I believe most UK guys hunt 10m and under (you certainly don't need to go deeper to catch good fish) and therefore we can usually hunt solo. It's the deep divers of the Med 30m+ and bluewater hunters who need buddying in case rescue from SWB is necessary. If you dive 30m+ in the UK you won't be seen from surface which makes that kind of rescue even more difficult. Go with your instinct, don't hyperventilate and don't over-extend your 'bottom' time.
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South Devon report 2007
- Thread starter spearheads
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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I believe most UK guys hunt 10m and under (you certainly don't need to go deeper to catch good fish) and therefore we can usually hunt solo. It's the deep divers of the Med 30m+ and bluewater hunters who need buddying in case rescue from SWB is necessary. If you dive 30m+ in the UK you won't be seen from surface which makes that kind of rescue even more difficult. Go with your instinct, don't hyperventilate and don't over-extend your 'bottom' time.
I've always hunted alone (Billy no mates
). I began a thread last year to find out what others do:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/spearo-board/66797-hunting-alone.html
thanks again, just thougt that it might be a bit dangerous going out on your own but as long as you don't go out to far and no your limits then you should be fine.
It is a dangerous thing but a lot of us still do it. Trouble is the people who don't survive don't get to post their opinion so we solo hunt nutters persuade ourselves that it is OK.
I see it like solo climbing - you have to be self reliant and try and minimise risk while still accepting that things can, and sometimes do, go horribly wrong.
I don't think solo is more dangerous than having a buddy. When with a buddy you are far away from each other so if you BO or samba he is not going to be much help. If you use the one up one down system then yes its much safer, but when in the uk do we get such viz to use that system.
Quite right. There isn't a risk free option. Adventure never comes without risk.
Anyone want to swap spearing for stamp collecting?
I hate paper cuts so I'll give the stamps a miss, I hear bird watching is good this time of year or maybe the chess club or train spotting or maybe,,, AHHH f$!k it hand me my speargun and lets get on with it.
When I was hunting in SW, I used only the minimum with my gun, the only time i would have appreciated a longer line is when I shot either a bad hit on bass or a mullet. The fish are not so strong from my experience that you have any trouble pulling them to the surface with you, unless you catch a something I have not see in South Devon.
As for diving alone, never do it, but when you do be careful.
And if you end up diving somewhere where the current really is strong, make sure you tell someone where you went..
Pekka
Scott, I got a custom made Elios, including shipping for the same price you paid on ebay (& I got their socks too). That was about a year ago but the pound is stronger now. Suggest you order a custom made Eliossub suit (they have videos on-line showing you how to measure, follow them carefully -- suggestion: take each measurement 3 times, over several days). If you keep it simple, basic spearo suit, hi waist pants, 5mm econo nylon covered neoprene (fine for spearing south coast of the UK year round) & just add the chest pad you will be set. [You'll need gloves &, in winter, socks too].
BTW I have a Ocean Kayak Malibu 2 (2 seater), which I use 2-up & solo. I had a great time in Devon & actually came back with a tan. I only dived once -- I could have dived more but had the feeling that I'd be p*ing against against the wind. I am always keen to get in early when probably I should wait a little longer. I was also feeling pretty tired after the first dive (a long day & early season lack of fitness). Saw a woman paddling an inflatible camo kayak at Budleigh -- camo was on top though
.Re. wrasse, they also eat small mussels (stomach content check), not sure how they break them up though (teeth in the throat?). I also recall reading of them taking lures (Mike Ladle website, for example) -- I also read somewhere that one winter was particularly hard for them, after which they were taking anything and everything.
Re. solo spearing. I also spear solo - very difficult to find folk willing to go out regularly, esp. early in the season, so far from the sea. It also makes diving on family trips feasible. However, I actually prefer it & I stay pretty shallow (after all, most of the big fish I have seen have been less than 6 feet deep) and usually pretty close to the shore. Less splash & fuss too -- also no chance of shooting the other guy; I'd feel pretty bad if I shot somebody but I'd feel even worse if they shot me! (Ian Rogers has an interesting story in his book about the flash of his mask being mistaken for a fish). See the spearfishing injuries thread for other stories of woe (short guns seem to be involved in several of the injuries). Diving alone is not ideal but perhaps not as black & white an issue as it is sometimes presented with regard to safety.
[Caveat lector: You need to weigh up the risks & benefits for your own circumstances, background, fitness, health, behaviour, etc. Best to err on the side of caution.]
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Mr x My ocean kayak does me proud everytime I go out on it. There is enough room on it to take all my gear including a fishing rod if need be , my only regret is getting it at the end of last summer. the yak is really easy to get back into and so is perfect for what I use it for.
Well i have a canoe haha, its a big 4 man canoe not the best for spearing off. But its nice to have a few slaves row you to a spot.
Dam ear infection is stopping me dive at the moment, going to dive with the camera tomorrow no matter how sore the ear is.
Dam ear infection is stopping me dive at the moment, going to dive with the camera tomorrow no matter how sore the ear is.
I also enjoy catching butter flies in my garden but be careful those butterflies can blind you if they crash in your eye, also watch out for the teeth.
I stopped playing chess after a nasty incident, to tragic to talk about.
I stopped playing chess after a nasty incident, to tragic to talk about.
I prefer a buddy cose I feel more confident and to be confident is meaning more time to spend underwater becose the relaxation,anyway I been solo many time and as usual I loved it deeply.
got a vid of the cuttle fish, Sorry forgot to stop vid once i go to the surface.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di4bsYLOEKc]YouTube - cutlefish[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di4bsYLOEKc]YouTube - cutlefish[/ame]
Plankton bloom, blooming anoying, viz was 20 inches.
Im going to wait a week or two till i get back in the water.
Im going to wait a week or two till i get back in the water.
Hi Spearheads,
Plankton bloom, the best flatfish time!! as far as my luck with those fish at least. I used to go to Sandy Bay and dive the sandy bottom right of the actual reef.. I remember locating with the blue container and the tip of the rocky shooting range pushing out to sea.. you should find a shallow rocky formations and just follow the edges so you can see the line between rock and sand.. then just pick the flatties that are waiting there next to the rock.. Used to work for me at least..
anyone with similar experiences with bad viz due plankton bloom?? besides once you get tired just look at all those cute little jellyfish floating in the water ruining the good water..
Pekka
Plankton bloom, the best flatfish time!! as far as my luck with those fish at least. I used to go to Sandy Bay and dive the sandy bottom right of the actual reef.. I remember locating with the blue container and the tip of the rocky shooting range pushing out to sea.. you should find a shallow rocky formations and just follow the edges so you can see the line between rock and sand.. then just pick the flatties that are waiting there next to the rock.. Used to work for me at least..
anyone with similar experiences with bad viz due plankton bloom?? besides once you get tired just look at all those cute little jellyfish floating in the water ruining the good water..
Pekka
The viz at my diving spots is pretty poor.
This May water has come early, which is actually a good thing because we wont have to deal with it later in the season .
This May water has come early, which is actually a good thing because we wont have to deal with it later in the season .