Hello all, I am new to the sport. Last summer I bought all my gear including my own tank and a 6,5,4mm suit, head, gloves, etc.. I just got a speargun last week and really want to use it. I am near chincoteague and was wondering about diving some wrecks offshore. I have dove under plenty of boats last summer and this winter to change props etc. but havent made it offshore ever yet. I am padi open water certified.
In the summer I work as a mate on the TOPLESS out of greenbackville va. so the charters keep me real busy that time of year, but be wont be starting until june 1st or so. If anyone has any free space on a dive I would love to go! All my friends are up here are scared of swimming with the sharks so I need a buddy!
How is the vis down at the cbbt this time of year? how deep are you all going there?
We're tentatively planning for the CBBT this weekend, and viz should be decent. I've only been spearing there once, and freedivng only at that, but some of the other spearos here can you give you more info in the viz conditions right about now.
By the way, does "Topless" accomodate fly fishing and spearfishing?
HEY KYLE- SORRY I CANT HELP YA EITHER- I AM A WARM WATER SHOOTER AT THE CLT IN THE SUMMER - WE ARE PLANNING ONIT THIS WEEKEND- MAKO WILL GET WET BUT ITS STILL TOO COLD FOR ME- TOO BAD YA COULDNT COME W/ US SATURDAY- IF YOU WANT TO CONSIDER IT FEEL FREE TO CALL ME - 757 685 4811 JAMIE
I don't know how many dives you done with your new equipment but for the most part the near shore dives in this area are low viz. ( 2' to 5') The water is cold also at this time so a good 5 to 7mm or maybe even two suits is a good idea to have so you can get on a "dry" for your second dive, that's what I do.
The end of the Islands have very very fast moving water with the in or out going tide so stay away from the ends and carry a long safety sausage in your BC just in case, this is no open water dive, at times your boat is less than 40 ft. away and to get to it is a challage on the surface.
Set a long rope (25' +-) with a float or a dive flag at the end and tide to your stearn just in case you miss the boat on your way back with your load.
A short 3 slig gun for this site works just fine, you'll be hunting at close range with low viz. so a fast reload is the key for getting more meat in the cooler and less time playing around with your shaft/line etc.
Dive with another person, stay close and use one gun untill you get more experience!
Oh yes, and all joking aside, safety is paramount at the risk of your life. Have fun and enjoy the hunt, but be aware of your surroundings and what's transpiring at all times.
Spearo - are you going to be on the water this Saturday?
Racn - Another buddy of mine from the Spearboard, call sign "Trident", will also go if you have room. He's an experienced freediver and shooter. My buddy Martin may also be there (also an experienced diver and shooter), but I don't know yet for sure. How many does your boat hold, comfortably?
usually i just take 4 including me fishing- but 6 is an easy number too for a day like saturday cause we aint all dropping lines in the water-if you all are gonna be in the water for the most part diving i will be left all alone on the boat !! its ok tho i got a stereo and lots of flounder boat too !! i am guessing you are military right ? how about your buddys > CBBT is a short trip so 6 wouldnt be too bad anyway- same way for the CLT tower- not to mention the price of gas !! i put 112 bucks in it yesterday to fill it the rest of the way up.
Cool. I'm ex-Army, got out completely in 2001. One of my buds if from Barbados originally, and is a helicopter pilot who grew up fishing and spearing, and the other might have been in the military at one time. We're a mixed bag :}
We can rotate off and on diving so that if you want one of us on the boat with you for safety and eyes on, we can do that, no problem.
As of now all looks good for saturday, I'll leave no later than 4:00am to be at the ramp no later than 6:00am, many times the parking is full by this time so early is the key here. If you find the parking lot full there is a bait store about a block before the entrance to the parking (forgot the name) on your right and you can leave the car and trailer there for a 5.00 fee I think it is.
I'm bringing bait and rod gear also, two of my crew will not be diving so we will get them one way or the other!![grin]
I'll post here late friday but right now is ALL go. How far is your trip one way from your neck of the woods?