Posts by Nickmal

    about two weeks a go i had an appoitment with my cadiolgist. His wife is filipino and he know i go spear fishing to the philippines quite often he asked when are you going back. I said I was waiting untill I got a little stronger . I am still recovering form my last stroke in september. He said the the window is closing. I remarked you don't think it's a good I dea until I feel a little stronger. He again quiped the window is closing. I took it mean it's now or never. So when is to old to go spearfishing ..when you are dead is my new position on that account. I am now 71 I have had six hearth attacks and five strokes in the past 8 years. So covid doesn't scare me nothing can kill me. I would rather die down 45 feet chasing a spanish mackerl than on tha coach watching Judge Judy. So I am gearing up for a return visit in the next three months.

    Ok I had some spare time on my hands and knocked out two more videos from my recent trip to the Philippines. I was there for seven weeks in our house on the China Sea in Northern Luzon. As I mentioned earlier my son got me a gopro for Xmas and I can't believe the excellent quality that it produces.


    This is right out of the box with no previous experience and I think is is pretty cool. I have had some time to do some decent editing with Imovie and have a semi professional music editing program program with a library of music I purchased the royalities to years ago when I was in education.


    I never really did much with it but when I got the spearfishing video I decided to become the Stephen Spieleberg of spearfishing videos. (not) Still Check out the two videos one is called reef fish of the Philippines (I have hundreds of pictures taken over the last ten years which makes for an interesting record of fish found on the reef in front of my house.) The video however shows me tracking down and shooting a few reef fish set to interesting background music.


    The other video I made for my older kids that often accuse me of being selfish when I take off each year for about two months to live in our house on the China Sea in Northern Luzon. My wife and two youngest children remain here in the states because I can't pull them out of school for that long of a period of time. Up until they reached they high school we ventrued as a family every year for the past 13 years. They understand why I go and fully support it but my oldest three kids who have never been and are unfamiliar with my passion to fish don't understand how I can justify such trips the last three years.


    Well I suppose it is selfish but I am 68 years old, I have a limited amount of seasons left and what the hell what about me. lol The point is I made a short video called "Why I Go" to give them a superficial explanation as to why I do go and will continue to go until the sea will no longer accept me.


    I know you guys will get it and I hope you check it out. It is a little different the your typical spearfishing Video.


    Why I go.




    Reef Fishing Puerto Beach Philippines.



    Dan the question is did you like it. I thought it was kinda of up beat and lighted the mood. Like I said I have a limited library of music I own the rights to use and it sounded right at the time of production. It was one of my very first attempts, I am just expermenting. Here is another short of me catching smaller reef fish my second attempt at production see what you think of the different music choices in it :}



    Ok I am now 68 and my last trip was March1st to April 26th 2018. I didn't rain one day in the Philippines I dove almost evert single day between 3 to 5 hours from the shore and my small bunka boat. It was some of the best fishing I have ever had. The water was clear the current was strong on occasion but for the most part my in-laws-dined on great fish almost every day..Almost . My Son got me a go Pro got Xmas check out one of my first production attempts music, plot, video, and actor are all yours truly. Also editing. the music I have the rights from Sonicfire 6 smart sound library.

    Here the link. You tell me. People ask me why I go to the Philippines and I made this short to show them the attraction.



    My Brother-in Law were all fishermen using bamboo rafts and crude small home made spearguns as well as nets. I started out by buying a pole spear as whim on I bought on the internet maybe 18 years ago. I had been a scuba diver for over twenty years and loved diving. My house is located on the China Sea and you can't fill a tank within a four hour drive so I turned to free diving. The next year I bought Riffe Competitor #S1 39". it was an amazing upgrade over a poll spear (Duh!). I was able to tag some fish but the overfished reef I lived in front of held smaller skittish reef fish that were paranoid by any intrusion or disturbance. SO I had to improve my technique and needed a gun that could reach out further. I read reviews and stalked forums gleaning all I could. There is abundance of opinions as to which is better and why. I offer only my personal direct experience as a reference over the progression of my development over the years. I finally decided to purchase a Wong 55in Hybrid from Daryl Wong based on the reverence and praise littered across the forums. It was an amazing upgrade one again I was able to finally reach out and tag fish worthy of a dinner plate. I used it exclusively for about for several years. I had a few issues with it but true to his word Daryl serviced my gun above and beyond and profit he'd made. He is a great people person and gave be excellent advise freely over the years. Wong is customer service. I wrote a review posted on this very forum about my gun and his service like wise I have a review on the Lazer Tec 115 in additions. So you want to hear from someone who has used it Bingo I qualify.


