Anyone Interested in Lionfish hunting up North after the regularly scheduled dives?

[Texas Torpedo]

I'm going to be doing some afternoon lionfish hunting after the normally scheduled Dive Paradise dives and thought I'd see if there are any other spearos interested in joining the party. I used to live on the Island and know where most of the hot spots are located - where you are literally guaranteed a meet and greet with these spiny little b-tards.. We can cook them up afterward.. They taste great!

This is obviously going to happen up North, outside the marine park. I may also have a few extra Hawaiian style pole spears with paralyzer tips available to loan, but you can pick them up fairly cheap at places like Scubatoys: 5_5 Ft Travel Sling discounts on sale Trident

If you're interested, let's talk about it..

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Always up for a dive.. and to kill some lionfish.. even better!

 

[FuzzyNutz]

I'm interested, but I've never hunted underwater before - so I may either suck or scare all your fish away. It sounds fun and I've always wanted to try it. If you don't mind showing a newb the ropes, I'd give it a go one day! (there'd be absolutely no hard feelings if you dont!). I'm really good with guns of all sorts, and general marksmanship - but I'm sure the game completely changes beneath the surface!

 

[Smit]

I'm very interested also, that sounds like a blast.

Having said that, I have no experience spear fishing either but I'd love to learn. I've heard you aren't allowed to scuba dive while spear fishing in Mexico and the Caribbean. Did I misunderstand?

It would require chartering a boat, wouldn't it? I'd love to know more. And if anybody knows any good learning resources for spear fishing please post them.

 

[Texas Torpedo]

I'm interested, but I've never hunted underwater before - so I may either suck or scare all your fish away. It sounds fun and I've always wanted to try it. If you don't mind showing a newb the ropes, I'd give it a go one day! (there'd be absolutely no hard feelings if you dont!). I'm really good with guns of all sorts, and general marksmanship - but I'm sure the game completely changes beneath the surface!

I'd be more than happy too and could probably also bring in one of the locals I used to spear with who still do it all the time in Coz.
While I'm no "pro" trying to sell lionfish cert cards, I'd be happy to share all that I've learned hunting them.. I know of at least one other guy who'll be part of the invasion crew that has experience spearing them.
We'll have plenty of time on surface intervals and / or over drinks to cover techniques (etc) before we'd get in the water..

As for experience with hunting and marksmanship, some of it definitely does carry over..

 

[FuzzyNutz]

I've heard you aren't allowed to scuba dive while spear fishing in Mexico and the Caribbean. Did I misunderstand?

I may be completely wrong on this... but I believe spearing with a gun is illegal, but you can use a 'hawaiian sling' (I don't know the other terms for this device), but it's kind of like a slingshot/bow/'peashooter' looking type of thing.

 

[Texas Torpedo]

Keeping it out of the marine park = there won't be any issues..
Nobody in Cozumel (or non-native locations) likes what lionfish are doing to the reefs..

Hawaiian style slings are really the most convenient, and effective IMO.. My favorites though are the Beauchat and JBL Mini's with trident tips..
Unedited video of shooting two of them - the second with the first still on the spear:
http://youtu.be/67p_fuy-C30

Of course, there are some selling ridiculously high priced Lion "tamers" that would beg to differ but I'd be happy to put a pole up against them any day..

 

[Texas Torpedo]

My favorite thing to do with speared lionfish:
YouTube - Spotted Eel eating a lionfish in Cozumel

 

[Hagan34]

Im down..... like a couple others I have no experience with underwater hunting and will give anything a shot once, twice if i like it.....
Is there a place to "rent" spears there or would it be best to pick up one of the travel slings you posted?

also can I get it mounted?

 

[FuzzyNutz]

hahaha, who would've known eels like fresh lion-kabobs? I'll take mine rare, thank you very much! Do you know if the eels are starting to actively hunt the fish?