New diver curious about hunting.

[Michelle's Guy]

I have ready access to the California coast between Los Angeles and Oceanside. I know nothing about underwater hunting or gathering. Can someone steer me in the right direction to learn about legalities and practicalities of scuba hunting?
Thanks.

 

[mudhole]

Welcome to the board. . . To find divers in your area to answer your questions look in the Forums. At the top of each page, click on the "Forums" button and watch a long list of topics open up in front of you. Scroll way down this list till you find "Regional travel and dive clubs". This is the spot to talk to divers anywhere in the world. Tropical resorts, or back yard dive sites. Click on the "United States. . . California" and look for dive clubs or divers close to your home.

Local laws, dive locations, dive charter boats. . . Information about what you can hunt, and equipment to hunt with, are all very localized topics, and there will be local divers who will help you start.

 

[smile47]

I have ready access to the California coast between Los Angeles and Oceanside. I know nothing about underwater hunting or gathering. Can someone steer me in the right direction to learn about legalities and practicalities of scuba hunting?
Thanks.

hi,I would go anywhere into the kelp beds,get a 3 band gun with a break away tip and shoot fish.shoot anything just to get pcs of fish in the water.that will draw other fish in .shoot some kelp bass,the ones with the orange dusted chinn.enjoy:

 

[cmburch]

Well you can start here.
California Department of Fish & Game, Marine Region

We are selective in what we hunt and only kill what is legal and good tasting.

Only kill what you intend to eat.

Check out your local SpearBoard California Section
California - SpearBoard Spearfishing Community

As well as your local SCUBABoard SoCal Section
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/california-kelp-divers/

Hook-up with some experienced Spearos in your area to learn the ropes and what fish are good to eat.

If you just need to get something, start off with a California fishing license with ocean enhancement, an inexpensive fiberglass 7' or so polespear, and a stringer.

 

[SharkDiver36]

hi,I would go anywhere into the kelp beds,get a 3 band gun with a break away tip and shoot fish.shoot anything just to get pcs of fish in the water.that will draw other fish in .shoot some kelp bass,the ones with the orange dusted chinn.enjoy:

First, don't follow the above guy's advice. It's bad, bad conservation and not an appropriate attitude to keep enjoying the enviroment.

1) Visit your states division of fish and wildlife. It lists seasons, length/size limitations and the legal way to kill something. These law's vary from state to state and country to country.

2) Visit a local dive shop and ask. They can probably give you a basic rundown on what's currently in season, size and catch limits, or at least popular by others in the shop to spear.

3) Respect and protect your environment. If you follow the guy's advice from above we won't have one to enjoy in the not so distant future.

Just remember - Ignorance if you get caught shooting something out of season or outside the regulations is no excuse. Depending on the state the penalities for doing something illegal can range from a fine to losing all of your dive gear - ouch!

Happy hunting!!

 

[DIVERHERB]

The last two posters hit it square. The other post about indescriminent shooting it just plain stupid and really gives the sport a bad name.

 

[smile47]

you guys are so full of it,next youll be telling the guy to make sure he goes to the restroom before the dive,so he wont have to go #2. Im sure he will get a license and shoot legal fish.give it up,you know nothing about spearfishing.dont waste your time with a pole spear.10mins down there and youll know a pole spear is a waste of time.shoot a PERCH YOU DONT INTEND TO EAT AS BAIT.DONT pay any mind to these girls.theres always afew of these sweeties around.enjoy MICHELLES GUY

 

[DIVERHERB]

Excuse me, "dont know anything about spearfishing". I have been spearing for alot of years. I think smile47 is the one who needs some education on spearing. All of the people I spear with pay close attention to the size laws, no one I know of baits the water with smaller fish. I am going to hazard a guess that smile47 has never had a speargn in his hands. There are also alot of pole spearing in the Bahamas, but I guess they only do it for the exercise not to shoot fish right?
Slide on over to the spearboard forum and see how fast you are chastised for shooting under size fish. There is a California section there. Or maybe on the Gulf coast we just dont know the right way to spearfish. Hmmm that could be it you think. Listen to this guy and you will end up with a heavy fine and you will not be spearing on anyones boat, at least in the Gulf area.

 

[smile47]

diverherb,you think your a spearfishman,you know nothing.you rant about shooting little fish as bait.I guess you think every little fish is illegal.
write me back in 25 or 30yrs.keep a copy of all this.but please,not until2034

 

[cmburch]

Some of the best spearfishing in Southern California is during the grunion runs like last weeks. See CA DFG for info on grunion runs. The next is expected June 22-25.

Large fish also follow the anchovies when they come in close to shore. Check your local BloodyDecks California Section for when the baitfish come into shore. California Fishing -

Tournaments: The SoCal Picasso Open is August 1, 2009. Sign up by June 20, 2009 for the lower registration fee. FreeDiveShop.com

The Picasso Opens are great events and you will have the opportunity to meet and maybe buddy up with experienced Spearos. The NorCal event is exceptional if you like Abalone.