Posts by polegun8

Ignore them, they won't bother you. Highly unlikely, but they do like to hang around.

Another story from the days of old.
I was about 15 years old, we were spearfishing on the reef off Key West. The water was crystal clear. I was swimming along looking for Hogfish. There was a slight surf coming over the reef, but not much. As I swam in about 7 feet of water, I noticed all of these tangled fishing lines stretching across the reef running from the Atlantic side to the Key West side. These lines must have been 60 feet long or more, and it was a lot of them. As I approached these white fishing lines I was about 10 feet from them when I suddenly realized that these fishing lines were actually Portuquese ManOWar tenticals. I did a quick reverse and moved out of the area. But, I wondered how bad it would have been had I swam into them. That brings me to this

When is the season for those beautiful pinkish, bluish ballloons that tourist find on the beach? Which months for South Florida?
Thanks.

I have been trying to hitch a ride on someone's boat in exchange for fuel, but I have had zero real offers on that.
With that said, I do have a very sea worthy, yet small dinghy (8 feet long) callled a Portland Pudgy. I was hoping to get some advice from the kayak divers on decent places to launch from and places to go to that have clear water 5-25 feet deep, and hogfish. I can put a 2 Hp 4 stroke motor on this boat if I need to. It also can be rowed or sailed. I am interested in the patch reef area around Key Biscayne, but I am open to other areas also. Ideas anyone?

Thanks.

Very cool. I like I like !!

Quote from fishingdude

lol well its not that I dont think good fins are important, but theres a certain point where your equipment will limit you, until you hit that point, which I havn't hit yet with my fins, I dont think that I need to spend $300 on CF fins.

As far as the technique vs. gear goes all I can say is that William Trubridge ( has great technique) just dove no fins farther than 99.9% of people can with the best CF fins on the market. See you dont need good fins to go deep

Nobody asked me, but I have to agree with you. Back in the day (circa 1960's} we used Cressi and USdivers fins, Squali mask, "spelling?" and a simple $1.50 or less J snorkel. We wore a bathing suit, and maybe we might wear a t-shirt, maybe. No such thing as a rash guard. We got stung by bits of Man of war,, you get used to it. a left handed work glove, a speargun that my dad made, and that was it. And a powerhead. With all that now inferior gear we took more hog and bugs and Jew fish, and grouper than you would ever believe. We kept it simple, but we were good at what we did. Keep it simple. That was our advice then and it is my advice now as I prepare to return to the sport. That said, I agree with Dan on comfort. Comfort is the most important of all. If you have gear that works well and you like it, you have good gear. Save your money.
Now, having said all of that, there have been some worthwhile improvements in gear, and I am already taking advantage of those improvements, but what I won't do is split hairs at the top of the quality spectrum. It's just too expensive and not worth the added bucks.
Also, I no longer will spear lobsters, as I have reformed.

I would give the wounded fish a pass. They are veterans that have been in the fight, wounded, survived, and now deserve to live. Just my opinion, but, interesting photo.

Amanda, polegun8 here. I and a few dive buddies are looking for people to spearfish with in south Florida. We live in Atlanta, but I have years and years of south Florida diving experience from the last century. Ha. I am returning to diving after a long absence. We are planning for some weekend trips to your area.
Interesting that you go out in kayaks and other micro craft. I have a small Sail dinghy that I am planning to use close in.
I am new to the forum also, but welcome aboard!!

Also, if there are any divers in the Atlanta area who are interest in making some "split the expense" long weekend non luxury dive trips to florida, feel free to get in touch. I have started a spearfishing group called "ATLANTA HOG HUNTERS" Anyone with experience interested in joining, just let me know.