    First the notion that it is a custom gun built specifically for you is a little misleading. true Daryl will discuss what kind of conditions and under what circumstance you fish and then recommend one of several different models he makes. I have no doubt for some big name divers he has tweaked a gun to meet their demands but for the most part it is a hand made gun that is one of several stock guns he makes. I have often wondered why he used such a cheap plastic handle and frankly the trigger mechanism is kinda of skimpy and does not have the trigger pull of a say a Speardiver Side Line Release Trigger Mechanism or even a Neptonics Trigger. I noticed that you really have to learn to shoot a Wong gun to compensate for a fairly strong muzzle flip. Some have mentioned how tracking is an advantage but I found that because the bands don't like flat against the barrel they tend to vibrate as you pan the gun they give some notable resistance. The gun is lighter but the balance of the gun seem muzzle heavy and can become tiring holding one handed.


    Lastly I wanted a gun with an enclosed track and Darly felt the the semi-enclose track was quite adequate. So I ended up getting a Lazer Tec 115. The difference was again amazing (You can read the review). I am not selling the Lazer Tec 115 it is a great gun but Ihab and customer service know not each other. It is my current gun of choice however.


    I have sough advise here over the years from guns to fins and back. People know what they have and what works for them. I have spent 15 years tweaking my equipment to the point I am at today and it is a form of evolution. Thanks too advise and actual gear in the water trails I enjoy excellent spearfishing. a Post on how are you outffited might be interesting.


    I had many years successfully fishing with my Wong gun but I am now a wood gun guy and would'nt go back.



    Any responsible sane person knows you shouldn't go swimming alone much less spearfishing a mile off shore. In addition to that fundamental sound safety precaution I double dare the wrath of the gods having suffered two heart attacks and two stroke in the last ten years. Yet I fished alone every day three plus hours in the morning and then take a nap and fish from 3:00pm to sunset. Foolish you may say and foolish I may be rushing in where angels fear to tread. All that aside Now that I am 68 I am going to hire a local young local fisherman to accompany me on daily trips. A fishing village is located about two miles up the beach from my house in the Philippines on the China Sea and I can have a young lad stay in the cabin in the back of our compound when I visit. It would only cost me about $80 a month. Still it was nice to fish in solitude. I just got back from a trip April 26th that lasted for 7 weeks. It didn't rain one day. It was the best trip I have ever had. I caught more fish in better conditions it was like a perfect storm of calm pleasant lazy heaven. So you don't think me the complete fool there are other fisherman out and about most of the time. While they are not monitoring my dives, short of a black out help is in the vicinity.

    Link



    My son and daughter gave me a go pro for XMAS and it one thing to show people pictures of what you have caught and it's quite another thing to b ring them along with you and show them how you caught it. So I just got back from the Philippines (We have a house on the China Sea) and this is my first attempt at filming under water underwater. I gad no idea what kind of quality to expect or proper setting so this is basically push the button and film right out of the box. My reef has been pretty fished out over the last few years and I was lucky enough to catch threeSpanish mackerels this trip. I am usually doing off shore diving but as you will see I have a small Bunka boat that I use to go out to a second reef further from the shore. I have posted off and on this board over the past few years but really wanted to share this video because its turned out pretty cool. I got a lot of footage over the two months. I went diving every day but put this together like a trailer for a movie using I movie. I can't believe how good the quality is for a cheap $150 GOPRO Sessions 4


    Hope you like it.


    Henry

    Nile-Tec Laser 125 uses 2 x 16mm bands.
7mm (9/32") or 8mm (5/16") US (square) notch spears, with two full size Sharkfin tabs.
Stainless Steel handle frame with composite textured black grips.
Nile-Tec US Side Line Release trigger mechanism with auto reset line release arm. Triggers incorporate a safety.
Epoxy graphite enclose track.
Stainless steel ballasting line anchor.
 
Butt extension with rubber pad for comfortable hip loading.


