Posts by Dan

It's not petty, what I say is calculated. I think me being outspoken in ways that contradict current foolish trends benefits the community. I'm often told so in private, not everyone feels comfortable publicly voicing opinions that draw criticism from the majority.

Quote from Dude george

Imagine knowing you would be ridiculed for doing some stupid stuff, like hyperventilating on a dive and then crashing and burning, knowing the only reason you are alive is that your buddy caught you, and then putting that out there to the world?

To a normal person like you and me yes. But I don't believe for a second it took Buck Choy guts to post it, on the contrary I think he's thriving on the attention it's kinda obvious. I also entertained the idea the video was fake, too many camera angles at the ready.. But there's nothing in the video that can prove it, and if anything being less dramatic than it could've been (having the diver sink further) makes it more likely authentic. But I wouldn't put it past Ben.

I don't think there's any value in it. It promotes deep diving, it promotes diving with a camera, it promotes relying on a dive watch, it promotes relying on a partner, it promotes spearfishing celebrity, it brings the focus on freediving safety through freediving courses which brings the whole thing back full circle. Those of us who know better instinctively, already know. For the yahoos who shouldn't be in the water with a speargun in the first place the video is just entertainment. Tell me honestly that watching this vid will actually make a difference in how you dive the next time you're out.. I know it will make no difference to me. I started spearfishing alone and still do, I know the only one I can count on is myself. Anybody that preaches relying on a partner as routine procedure when spearfishing is full of shit, by extension freediving courses are full of shit. The truth is that most people should not be doing deep freedive spearfishing period.

Precisely the reason I don't use one (which I would just to tell time), it becomes obsessive.

Looks like Buck Choy is enjoying a celebrity status, he posted this video everywhere, it even popped up on Liveleak.

Is this the bowline knot you guys use? Bowline Knot | How to tie a Bowline Knot | Boating Knots

Any disadvantages tying the line to the shaft other than lacking a swivel connection to reduce knots?

A stopper knot doesn't take a lot of line, I'd just cut it off if needed. The difficult part would be inserting the line in the hole once the end is frayed, but I figured out a neat trick. Pull the jacket layer back exposing an inch of the line inner core and cut it off. Pull the jacket back over the end of the line. Now it's quite thin and will easily thread through the hole.

What's the best knot to tie the reel line directly to a shaft? Should be a non constricting loop and ideally easy enough to undo and tie again in the water.

Any problems with a simple stopper overhand knot right at the hole (for euro shafts)?

I think they normally let you get close. I only remember seeing a Nassau once before here. Every time I saw one I could've shot it, and in Cuba I did. Beautiful fish. Not sure why they can't be taken.

Plenty of time, just couldn't make up my mind because it's been so long since I've seen one.

You guys that dive Miami/Broward ever see Nassau grouper? I believe I saw a decent size one, want to make sure it wasn't a red.

Fish we're not allowed to take spearfishing.

Prohibited Species

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell or exchange the following species:
Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Sawfish, Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish, Whale Shark, White Shark, Tiger Shark, Great Hammerhead Shark, Scalloped and Smooth Hammerhead Shark, Manta Ray, Devil Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Longbill Spearfish, Mediterranean Spearfish, Sturgeon, Queen Conch, Calico Scallop, Stony, Hard and Fire Corals, Sea Fans, Bahama Starfish, and Longspine Urchin. Harvest of live rock in state waters is prohibited. Puffer fish harvest is prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.

Species prohibited spearfishing

Spearing is a general term that includes bow fishing, gigging, spearfishing (underwater), or the use of any other device to capture a fish by piercing its body. Spearing does not include snagging or snatch hooking by hook and line. Marine species harvested by spearing are subject to the same recreational regulations (e.g., bag limits, size limits, and closed seasons) as those marine species that are harvested by any other type of recreationally-allowed gear. The following is a list of species or groups of species which are prohibited from harvest by all forms of spearing in state waters:

• All Prohibited Species (listed on Prohibited Species)
• Billfish and Swordfish (all species)
• Bonefish
• Crab (blue, stone)
• Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus)
• Permit (allowed in federal waters)
• Pompano (Florida and African)
• Red drum
• Sharks (all species including dogfish)
• Snook
• Spotted seatrout
• Tarpon
• Tripletail (allowed in federal waters)
• Weakfish
• Marine Life Species (listed on Marine Life. I believe these were also referred to as ornamental)

