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polarosoman Member 
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Hi everyone. I am new to the sport of Spearfishing. I have been doing it for years in freshwater but I am going to San Carlos and would love to try it in the ocean. Does anyone in here have any good advice as to where I could go, or if there are charters that take groups out? Last year I got a 20 lb pargo on the tip of the Island that is next to what used to be Club Med. I got it with my hawaiin sling. I now have a speargun and have been getting bass and lake trout. So i have some practice. I will be there 10th thru 15th of Aug. Please let me know if you have any contacts or if you are welcoming new-comers into your group. Thanks  |
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ACWAMAN Member
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You will probably find the Pargo and alot of the other good eating reef fish, down deep in the cooler water this time of year. If you have access to a boat, diving at the Island, San Pedro, can be good, but again, fish may be deep. Mainly what I do this time of year, is jump flotsum out in blue water. Flotsum can be anything that's been floating a while. Generally looking for Dorado swimming around it. For a boat to charter, your best bet is probably Vince at Sonora Sports Center. Think his contact info is linked on this site. Good luck! |
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Jimmy Member 
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We used to make our own flotsam with PVC pipe and a cheap plastic tarp. We would set it up and then kick back. In time there would be a selection of fish enjoying the sombre. |
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polarosoman Member
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I am going to be down there next week 10th thru the 15th of Aug. It would sure be nice to go with some people with ocean spearfishing experience. Does Vince at Ocean Sports take groups out? I would like to sign up. Im sure I could charter a boat, but the key for me is to go with others who are already experienced. |
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ACWAMAN Member
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Vince ownes Sonora Sports Center. The e-mail I have for him is: vradice@gmail.com I'm guessing he's on a sail boat chater right now, as he normally monitors this forum and would have chimed in by now. He's probably your best bet, with this short notice. In addition, the charter boat, El Duque, runs several free diving spearfishing trips each year. Can find them at: divecortez.com But nothing going till Dec. Steve Calbert, of Catch 22, which is linked from the fishing forum, will no doubt charter you a boat and have a guy take you out to go fishing and allow you to jump in on flotsum. Good luck! |
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polarosoman Member
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Wow... thanks for the info! I was also thinking of taking a day to spearfish from the shore. I have been looking on Googel Earth and seems like there are a lot of accesible areas that you can drive to. Or, at least get to on a jet ski (we have two). Are there any places that any of you could recomend? And, what kind of fish could I expect to see, and what are good eating? Thanks for all replys. |
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ACWAMAN Member
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There's some beach access close to San Antonio point, water round there can drop off pretty quick and can produce fish. Would look for Cabrilla, Pargo and Yellowtail are common there, but again, prefer the cooler waters of the Oct - May. But certainly worth a try and who knows, you may get lucky. Take a float, so you don't get run down and have fun. The other beach access areas I'm aware of, I think are too shallow for this time of year. You want to work the depths of your comfort zone on the outside edge of the reef, with hopes that something comes up from the cooler deeper waters, to check you out. |
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ACWAMAN Member
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PS - You may want to rent a kayak, to give you better range from what beach you enter at and rest up on should you get tired. If it's not too windy, you can attach your float line directly to it and use that as your marker. If you're from Phoenix area, El Mar Diving center offer spearfishing courses. Their next free diving one is Sept 6 th. |
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polarosoman Member
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ACWAMAN, thanks for the good info. I looked up the place you told me. Seems like its right by the "MIRADOR" San Carlos. I will definitely try it out. You know its always something that most divers never see but its always in the back of my mind but I was just wondering what kind of sharks are most likely to show up if any? Or what do most people see in San Carlos as far as Sharks? |
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ACWAMAN Member
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If I told you they didn't exist, I'd be lying. That being said, the sharks in the Sea of Cortez, have almost been fished to the brink of extinction and I rarely see any. It is a shame. I've never seen anything around SC to be too concerned with, the occasional Dusky out in blue water or reef shark close in. Do hear of the odd Mako being caught by the fishing boats and the occasional White shark getting tangled up in the shrimp nets, usually further north in the Gulf. Would suggest you follow basic safety protocol when sharks might be around and not keep dead fish attached to your waist. Problem is then, the Sea Lions will take the fish and those guys, I see a lot of! Mainly at the Island. When diving the Island, I always throw the fish in the boat or risk losing them to the dogs. Along shore, I tow them behind or throw them in the kayak, assuming I have one. Regards |
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polarosoman Member
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Hey Acwaman, you live in San Carlos? I would love to hook up some time so you could show me the ropes. What kind of guns do you have and use? Its a shame about the sharks. I love sharks. Especially GW's but I do NOT want to see one!!! HA HA. I saw a pretty big lemon shark in Vallarta while scuba diving about 5 yrs ago. But thats it. I have never seen one since. When are you going to be spearfishing again? Who in San Carlos spearfishes that I could go with? So far no one has emailed me back. The only one that has emailed me is Dakota Dave. He sounds good, but in order to go with him I need to get some more people, so it wont be so expensive. Sounds like a nice guy though. |