    To counter recoil, the stock mass is balanced with the power of the bands and the size of the spear…..and very importantly, the stretched bands alignment are in the same plane as the spear. Bands alignment with spear is accomplished due to the unique design of the muzzle that elevates each band at an early stage. While the power bands snap back to their original position…they remain in flight on the same level of the spear……preventing what is known as “Muzzle Flip”; a major cause of inaccuracy.


    Check out my Review of this gun 15 Lazer-Tec Spear Gun Report Philippines


    and Video 15 Lazer-Tec Spear Gun Report Philippines


    I have two of these gun and have decided to sell one (pictured Below)


    BANDS AND SHAFT NOT INCLUDED


    Price is $375.00 Plus actual shipping charges.





    Sold!


    Dan,
    Whats not to like about a Wong Hybrid Gun?


    I started with a pole Spear as a lark maybe 10 or 12 years ago and the next gun I got was a Riffe 39" Competitor. Big step up but not over the top. I wanted more accuracy and greater reach. Daryl Wong spearguns were held up on numerous forums by devout speros as one of the top guns one could aspire to own. Daryl has build a brand on unparalled service and quality gun construction throughout the industry. He has been a kind and and knowledgeable mentor to me over the past several years. I have never met him in person but you feel as if you know him because of his personal attention to you as a customer. So I got the GR 55" rear handled hybrid semi closed track gun after a lengthy discussion of my fishing conditions and specific interests. The gun proved to be an excellent choice for me and increased my reach and accuracy low the past several years.


    You asked me what I don't like about the Gun! I have grown from a novice to I believe a a seasoned experienced reef diver over the past 10 years. I have learned mostly by doing and research on forums such as yours. I have learned to discriminate between self promoting propaganda and meaningful insight in to the world of spearfishing. I have never been interested in the drama that meanders throughout the posts but focused on the real pearls of wisdom that frequent the forums as well. There are several knowledgable experts that freely share meaningful insights and experience that benefits all the spreros that want to keep growing.


    I have often enjoyed and benefited from your reviews and recommendations. You bring a lot to the table worth digesting. So I am honored you would ask my opinion on the Wong gun. I have written about it as well as The Nile=Tec 115 as I am sure you are well aware.


    Let me speak about both worlds and were I stand at this point in my career as a recreational spear fisherman. I don't like the way the gun tracks through the water. The bands are suspended above the barrel from the muzzle to the shark fins on the shaft.


    They bands vibrate when you swing the gun around in the water following a fish. The gun is muzzle heavy and it is not balanced to my liking.


    The gun is lighter than a wood gun but in the water a neutrally balanced wood gun such at the Lazer-Tec 115 is less tiresome to swim with. Minor point! The main thing I found is the recoil due to the low mass causes the barrel to kick up affecting the accuracy of a shot. I am not suggesting it is not accurate it is but requires adjusting and compensating for the lightness of the gun. It takes some adjusting to learning to aim it properly.


    I discovered that I preferred a balanced wood gun, an enclosed track, and a muzzle that allows the bands to rise up and stretch parallel along side the spear. It does not track faster that the Wong Gun it just pans smoother with no vibration. The mass of a wood gun eliminates or at least minimizes recoil to the point of negligible impact on the shot accuracy.


    Daryl promotes a semi enclosed track and maintains it loads faster and that the track does not need to run the full length of the barrel because the spear's power and whip is contained long before the last third of the spear exits the gun. I believe that is true. However I have found for me speed to reload does not outweigh the accuracy that a fully enclosed track seems to afford my fishing style.


    I realize most people fish super accurately with open track guns. I only know that I can hit a sand dollar at 12 feet consistently with my fully enclosed track. You can read my review on the Lazer Tec 115 I have since purchase another one of Ihabs guns. It is my goto gun. However getting a gun from Ihab is like pulling teeth. It is a hobby for him and he is very hard to track down. So he is a fail on customer service but his gun design is excellent. Well Dan that is more than maybe you wanted on what I didn't like about the Wong Gun. I just found I am a Wood gun guy.

