in need of some pointers for beginning spearfishing this spring

[assassin]

yo whats up, im new to the forum but ive been interested in and started buying some of my gear for spearfishing. i plan on spearing from boat, day or night, or wading in the shallows stalking prey. i live in pennsylvania so my prey would be carp or catfish or big suckers. my equipment consists of a couple 5 tined fish tridents, and a small harpoon with a speargun tip, rigged with a line and float. i was wondering if you could suggest any tactics for these two types of hunting. would chumming work or lures for that matter? im already planning to illuminate the water at night and see what comes to the light, and any tricks or tips you guys could suggest would be greatly appreciated...

thanks

[icarus pacific]

First off, make sure you have a license and see if spearing those varieties of fish are legal. Then go to the phone book and look up dive shops and then get the club phone numbers. Attend a meeting and you're on your way.

[assassin]

well scratch the small stuff, carp and suckers and catfish are legal for spearing in pennsylvania... but i wasnt interested in a club, i mentioned it to a few friends and they wanna try it with me, but i also wanna to practice by myself and was wondering if i could get any info for the types of hunting im going to be doin so i know what to practice... also im in the country, the closest thing i have to a shop that sells spearfishing things is a hardware store with a fish trident for sale...

thanks

[icarus pacific]

Then scratch the practicing by yourself, then.

Most if not all injuries, (read that: deaths) occur from individuals "practicing". Not to dissuade you but here's what you need to do. Go online and get a copy of Terry Maas's video "Freedive!" You'll get a wealth of info and by actually seeing what's going on rather than having to interpret it from the book, you'll be ahead.

Get someone else that is as committed to you get involved with you. I know this is a bitch out in the sticks, but I'm in a similar situation as well and you'll be surprised at the people that come out of the woodwork at the chance to do this stuff. Then, the BOTH of you watch the video. And then you go and check out the beginning freediving section here and read. And read some more. Then go watch the video some more.

When you and your compadre are down, then hit the pool, creek or whatever. GO SLOW. As in SLOW. You're engaging in something that the human body has taken the better part of a millenia to un-learn. Watch out for you buddy. He/she gets done with a dive, then you go and he/she watches you. And on the beach you have two things- a phone with the 911 on speed dial and the number of the hospital, and the reassurance of someone you told where you're going. Shit happens and nobody knows where you're at, you're shit. Believe me.

I don't wanna make this all too dramatic but people die from this.

Even if you live in Podunk behind the outhouse next to the still, there will be a dive place in the yellowpages in the next big city. Hook up with them for classes and carpool with your buddies. Attempting this on your own, is again, a sure way to get jacked up.

And while you're learning how to dive, go on ebay or the deeper blue shop here and start looking for your gear. Beginner gear ain't cheap, but it only gets more expensive as you progress, so don't skimp. For your fish there, score a JBL explorer or a small euro style gun from OMER or the like. The carp will flee.

Again, I cannot stress this enough- doing this by yourself is what gets you killed! So don't.

[Oldsarge]

And whatever you do, listen to the Sultan!!!"

[Spaniard]

I'll second all the above comments; live to spear another day, and another....

[SuperMidget]

Since, at the moment, I don't spearfish underwater, I can't comment on that, however icarus pacific seems to have that covered.

However, spearing carp/suckers from shore, I can comment on. First thing you have to do is keep an eye out for the spring run. I've no idea when that will be in Penn, but here in SD, it usually runs the end of april, and again the end of june. The key thing, is to go slow. The carp are busy with other things, so take your time and stalk up to 'em. When I'm bowfishing, I like to stand on a high point, dam, roadbed, ridgeline, away from shore and basically spot and stalk the fish as I see 'em. Keeping at a higher elevation allows you to see into the water better, as well as keeping your silhouette away from the water.

Another piece of gear that will make your time much more enjoyable is a good pair of polarized sunglasses. It'll save you a lot of eye strain staring into the water, protect your eyes from the sun, and also reduce glare letting you see into the water easier.

A word of caution, especially with a handspear. The action is going to be very close, and very fast. Often the water will be murky so you won't see your legs/feet underwater. This can lead to a person getting excited and trying to take a quick jab at a fish that you bumped underwater. Stabbing yourself in the foot isn't pleasant, and there is a very good chance the water is rancid leading to a very painful infection (been there, done that, never again). So remember, always more fish in the creek.

[foxfish]

Well that is a unusual angle on spearfishing! Still, interesting!
Welcome Assassin & SM .

[SuperMidget]

Bowfishing is good practice to test your snap shooting and a great warm-up for the summer small game seasons. Plus it's a whole lot of fun, and helps reduce the number of non-native destructive species.

Though, after browsing around here a while, I might just have to see if I can wander into a few diveshops and get hooked up with some guys who spearfish the river. Try it your way =)

[Pinggene]

This board is mostly for spearfishing/freediving. But, I've shot my fair share of carp with the bow & got a few with a hand spear (much harder).

My favorite way is in a canoe, putting a 3' x 3' section of dock in the front and standing on top of that...can get a bit tippy, but you'll see a lot more up high. Wear polaroid glasses (see 2x the fish). If you must go from shore, go slow & stock your pray, or stand in one place. They can "feel" you walk & I've had them spook from us talking.

One of my best times from shore was up a tree...I could see them much better from that vantage point.

As with everything, safety first, be legal second, have fun third & share the outdoor experience if you can!

Gene