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ACWAMAN Member
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Forgot about Dekota Dave, he is a great guy and has a shark story of his own, but will let him tell that one! Has a nice boat also, but tough to cover the cost if alone. Afraid I do not line in SC and will not be down there until some time in September. You are more than welcome to contact me directly at: acwaman@aol.com Save us boring the hell out of the people reading the threads, that are not into spearfishing. |
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barato Member
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one hopes that anyone who opens a thread entitled "spearfishing" in the diving forum wouldn't find the subject of spearfishing boring  appreciate the info everyone has posted! |
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Funbutton Member
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Great reading everyone's comments! I'm considering a move to Mexico... or, long term visit. I spent 14 years on N. Shore of Oahu (now landlocked on the mainland) and am really missing the ocean. Would love to have input on freediving & spearo in Mexico... websites, great locations, stories, etc. Looking at San Carlos as one possibility. I've got three young kids and wife to "negotiate" with as far as location. Appreciate any and all thoughts! Mark Ps. Have been spearfishing many years in Hawaii and some in New Zealand. Last edited on Wed Aug 6th, 2008 01:41 am by Funbutton |
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ACWAMAN Member
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If you're able, go down for a few weeks and experience it. As with anywhere, has it's pros and cons, but feel the pros far out weigh the latter. I'd live there an a heart beat, but couldn't afford the divorce. I feel the proximity to the US has it's definate advantages, as in being able to get personal belonging down easily and driving back to the US for the various things that the US can offer that can be compromised in Mexico. If you think about an extended visit or move, happy to answer any questions you have, to the best of my ability. acwaman@aol.com Regards Seamus |
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polarosoman Member
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Well I had lots of fun last year. I am planning to go this month again. I am very excited. Is there anyone that spearfishes there that I could go with? Even if I have to pay, I wouldnt mind. I would just love to meet some of you who Freedive/spearfish and go out with you. Its funner when you have buddies to do it with. Well if any of you know of anyone then PLEASE let me know. Thanks ya'll. |
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ACWAMAN Member
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Contact Vince Radice, Sonora Sports Center, you can find the contact info on the home page. Good luck! Acwaman |
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Vince Radice Moderator 
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Seamus I shot some big yellow tail at the north point of the island last weekend, they were pretty nice and for sure would have placed in the tournament!!!! Polarosoman, just drop me a line when you guys are in town and If I can I will take you out. We are putting our documentary on mexican national t.v. around the end of the month so will be on a promotional tour to raise awareness of the problem but If I am around would love to go out. We are gonna do quite of bit of blue water hunting this summer as well so Seamus when you come back let me know and we will go out to the blue water for some sperm whale footage and a dorado or two, or three!! V |
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ACWAMAN Member
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Great to hear they're still running shallow enough to spear, what's the water temp at the Island? Love to hook up for some BW action, shoot me an e-mail directly when it comes time. PS - I dropped off a catalog at the store last week, trust you got it? Regards Seamus |
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Vince Radice Moderator
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It was still nippy, the first 10 feet was low viz and warm, after that clear & cold, but things should be warming up soon!! got the catalog, drop me a line when your coming back down V |
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polarosoman Member
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Vince. Thanks for the reply. As soon as I know when we are going I will let you know. At what depth did you get those Yellow tail at? Love to hear about it. I am not set up for blue watet but I would love to watch. I got a really nice Cabrilla at about 50 ft at window rock. WOW it was good! Well thanks for the help guys. I would love to go out when I get there. |
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Vince Radice Moderator
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The yellow tail were shallow that day, around 25 feet, had the whole place to myself it was one of those sea of cortez moments! |
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ACWAMAN Member
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I know the type of mements you're speaking of, the type that keep you coming back. I went through and almost 18 month period, where it seemed like every trip I was blown out and you might recall, I even thought of getting back into sailing. However, since last Nov, I've had 6 trips down, in a row, with almost perfact condition and lots of fish. I'll stop there, so I don't jinx myself. Seamus |
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Vince Radice Moderator
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Six great trips in a row was the pay back for the crappy ones, the old yin & yang at work, if there were never any crappy days there would never be any memorable ones!! |
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polarosoman Member
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Vince, we will be there monday thru Friday of the last week of may. We would love to go out with you and enjoy some great spearfishing. Let me know how your schedule is. We don't have a schedule while were there so whatever works best for you. If you want to email me you can at polarosoman@yahoo.com THANKS, Jared |
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TACMED Member
