Hello to all fellow Gulf Spearos..... New Spearfisherman here

[A-Train]

Hello, new spearfisherman here just logging in and trying to learn the ropes of spearfishing. Pretty much a total noob with only 2 trips to the gulf with a speargun. I have to say I am absolutely HOOKED. Since my dive buddy and I got into spearing fish we managed to get 2 trips out of it and ive already bought a condo ( so the wife doesn't complain about being left in Tuscaloosa all the time lol) and my dive partner snagged us a 26ft Sea Fox so were well on our way into the spearfishing world. any how just wanted to say hello to the fellow Gulf of Mexico (and Alabama .....Roll Tide) Spearos... if you happen to drop into this thread and read through this rambling please don't be a stranger and say Hello ill have plenty of questions for the forum in good time im sure and cant wait to make some connections here.

[Rusty Shackle]

Welcome. Freedive or Scuba?

[A-Train]

We are doing the scuba route for now... I'm not opposed to learning to free dive as well in the future. I'm a go with the flow kinda dude lol.

[JetBoy]

Hey man! Welcome! I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa. Live in GA now and have condos in Destin. Closet full of scuba gear but have been bitten hard by the freediving/spearfishing bug. Where along the upper Gulf coast are you?

[A-Train]

Current home is tuscaloosa but condo is in gulf shores... usually drop in one of the public access on perdido bay and take the pass out to the gulf.....

[JetBoy]

Originally Posted by A-Train

Current home is tuscaloosa but condo is in gulf shores... usually drop in one of the public access on perdido bay and take the pass out to the gulf.....

I’m going to be near GS July 4-8 or so. M-I-L just moved to a little town called Silverhill. Would be interested in doing some shallow stuff inshore!

[JetBoy]

Oh, wait...you’re going out on open water stuff, aren’t you?

[JetBoy]

I can do the scuba stuff deep right now but am still working on the freediving past 40-ish or so.

[A-Train]

Never tried the freediving myself. My uncle got me into it and hes a scuba guy so that's the way I am learning. Unfortuanately with my job 4th of July shut down is a very busy time and I'll be nowhere near the coast. I'll def send you a PM in the future when trying to get out again.

[JetBoy]

Sounds good! I'm in for whatever share of expenses and beer!

Originally Posted by A-Train

Never tried the freediving myself. My uncle got me into it and hes a scuba guy so that's the way I am learning. Unfortuanately with my job 4th of July shut down is a very busy time and I'll be nowhere near the coast. I'll def send you a PM in the future when trying to get out again.

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[JohnAndrew]

Originally Posted by JetBoy

I can do the scuba stuff deep right now but am still working on the freediving past 40-ish or so.

Best thing you could do (for freediving) is take the level 1 class.
Benthic in Destin is an FII facility. The instructor is world class. The class is a great place to meet future dive/spearfishing buddies. Easy drive over and an excellent shop to get geared up in.

[A-Train]

The free dive stuff seems awesome as well. I'm pretty well invested in the scuba but there's always more to learn.

[A-Train]

Here's a big Grouper my Uncle Snagged at about 180ft

[A-Train]

My first ever trip to the bottom in the gulf... 90ft on I-10 Bridge Rubble.... I was able to get 2 trigger stuck and on the stringer before I sucked an 80cuft tank low and a bull shark showed up looking interested so I headed up.

This is when I learned why they told me to go through the gills and mouth of a trigger and NOT THE EYES.... the first one I shot managed to latch on the the back of my thigh like a rabies ridden pit bull while I was pulling the other guy to me lol... triggers are no joke and when they bite... they dont let go.. next time gills and mouth

[A-Train]

Still been at it in the gulf. I have expanded my species count quite a bit since joining up here and expanded my gear along the way as well. slowly but surely getting there. the Jacket BC was a real pain in the butt while spearing to me so I picked up a used OMS wing and a dive rite harness system with a stainless back plate and that has proven to be the way to go. I found a video with a fella melting lead into the grove of the backplate and did that as well. once the 11 lbs of lead was in place I added longer mounting bolts and a back pad and no more pockets getting tangled in my other gear or line.


made a nice purchase today of a pair of the New Pro fiberglass fins and cannot wait to get them in. the regular plastic fins just were not getting it done as far as keeping up with the guys I go with and expending too much energy in fish battles.

anyhow happy spearing to all.