14 replies to this topic

[RX3-BOi]

hey guys was browsing a spearfishing forum i go on and found this thread.

might be useful to some of you

click the link --> Extreme Spearfishing

Edited by glen, 03 August 2004 - 09:00 AM.

[glen]

thanks for that link. its a great site. sounds like cuttlefish can be a bit intimidating underwater. do they actually follow divers around and steal their fish? arghhh.

[Jazman]

Nice link Pat, I've speared quite a few small squid while spearfishing, and I know that some guys in Vic do target the big spawners from Sep-Jan around Portsea and Queenscliff. I have heard that the spawning squid are not as wary or hard to approach as smaller non-spawning squid, but don't have any first hand experience (I prefer to catch the spawners on lines). I've speared many more squid floundering than spearfishing (especially at Blairgowrie), but not usually big ones. I have never found cuttlefish to be intimidating, but they are definately curious and a bit fearless when it comes to approaching divers. I've seen them flashing colours at me, that looks incredible underwater. But i've also never seen a real big cuttlefish underwater, I think they're the ones which might try and steal your fish.

However, one beast that I do find intimidating underwater is the octopus, I've had big ones try to steal crayfish from my hand whilst SCUBA diving , and my dad has been grabbed by a huge one while diving (its body was the size of a basket ball). They seem more intelligent and calculating than the other cephalopods, and the ones I have seen are not afraid to interact with divers.

If anyone's interested, all us spearos on the site should meet up and have a go at the squid at Portsea when they start up in a few months.
Jaz

[glen]

is swimming around portsea safe enough? i now there was a fair bit of current last time i went down there.

i wouldn't mind doing some snorkelling down there...maybe make some movies of the squid with my camera. i have a spear gun but don't really know how to use it.

[Jazman]

Yeah, there can be some current at Portsea, but if you dive the right tide it is minimal. I'm happy to give speargun tuition, they're pretty straightforward to use. Is the rubber on your gun in good shape?

[Mr_Willy]

Have heard of massive squid chasing divers down at Cape Jervis in South Australia.........a 3-4kg squid was chasing a scuba diver.........

[aok47]

hehehe just stay clear of the MP between portsea and point nepean fellas



AK

[glen]

jaz - the speargun i have is about 20 years old! so the rubber is the same age. its still in one piece but not sure if it works the same as a new rubber.

[RX3-BOi]

wat size is the gun glen? i might have one to fit. when i was in phillip island my rubber snapped so i went to jims bait n tackle in san remo and the lady gave me a whole bag. some have the bridle/screw type other are just one piece. have about 4-5

let us know

[glen]

its about 4 foot long i guess. it is the bridle screw type i think. its an old french spear. i believe its a good one. i have seen very similar ones in the diving shop in dandenong.

though to be honest the main reason i haven't gone spearing is a fear of sharks...the idea of dragging bleeding fish behind me seems like a bad idea

i expressed this fear to an experience spear fisherman once and he said the sharks usually just come and steel the fish from the float and then swim away. not sure if i felt much better afterwards! :online2long:

[RX3-BOi]

lol glen i have the same fear but u just gotta block it out. and dont look behind ya my mates float who i spearfish with is pretty big and its like a box so the fish go in there i'll have to go into the garage to check out the rubbers see wat size n stuff let ya know

[Jazman]

I understand the concern about sharks, but to be honest in Victoria sharks are not such a worry, much more so up north. BUT you could still be unlucky. Keeping the fish out of the water after they're speared, in a float like Pat described, is a good idea, because it keeps blood and the vibrations of injured fish out of the water. I have had problems with big stingrays trying to steal my catch, especially down Gippsland way . Trevally especially like to cruise around on the back of stingrays and clean up any food particles that the rays miss.......a few times I've had to pull speared trevally out of a stingrays gob........they don't like it, that's for sure!

Glen is your speargun a Picasso?

[RX3-BOi]

but still jaz when i go spearing at woolamai i have the fear that the great whites from the seal rocks are gonna cruise into the bay where i spearfish

[glen]

hey guys,

on one side of the spear it says "arbalete champion" and on the other side it says "rene cavalero - marseille, france".

I did some research on the web and it appear that the "rene cavalero" spearguns are now made by "Beuchat". The speargun model is now called "Rascasse".

Here is a picture of the new one. The colours are different to my old one but I guess the design is much the same.

http://www.beuchat.fr/

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[dont98]

hey guys,

on one side of the spear it says "arbalete champion" and on the other side it says "rene cavalero - marseille, france".

I did some research on the web and it appear that the "rene cavalero" spearguns are now made by "Beuchat". The speargun model is now called "Rascasse".

Here is a picture of the new one. The colours are different to my old one but I guess the design is much the same.

Hello from Canada!

I also am looking for rubbers for my Arbalete Champion spear gun. The ones I am using are 7.5 inches long (not counting the plastic screw part). I also have one that is 6.5 inches and one that is 8.25 inches.

I have contacted Beauchat - no answer. I am looking for sources preferably in Canada, USA second, or worldwide third.

I spear pike, perch, walleye in Saskatchewan Canada by snorkeling in Northern lakes (colddd)!! Enjoyed your postings!

Tanx
Don Taylor
dkt@sasktel.net