Spearfishing off a Yak

[tufnik]

Am thinking about doing this for next year. Anyone out there do this?

Where do you spearfish?
Do you do it off a yak?
Is it more productive than pole fishing?
Pros and cons?
How much will it cost to get started?
What basic equipment do I need?

[kanvery]

I'd be interested in doing this too. I've done it in much clearer water and can't imagine that the bay's 18" of visibility would make it too much fun. When I've done it previously all I had were fins and a snorkel. It's one hell of a workout and really gets you comfortable being in the water. I know that people do it quite a bit in NC at the Triangle Wrecks and have heard of some in Ocean City Delaware. I have a JBL Carbine and is ok to start off with but if I get serious about it I definitely want a better gun. If you find out any more let me know and count me in!!

[medicyaker]

I'm a Fire Dept. Diver and teh Key to successful Spearfishing is VISABILITY. I can tell you that the Chesapeake Bay doesn't have that. I'd be interested if there were someplace like a freshwater quarry, and there are several in the tri-state area, that it could be a fun outing. The other issue is finding inexpensive spear fishing gear. I'm sure there is a website somewhere that has an inexpensive begginner setup.

[mmanolis2001]

Make sure you keep some energy in reserve swimming after all those fish. Trying to re-enter your kayak while exhausted might become an issue.

My biggest fear would be an anchor failure while spearing and returning to the surface to find your kayak drifting a 1/4 mile away.

That and winding up in a strong current and trying to fight it back to the Kayak. If you go make sure you have a partner with you.

[J.A. Veil]

teh Key to successful Spearfishing is VISABILITY. I can tell you that the Chesapeake Bay doesn't have that.

I agree with you for summertime conditions. However, back in the 1970s, when I still did some SCUBA diving, I made several oyster dives in winter, plus one really fun archaeological dive on the old Civil War prisoner of war camp off of Pt Lookout park. The visibility in winter can be 10-15 ft. I don't think a lot of typical prey fish are around at that time of year, however. With the cold water temperatures, a full wet suit or dry suit is necessary.

[Memory Maker]

Make sure you keep some energy in reserve swimming after all those fish. Trying to re-enter your kayak while exhausted might become an issue.

My biggest fear would be an anchor failure while spearing and returning to the surface to find your kayak drifting a 1/4 mile away.

That and winding up in a strong current and trying to fight it back to the Kayak. If you go make sure you have a partner with you.

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