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Myself and son tried spearfishing while snorkeling last June for the first time at Honeymoon island. We had fun scaring the trigger fish, but did not catch one, and would not know what to do with it, once we catch one. We only did it because we found a pair of Hawaiian slings in my parent's house that I recently inherited. We are coming down again this June for 2 weeks and would like to learn how to do it for "real" We have a 12' Zodiac w/motor. Our house is on the beach, just across from Honeymoon Island. any suggestions would be appriciated. |
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barato Member
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one respectful suggestion: probably a good idea to learn what to do with it before you succeed in spearing it....catch & release of speared fish has notoriously poor survival rates  FWIW, triggers are great eating. you clean em sorta like opening a letter, slip knife point in bunghole and slit from the inside...otherwise, you'll never get through the skin. we just toss em on hibachi skin and all, and skin then comes away intact, leaving nice white meat that tastes a little like lobster |
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ACWAMAN Member
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Firstly, get a fishing license, although unlikely you'll ever get checked in SC, it is the law. Not sure if your son needs one, not sure of age limits and how old he is. Where do you live, I may be able to refer you to somewhere that conducts spearfishing classes. Otherwise, contact Vince Radice, Sonora Sports Center, have him take you out a few times, show you some spots, give you some pointers, then have at it with your kid, using your own boat. Would be worth the investment. Vince is also a dealer for a few different speargun companies and can outfit you, should you decide to step up from your HI slings. I have a 10 year old, he loves it, think it's great you're getting your kid into it. Young or old, nothing more satisfying than going out diving, shooting a fish, bringing it home, prepping and eating it. Trigger fish are a popular fish for civeche. Good luck! Seamus |
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TACMED Member
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10-4, thanks I will make the contact Vince as advised prior to arriving in SC to insure that we can schedule a few sessions. I am a firm believer in hiring a professional instructor for learning a new skill. It will be a good investment, as I plan on retiring in SC in a few years and will need a hobby, as well as sport that I share my son. john |
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polarosoman Member
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Maybe I could head back to san carlos in June and join you guys. I would love to go out with you guys to spear some good dinner. YUM! My brother and I always go out to some spots on the Jets Ski, anchor it and have a great time. And very selective on fish, if no good ones then just enjoy the scenery. I got a cheap spear gun, its just a JBL Sawed Off Magnum. It does pretty good though. I just got some new RIFFE free diving fins, snorkel and mask. Maybe if I went more often I would love to upgrade on the spear gun. I always used to use a HI sling too. Still use them here in the lakes for trout in the mountains and bass in the reservoirs. |
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Galen Member
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Well, It´s August. A little warm, I´ve heard, for the big game fish. I´m hoping there will be plenty of good-eating fish though. From what I´ve read, Triggers and Pargo are my best bet for now. Does anyone have any good suggestions for renting a kayak? I was planning on kayaking out to a few spots and trying to catch dinner. I also need a new line for my speargun as it´s a little short for around here. I can´t wait to get in the water. The last few days have been spent in the dentists chair getting root canals, but the doctor gave me the go-ahead for bucear y pescar con arpon. If anyone wants to show me around, would also be awesome. I´ll be heading out early Saturday and Sunday. Cheers, Galen and Katie 650-575-1624 (USA) |
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Vince Radice Moderator
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Damn I am going on vacation for a week starting Sunday, will be back next monday if you are still around stop by. |
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barato Member
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Galen-- i was going to suggest Vince or Bryan Repogle (Repsilon on this board) but it sounds like Vince is out by default. both are great guys, know the area well, and can give you input on where/how to fish as well as rent you a yak. man, talk about doing your penance and now ready to enjoy some fishin...... good luck! |
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repsilon Member 
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Need a kayak? scaaMexico.com repsilon@aol.com 227 0219 house 0446228555926 MX cell 001 or 0115216228555926 (520)906 0480 thanks, Bryan |
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ACWAMAN Member
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As we have some of the Mexico contingent on this thread, that participate in the Annual Yellowtail Tourney, thought I'd share that the tentative sate for the 2010 meet, is Sat, March 13th. I will post all the info, web site amendments, applications etc, once it is set for sure and we have made the flyers. You can also monitor the web site, but is not current yet. http://yellowtailopen.com Regards Seamus |
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Galen Member
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Thanks for all the good info guys. I had fun, and even got in the water some. I rented a kayak and dove from it for an hour and a half or so (40-50ft) around the island at Martini Cove. No fish to pull a trigger at, and no time to go find other dive spots. Wind kicked up pretty bad last weekend as well. For all others wishing to travel down and spearfish, I would suggest chartering a boat and guide for your first trip. In retrospect, it would have been worth it, and it would have saved a lot of hassle. Talk to Vince or (Repsilon) Bryan if you want a kayak, because the other kayak rentals do not want you diving from them. And many thanks to Vince at Sonora Sports Center. He was very helpful and very friendly. Cheers all, until next time-- Galen |
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