First time Spearos

My brother and myself have been gearing up to give spearfishing a run, we both have been catching fish out of the kayaks for some time now and we both want a better look at what's available for dinner down there. 
  I've been reading everything I can on this forum about safety and preparedness.  We're both surfers and comfortable in the ocean.  We have the basics so far: suit, goggles, snorkel, fins, pole spear, knife and stringer and we're going to my buddies pool this weekend to make sure everything feels comfortable and functions in the water before going out to the ocean.  I figured we can tether the kayaks to some kelp and check out some shallow water before going anywhere past 15'. 
  So my questions that still stand are what are y'alls essential pieces of gear?  I plan on having everything I normally take kayak fishing with me, so my vhf radio, etc will be in the boat.  I figure we can add critical items as they become needed and we're ready to progress, float lines, weight belts, flashlights and such.  Am I missing anything besides a lesson with someone? 
  Can't wait to see what going on down there, thanks in advance for any advice.
 

A mask not goggles would help out tremendously.

Definitely going to need a weight belt and weights that can easily be removed and put back on so you can adjust your buoyancy appropriately. 

An anchor in case there is no kelp and a flash light in case you need to look in a hole. 


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Normally I would not suggest taking the kayak out on your first trip.  I would just go to a protected cove and figure out your buoyancy.  Get comfortable with the mask and keeping it fog free and hope the visibility is good enough that you can start practicing and make some dives. 

Clear your ears often as you can do major ear damage if you try to go to fast or push yourselves. 

Diving gives you a whole body workout and getting
Your lungs and diaphragm in shape may be harder and more exhausting than the physical part of diving. 



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A mask not goggles would help out tremendously.

Ha!  Check, not familiar with the nomenclature yet, I do have a mask, which I called goggles, thanks.


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Normally I would not suggest taking the kayak out on your first trip.  I would just go to a protected cove and figure out your buoyancy.  Get comfortable with the mask and keeping it fog free and hope the visibility is good enough that you can start practicing and make some dives. 

Clear your ears often as you can do major ear damage if you try to go to fast or push yourselves. 

Diving gives you a whole body workout and getting
Your lungs and diaphragm in shape may be harder and more exhausting than the physical part of diving. 



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Thanks for the tips.  I do have a kayak anchor I planned on taking with me.  We are planning on doing shallow water trips until we are comfortable with everything.


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First things first.

You need to be comfortable diving. It should be second nature.

Once you have that down a polespear is a great start, it teaches you to stalk the fish.

If you are already a good kayaker, you need to figure out how to stow or lash down all of your gear.

Since you won't be in the kayak, you need a kelp clip on a length of bungee, and because there isn't kelp everywhere you'll need an anchor.

Try Kris' Fii freediving class, it was totally worth it and taught me a lot about being safe. 

Combining kayaking with diving is a unique challenge. Find somewhere sheltered to get comfortable. You have to figure out how to organize your gear on the deck in a way that gives you easy access. Fins can be fun. As is the weight belt. Be careful when you're on the kayak moving the weight belt around - it can make things a little tippy! I've tried launching with it on, putting it on while seated, and putting it on in the water. I'm most comfortable putting it on in the water, but that's also a good way to drop it too.

I agree that it makes good sense to get comfortable diving before you add the kayak in.

Also, getting in the kayak with a thick wetsuit, fins and weightbelt is a new challenge you'll need to practice.

Tyler and I just chatted on IG and we realized I used to live right next to his family's house in Capitola...small world! 

Keep me posted as you progress and let me know once you wanna get out there together.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...Red Triangle has a lot of good gear for NorCal diving...if you call the shop Parviz should be able to answer any gear questions you have, and feel free to ask me whatever questions you have as well. 

https://www.redtrianglespearfishing.com/