* Volusia County — You may not harvest by spearing in Volusia County inland waters with the exception of flounder and sheepshead, and only by the use of a barbed spear with three or fewer prongs.
* Special Local Laws also prohibit harvest by spearing in specific areas (see: MyFWC.com and select: Fishing, Saltwater Regulations, Full Text Rule by Species, and Local Laws).
Spearfishing
Spearfishing is a specific form of “spearing” defined as “the catching or taking of a fish through the instrumentality of a hand or mechanically propelled, single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water.” In addition to the harvest species limitations above, you may not spearfish:

• For any species that cannot be harvested by spearing (see Spearing above).
• For any species (freshwater or marine) in freshwater. Possession of spearfishing equipment in or on freshwater is also prohibited.
• Within the upper Keys no-spearfishing zone, which includes all state waters from the Miami-Dade County line down to and including Long Key.
• Within 100 yards of any designated public bathing beaches, commercial or public fishing piers, or portions of bridges where fishing is allowed.
• Within 100 feet of the unsubmerged portion of any jetty, except that spearing is allowed along the last 500 yards of any jetty that extends more than 1,500 yards from the shoreline.
• In or on any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection. Within these areas, the possession of spearfishing equipment is also prohibited except when such equipment is un-loaded and is properly stored upon watercraft passing nonstop through the area.
• Within the no-take areas of the Florida
  Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Visit: www.floridakeys.noaa.gov.)
• Within any area where spearfishing is prohibited by a Special Local Law (Visit: http://www.MyFWC.com/media/152…ocal_applicationadobe.pdf)

Powerheads, Bangsticks, Rebreathers

Harvest with the use of powerheads, bangsticks or rebreathers is prohibited in state waters, except that rebreathers are allowed for the harvest of lionfish. Within state waters, powerheads and bangsticks can be used for personal protection only, and cannot be used to harvest any species.

Marine life

• Angelfish
• Butterflyfish
• Filefish/Triggerfish (Except Unicorn Filefish, (Except Unicorn Filefish, Gray Triggerfish and Ocean Triggerfish)
• Gobies
• Hamlets/Seabasses (Except reef fish and Longtail Bass)
• Jawfish
• Parrotfish
• Porkfish
• Pufferfish, Burrfish, Balloonfish, Porcupinefish (Includes Sharpnose Pufferfish, Striped Burrfish, Spotted Burrfish, Balloonfish, Porcupinefish)
• Tangs and Surgeonfish
• Wrasse/Hogfish/Razorfish (Except Hogfish Snapper)
• Other Marine Life fish include: Basslets, Batfish, Blackbar Soldierfish, Blennies, Brotulas (Black and Key), Cardinalfish, Clingfish, Cornetfish, Damselfish, Eels (Moray and Snake), Frogfish, Hawkfish, High-hat/Jackknife-fish/Spotted Drum/Cubbyu, Pipefish, Reef Croakers, Seahorses, Sleepers, Yellow Stingray, Sweepers, Toadfish, Trumpetfish and Trunkfish/Cowfish.

Quote from Grouper

I had to bend the shaft of the gatku just to get the spear into the hole pointed at him

That's a new one for me, in the encyclopaedia it goes.

Great story. So if the moray was out of the way you couldn't have checked better? Why not poke it?

Why were you not using a speargun?

Quote from hank

I'm glad we're discussing what he might have done to increase his chances of SWB...

****ing around with a camera/multitasking when not ready for it? or just too much Chinese cabbage?

Bok Choy diver

Based on my meeting Ben a couple of times and reading his posts, if I had to pick one out of all the people I dealt with through spearfishing as the most likely candidate to black out, it would be him. Just something inexplicably ignorant about this kid. Kudos to the other diver for being attentive, saving his sorry ass and making this not another condolences thread.

Is that Ben AKA Buck Choy?

I enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing. Nice lobster grab. You seem to get good accuracy with that heavy Riffe double flopper point.

Awesome!

Quote from LunkerBuster

Dan, on the Skene knife is the notch below the smooth blade a wire cutter?

No, it's a spear extractor. Hook it over the spear notch and you'll have good torque to twist a stuck shaft.

Good luck with the new venture Hank.

Speardiver Pacific spearfishing knife with a cool green camo Teflon coated blade to match the Speardiver Pacific wetsuit line, and more importantly prevent light reflection and attracting predators. The classic spearfishing stiletto shape blade is ideal for dispatching fish and has a serrated edge to cut line. Can be mounted on belt or calf and secured with an additional bungee through the handle. Choice of belt style or quick release plastic buckle straps.