 2007
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I figured I'd start a thread where I can get everyones opinion or help. I have Lots of questions. You've all been new to the sport so I'm sure you can relate.

my 1st question: Weights, how much weight do I need? I'm about 200lbs.

2- I've bought alot of the "basic" equipment: Mask, snorkle, fins, wetsuit, hood, gloves, boots, and a JBL 38 NW Special speargun, and a Float. Is there anything else I need?

The float: I understand the concept of the flag to alert others that your there. Is there any other purpose for the float?

I watched the Video from the 2007 freeze-a-palooza- Awesome!!!! I noticed "Ropes" I can understand why you would want them while under the ice. Do you use them all the time? Spring, Summer.

I'm sure most of you know of the TV show "Speargun Hunter" on the OUTDOOR CHANNEL. That is what got me interested in the sport.

I have 2 other co-workers that are interested also, but I think they want me to "dive-in" first. And maybe warmer weather.

I want to get to as many of the outings as I can, but My work schedule doesn't always give me a day off on the weekends. (4-2 schedule)

I know I have lots to learn and I thank you all in advance for the Help.

Scott
 
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Whopperhead see beginers thread below
http://forums.deeperblue.net/beginner-freediving/64959-how-start-freediving.html
weights depend on suit thickness and whether fresh water or salt with a 5mm suit id guess about 14lbs but it varies from person to person some need less some need more just try and experiment until you get it right. You should be bouyant from 10m.
Check link for spearfishing below
http://forums.deeperblue.net/beginner-hunting/65300-dummies-guide-spearfishing-part-i.html
You may be glad of a float to rest/breath up on or to hold stuff /gear /water which is the main reason people use them
Ropes are used for safety usually a competitor is attched to the safety rope via a lanyard so the safety divers know where they are at all times. Some have a counter weight system to hoist the diver up in an emergency.
Some others may have better advcie with reagrd to spearing but read through all the threads on it first and then post if there are some issues that are not understood. Always have a buddy with you that knows waht to do if you get in to bother
Dive safe
 
'How to start Freediving' looks to have lots of good information! Thanks!
 
Hi,

Welcome...If you can get to an event, this is where you can learn the most. What kind of wet suit do you have? This makes a huge difference to be able to go in the colder water...I was in for 1.5 hrs on Saturday...water was 36.

Keep doing a lot of research here & you will find most of your answers...As far as weight...go to a pool & see how things go. It depends on wetsuit thickness & body composition. I have a 5mm wetsuit, I'm in "fair" shape (5' 10" & 180 lbs...I have about 18 lbs of weight. Your goal is to be neutral at the depth you will hunt. You want to be boyant at the surface...if you pass out, you want to stay up!

Anyway, have fun & we'll see you around.

Gene
 
Gene -

i'm definately going to try to come to as many events as I can- I've put in to take the day off for next april, and trying to get to the one in June. Right now I have a 3mm akona Wetsuit, but I took your advise and I have a Elios 5mm being made right now (taylor made ) plus it's got a camo pattern. I know my dives won't be as deep and as long as everyone elses - but i got to start somewhere. I'm hoping to be out there soon. I can't wait. And I'm looking forward to meeting you all and learning.

-Scott
 
Hey there Scott first off welcome to DB, theres heaps to learn and share here.
Now for your questions...
Weight- You want to be neutral at about 5 - 10m depending on how deep youll be hunting, also remember that when you test your weight in a pool you are less boyant in fresh water than in salt water so youll probably need less weight in the sea, theres a good thread with some basic rules on the first and second page here http://forums.deeperblue.net/beginner-freediving/69686-weight-belts-2.html . Also the reason for being boyant on the first few meters of your dive is that when you come back up you are most likely to BO in this part of the ascent, so you should float up to the surface...
2- That sounds like most of it, do you have a knife though, youll need one of those, I and most of the other guys I know use a low profile smallish knife with sharp thin blade and sharp end. Used mostly to dispatch your fish with, something like the mini laser from omer seems to be very hot on the market at the moment. Allthough if you dive in areas where there is the possibility of entanglement you mite want a bigger back up knife should you need to cut yourself free, also keep the profile of the knife pretty low, it has less drag and less chance for entanglement. For the rest youll see what you need or want as you progress in the sport.
Floats, used both to alert others of your presence in the water and also connected to your gun used to play bigger fish with, and as storage I also string my fish on my float as a weightbelt connected stringer in my home waters could have you end up with a big bite taken out of your side, if there are sharks in your area Id say do this aswell.
Hope this helps a bit and happy safe diving to you mate...
 
Deep Thinker -

Thanks for the info- I'll check out that link on "weight belts". I live in Wisconsin, USA - all freshwater - no sharks! But hopefully one day I can take some trips around the world and try different areas. A Knife! I do need one of those. Thanks for the help!

-Scott
 
Scott,

Here in Wisconsin you won't really need a knife to dispatch your fish. But it is good to have one in case you become entangled with discarded fishing line or your own dive flag rope. I got one from a dive shop with a sheath so that it only comes out when I want it to, and I don't have to worry about accidently dropping it or stabbing myself. Since I'm not stabbing fish with it I got one with a blunt tip.... again so I don't stab accidently stab myself.