    For Sale
    55 INCH WONG REAR HANDLED SEMI ENCLOSED TRACK HYBRID GUN.
    The gun is under three years old and been in the water less than 12 times. It has a unique camo paint job done by Darly and has no logo or art work on it other than Daryl’s signature. It has a side loading tab and hardware installed underneath to accept a reel.
    The gun is in excellent like new shape. I am selling it without a shaft or bands. Shipping cost will be the actual expense of shipping to be born by the purcherser
    Price $600 (See Picture)

    You might actually be able to convince the locals to make a small MPA. (Marine Protected Area)


    Try to organize a group and spread the word. My buddy Boy Saldana did this for Nogas Island. They actually enforced it starting back in about 1995, when I was still living there and now, it's got a lot of fish. They realize it works and all strive to keep it that way. If someone came in and dynamited it, it could get ugly.
    And in the south, the dynamite boats are usually run by some ex military or some big shot. Assholes. It's a lot of deeply ingrained politics and everyone knows who's doing it. But try and educate your friends up there.
    Here's a shot of Nogas from Anani'y Antique. I'll be there in May.


    https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10338344_899758013401504_80659491058301725_n.jpg?oh=6d5c73fb972739346b9c54bdaae45581&oe=55A9F364&__gda__=1436362214_bae58607558a6641b48c5f13692e3a16


    Actually there is a designated fish Sanctuary down beach about three hundred yards from my beach house. The locals for the most part respect it and don't fish it. I have swum in it without my gun of course and there is a resurgence of life returning or existing on that part of the reef. So the glimmer of hope is not non existent just a small flickering flame but each journey begins with a first step


    You are right about the politics and the fact everyone know who is doing it there is just no funding or will for an enforcement agency to try to curtail the illegal fishing.


    I try to explain that if they don't practice some minim conservation that their children will have no fish in the future. They respond that if the don't get fish to feed their children to sustain life they have no future, Hard to convince a person with an empty rice bowl to starve now so they won't starve later.

    let the locals build you a small outrigger canoe,cheap 'easy and seaworthy...to get you out further.:D


    The thought has occurred to me lol


    I can go out about a mile and reach other reefs some what near by. There is a fishing village across the inlet form me with about two hundred such boats bigger of course. They all cruse around and I hear dynamite fishing most days.


    They all scurry around from one depleted reef to the next. I am a know quantity and several venture by and stop to talk. Many times they draw zippo too.


    I am revered because of Dan's famous Small Id Rubber. Every conversation begins with a greeting brother got any spare rubber bands.


    The have small home made gun and the 5/8" bands I use are way too overpowered for them but you can not reason with them about speargun mass and the technical stuff we obsess over.


    They still are amazed I wear a weight belt and can dive so deep. The have fins made of plywood strapped to their feet, a few anyway. So when I do catch a big fish the news travels throughout the surrounding villages and I am greeting on the street with a big smile. They expect me to have a tall tale about how I caught it too. Being full of BS I never disappoint on that account.


    One of my relatives had this boat made for me and sometimes locals will tow me from one spot to another. It cost me about $216 USD. It is stable and glides over the water easily riding high over reef caps. It is a little hard to get in and out of but I have a system that does me fine thank you very much.


    There is a second reef about a mile out and I dive about 45 to 55 feet down for that one but alas it is a barren is the inner reef. I am constantly told the bigger fish are on the reef I am not currently fishing. If that is so I wonder why they are here with me discussing it unless they want to dynamite where I am and want me to leave the area lol.


    I even have a small fish finder but it mostly tell me the depth. even if I see a fish it is just traveling the the neighborhood and there is no time to drop down and try to attract it but I could drag a flasher behind me so when I do park and fish maybe some might be interested.


    Sometimes I drop out of my boar and float along with the current on clear days so if I do come across something I can decend on call. The boat floats along with me and is near by when I surface. It is great to rapidly get from one spot to another. Once I have picked a spot I fish along the reef in a 500 year radius. Rince repeat.

    If sharks are not a serious concern gut and scale your fish as you catch them, it may attract other fish. Depending on what your route is it may be worth while to revisit the spot where you gutted the fish after 15 - 20 minutes.


    I'll try that the upside of an over fished reef is that sharks are few and far between because there is little prey to sustain their presence.TY

    You are very correct, fish do know when you are disarmed [emoji6]. All of us face the same challenges fishing, is there bait fish where you are? Like in the evening's do you see small bait fish pressed up along the shore line? I know some of the most successful hunters growing uo would wait for sunset and wait at the edge of the bait balls..yup yup Check out the geography of your coast line as well, if you see a bit of the coast line with large boulders falling into the sea shore dive from there.


