LaPaz advice needed...

    Hello all,


    I am getting ready for my first trip to LaPaz the week after next and could use some advice from those that have experience in that area. I'll be at Palapas Ventana with 'Diving for a Cause'. I need some specific gear and setup recommendations as my hunting experience so far has been limited to east coast diving.


    Here's what I intended to bring, but would appreciate any suggestions you guys have. If you would recommend something else that I may need (or don't need), please share. Specific input would be greatly appreciated!


    60" Big Daddy hybrid
    x2 5/16" shafts (x1 w/slip tip & SS shooting line; x1 w/flopper & mono)
    x2 19/64" shafts (x1 w/slip tip & SS shooting line; x1 w/flopper & mono)


    Riffe Euro 120
    Riffe Euro 100 (for the girlfriend)


    11 ltr Technosport float
    35 ltr RA hippo float
    60' floatline
    10' bungee
    Neptonic break away
    Reel w/2.2mm line (can be interchanged b/w BDC and Riffe)


    3mm or 5mm wetsuit???


    Shark Shield (I don't like to wear it, but it has saved my butt a few times in Hatteras/Bahamas. Typically hang it from my float though. Necessary?)


    Flashers?


    Also, should I bring my Omer 90cm if viz is poor or for reef hunting? Will the 120 be too long for some applications there? Would like not to bring the 90 if I can get away with it, but don't wanna get slapped either for stealing my girlfriend's 100. :nono:


    Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I feel like I've come to the right place for great input.


    Thanks again!
    Ben

    Also, I should mention that the Big Daddy hybrid is new to me, and my first mid-handle. I've only had limited time in the pool to get accustomed to it. It is definitely not as natural to me to aim as my rear handles are. It (seems) to shoot very low so it is a challenge to aim as high as necessary to hit my target.


    I suspect it is over-powered with x4 5/8" bands, but doesn't seem to shoot much differently than using only 3, and the builder insisted it was built for that kind of power. Is this typical of hybrids and just something that I'll have to adapt to? It is a very solid gun with zero flex whatsoever at full power with all bands...


    I've done a lot of looking around the forum to learn as much as possible. It seems the general consensus is that hybrids especially shouldn't be overpowered in order to shoot well. But then again, it seems many feel they personally don't shoot well with them anyway?


    Overall, I love the gun and am willing to and think I can adapt to shoot it well. Any recommendations on setup for this particular gun would also be very helpful!




    *I know I probably should have started a separate thread just on this topic alone, so please feel free to move it to another area if necessary.

    I'll chime in after work to night, but I would not bother with the Shark Shield.


    Cheers, Don

    "Great mother ocean brought forth all life, it is my eternal home'' Don Berry from Blue Water Hunters.


    Spearfishing Store the freediving and spearfishing equipment specialists.

    everything sounds good and like don said you wont need the shark shield unless it makes you feel better. bring flashers tough.


    as for the hybrid, i would shoot it with 3 bands. sounds like the yellow tail season is in full swing and you deffinetely won't need 4 bands for that.


    whats a 19/64 shaft?


    have fun and post pics.

    steve veros


    in loving memory of paolo

    I'm sure you'll get the gear advice you need from Don and Monster Slayer when they chime in, but I'm headed there at the end of August. I'm not staying at Palapas, but will be diving with them. I'm pretty sure the water temps around this time of year are in the low 70s, at best. You might be ok with a 3mm open cell, but a 5mm would be right for me, since I tend to get cold easily.


    FYI - Palapas is in La Ventana, which is about 35-40 minutes from La Paz, from what I understand. I'm still doing my research, but Monster Slayer (on this board) gave me some great advice.



    Thanks Steve, I will definitely post some pics.


    I was wanting to leave the shark shield behind anyway. I actually rarely use it, however, there have been a few times that it did make me feel better ;)


    19/64 = 7.5mm


    Really looking forward to spearing my first YT!

    Quote from nyspear

    FYI - Palapas is in La Ventana, which is about 35-40 minutes from La Paz, from what I understand. I'm still doing my research, but Monster Slayer (on this board) gave me some great advice.


    I've heard great things about Palapas Ventana! DFAC will also be spending a day in LaPaz helping out a local children's home. Pretty cool deal...


    I've never been anywhere in Baja, so really looking forward to the trip!

    [quote='metelin','http://spearfishing.world/forums/index.php?thread/&postID=49324#post49324']everything sounds good and like don said you wont need the shark shield unless it makes you feel better. bring flashers tough.QUOTE]


    Pardon my ignorance, but what are flashers?

    anything that flashes and reflect light well...they can be as simple as a bent spoon or as complex as a trolling dredge, the idea is to look like bait fish and bring in the big boys

    i like to spear fish

    LBuster,


    Thank you. Sometimes the intuitive notion is the accurate one.
    I once heared of a spearo who wore a glove that was white on the palm and would wave to the fish and then tuck the white portion away. He stated this technique almost always lured the fish closer.

    that is pretty cool...I think the essence is half attraction and half distraction..you want the fish interested and confused...then bam!! feed 'em the steel

    i like to spear fish

    Your set up seems just right. Tim at Palapas Ventana is the man. He will put you into some great fish that´s for sure. The place is paradise and the casitas very comfortable, yu will enjoy some serious YT and pargo action. Enjoy. If you need something when you´re around, shoot me a p.m and I´ll be glad to help.

    I'm a Speardiver, not a freediver

    Steve I know Daryl now has 7.5mm square-notched shafts. I really like this shaft diameter, especially on longer pipe guns with 2 "hot" bands. It falls in place with the concept of the 15mm rubber Mori is supplying.


    As to the hybrid discussion brought up, the issue is not so much it being a hybrid as a mid-handle. This topic has been discussed at length countless times over the years. I agree that it takes some getting used to. My experience has been that I can't hit a barn door with a mid-handle at long ranges. I definitely need to go against my instincts when shooting them and aim higher than what I feel is necessary.


    I definitely feel that 4 bands is way too much power for a 7.5mm shaft, especially on a hybrid. Hybrid guns are so tricky to correctly balance due to the fact that whole front end of the gun cannot be easily modified.


    One thing I used to do with mid-handle guns to help with the aiming issue was to use longer shafts (more overhang) I reference the tip of the the shaft when aiming, rather than look down the barrel when aiming the gun, and basically triangulate the shot placement.


    I have gone back to using rear-handled guns with 2 bands since moving to the GOM. I have no problem with hitting anything at distance with them and have shot plenty of big fish within the range of the one wrap of shooting line I prefer.

    Quote from monster slayer

    Your set up seems just right. Tim at Palapas Ventana is the man. He will put you into some great fish that´s for sure. The place is paradise and the casitas very comfortable, yu will enjoy some serious YT and pargo action. Enjoy. If you need something when you´re around, shoot me a p.m and I´ll be glad to help.


    Thanks- really can't wait! Glad to hear the setup is right. Is there any need for a <120cm gun? Really don't want to pack another.


    How near are you to La Ventana?

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