WHAT DO I NEED?

 So i've been looking at maybe getting into some spear fishing, I don't know the gear you would need. I already have a nice snorkel,mask an fins. Not sure if fins would work though, they are not those long ones you see guys using, they are just normal type. And i got my wetsuit that i yak an surf in, keeps me plenty warm. I looked at spear guns...OUCH!, so i was thinking going the hawiaian spear. So any input from you divers out there would help............Thanks

You didn't mention a weightbelt, but you would definitely need one of those.  I would recommend you start with a polespear (which is what I think you mean when you wrote Hawaiian sling).  I would add gloves and booties to your list.

Also, I'm not sure if your wetsuit has an attached hood, but regardless of how tolerant you think you are of the cold water, you're gonna need a hood. 

I think that's it.  You don't need a gun yet. 

Good info spinaltap! Your regular dive fins will do fine. You are gonna have to play with the weight to get it right. If your surf suit is a 4/3mm then you will probably need 12-15lbs or even a little less. Test it out!
Check out my dive flag mounts too. Welcome aboard.

Unless Bloodbath knows your size and body fat content, I would caution against going with the 12-15lb weightbelt.  What I would recommend you do is borrow a belt from friends who dive or rent a belt from a shop and get small increment weights (3,2, and 1lb weights). 

Go to a very calm cove and start with as little as 8lbs.  A conservative method for weighing yourself is to have enough weights on your belt so that when you do a normal exhale the water level should be at your mouth to nose.  You're doing this while floating vertical.  Add or subtract weights to get to this level. 

As you gain more experience, you can adjust to fit your diving style.

Good luck,
Nate

Thanks for being thorough Nate. I must be losing my mind here. Do what Nate said Will be a great way to start.

nice. Ya my suit has a hood and i have gloves an booties. I am up in humboldt so i know about the cold water. Never thought of the weight belt. So is it hard to float on surface when you have it on? I surf so i am not worried about my ability to swim in the ocean, just never tried it with weight on me before.And that was what i was talking about the sling, It was WAY cheaper than a gun. Would hate to dump hella $ into it and find its not my style. But i thought it would be nice to know for the months when i can't use my yak.

A float, boogie board or yak to store your fish and hang onto when it gets nasty or you get tired. Try not to keep fish on you or you could get jumped by a seal. I reccomend a 7mm suit. Start with a hawaiin sling but you will want a barb real quick!

What Spinal Tap is talking about is called nuetral buoyancy. If you can achieve the water level right at your nose when vertical you will not have a problem when you are floating at all. Unless your snorkel is pointed too far forwards or backwards. Think calmly and go slow. Rushing around can build anxiety and you wont have fun. Little steps.Have you already dove for abalone? Practiced just diving to the bottm and hanging for a while? Do that first, then when your comfort level is up try the spear. Good luck dude.

 I have never done any diving before, So i definitely don't want to get out and run onto any suprises. I like your idea of just playing in the water an getting a feel for things

It's best to do the neutral buoyancy test in a swimming pool (calm and conrtolled conditions).  Using the same weight in salt water will give you a small safety margin.

I have weights, belt, and a JBL 38 special, all brand new that you are welcome to try for a day.

thats what i did , i just played in the water for a day getting used to things ,now im movin up the food chain!

I have weights, belt, and a JBL 38 special, all brand new that you are welcome to try for a day.

 Maybe we could go out sometime? i don't know anyone who dives, kinda hesitant to go by myself

for a 2 pc suit 6.5 - 7mm thickness you can be pretty safe to go 10 % of your body weight in lead + 2-3 lbs of additional lead.

maybe you have already but you will most likely need gloves, boots / booties (depending on type of fins) and a suit and hood.

watch the fins and the buckles, advantage to closed heel fins is less likely to get tangled in kelp.

if you get tangled in kelp stay calm, drop down a little and untangle.

mark your hunting spear / gun with appropriate marks for the fish you are wanting to take so you know if its legal and err on the side of caution as to avoid small fish.

i highly recommend the Laird freedive class offered by Wallins Dive Center. David will teach you the basics of breath hold, hunting and gear info and you'll be diving well in no time.

we should do a NCKA spearfishing day sometime, would be fun to see all those who are kayak diving. of course we'll space out a bit

We can go to Trinidad and dive from the beach--nothing over your head 4-5ft until you find your comfort zone--which is built one foot at a time at your  pace.
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