    You seem to have figured out the master class stuff all by yourself [emoji106] I don't know anyone who dives as much and in such harsh conditions as you described, so carry on sir!
    Fish calls are the only thing that seems missing from your arsenal, but I know nothing about the ocean you hunt in so have zero advice. Personally I bought a mirrored mask and it did nothing that I could perceive, so it hangs in my spearfishing room, yes I have a spearfishing room [emoji1]


    I just received a fish rattle so I will experiment with it to see how it affects different species.


    Dude I have a fish cabin in the back of my compound it's where I keep all my equipment and has a work bench for rigging and repairing equipment.


    People have been asking what kind of fish I am hunting. Short answer is ones that swim on my reef.


    Sometimes I do focus on Spanish Mackerels and swim in the open water about a ½ mile off our reef. But if I see one in an entire day of fishing it was a good day. I have caught three this past year and consider that most excellent. The locals catch them with dynamite. So they marvel that I pull one or two out at all.


    I attacked some photos of a few I caught on a really rare good day.


    The advise to pick one species and focus on it makes sense. Unfortunately. When I fish it isn't a question of being distracted by switching species.


    What I mean is I can swim for 3 to 5 hours and see almost no fish. So when anything that looks like it might fit a plate appears it becomes the specie I am hunting


    After reeding some posts I see othesr face similar desolated reefs and experience the same difficulties so it very reassuring that I am basically coping the best I can given my circumstances.


    Don't get me wrong. I love fishing every day (last three not good China Sea is Angry). The fact that you have day without any fish makes the day thou chance across some and do everything right so very sweet.


    Personal side note Dude you are alsway supportive and positive and I appreciate your comments and admire your contributions as well as respect your advise. Thank you


    Oh ya and the chum suggestion is one I am going to try also I have never done that. First I have to catch some bait fish. Easier said than done but will trigger fish work as bait fish there seem to be a few of those around and they are the dumbest fish in the reef. They stare at you as if to say what are you doing. I don'd hunt them as I am not my family is all that interested in eating them. Plus they are little sport to catch and small in size but it they will serve as bait fish I may be in business

    I live and fish in Maui and the situation is similar with reef conditions and fish wariness. Here you cannot, I repeat cannot chase fish. You make a move toward them and they split. The only exception is when you get uku to feed on chum. The you can approach and shoot. Just be super efficient about it. Out here flashers ( both throw and stickers on your find help). Another thing is when you see uku chopping up a nice fish helps. Also we have small mackerel called lai. Super silver skin Even jar hanging on your belt kui seems to attract predatory fish. I need to sart using them like a throw flasher and see how that works. Throwing sand helps. Grunting sometimes works for me but it definitely is a learned art and I need to improve my practice of it. Hiding in caves, tucking yourself by rocks and being as quiet as can are all super important. And of course keeping your gun tucked close by your side as possible at all times. Hope this is a small help


    I will keep my gun tight because I realize it does spook fish by quick movement or leading ahead of me as I come over the top of a reef shelf.


    Wow some of you face the exact same issues I do and I really appreciate the confirmation of our like circumstance and similar approach to hunting. Your right most of this has to be learned by doing but the insights I am getting help relieve the helplessness I feel sometime because I start to doubt my whole approach assuming there is some magic bullet I don't know about


    I swear that A fish can read, analyze, and assess body language to determine your threat quotient. Several time I have taken a shot and miss or hit once the gun is discharged the fish linger seeming with the knowledge that you are no longer dangerous. I am not asserting they understand you have an unloaded gun but that they see, sense, or intuit that you are not focused on them. Once I get my gun reloaded the theatre is empty. I have my hunt on and they book.


    Thanks for taking the time to respond

    I've done a fair amount of diving in Indonesia with pretty heavy fishing pressure and sadly where locals do fishing with explosives. At least you are NO WHERE near China and Cinese fish whatever the hell they are.


    Both Hank & George pretty much covered what I would say. I recently had an opportunity to spearfish ion reefs that were heavily fished by the locals - truth was fish were spooky as hell and nothing was going to allow me to spear them. Based on your descriptions of your gear, area, conditions, abilities, etc. my only additional comment is - you are successful in tough conditions. Enjoy it, lay on your hammock on fish less days, enjoy your family, and enjoy the occasional fish the ocean gods and Neptune send your way.


    Enjoy what you have - many of us should be so lucky.


    What a nice thing to say Thanks Man