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California Spearfishing Talk here about spearfishing on California's Pacific Coast, and post those reports and photos! |
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09-16-2013, 02:45 PM | #1 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 13
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Diving with Bill McIntyre
I have been a long time lurker on the board and have never taken the opportunity to get to know anyone from the spearfishing community. I feel as though I am at the point to where I can't learn more or progress without the insight of someone more knowledgeable. While wanting to do so for a while, I contacted Bill McIntyre Friday evening and let him know that I missed his spearing posts and that I would love to go out diving sometime. Bill replied to me that evening and asked if I would like to ride along on a rare Saturday trip with an old dive buddy, Jeff Bonisa. I couldn't believe that the opportunity came that quick, but then again I find that I have great timing. We headed out in the early AM through the fog and arrived at the first spot. The water was a calm, glassy, and perfect. Along the way I couldn't stop staring down through the kelp at the clear blue water. Being my first time diving away from shore, it was new to me and I was completely stoked. It was like a view from the top of an aquarium. I didn't tell Bill or Jeff, but at this point I was pretty excited and I believe the lack of breakfast, excitement, and wetsuit which seems to have "shrunk" a little on me gave me some pretty bad nausea that I battled most of the day. Jeff was in the water and said that he saw a school of about 20 WSB which he was unable to get a shot on. Bill and Jeff swam off to either side of the boat and I went straight out the back. I didn't do any spearing as this was my first time out offshore and have been learning with a pole spear and lobstering. I couldn't believe how blue the water was and was just amazed at the experience in comparison to the shore. Bill and Jeff had told me that I would definitely see black sea bass and on my first or second dive down I saw one of them. At that point, that was the largest fish I had seen in person outside of an aquarium. Continuing my diving, I saw my first Mola which I have always wanted to see. I can't believe how big these are; very cool experience. The next spot we hit, the bait was on. There were rivers of mackerel, sardines and barracuda. I have never been in kelp so dense and spent some time swimming in the channels watching the bait zip through. With the massive amounts of bait fish, I didn't catch a glimpse of any game fish. Jeff managed to spot one yellowtail. The third spot was looking just as good. I went on my way as Bill and Jeff continued to hunt. I try to keep an eye on where everyone is from time to time and eventually I spotted Bill and Jeff next to each other and heard some loud talking. I continued to swim over and as I got closer I could make out Bill's float line wrapped around the kelp. I knew he had something. As I got near, I saw the huge WSB. Such an awesome experience seeing all of this first hand and being able to help out a bit. As we got the fish to the boat, Bill asked me how much I think it weighed. Like a newbie with no previous experience, I underestimated at 38lbs. The WSB ended up weighing in at 50lbs. Here is Bill's experience..... Quote:
Now what Bill left out of all that was the story of his float line. As we brought the fish and gear back I was untangling the line as Bill told me to let it drift out on the current to untangle itself. So with the gun being clipped to the side of the boat, I let the line float out not realizing that it wasn't secured. I go off on my merry way and come back later to Bill on the boat and I say that I can't believe how big the BSB are. He then proceeds to tell me about the float line that has drifted off to god knows where. My stomach twists into a knot and I can't believe I let that happen. Luckily we were anchored up current from the kelp and it got wrapped up somewhere. So unknown by me, Jeff was swimming around trying to get this float line back while I am off diving around, not doing anything productive. What a douche moment and a lesson that I will not forget. Jeff gave me some packs of MudEnergy before I left and I can't wait to try this stuff out. That day was such an amazing experience. I was able to get some knowledge from a couple experienced hunters, some really close up video of molas and BSB. I really owe a lot to Bill. He took the chance of taking out a stranger and I really couldn't be more appreciative. What a great day with perfect conditions; I can't wait for more. |
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09-16-2013, 02:51 PM | #2 |
Errin
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Age: 49
Posts: 3,508
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
I don't think an old man like Bill would be able to hold up a 50-pounder like that. It must have gone 38...
Lol
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09-16-2013, 02:55 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Encinitas, CA
Posts: 953
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Saw this post on SFP. Typical Bill Mac. Always slaying big WSB. Thanks for the write up.
Thats quite the opportunity you got. He has more experience than most guys on SB. D |
09-16-2013, 02:59 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 22
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Very few people are as generous with their knowledge as Bill is. I email him questions all the time. Stoked that you got out on his boat and I really enjoyed your write up.
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09-16-2013, 03:33 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: CenCal
Posts: 467
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Nice fish. Thanks for the write up.
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09-16-2013, 03:39 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 48
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Shame that Bill was banned - while the crazy stuff on politics and religion, oh the conspiracies, continue and continue and .... ad infinum.
Bill has helped a lot of folks, me too. Too bad he can't contribute here. Nice write up Randy - you brought him luck |
09-16-2013, 03:51 PM | #7 | |
Forum Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida USA
Posts: 16,466
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Quote:
Like Ethan and mainphrame and a few others have experienced, Bill was put in the moderation queue which means posts have to be approved by a moderator like me or zenspearo. Ethan, mainphrame and others have emerged from that status by simply showing they can behave. But Bill loves the martyr role and wants you to think he was banned. Funny thing is he can't post personal information about his enemies in most places he goes on the Web. Fact check over and out. Carry on Oh nice fish Bill! |
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09-16-2013, 03:55 PM | #8 | |
OG Troll
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: With the seals at the Children's Pool
Age: 40
Posts: 5,377
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Quote:
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09-16-2013, 04:14 PM | #9 | ||
Max
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Age: 68
Posts: 6,272
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Quote:
Quote:
O and Bill - NICE fish! Congratulations!
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nec timor nec temeritas (neither fear nor foolhardiness.) |
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09-16-2013, 04:40 PM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 22
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
For the record, Bill's never led me to believe he has been banned. And I don't think he has implied that he has been banned to others either. I think some use the word banned because the reality (editorial review?) doesn't have the same ring to it.
If you post something to a public forum, then its public information. There are no take backs. So if someone uses that information (pictures, personal info or what ever it is), its your fault and your fault alone for how its used. |
09-16-2013, 04:49 PM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 747
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
I kind of miss his reports and antics. Why doesnt he come back?
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09-16-2013, 06:09 PM | #12 | |
Forum Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida USA
Posts: 16,466
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Quote:
He knows exactly what he needs to do to comply with the rules. Heck, he can post right now if he desires. But, don't hold your breath. Anger against political adversaries can last a long time. Super nice fish Bill |
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09-16-2013, 06:11 PM | #13 |
Forum Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida USA
Posts: 16,466
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
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09-16-2013, 06:14 PM | #14 |
Kill your food
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Woods Hole, MA
Age: 58
Posts: 10,780
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Nice report and great fish Bill. Glad you are out there shooting them
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09-16-2013, 07:24 PM | #15 |
You Did What?
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oahu
Posts: 209
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Re: Diving with Bill McIntyre
Hey, I know that spot! Haaahaaaaaa
Stay well
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