Newbie spear fishing advice?

Hello everyone my name is Freddy I fish monterey and Santa Cruz. I have a kayak and a 17' boston whaler outrage. I've been fishing for a while but would like to start spearfishing. It's always been on my list of things to start doing.

My question is any advice on gear what do I need to start off. I live in San Jose so any cool places to check out gear in the area maybe a place I can take some dive classes? Free diving VS using a tank

Any info is appreciated also always looking for cool people to go fishing with just trow some bucks in for gas for the boat.

You wont find a very good spearfishing store in San Jose. Diver dan has some limited spearfishing gears.
1 hour away, you have Neptonic, keli oceansports.

Mark Lozano will have a FII class on Sep 27-28 in the area.
See you out there.

I got my PADI certification from Diver Dan in Santa Clara.  Not a big store but has decent diving gear selection.

http://www.diverdans.com/

Thanks for the info ima check him out

You don't want to tank dive that's for pussies. . Some good shops in Monterey. Bamboo Reef, Glens Aquarius 2. Good luck .

Hahah thanks fish master I all ready enrolled in a class with diver Dan it's there free class on Fridays to check it out

You don't want to tank dive that's for pussies. . Some good shops in Monterey. Bamboo Reef, Glens Aquarius 2. Good luck .

Andy, if that SCUBA is for pussies 
I want to see you do a sky dive. and not a tandem, that is for little girls.

My question is any advice on gear what do I need to start off.

http://charleslakamp.com/category/play/spearfishingfreediving/instructional/

My question is any advice on gear what do I need to start off.

http://charleslakamp.com/category/play/spearfishingfreediving/instructional/

Really good article thanks for the link

Yes, thanks for the link to the great article. I looked up the wetsuit he mentions-- yikes! $549 is steep.

Charles Lakamp??

F that guy. He has no clue what he's talking about.

 

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/1137

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Charles Lakamp....
He has some good ideas on gear but expensive. I free dive and SCUBA for about have as much. I dont have an open cell suit, I use an Mendocino 7mm Scuba suit. I do recommend the long free diving fins, but you can find them cheaper if you look around.   Fredward75  I would listen to Big Jim he knows what he is talking about, just check out his youtube page....

I use an 8mil aqualung semi-dri (with attached hood). On special you can pick one up for about $375-$400 brand new. A pair of the big fins is another $195 to $250...or keep an eye out on craigslist in the winter months...you can pick up used dive gear cheap.  I would suggest using a weight harness system also...belts suck. Here is the harness I use....very comfortable! JBL Elite woody is a nice gun for under $250....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Northern-Diver-Weight-Trim-Harness-Scuba-Diving-Accessory-/261513540148?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Scuba_SnorkellingEquipment_SM&var=&hash=item3ce36bf234

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-ELITE-WOODY-SAWED-OFF-MAGNUM-Spear-Gun-NIB-w-Factory-Warranty-/121136150285?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3446f70d

Charles Lakamp??

F that guy. He has no clue what he's talking about.

 

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/catches/1137

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Hahaha, Fuck that guy indeed, btw I should probably update that gear list, I've made some changes to my checklist since that post went up.

Yes, thanks for the link to the great article. I looked up the wetsuit he mentions-- yikes! $549 is steep.

That's about $100 more than I got it for at the freedive shop in sac. You could also go with a Cressi knockoff from Cambodia, they sell them on Amazon and cost around $300. I'm not sure I'll get another yazback, it's definitely compressed significantly since last November, I've also put close fifty 6-8 hour days of diving on it since then.