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Topic: Hello from San Diego/ Diving Kayak Setup?  (Read 2324 times)

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shfinnerty

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  • Location: San Diego
  • Date Registered: Mar 2019
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Hello all!

I know I'm not currently a Nor-Cal local, but I did grow up for a bit in the Pacific Grove/Monterey area and have always had a love for the nor cal coast line. Found out about NCKA through the Noob Spearo podcast, sounds like you have a great community up there. Thanks for the add!

Anyways, I am no living down in San Diego, and just bought my first kayak which I plan to rig up for spearfishing in the kelp. I've been fishing from the shore for several years now, so am stoked to have something to get me out into deeper water. I've been doing quite a bit of research and have started investing in bungees, velcro straps, etc. to secure my guns and fins, but am curious to see some more experienced kayak spearo's set-ups to gain a few more ideas that may help.

I wasn't able to find a thread where people share photos/etc. of their spearfishing set ups, does one exist yet? If not, anyone want to share some photos of their set-up, or just some general tips for kayak spearing?

Thanks!


Slappyjfinley

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  • Date Registered: Dec 2018
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Welcome! So Cal is all good...

Spent time in clairmont/pacific beach went to Mesa college.

Lots of good kayak/spear fishing stuff here
Don’t do much myself but good luck searching and tight lines.

-j


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It’s the FU**ING Catalina wine mixer!


Juice

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Sailfish

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Welcome to NCKA shfinnerty  :smt006
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."


fishbushing

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Hello and welcome  :smt006
-Jason


TheKeeneroo

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Welcome to NCKA!

I do quite a lot of kayak spearfishing and live in Pacific Grove! Next time I'm out I can take pictures of my yak fully rigged. I do wish I had easy access storage to my hull so I can toss my guns and gear. Some people have some super fancy set ups but they are also kind of heavy. My Cobra Fishing Navigator is light and fast. A few tips that I'm sure your research has already lead you to: make sure EVERYTHING is secure. I put all my auxiliary dive gear (light, gloves, shark shield, waterbottle, snack, etc) in a dive bag between my feet and use a tuna clip to clip it to my side yak handle. Fins and my wetsuit jacket (lubed) go securely under the budngee lashing on the bow. My back up rail gun (pathos open pro 60) fits perfectly in the rubber paddle holder so I riveted a holder to the rear of the yak on the outside so the front of the gun goes in it (facing backward) and the handle gets tuna clipped to the bungee chord that lines over the rear storage. I run my thick 6' floating bungee from the rear handle, under the gun/paddle holder and run it up to a small plastic cleat  that is placed on the outside edge by my knee so I can easily kelp clip to something. You might consider getting an anchor trolly system, seems like an upgrade I would like) instead of having to reach way backward to unclip or pull my anchor. I have another gear back that has about 1' of 550 chord tying it to one off to the back of the yak for putting fish into. this way you can keep the fish in the water while diving (I also have a stringer on my weight belt). I have a dive flag that sits in one of the flush mount rod holders for while I'm in the water (it comes down when under way so it doesn't act like a sail). I also have a 50' anchor set up similar to http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=87163.msg993094#msg993094 this one. When using anchor, it's attached to the bungee instead of the kelp clip. my primary gun is hooked up to my float line and stored/clipped in the stern under the bungees. I suggest getting a great seat, a nice paddle and a kayak cart too.

Here are a couple links you might find useful.

Safety is super important. Kris Cortez wrote a great article on it.
https://www.redtrianglespearfishing.com/blogs/news/spearfishing-from-a-kayak-safety-tips-for-all-levels

NCUH thread on kayak set up questions.
http://norcalunderwaterhunters.com/forum/index.php?board=40.0

If you haven't looked yet, spearboard.com spearingforum.com have a lot on spearfishing. There is a new dive club down in the LA area that might have some people interested in diving San Diego (including a buddy of mine!) http://tidereapers.com/

If you want to come up and dive, let me know!  :smt001

- Eric Keener
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

There's definitely a fish under THIS rock....

Eric, Pacific Grove
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spinal tap

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Hi,

I did some kayak diving in San Diego when I lived there, but I don't have any pictures of my set up.  I have some general recommendations from memory. 

What kayak do you have?  How long is your gun? 

I rarely stored my gun in the kayak but do so when the swell is big or the launch at the Shores is crowded with people playing in the water.  All it takes is to roll one time in the surf when you're shooting an enclosed track gun.  All the fine sand will make it virtually impossible to get the shaft out. 

I took my kayak  to play in the surf when it was not diveable or when the beach wasn't crowded.  Builds confidence for when you come back and the sets have really picked up. 

Strapping and securing.  I had criss cross bungies over my front hatch and slipped my fins under to secure them.  I had a mesh bag that would hold mask, lights...etc.  When the gun isn't stored in the hull I put it in the rear tank well with the shaft through the rear handle loop and the gun butt has a loop that is clipped off as well. Floatlines and bungees were coiled up and secured in the rear as well as small to medium size fish.  The weightbelt was secured to the handles just forward of the seat.  when I'm paddling, the belt would be under my lower thighs and because there's a slight bend in my legs, it doesn't bother me.  I have it there for a couple reasons: it's closer to the center of the kayak and when I've stopped at a spot, I scoot forward over the belt to get to the fins.  I put the fins on so they as as stabilizers and can either put on the belt from there or scoot back to get my mask (if it's not around my neck already). 

I've never used an anchor.  The kelp of La Jolla has always been pretty healthy so I'd just have a kelp clip on a bungee. 

Check out San Diego Freedivers.  They probably have a fair number of members.

It sounds like you're relatively new to spearfishing, so my advice is to shoot as often as you can when you
re out.  I would shoot opaleye, shoot sargo, go for calicos, but the repetition will help gauge size, distance, your shot placement...etc. 

Good luck,
Nate



 

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