Does anyone here spearfish from your Kayak? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bluesquids · 06-22-2015, 08:17 AM

I picked up my first kayak in '01 specifically for spearfishing. I can't think of many problems you'd run into. You'll wanna leash your gun to the yak when not in use, it can fall off easily....just toss it over the side while gearing up....fins can go over the side easily too and they sink like a rock....I put those in a mesh duffle bag in the tank well.
Boat traffic is the biggest thing I worry about. But, you're much better off near a kayak in a thick kelp bed then a shore diver trying to get out there.
Many people will tell you to use the buddy system.....but in our poor visibility you can't see each other so a one up one down is not possible....so you end up diving in opposite directions...you are basically on your own most of the time anyways....personally I do not want to put myself anywhere within the range of a buddies speargun.
You really shouldn't hunt in water deeper than you feel comfortable diving down too in case a fish ties up. This is when a buddy is helpful to spot you and take turns diving on it.
Shallow water blackout should be on your mind ALWAYS, read up on it and dive as safe as possible.

HobieScot · 06-22-2015, 10:23 AM

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've been Spearfishing for years. Just not off a kayak. I started beach diving and got tired of that hassle pretty fast. Mot to mention the visibility on our coast is almost always horrible. I then switched to boat diving only with the majority of my fish speared at Catalina. I have a Wong hybrid that will secure to the paddle holder perfectly. So I feel safe there.

I do have a kelp clip that I use for fishing to secure the yak. I've had it break loose a couple times while I was fishing which is no big deal. But if I secure the yak to kelp and head out diving and come back up and it's gone, well that's a whole nother story!

That's one of my huge concerns. But I'm guessing without me in the yak putting the extra pressure on the kelp that the kelp clip would have a much easier time keeping the yak in one place.

One question I do have is how'd I you deal with the wetsuit situation. That would be one LONG paddle in a full wetsuit and over heating would be a real problem. Waiting to put it one when I get to the hunting grounds seems like a huge pain in the yak. So I was thinking that I could just wear the bottoms of the farmer johns on the way out then struggle with getting the top on when I get there.

How do others deal with the wetsuit?

Is there any other problems that I might come across that I haven't thought of yet?

Thanks in advance for your support!

06-22-2015, 08:17 AM	#1
bluesquids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jamul, CA Posts: 243	I picked up my first kayak in '01 specifically for spearfishing. I can't think of many problems you'd run into. You'll wanna leash your gun to the yak when not in use, it can fall off easily....just toss it over the side while gearing up....fins can go over the side easily too and they sink like a rock....I put those in a mesh duffle bag in the tank well. Boat traffic is the biggest thing I worry about. But, you're much better off near a kayak in a thick kelp bed then a shore diver trying to get out there. Many people will tell you to use the buddy system.....but in our poor visibility you can't see each other so a one up one down is not possible....so you end up diving in opposite directions...you are basically on your own most of the time anyways....personally I do not want to put myself anywhere within the range of a buddies speargun. You really shouldn't hunt in water deeper than you feel comfortable diving down too in case a fish ties up. This is when a buddy is helpful to spot you and take turns diving on it. Shallow water blackout should be on your mind ALWAYS, read up on it and dive as safe as possible. __________________ Thanks, bluesquids

06-22-2015, 10:23 AM	#2
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	Thanks for the replies guys. I've been Spearfishing for years. Just not off a kayak. I started beach diving and got tired of that hassle pretty fast. Mot to mention the visibility on our coast is almost always horrible. I then switched to boat diving only with the majority of my fish speared at Catalina. I have a Wong hybrid that will secure to the paddle holder perfectly. So I feel safe there. I do have a kelp clip that I use for fishing to secure the yak. I've had it break loose a couple times while I was fishing which is no big deal. But if I secure the yak to kelp and head out diving and come back up and it's gone, well that's a whole nother story! That's one of my huge concerns. But I'm guessing without me in the yak putting the extra pressure on the kelp that the kelp clip would have a much easier time keeping the yak in one place. One question I do have is how'd I you deal with the wetsuit situation. That would be one LONG paddle in a full wetsuit and over heating would be a real problem. Waiting to put it one when I get to the hunting grounds seems like a huge pain in the yak. So I was thinking that I could just wear the bottoms of the farmer johns on the way out then struggle with getting the top on when I get there. How do others deal with the wetsuit? Is there any other problems that I might come across that I haven't thought of yet? Thanks in advance for your support! Last edited by HobieScot; 06-22-2015 at 10:28 AM.