Hello from Southern CA

Good evening, ladies and gents,

My name is Jeff, hence the clever user name. I've been spearing here in Southern CA from San Diego to Malibu for almost 8 years now. Like a lot of spearos from this area and around the world, I got my start using a polespear and pretty much went after whatever was legal and dence enough to let me get within proximity. Slowly, and after a few years, I worked my way up from polespears and spring-suits to my 50" and 55" DW hybrids and farmer John 5mils. I wouldn't consider myself elite, but I do have some good experience. I dive mainly Laguna Beach (Not for long, however. Thanks MLPA) and PV. I also have a small boat I like to take to the island a few times a year. I'm also a proud member of the Fathomiers dive club out of Torrance, since Sept '07.

All in all, I love diving, hunting and flying. If anyone would like to hook up sometime and hit the beaches, please let me know.

Dive safely,

-Jeff

Thanks for the warm welcome, gents! I'm thinking I'm going to like this forum, a lot.

Quote from Don Paul

Cool ,now tell us about the rattle snake in the avatar ? I'm cool with sharks but have very little experience with rattlers other than dealing with a chick who got bit at Santo Tomas .

Cheers, Don

Ha, yeah a random picture for a dive site, I know. But, the relevance is that you are required to posses a fishing license to take snakes. The one in the avatar, after the photo shoot, was taken and consumed. Not bad. A bit boney, like a trout, and mild in taste.

And about 2 years before I shot that snake, I was bit by a Southern Pacific here in Alta Loma. A pretty bad bite. I was air-lifted to our local trauma center and almost lost my arm. I was released after 6 days on my back, 3 of which were in ICU. Freakin' hurt. If it wasn't for the doc's at Loma Linda, I wouldn't have my right arm right now. If you've ever seen Venom ER on Animal Planet, those were my doctors. Amazing human beings.

So yeah, there's a few reason behind the snake in the avatar...

I think I'd rather chance an encounter with a smiling Great White after that episode in my life :shark4: (But I hope is doesn't come to that)

Quote from Marco

Welcome. I bet they "taste like chicken".

Actually... yes, they do

And thanks for all the warm welcomes, gents!