Snorkelling and Spearfishing Nr Old Harry

whisper · 12 May 2013, 20:44

I hear that the water under the cliffs past Old Harry are good for spearfishing?

I don't know anything about the subject so I was wondering if this type of fishing is any good with a mask and snorkel?

Not really bothered about rushing out and buying a harpoon gun just yet, but I was thinking of a trip out in the sib to take a look next month and I may even take a spinning rod to try for some bass?

Any advice would be great

JamesF · 12 May 2013, 20:51

Quote:

any good with a mask and snorkel?

A visitor to one of our open meetings went spear fishing off the beach with a mask and snorkel. He came back with a pair of bass that made the local sea anglers give him funny looks.

Mollers · 12 May 2013, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

I hear that the water under the cliffs past Old Harry are good for spearfishing?

I don't know anything about the subject so I was wondering if this type of fishing is any good with a mask and snorkel?

Not really bothered about rushing out and buying a harpoon gun just yet, but I was thinking of a trip out in the sib to take a look next month and I may even take a spinning rod to try for some bass?

Any advice would be great

I dont quite understand your question.

If your asking if you need to wear a mask and snorkel whilst fishing from a sib with a rod in a 'spearfishing area'? The answer is no.

PeterM · 12 May 2013, 21:01

Just buy the right flag.....

whisper · 12 May 2013, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I dont quite understand your question.

If your asking if you need to wear a mask and snorkel whilst fishing from a sib with a rod in a 'spearfishing area'? The answer is no.

whisper · 12 May 2013, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

Just buy the right flag.....

One of these?

Nos4r2 · 12 May 2013, 21:14

The blue/white one.

Nick Hearne · 12 May 2013, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

One of these?

The one on the right A flag

Mollers · 12 May 2013, 21:18

Here you go.

whisper · 12 May 2013, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Here you go.

thomas · 12 May 2013, 21:24

Saw a clear plastic bottomed little rib on the beach last weekend, reckon that would be better than a mask this time of year.

PeterM · 13 May 2013, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

Saw a clear plastic bottomed little rib on the beach last weekend, reckon that would be better than a mask this time of year.

Avon made these over the years ..I nearly ended up with one for some fun.

Whisper dont make the unforgivable error of flying an A flag when you aren't in the water ....so bloody annoying !

Johnscubanut · 13 May 2013, 08:51

We dived round the Kimmeridge/Swanage area last week, viz (underwater) was 1-2m! Temperature was 8-10 degrees!! We all wear drysuits but still only 30mins was our limit.
With scuba gear the diving community do not use spearguns, in fact generally they frown on the existence of them!
I don't see a problem with snorkelling with them tho. Selective fishing, catch what you aim for?
Good luck with the temp & viz, I'd give it a few months to warm up tho?

Mollers · 13 May 2013, 09:27

Bad sport, spear fishing with tanks. :-(

Nos4r2 · 13 May 2013, 09:29

Whisper,I've got a speargun here if you want to try it.

It'll save you buying one if you don't enjoy it.

PeterM · 13 May 2013, 09:54

I can feel a SIB trip coming on soon out that way ...but if it involves spear guns..lets not take mine ( I dont have a good record)

jezza2011 · 13 May 2013, 10:00

the "A" flag is the one to use here. not the red/white one.
althought you still get idiots tearing arround you even with the flag up. grrrr.

boristhebold · 13 May 2013, 10:08

There is someone in a very small rib who does go snorkeling just off old harry, seen him regularly through the summer, however if you do go bear in mind there is an issue with lots of other boats in that area in terms of safety, ive persoanlly seen him nearly hit a few times by jet skiers in the area, he probably doesnt realise but a lot of boaters and jet skiers do go past very near to where he snorkels and he isnt very visible, go with a someone who stays on the boat and keeps a look out would be my advice.

Nos4r2 · 13 May 2013, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

I can feel a SIB trip coming on soon out that way ...but if it involves spear guns..lets not take mine ( I dont have a good record)

It's probably a better idea to take Whisper's Y class or something with a proper solid floor like a rib. You need to be standing up with something to lean on (to keep your balance, not to push the speargun into) to pull the band back on mine.
It's not that it's overly powerful, it's just a cheap speargun and while it fires ok, it's not particularly ergonomically designed for loading.

Nos4r2 · 13 May 2013, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

There is someone in a very small rib who does go snorkeling just off old harry, seen him regularly through the summer, however if you do go bear in mind there is an issue with lots of other boats in that area in terms of safety, ive persoanlly seen him nearly hit a few times by jet skiers in the area, he probably doesnt realise but a lot of boaters and jet skiers do go past very near to where he snorkels and he isnt very visible, go with a someone who stays on the boat and keeps a look out would be my advice.

He's been doing that a while-I've seen it too.

Could do with a bedsheet as a flag with 'Diver down, keep clear' painted in 2 foor high letters on it up there as well as the A flag.