spear fishing?

First off....Wednesday.....don't get your hopes up yet. We will see what pans out.

Spear fishing....

Go to a dive store......they have spear guns and hawaiian slings. I prefer a sling...more of a challenge. Anyone can point a gun and shoot stuff. The sling takes some effort.

No...... you do not need a license.

Get yourself a spear gun or sling + tips.....I got my 6' sling for $40 and the tip for $35...(for a good tip). Also you will need a face mask and snorkel - get a kit...they are like $40-$45.
Diver fins....you will need. (not sure the price on those)...Diver flag - you don't have to get this...but, if you get caught spear fishing without a flag...you will get a ticket. So, it could be a good idea. Also, 75 ft of line for the flag. And a fish net. I think that about covers it.

You can get all this stuff together for around $125-$150.

Have fun.....Oh and lookout for the guys in the gray suits.

 

Make sure you know the fishing regulations on size and what you can and cannot shoot.

 

Best place is around underwater objects...i.e wrecks.

 

yeah...he has a good point forgot about that. I have a chart that tell you the size.

48" or bigger for sharks

 

i just got into spearfishing this year also. I've been doing it since May and i've caught some nice fish. The only thing I need help with is figuring out when the water will be clear or not. I figured first u have to go when its flat, but thats not always the case. One time I went and it was crystal clear for about 2 hours then the wind switched and a really strong current became apparent..(or may be it was the tide going out?) and the visibility went to ****. I've gone so many times in murky conditions that I'm already used to it, but of course its so much better when u can see

 

I like to do it between the green flags on the beach. Just look for them and you'll be ok. Swim out there and shoot away, murky or not, you can't miss! Screw size limits! I've already bagged 10 Pennsylvanians, 6 New Yorkers, 4 Delawareans, and an Ohioan!!! Im killing it!!!!!! I mean them.

 

Make sure you find a friend who spear fishes and borow his equipment for a sesh. It an expensive hoobby to pick up. DOnt go out and buy all the **** u need before u try it out.

 

Now....Surfing is an expensive hobby.....I really don't consider $150 for all the 5hit you need to spear fish expensive. But, that's just me.

 

Compared to surfing, photography, or cars (my hobbies) ... spear fishing is cheap.

 

Just purchased gear and have never been spearfishing. Can anyone recommend any spots near oc NJ to go?(within hour or 2 drive)

 

Hope you like brown. You are going to see a lot of it.

 

Did a bit of that when I was a kid in SoCal skin diving around the kelp beds off Palos Verdes.
Best to go out with someone who's done it. The sling takes some practice as does getting close enough to the fish to use it. Check with the local dive shops for info on equipment and best locations. But as was mentioned, try borrowing the spearfishing gear first. Some kind of protective gloves might be a good idea. We never used them; but that was a long time ago, and we were young A sharp dive knife might come in handy. Also, check local/state fishing regs.
Try not to have your bleeding catch tied to you for very long while diving.

 

After posting my reply, I saw that the OP, to which I was responding, was from Aug 2008.

For ocsurf: If you haven't already, check the local dive shops for info on spearfishing spots.

 

On flat days, I paddle out with a longboard along the reefs near shore. Tied to the longboard leash is a boogie board. Strapped to the top of the boogie board with a couple of bungee cords is a rubber maid bin. This way once you shoot a fish, you can throw it right in the bin, keeping most of the blood out of the water. It has to be flat, because if the boogie board flips you will lose your fish ( and ice), unless you take the extra step of having them in a mesh net inside the bin. Bring a knife, just in case you get caught up in mono line or whatever. Bridges and jettys hold the most fish, but it is illegal to shoot fish near them here in Florida, but every state has their own laws. Be safe, have fun. Watch out for boats, jet skis, and your buddy's spear.

 

Always watch out for your buddies spear.

 

Check out spear board.com. there's a mid Atlantic section. Its also dangerous, especially going alone. Research shallow water blackout. Ive been wanting to get into it but right now its spend $400 on equipment or put it towards a new board which I desperately need.

 

I would dive without a spear first to learn how to free dive including relaxation/breathing techniques, equalization, and figure out your proper weight. Proper weighting yourself is essential to free diving.
After you get more comfortable take out a sling, then try a spear gun. I dove with just a camera for about two years before I starting shooting fish.
As mentioned can be very dangerous so go with a buddy.

 

Definitely something I'd like to get into one of these days, got a couple perfect spots in mind w/ nice clear water.