What are the basic gear needed for diving/spearfishing?

Sorry if this has been posed before. Not sure if I'm going to do it yet but it's a thought. Wondering if I can dive in my farmer jane suit 3mm, also what other gear am I looking at investing in?  Are there places that rent out gear to try and see if I like it first?

Thanks,
Steph

Sorry if this has been posed before. Not sure if I'm going to do it yet but it's a thought. Wondering if I can dive in my farmer jane suit 3mm, also what other gear am I looking at investing in?  Are there places that rent out gear to try and see if I like it first?

Thanks,
Steph

I would definitely say rent gear and see if you like it first before dropping the $$.

You can come down with us to SWS in Monterey if you want...great beginner spot and you can rent gear at Glenn's aquarius II right in Monterey:

http://www.aquarius2.com/html/rental_gear_1.htm

Their $35 snorkel package will give you all you need...I got a weight belt and weights and a gun and floatline you can borrow.

There are dive shops on the North Coast  (Fort Bragg etc) that have similar packages if you wanna go for abalone instead.

But anyway....try it out first to see if you like being in the water with the kelp and the surge etc before dropping the $$ on buying all your own gear.

When you do get out there just spend your first dive getting comfy...getting used to the kelp, your mask, diving up and down, equalizing your ears, looking under rocks to see if anyone is home etc...then once you are feeling good try and find a fish to shoot. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...I'm known for being a  shitty mentor/dive buddy though...I always get too excited and take off and wanna shoot fish.  But, there are guys on here that are much more mellow than I am.  But, if we do a dive and chill at SWS we can usually all dive in a general area that allows different levels to have fun together. 

pps..yeah 3mm is not enough. you want the 7mm all the way with hood, gloves and booties. 

We're graced with some pretty exceptional divers on ncka....and they make it look very easy.  If you don't have experience actually being in the water swimming, surfing, fishing and dealing with adverse water conditions it may be a bit of a shock.

You should definitely rent first, any scuba shop will rent a freedive package with everything you need.  Your 3 mil farmer jane is not enough and gear is equally as expensive as fishing gear, if not more.  Try it out before buying anything. 

Sorry if this has been posed before. Not sure if I'm going to do it yet but it's a thought. Wondering if I can dive in my farmer jane suit 3mm, also what other gear am I looking at investing in?  Are there places that rent out gear to try and see if I like it first?

Thanks,
Steph

I'm interested in learning as well.  BigJim said SWS (pebble beach) in the winter after a storm knocks out all the kelp is probably the best.  I think we should coordinate a newbie diving hookup at that time. 

Sorry if this has been posed before. Not sure if I'm going to do it yet but it's a thought. Wondering if I can dive in my farmer jane suit 3mm, also what other gear am I looking at investing in?  Are there places that rent out gear to try and see if I like it first?

Thanks,
Steph

I'm interested in learning as well.  BigJim said SWS (pebble beach) in the winter after a storm knocks out all the kelp is probably the best.  I think we should coordinate a newbie diving hookup at that time.

That would be fun...you could go now, but the whole inner cove is choked with kelp and it will be that much more challenging....some of the deeper/more exposed areas are still kinds open but that is not where I would take a newbie. My 2 cents only.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps..the kelp seems exceptionally thick and nasty this year...I ws shocked at how thick it was up at Albion...I was at this one spot south of Albion in May and the cove was wide open and this past weekend it was completely carpeted. 

Steph, great advice from Jim and Al.  I tell you it's not the tropics.  I free dive all the time in the Philippines when I'm there but when I tried it here with all that gear and kelp it just wasn't as much fun as I thought.  Part of it is just not being comfortable in the suit and the weights.  However, I'm still up for the challenge to get myself comfortable in those conditions.  I know I will like it once I get over that and really start shooting some perch.  Lower depths.     I find it harder to stay down longer here because I think my heart rate is so much faster.  I've got all my gear and ready for a newbie get together again soon.

Rey

Sorry if this has been posed before. Not sure if I'm going to do it yet but it's a thought. Wondering if I can dive in my farmer jane suit 3mm, also what other gear am I looking at investing in?  Are there places that rent out gear to try and see if I like it first?

