Tips and tricks

[deep thinker]

So most of us here know alot of tips and tricks to make a trip easier or to improve our chances of getting fish. But I also see alot of newcomers on the site asking questions and reading alot of really really old posts to get answers to some questions they mite have. Sooo I thought it a good idea to comply a list of tips and tricks, that we may have shared here before or not yet to help the newbies to the sport and maybe perhaps even us regulars can learn something new

1. Allways carry a knife when diving, flat low profile and not to big works best when freediving and spearfishing.
2. When you get a new mask, rub the inside of the lenses with toothpaste before use to remove any silicone residue and so to stop it from fogging up. Some say a round in the dishwasher on cold wash works too but I havent tried it. When deciding on a mask I find low profile with black silicone skirtings works best for spearing.
3. When deciding on a new pair of fins try on as many as you can before you buy.
4. A opencell custom made suit will keep you warmer and more comfortable in the water than any other suit you buy of the shelf.
5. In sharky waters never string fish on your body, use a float
6. When in areas with heavy boat traffic a float is a necessity, the more visible the better, use a float every time you dive so that it becomes part of your kit.
7. Rinse gear in clean water after every dive and let dry in a well ventilated cool dark place.
8. Carry a iron file in your dive bag so that you can sharpen your spear tips when you hit a rock.
9. Learn what tides and wind patterns produce the best diving conditions to improve your chances.
10. Silence and stealth is the key to successfull hunting for most any fish species
11. Learn what fish are available, how they look and what the minimum size should be before you start hunting a area.
12. A 1.1m gun is a good allround starting gun in areas with cleaner water while a 750mm is a better option for low viz areas like UK waters and such.
13. Viz/vis means visibility...
14. When swithching from steel to dyneema wishbones, make sure to round the edges of the spear notches, if you dont the dyneema will cut through quickly.
15. Alot of divers disable the safety catch on their triggers as this amounts to most missed shots ( allthough few will say so ). The only really save speargun in one with slack rubbers.
16. Gather as much knowledge as you possibly can about your bodys abilitys and functions when low on oxygen before you start deep diving and hunting on your own in open water. Preferrably do a freediving coarse before you start, this will also improve your diving abilitys and chances of getting fish.
17. Never fire a speargun out of water, its a weapon you know...
18. Spend as much time in the water as possible to become aquanted with your gear.
19. Allways have a buddy present in the water. One whos watching you and knows what to do should you black out.
20. This one according to me is the most important when it comes to the international unspoken rules of spearfishing, IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WONT BE EATING IT DONT KILL IT...
21. A simple snorkel is often better than the ones with valves and things, go for a comfortable fit in your mouth and one that has a bit of bend in the tube works well in kelpy areas.

Ok thats me for now, Ill add more later if I remember something more, over to the rest of you fellas...

 

[settingsteel]

22) if toothpaste doesn't work try coke, let it sit in the mask (lense only)for a day or 2, rinse and whala!

 

[kmo]

23. If there is one around, join a club. Talking and diving with experienced divers will improve your chances immeasurably.
24. Don't be shy to talk to line fishermen. They know a surprising amount about what ground to look for (on the sounder or the beach), fish temperament, and weather/tide conditions to look for. They are usually pretty interested to hear from someone who has come face to face with their quarry too.
25. Dive buddies who are as keen as you are gold.
26. Cover a lot of ground when you first start. It takes a long time to figure out what sort of structure/growth attracts particular fish and if you keep moving you will see more and more.

 

[deep thinker]

Good points and interesting about the Coke...
I especially agree with the last one, the only way youll see fish is when your in the water, so the more your in there the more youll see.

 

[tuffstuff]

Give your dive partners plenty of room when spearing don't shoot fish directly in front of them ruining their shot and spooking the fish:vangry.( I swear if anyone does this to me again they're going on my stringer:martial).

 

[spearheads]

Don't have a curry the night before a days diving unless you want to be feeding the Mullet.rofl

Drink plenty of fluids/water through out the day even if you don't fill thirsty.

 

[colt.45]

in fresh water lakes;

bass, found around just about any submerged structure between 15-30 feet are extreemly curious if they swim away just sit and chill for a second ant they will come back

catfish found in muddy flats at about the same depth as bass take off as soon as they see you so be verry quiet and try to keep a low profile to sneak up on them

carp which iv found just about everywhere seem to be a wild card and if inybody knows any tricks for them that would be apreciated. sometimes they swim up to check you out other times they will just go crusing by and other times they will just sit there and look at you

panfish especially bluegill are agressive little buggers that usally hang out in shallow warm water in the backs of canyons and bays they can also be found around bridge pylons and travel in packs i have been bit before while trying to shoot them, it feels kinda like geting stabbed with a pencil and will draw blood some times. while they dont nessacarily swim away from you they are verry mobile and dont ever seem to stop moving. they require fast reflexes and a quick trigger finger.

these are just some of my experiences if anyone has different opinions of something to contribute please feel free to share or correct me.

 

[sciencemike]

My golden rule, be very calm when hunting, erratic movements will scare any weary fish away, while smooth calm movements will sometimes pique their curiosity.

Never chase fish, they are faster and will always flee when pursued, instead stop and retreat just a hair they will often come back.

 

[miles]

Hiya

Never chase fish, they are faster and will always flee when pursued

Sciencemike, that doesn't hold true for all species. Some pelagics you NEED to chase them down. Yellowtail is a prime example. You can actually chase after a school underwater and get close enough to place a shot.

'Cuta or Spanish Mackerel, as they're known, have a very unique method of approach. When a spanish mackerel swims away from you, you give chase!! Swimming directly behind the fish, the fish will then swim away, but swim in a snake-like motion, which en-ables it to see you with its one eye. YOU, then swim in the OPPOSITE direction to what the fish is looking, ie. you're trying to stay in its blind spot, directly behind the fish. The fish will then turn its head and try and look at you with the other eye, whilst you once again swim in the opposite direction to stay in his blind spot. The fish, now very intrigued in whats following him will now turn BROADSIDE to get a proper look at you.......perfect target......."BANG"!!

Regards
miles

 

[sciencemike]

Thanks for straightening me out there It was foolish of me to use "Never"

Im going to try that cuda tactic out next time i see some, sounds pretty cool.

 

[Pastor]

Don't fart in a wetsuit or if you must do it in a vertically upright position and try to get the gas out through the hood. Otherwise it will collect in your socks and put you off balance.

Never put a loaded gun in a boat

Always keep your knife sharp

 

[deep thinker]

Don't fart in a wetsuit or if you must do it in a vertically upright position and try to get the gas out through the hood. Otherwise it will collect in your socks and put you off balance.

roflroflThat mustve been a huge fart mate roflrofl
Try not to piss in your suit too, especially if its open cell, the smell and the fluids go into the material and puts up a rite stink after a time.

Use a bungee at the end of your spear line to absorb shock at end of line when the spear is fired.

 

[tuffstuff]

Miles technique works with alot of fish usually if theyre spooked already I slowly give chase keeping them barely within range until they turn to go into a rock then I stone them in the head.I actually get more fish this way b/c when I shoot at the broadside they usually turn and I miss lol.