North Devon Laurel and Hardy spear fisher

[Silverwestie]

Dear All,

I live in North Devon and must be the worst spear fisherman in the world! Have been going in for a few years now. Managed to get a few lobsters. Rarely see any bass never mind hit them. I'm probably getting old but a flash of silver and they're gone.

Love my surfing and fishing (also terrible). Last couple of years the vis seems to have been so bad I've rarely been spearing. Thinking of going to some of the more sheltered coves rather than off the main beeches to improve this.

I'm still in a winter surfing wetsuit with a pretty old gun. Thinking of getting a spearo suit a better gun a better location. (bad workmen and and all that).

I realise everyone probably has their own little spots they'd rather not reveal but if anyone could give me a few pointers of the type of suit and a better location I'd really appreciate it.

I promise the likely hood of me actually spearing anything is pretty remote anyway! Getting fed up with the car park lady and my wife laughing at my nil catch whilst Ralph and Waxer walk past with another haul of bass.

Never posted on a forum before so not really sure how this works. Desperation has driven me to confess my failures. This feels like a confessional. I'm off to say a few hail Mary's and hope I'm forgiven.

 

[scottwilson]

Hi Westie.

Welcome to DB. Get yourself over to the Devon threads. There is plenty of information on spots around Devon or use the search button and enter the spot you thinking about diving.

The wetsuit you buy is down to your budget and Shape A 2 piece 5mm suit is the way to go. Camo or not is entirely down to you. Personally I don't think it makes any difference whether you in camo or pure black. A nylon outer will last longer especially if you spend a lot of your time in the stringweed and kelp

Cressi do brilliant off the peg wetsuits like the Tecnica and the competition along with omer, picasso. From what ive found the Omer suits have a smaller cut than cressi.

Scubastore do some excellent deals with good discounts and are well worth checking out along with Spearfishingstore and apnea.

Hope this helps.

 

[Silverwestie]

Dear Scott,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. Will take your advice. Most appreciated.

DW

 

[Trelawney]

Hi Westie.
Don't worry about your kit. I didn't get a "proper" spearo suit for about 5 years when I first started spearfishing. I used a 30 year old Nemrod speargun from a car boot sale for about the same amount of time before upgrading. They still put fish on the table. Remember, it's not the arrow, but the Indian!

Or look at it another way; If you're good at finding lobsters, look for lobsters. I would rather have one of those than a bass any day of the week. Also, if you're looking down all the time, thats when you find the flatfish hiding amongst the rocks.

If you do need kit, give Anthony at scubadivingstore a ring. Tell him Scott and Chris sent you.

 

[Silverwestie]

Hi Trelawney,

Thanks for your help. Love the flag and your YouTube videos.

A little encouragement goes a long way. I must admit the lobsters are lovely. Those claws sometimes scare the hell out of me though!

I'd never even thought about the flat fish. I suppose you don't see what you're not looking for. So will give that a try.

Goal for this year is to spear one bass. If I manage that I'll be delighted!

It's great living on the north coast for the surf but it does mess up the vis. Can't have it both ways I guess. Will give Anthony a call when I've saved up some cash and put some more hours in the water.

Thanks again for your help.

DW

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello and welcome on DB

All best