Plug this

[snake slinger]

breath hold spearfishing is very sporting.that guy put a lot of days on the water to get that fish.anybody that think its like shooting fish in a barrel need to try it some time.good for him!

[JFigliuolo]

but as far as tanks go... I've talked to a numer of spearfishers/hunters. If you use a tank the fish are GONE. At least that's what I've been told

[SolOmoN]

I didn't intend to start an argument, nor advocate spear fishing. I posted that link because I was encouraged by the size of all of those stripers, only a couple of weeks ago, just off Block Island. And it is a cool perspective.

If we talk advantage -- fish vs. man...wouldn't the fish have the advantage if the man is underwater with no tank...when we get to breath and fight (fishing from the surface) then it is more equal fight.

sol...

[RIROCKHOUND]

Spearing aint my cup of tea; but thats a nice fish either way...
to each his own; a dead bass is a dead bass, and while I'd prefer that 60 to have ended up on my line, it's still caught... props to him on a good clean shot, right in the spine, quick death....

[Vermonter]

It was a nice fish and that was certainly a school Id like to toss some plugs at but I have trouble believing that was the actual 60. Didnt seem to have the girth one expects of any fish over 50 and didnt seem all that long in comparison to the spear itself, tho I know those guns come in different lengths. Tough to know for sure without any firm reference point to judge size.

[rockyroady]

I've never seen a 60#er in person, probably never will, but I was thinking the same as Vermonter. Maybe the belly/girth doesn't sag as much as I thought it would is because water is supporting it? Whatever, fish is a beauty and it died quick. Give the guy credit for getting down to them, when I was a kid I busted my eardrum and now I can't dive more than ~10 ft. I can see how some disaprove, but I think it it falls under ethical hunting.

[Nebe]

i used to spearfish alot in highschool so let me stop some misinformation right now.. 1st a fish under water looks smaller than it does out of the water... 2nd, you get to chose what fish you kill for dinner, while a rod and reel guy has to cull until he gets something he can legaly keep. 3rdly, there is no catch and release.. you go out and shoot a fish or 2 then you are done. Fourthly and most importantly, if you think that is not sporting, i would like to see someone stand on the high tide line, hold their breath.. run down to the water, cast, reel, hook a fish, land it, then drag it back to the high tide line...... all while holding your breath.

To say spearfishing is damaging to the stocks or that it is going to catch all 'our' 5o 's and 6o's is ludacris. Rod and reel and especially fly fishermen are the real problem and the real murders of the striped bass. I counted 4 dead schoolies float by me and clammer in a half hour period why guys up current were catching them..

[RIROCKHOUND]

Careful nebe;
fly fishing aint all bad, I dont think we should generalize; ultra light tackle is what does the damage, especially in warm water when the mortaolity rate is already high....

[SAXATILUS]

[To say spearfishing is damaging to the stocks or that it is going to catch all 'our' 5o 's and 6o's is ludacris. Rod and reel and especially fly fishermen are the real problem and the real murders of the striped bass. I counted 4 dead schoolies float by me and clammer in a half hour period why guys up current were catching them.. [/QUOTE]


Eben,

As far as Fly fishing goes I think that was a very un-educated and fairly ignorant statement. Have you ever tried it? I have subdued bass up to 30 lbs fairly quickly on my set-up. I have released all but one fish this year, and take the time to make sure they all swim away. Fly line rates between 30 and 50 lb test and I rarley go lighter than 30lbs on a leader, sometimes up to 50. Fly rods have more backbone than you think. It is all in your skill fighting fish.You really want to challenge yourself? Take a flyrod into the surf. 60 t0 80 foot distance max. Doesn't get any tougher IMHO. Don't knock it cause it's not your thing. I also like to throw plugs and eels. The flyrod is just another tool, and like any tool you have to know how to use it.

[CANAL RAT]

Originally Posted by Nebe

i used to spearfish alot in highschool so let me stop some misinformation right now.. 1st a fish under water looks smaller than it does out of the water... 2nd, you get to chose what fish you kill for dinner, while a rod and reel guy has to cull until he gets something he can legaly keep. 3rdly, there is no catch and release.. you go out and shoot a fish or 2 then you are done. Fourthly and most importantly, if you think that is not sporting, i would like to see someone stand on the high tide line, hold their breath.. run down to the water, cast, reel, hook a fish, land it, then drag it back to the high tide line...... all while holding your breath.

To say spearfishing is damaging to the stocks or that it is going to catch all 'our' 5o 's and 6o's is ludacris. Rod and reel and especially fly fishermen are the real problem and the real murders of the striped bass. I counted 4 dead schoolies float by me and clammer in a half hour period why guys up current were catching them..

how nice putting down fly guys like myself. i like to see you fool stripers when there feeding on 4 inch sandeels. also how can a schoolie be more hurt by a single barbless fly than a mouth full of two sets of tremble hooks . as for you guys putting down spear fishing you try aiming under water while holding your breath.i urge you to try all types of striper fishing- fly fishing,spear fishing,surf casting,troll from a boat.

[Swimmer]

Would someone kindly show me where in the R.I. law that fishing in this manner is legal. I don't doubt those who say it is, well maybe just a little, but I'd really like to know. These guys that go skishing could have a mask, a mouthpiece, a spear, and multi task while there floating around.

[Swimmer]

One wrong turn and this post could go south real quick.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

One wrong turn and this post could go south real quick.

Yes - lets keep this as discussion, not a flame war please...

Thanks,

John

[SolOmoN]

LOL..... 3 Pages and still going.....

sol...

[Skitterpop]

Nice Bass

felt kinda bad when he shot it though

Snorkling with a weight belt is tough... to each his own.

[Mr. Sandman]

It is legal in RI and not in MA. It has been that way for years (can't cite the RI law but found this...http://www.picassoamerica.com/picasso_open_rh.php)
I think it is a sport and I wish it was allowed in MA. As long as he only takes legal fish and agrees to a rec limits I don't have a problem with it. There are not too many guys that can do that.

Didn't look like a world record but it is hard to tell. Have you got a link to other photos?

BTW FishEye was (and still is) quite the free diver, I think he nationally competed some years back....He is from RI.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

BTW FishEye was (and still is) quite the free diver, I think he nationally competed some years back....He is from RI.

45 pounder he got back in 1979

[shadow]

20 lb. test line +25lb bass=light tackle.

[CANAL RAT]

spearfishing is legal in RI and NH.i do spear fishing while scuba diving for blackfish,bluefish and fluke in MA. i have only speard a couple stripers free diving in RI got some around 20lbs.the really cool thing about spear fishing is that you can choose how big a striper your going to spear. i also do scuba diving and scout out my fishing spots by day and write down notes on structure on my dive slate.

[vineyardblues]

Sandman asked for a pic, here it is.
Not so sure I like it, looks like they get them every time ? Sure hope not!

Maybe they should have a slot limit for this type of fishing, or for the whole east coast for stripers? Shore or in the water.
VB