~Brian
 
Brian - I just ordered a 'Underwater Kinetics Fusilier' knife which has a blunt tip and come with a sheath. Should work fine. I'm greatful for all the tips and help you all are giving me- keep it coming. Thanks

Scott
 
Scott.... I looked up your JBL 38 NW Special speargun on the internet and it looks nice. I have a JBL Carbine and a pole spear. Yours looks bigger and heavier, but I notice that you like shooting carp, so I imagine that is what you plan to use it for. Are you considering going after panfish as well? If so you may find that it is kinda overkill and ends up blowing huge holes through the bluegills and such. I like to use my carbine for Lake Michigan perch (which are big) and use a 3 pronged pole spear for other panfish. Although I also just bought a trident point for my jbl carbine with the hopes that it will not destroy the panfish as badly as my regular tip. Any thoughts?

~Brian
 
Brian - My main fish that i'm going after is carp. I don't really eat fish, so I don't like shooting fish if i'm not going to eat them- So I really don't have plans on shooting panfish. I don't mind eating walleye or perch they do taste good- Maybe I need a seperate gun for Perch. I really want to try to get some of those perch in Lake Mich. I don't know too much on pole spears. I wouldn't mind trying one. For the record- I do shoot Carp but I will not eat them. They destroy habitat for other fish and we need to get rid of as many as we can.

----Scott
 
Well, then just start out with the carp and if you get the hangkering to try panfish you can always decide then. Make sure you read the spearfishing regs and know your species so you can identify them before you shoot. After I started spearfishing I found my "taste" for panfish really went up There is something about bringing home the food yourself that really improves its flavour! Also, if you go for panfish, make sure you know the bag limits for the specific lake you are spearing on.... the same as if you were angeling.

I don't eat carp either..... I don't shoot them (yet) either because I think they are so ugly I don't want to have to take them off my spear! LOL what a sissy!

I did see on the internet where they are hoping to begin feeding carp to zoo animals.... at least the fish-eating ones.
~Brian
 
Brian - I'm fairly familiar with the regs and identification of fish- I also fish alot too (I just don't keep them) - who knows maybe I'll be more of a fish eater- My doctor would like that i'm sure. Carp are fun to shoot (at least with a bow) we'll see how it goes with a spear. I may be in for a ride!! do you shoot Perch with your pole spear?

------Scott
 
Whopperhead,

One thing I did was mount a reel to my speargun. I've been pulled around in a canoe by a large carp that I shot with a bow & thought the same would be with a speargun...I was right. The one in my photo took me for a ride. I was glad to have the extra line. I just used an old fly reel I had laying around. One can also hook the line from their float to the speargun...this is incase you are being pulled and need to come up for air...one can let go of the gun and not worry about loosing it...just follow the float.

I know this won't happen much, but the big carp I got last year would have pulled the gun out of my hands & I would have not been a happy camper. :head Rock lake (April 21st Carp-Spear-O-Rama) is supposed to have some very large gar (3' - 4'), but we'll see...One would think they would put up a rather good fight too...especially if not shot well (tail or belly). :martial

On the knife...be certain to have one with a serated edge...the kevlar type line many are using now days is tough to cut with a straight edge.

Gene
 
Whopperhead,

Last year was the first year that I went after perch in Lake Michigan (as apposed to inland lakes). I tried both the pole spear and the speargun and in the end found I preferred the speargun. I'm looking forward to trying the speargun this year with a trident tip....I think it should be the ultimate! We'll see.

Brian
 
Brian - I want to see how your new tip works for you. Looking at my speargun. I agree the shaft is pretty big for Perch and definately panfish. This may give me good reason to buy a second speargun (one for perch)

Gene - My knife is serated on one edge.

---------Scott
 
Here's the picture. Also Whopperhead, I like to carry the spearing regs with me in case I get the "HEY, that's not legal!!" treatment from angelers. But actually.... I've never had to pull it out.... so far anyway!

Do you like my "post-dive" hairdo?? After swimming with perch like that... who cares????!!
 

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Whopper.... you'll also find that when you shoot a bluegill with a speargun, not only the whole shaft, but also the metal "thingy" that the rope attaches to goes completly through the fish and the gill ends up on the rope. Unless of course it rips out a "chunk" and then the fish is free. Thats why I have stopped using it on gills and have gone to the polespear. Hope the trident tip ends this problem for bluegills as well, because I kind of prefer the speargun. It reminds me of bowhunting.... underwater
 
Nice! I do like the hair do - I shave my head So, I have bad hair 365 24/7. I always keep Regs with me, In my boat, tackle box, truck, car, and now I get a Copy in with my diving gear. I don't anticipate problems. Most people that see me shoot carp with my bow are thrilled that I'm doing it.

--scott
 
Whopperhead,

Be certain to carry the Spearing & Netting regs...more info on spearfishing WI

Gene
 
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