Spear Fishing in New Jersey

[SeaTrout2001]

I tried spear fishing for the first time while on vacation and I absolutely fell in love with it. I am thinking about getting myself a spear gun to use off the jersey shore here shooting striped bass and bluefish, but I don't know anything about spear guns or what type would be good for me. Also I dont know much about spear fishing as I only did it once which was in Belize. Any ideas what the water visibility is? Also when I shoot a fish in 20ft of water does it just pull me around while i float on top of the water? Maybe if I give you some information about the fish I'm targeting, you can suggest the right gun for me??
Striped Bass ranging between 10-40lb

bluefish ranging between 2-15lb

flounder

I'd be diving in water no deeper then 20ft deep.

Hopefully this gives you a general idea and maybe you can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Zach

P.S. If you have aim and would like to im me please feel free to do so as I have all kinds of questions before I actually start doing this type of hunting. My screen name is: StripedBass54

 

[stone_shot]

How's it going mate, I used to live (and spear) in DE -here's some info for you.
Don't worry about fish pulling you around - a 40 pound striper will pull pretty hard but isn't going to tow you like a barge. You can rig your gun to a float line attached to a torpedo buoy(like lifeguards use) and let the fish wear itself out against that if still worried.

I would recommend a Euro style gun between 75 - 90cm in length. You'll rarely get vis that's good enough to need anything else.

Try to get your fish out of the water as soon as possible after spearing it. Sharks around Jersey and Delaware aren't that much of a problem but will still steal your catch if given the chance. Don't strap the fish to your belt.

My number one tip for you though, is to find yourself an experienced person to buddy up with while you learn the ropes, and never dive alone. You'll never miss having a buddy until you need them to haul your ass out of trouble!
Any other questions just ask, or look around on here - lots of nice people willing to help!

Good luck!

 

[SeaTrout2001]

If I dont have a buoy would it be dangerous to have a 40lb striper tow me around? I wouldn't be in that deep of water but I would be free diving with a snorkel in the inlet along side the jetty and I dont want a striper to pull me into the boat traffic if ya catch my drift.

 

[stone_shot]

Don't worry about fish pulling you around - a 40 pound striper will pull pretty hard but isn't going to tow you like a barge.

Just hang on and hope it doesn't pull off the spear - but it sounds like you need to do a bit of homework before you get wet. Have a read around the forums - you'll find loads of seriously good info. And please take what I said about not diving alone seriously - nobody here wants to read about the NJ spearfisherman found dead in the inlet, ok buddy?

And don't forget to stick yourself a few blackfish/togs - mighty tasty!!:t

 

[stone_shot]

If I dont have a buoy would it be dangerous to have a 40lb striper tow me around? I wouldn't be in that deep of water but I would be free diving with a snorkel in the inlet along side the jetty and I dont want a striper to pull me into the boat traffic if ya catch my drift.

If you don't have a buoy it would be dangerous to dive around boats, period! Especially in the summer when a lot of tourists are around (many of whom are drunk boaters or just plain stupid). Put that as #2 on your list of things to do before you dive.
1. Find experienced buddy/mentor.
2. Buy or make a buoy that will hold a dive flag so boats know where you are.