Thanks,
Steph

I would definitely say rent gear and see if you like it first before dropping the $$.

You can come down with us to SWS in Monterey if you want...great beginner spot and you can rent gear at Glenn's aquarius II right in Monterey:

http://www.aquarius2.com/html/rental_gear_1.htm

Their $35 snorkel package will give you all you need...I got a weight belt and weights and a gun and floatline you can borrow.

There are dive shops on the North Coast  (Fort Bragg etc) that have similar packages if you wanna go for abalone instead.

But anyway....try it out first to see if you like being in the water with the kelp and the surge etc before dropping the $$ on buying all your own gear.

When you do get out there just spend your first dive getting comfy...getting used to the kelp, your mask, diving up and down, equalizing your ears, looking under rocks to see if anyone is home etc...then once you are feeling good try and find a fish to shoot. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...I'm known for being a  shitty mentor/dive buddy though...I always get too excited and take off and wanna shoot fish.  But, there are guys on here that are much more mellow than I am.  But, if we do a dive and chill at SWS we can usually all dive in a general area that allows different levels to have fun together. 

pps..yeah 3mm is not enough. you want the 7mm all the way with hood, gloves and booties. 

Thanks for the wealth of info Jim! I definately will consider renting the package and joining you guys. I at least want to give it a try and see what happens, if I feel that its too much then at least I know I've tried it. I like the idea of having a newb hookup so that others can learn at the same time. Of course I'm sure you will be swimming around like a fish but I will just try and get comfortable with the water like you mention and if I happen to spear a fish thats a plus. Otherwise I'll leave them be for when I'm ready 

We're graced with some pretty exceptional divers on ncka....and they make it look very easy.  If you don't have experience actually being in the water swimming, surfing, fishing and dealing with adverse water conditions it may be a bit of a shock.

You should definitely rent first, any scuba shop will rent a freedive package with everything you need.  Your 3 mil farmer jane is not enough and gear is equally as expensive as fishing gear, if not more.  Try it out before buying anything.

Thanks Al for your advice as well. And I'm with CaptainMorgan, when the kelp clears up and there's more visibility seems like a better time to learn.

Steph, when you go out let me know, I still need to get my feet wet! I got the gear, but haven't got it wet yet..... we can buddy up it the kiddie pool area!

Steph, when you go out let me know, I still need to get my feet wet! I got the gear, but haven't got it wet yet..... we can buddy up it the kiddie pool area!

me too...I need fins anyone got a pair of full foot fins they are looking to sell?

Steph, when you go out let me know, I still need to get my feet wet! I got the gear, but haven't got it wet yet..... we can buddy up it the kiddie pool area!

Glen, Let me know when you go out.  I'll be there, film rolling! 

Seriously though, I'd be willing to help out at a new diver hookup as well, if someone wants to organize it, just let me know the date so I can clear it on the calendar. I bet between all the NCKA diving bros, we have more than enough gear to cover. I have extras for masks/snorkels, gloves, pole spears, weights, wetsuits etc.

Also, for those looking to spear,  I suggest considering a pole spear to start.  I started with a speargun, and it was just a pain to reload, if you miss you watch the fish swim away.  With a pole spear, you can just cock it back again and you are ready to rumble. 

im in for a hookup, i got an extra pole spear and a pair of size small mares avanti fins anyone is welcome to.

it sounds like some of the seasoned vets need to post a hookup,instaed of a shoot and chill call it rookie day.ill be the first one to sign up as a rook not a vet

Sorry if this has been posed before. Not sure if I'm going to do it yet but it's a thought. Wondering if I can dive in my farmer jane suit 3mm, also what other gear am I looking at investing in?  Are there places that rent out gear to try and see if I like it first?

Thanks,
Steph

ps...I'm known for being a  shitty mentor/dive buddy though...I always get too excited and take off and wanna shoot fish.  But, there are guys on here that are much more mellow than I am.  But, if we do a dive and chill at SWS we can usually all dive in a general area that allows different levels to have fun together. 

pps..yeah 3mm is not enough. you want the 7mm all the way with hood, gloves and booties. 

If you go with Jim there won't be no fish when you get your chance

Other than that we got you on the safety part.

Ey steph go check out the dive shop on pacheco ave out here in concord, they rent.