Polegun8 here. I am currently living, make that stuck in the Atlanta, GA area, but I grew up in the Keys, so I know what I am missing.
I am planning and pool training right now for a return to freediving and spearfishing later this Summer. I am trying to meet divers from Clearwater on down who would let myself and 3 fellow divers go diving with them for a split of boat expenses. Also interested in West Palm and points south. We are a bunch of old codgers and won't be a bother to anyone. I still feel about age 25, but can't speak for my dive partners. ha

Looks like a good trolling bait

Unfortunately, I am cursed with the ability to see both sides of a discussion. That said, this one is easy for me. I would have to side with the senator, because I will choose personal freedom over benificial revenue every time.
Sometimes I actually think Americans are afraid of freedom. It's almost like they have this need to be told what and what not to do. ??? I'm a big boy, I can figure it out for myself.
When I was growing up in Florida, the idea of having to have a permit to fish in salt water never entered our minds. When I returned to Florida after a long absence, I was shocked to hear that a license was required to fish in the freaking ocean. You have to be kidding me I thought. But it was true.
Also, back in the day before all the do's and don'ts took effect, we could spearfish anywhere in the Keys that we wanted, and food fish were everywhere. None of this 3 miles out crap.

But, to those who are concerned they might loose their right to be told what to do, no worries, because I have never heard of a tax ever going away, nor will those in charge of imposing the tax, ever allow it to go away. No need to ever carry the burden of deciding something for yourself, the government will do that in advance for you. For me, I'll take my chances with freedom.
USMC, Retired.

Can't remember, what months are Man of war thick in South Florida? Jelly fish?

Ron, Welcome. I am brand new to this forum too. I also have a lot of previous experience, but I live in Atlanta (for now ) and like you, that is a long way from good water. Hopefully I will be able to re-insert myself into the warm clear waters of South Florida before May is out. I am returning to spearfishing after a long absence. Good luck to you.

WOW!!, that was the first thing I thought. I always want an escape, and I can't stand to have anything between me and the surface, and nothing over my face. No way, no way

Atlanta Hog hunters? Hogfish of course. Is there Really anything else, lol
Our logo shows a Hogfish with crossed spear guns.
I figured that I was not the only one in the Atlanta area that used to dive South Florida, and would like to do so Again, even if it is a fast track weekend trip. We would also be happy to dive with some of the locals if anyone is interested.

For those who freedive and spearfish, and who are stuck in the Atlanta area, but wish they were in the South Florida area, a new spearfishing group is forming now.

This is a loose knit group of experienced freedivers and spearfishermen and ladies, who live up here, but who want to be down there on the weekends.

I am putting together a "can you go" phone number and email list.

These will be non commercial, split the expenses, weekend trips to various South Florida areas. Usually 4 people per trip. Drive down on Friday morning, spearfish on Saturday and possibly Sunday morning, then travel back to Atlanta that afternoon. Tiring, but I think it will be worth it. Besides, you can rest when you get back to work. You gotta keep your priorities straight, right?

We are looking for easy going, go with the flow regular people. If you are interested, let me know.
Sorry, no scuba, freediving only

Quote from Panther

Hello to all,

Moved to Deerfield Beach a bit ago and discovered everything is right in my backyard. I live 300 steps from the water, give or take, depending upon the tide. Swimming is great, surfing is just down the beach, and Trespass is 100 yards away. Imagine my delight when I discovered there is a progression of 3 reefs off Trespass. Haven't done much diving since I lived in Key West for 3 years in the early 70's, been living to far inland since then. So, it's time to get back to it and maybe have some really fresh fish for dinner on the weekends.

Regards,
Jim

Jim, My name is Leonard, junior member. Like you, I have done a lot of spearfishing around Key West years and years ago. My dad was in the navy and we were stationed there. I live in Georgia now, and have for most of my adult life. I too am returning to freediving and spearfishing this Summer. Training in area pools right now to gain fitness needed for the ocean. Planning our first dive trip to South Florida in early May. Comming home after all these years. Can barely wait. Good luck to you.

I'll bet that is the last time either of those guys will be in a kayak in saltwater. lol

I think we're going to need a bigger boat.

Dan, and others, I was wondering who makes what most freedivers consider the best snorkel. I have a Cressi Freediver snorkel and like it fine, but a soon to be diving buddy asked my opinion, so I want to point him in the direction of the best. Thanks.