Posts by montereyspearo

Well, now I am at work craving lobster tacos at 11am.

Awesome report. The underwater photos are fantastic.

Quote from Hardline

If you see a Porgy out there with half of his jaw ripped off, that's the bastard that ripped himself off my spear a few days back. I also shot another one and as soon as I did, half of his body around the shaft turned all black almost instantly. Was kind of strange how they do that. Not sure if it was a camo thing or I shot his heart and he was bleeding out internally.

I think that it is an involuntary reaction due to nerve damage. I have seen it happen with rockfish, ling, and halibut here in Cali. They don't always turn black, sometimes they turn white, or a mixture of their colors. Every time it has happened because of a spine shot. Some times, all of the body changes color.

Makoa,

Many thanks for both of your replies, it looks like I have a lot of learning to do before I get over there. I especially appreciate the specifics on how to respect the locals and their ocean; don't know anyone on the Island, and would hate to burn bridges with the local waterman community by unwittingly doing something that is legal, but frowned upon. Thanks for the offer to dive when you get back, I hope that happens. If you find yourself in CenCal soon, I would be glad to take you out to some of the more rugged, isolated spots I solo dive to recharge the soul.

Thanks for the detailed reply Justin. I will certainly check out Facebook for more information.

Greetings,

I am fortunate to be moving to Hilo, Hawaii within the next few months to continue my education. I have been working on my master's here in Monterey but decided it was certainly not what I wanted to commit the rest of my life too, so I am starting over in a different field!

I am hoping there are some spearos on here who are experienced with the island conditions and atmosphere who can help me as I update my gear locker.

1. What size guns are most spearo's using out that way? I have a 44in midhandle that is really beefy and can handle 3 tight bands accurately, but think I may need a little larger weapon.

2. What is a good wetsuit thickness? I imagine that the temperatures don't change too much over the course of the year. 1.5mm? 2? 3?

3. What kind of float system do most divers use? I know a dive flag is required, so I assume you need a float, does a banksboard work or are inflatables more popular?

4. Are reels or floatlines recommended for the area. Here in Ca it is personal preference, but are there conditions in Hawaii that make one significantly more practical than the other?

5. Lastly, I will get to know the regs thoroughly before I get there, but are there any fish that should be avoided because of cultural significance to the Native Hawaiians (other than sharks)?

Thanks in advance for any advice, if I can get 1 or 2 of these questions answered it will be a big help!

This is in the Hawaii section, but I see you're in Palos Verdes. I don't know about the tropical, warm water urchins, but the Californian sea urchins are one of my favorite foods when the quality is good. take one, crack it open and give it a taste. If it is bitter with a slight iodine aftertaste you might have to go deeper, or if the gonads are small find an area with more kelp. The best quality urchins will be an iridescent gold color.

If you are talking about Hawaiian urchins then I have no idea.

Quote from Dan

Before you start changing configurations due to lack of power, I suggest you try using the best rubber available at your current configuration. Then cut a little shorter in small increments. I don't know if Speardiver rubber is the best in the whole world, but it's the best I've used. I do know it's the only small ID rubber available at this time. I'll have more 16mm in about 2 weeks, and also new 14mm in small ID.

Great, I have wanted to try out the small ID to see if there was a difference, but only use 14mm bands. I will keep an eye out on the site

I am torn on this issue, and have to debate myself every time I buy a new suit. I like the waist high for comfort reasons but agree with Phil on the farmer john feeling warmer. I don't think that the pants let in more water, but I think you feel it when it comes down onto your upper back (happens when you duck-dive) more quickly than when wearing the farmer john. Wearing your weight belt very tight helps considerably.

Nice fish, man I want some halibut right about now.

Willl it be plenty for 40degree water? I don't know if you could say plenty. My 7mm keeps me warm for a solid couple of hours in 46-48degree water. That being said, once you get cold in those temps, you get really cold. 40degrees is absolutely frigid, but I would imagine the suit (provided it fits well) would give you 1.5-2hours of comfortable time in the water.

The warmest water I have ever dove in was 65 degrees, one weekend I spent down south with my sister in Newport last year. I am sure there are some people who could tough it out without a hood around where I dive, but not many. Wish I had the option though.

Old thread, but a bump for useful information that helped me out.

I don't know about their impropriety in dealing with patents, but the gun I bought from them when I was first starting out was poorly made and malfunctioned frequently. Now I have a gun I don't like, used for four months or so, and don't want to sell to unload a lemon on any poor unsuspecting newbie. I don't like bashing a company online but they took my hard earned money and sold me an inferior product.

While I flopper shafts as well, I can tell you that it has been my experience that tri-cut spears dull faster if there is serious rock contact with the point. I prefer the conical points.

Damnit I am going to have to post some more! won't let me enter. Looks almost the exact same as my Intova IFL 660; favorite flahslight I have had before I lost it.

WOW... what a beautiful design

If you are interested in seeing some cool pcp airgun videos, search ted's holdover on youtube. the guy has an incredible amount of informative and entertaining videos on air rifles. I sold all of my firearms when I moved from Virginia to Cali because I didn't want to deal with the regulations, but this guy's super fun videos inspired me to buy an airgun take the requisite hunting safety course so I can at least take small game on some friend's private property; its a blast. Plus, the guy is a spearo with some spearing videos from mexico and the bahamas thrown in.

I am pretty stoked they are opening this species up to spearing. I have only seen them a handful of times here on the central coast, but it will be nice to have a powerful game species to hunt close
to home.

Quote from ladvr

:@
I've read a few articles that blame the Humboldt Squid for the increased activity. I have yet to see a squid wash up here in Manhattan Beach but we have plenty o juvi sharks.:confused1:

Thats really interesting about the squid. Would it explain adult GWS activity or just the juveniles? The humboldt have been thick up here in monterey recently. There were dozens upon dozens floating dead in the bottom of the shallows last shore dive I went on here, and even a few that were on their last legs.

I wonder how long they will be in the area for, I hear they really do a number on the rockfish population.