Posts by Wayno

I should add that I'm planning to join Matt on his boat in the Bahamas this year, but it's still a few months away. I recommended he join this forum, since I think you guys will like him and he will like you.

Welcome, Matt.

Welcome. Fiji is on my list of places to visit soon. On which island do you live?

Several recent articles come up if you Google it, though I could not find any that indicated a deal had been made. Here's one from a couple weeks ago that discussed how the deal may impact Florida waters: Officials worry over China interest in Bahamas fishing deal | Jacksonville News, Sports and Entertainment | jacksonville.com

Great story and impressive fish, George.

I live in Cheyenne and do quite a bit of spearing in the ocean, but have not yet tried freshwater. In what town are you?

Nice work, Marco.

Thanks. The magnetic slip tip seems like a good idea. Sounds like it's going to be hard to find a spear that will fit all of my criteria, so I'll probably go with a Neritic or similar that can be broken down for easy travel and is tough enough to take a beating on the reef. Probably won't be doing much bluewater with the polespear, anyway.

Quite a haul, Marco. I'm thinking about a trip to Bahia Solano on the Pacific side of Colombia in May or June. Have you been there?

You first on the Andre 120 if you're interested...I don't need it, just one I'd like to have if the price is right, which is less than the asking price.

I was actually thinking about suggesting a wooden 120, for reason that you can power it up with more/thicker bands than a pipe gun. There's an Andre 120 for sale on SB that I think would be a good choice, I have a bigger Andre that is my go-to bluewater gun and I really like it: Andre Gold 120 - Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum If you don't want it, let me know and I'll probably make an offer.

A couple guys I dive with swear by Ulusub and they're comparable in price and style to Andre, so that might be another good option.

All helpful info - thanks, guys.

I have a 110 that I take to Belize, but I think a 120 would be a better choice. My next smallest gun is a 140 which is good for bluewater, but way too long for the reef. With the clear water and spooky fish in Belize, I think the extra range of a 120 would be good both in bluewater and on the reef, and it should still be maneuverable on the reef. In my experience, you're not taking a lot of tight shots or shooting into holes near Ambergris.

FYI, the lagoon on the back (West) side of Ambergris holds the biggest snappers and the occasional goliath grouper, if you can find the caves and holes. We've taken several snappers there in the 20+ pound range, but keep a close eye out for crocs. Ever since a big croc chased my friend back to the boat one day a few years ago, he won't take me spearfishing in the lagoon anymore.

Over the last 10 years, I've made about a dozen trips and spent a total of close to a year's time on Ambergris. It's where I was introduced to spearfishing. The other guys have done a good job of giving you gear advice so I won't add more on that front, but I thought it might be helpful to share a little bit of what I know about the island.

I've spent at least 100 days spearing the reef there but never tried the bluewater, mainly because those days were before I got into bluewater spearing. I didn't meet a single person there or hear about anybody doing bluewater spearing, so you might have a tough time finding guys properly geared to try it. Charters are relatively expensive for what you get, so best to try to make friends with someone who has a boat. Gasoline is expensive on that island, at least double what it costs in the U.S., so you should be able to find fishing/diving buddies if you have gas money to contribute.

Here are a couple If you're looking for good places to eat in San Pedro that don't break the bank:

My Secret Deli: everything is good, but the soups are excellent. If they have the crab soup or conch soup, get some to go even if you're not hungry and eat it later because it's that good and they sell out fast.

Wariguma: the place for burritos, and they're big enough to feed 2 people. Start with the chicken, which is my favorite, and then work your way down the menu. Owner is named Oscar, and in the evenings some of his family members make pupusas outside across the street that are also excellent.

If you're in the mood for good BBQ, head a couple miles north to the Lazy Croc BBQ. A good place to get a close look at some crocs as well. More expensive than the other 2 places, but really good food and generous portions. Heard rumors the owner was thinking of selling or retiring, so maybe it's no longer open. They are closed in the summer.

Sadly, there is now quite a bit of crime on the island. 10 years ago, there was hardly any violent crime and a lot of people didn't lock their doors or worry about anything getting stolen. Now, everything needs to be locked-up and violent crime is on the rise. Use common sense and you should be OK, but be very diligent about keeping a close eye on your stuff, even when it's locked-up.

Hank is spot-on about the cuts, that's where you'll find the decent fish. The fish in Belize are smart, though, so don't hesitate if you have the shot.

Good luck!

Planning my first trip to the Bahamas, which means I need to acquire a polespear. I'd like to get one that has everything: good on the reef, good in the bluewater, and easy to travel with. Any advice is very much appreciated, since this is all new to me.

Anybody have experience with the Piledriver by Headhunter? PILEDRIVER polespear - Headhunter Spearfishing- triggerless spearfishing equipment and apparel

Dude George, thanks for the info on Tobago.

Rustyflopper, it wouldn't be too hard to convince me to trade Wyoming for a Caribbean island life. Seems like the winters get longer and colder every year...

Thanks, Dan & Don.

The avatar photo was taken on Ascension Island last July. I like your avatar better than mine, Don.

Hank, my friend is a snowbird from Alaska who goes there in the winter. Name is Waldo, has a house 6 miles north of San Pedro, swimming distance to the Mexico Rocks snorkeling spot. I've spent several months on the island over the last 10 years and know quite a few of the locals, so it's likely we know some of the same people. Bacolar Chico was one of our favorite spots to spearfish until the wardens politely told us one day that it was a reserve and we had to stay out. I've read some of your posts, those are impressive fish - sadly, it's very rare to see anything that size around Ambergris anymore.

Hank, I was actually introduced to the sport in Belize while visiting a friend on Ambergris Caye. That was 10 years ago, and I've been addicted since.

New guy here from Wyoming. Only bad thing about this state is the distance from the ocean, but I'm lucky enough to be able to travel to good spearfishing spots a few times every year. I prefer to be in the bluewater rather than on the reef, and I never get tired of hunting wahoo and dolphin/dorado/mahi-mahi. My next trip will be in late April, but I have not decided on a destination. I try to visit at least one new place each year. If anyone knows a good spot for pelagics in late April or early May, I'm all ears. Right now, I'm thinking Tobago, though I've never been and am not sure what it's like that time of year.

Have enjoyed reading the posts on this site. Hope to get to know some of you guys.

Wayno