Snorkeling - Free diving Exmouth
We've planned our annual boys trip up to Exmouth for April this year, and we have a couple of new blokes coming along who are keen to do some snorkelling and spear fishing out from Exmouth. Some of the other blokes are also keen to get in for a swim.
Now we have done a little snorkelling over the years up there, but wanted to see if you guys could give a little more info on free diving and spear fishing out around the islands.
Plan to take a look out around Flat / Surrurier Island in 2-8m Depths. I cant see to find any info on any marine parks out that way? Only for the Murians, and Ningaloo itself? Also from what I've read Peak island shark activity is a lot higher, and I can understand why with the huge amounts of bait and tuna along the current line out there.
As everyone is fairly new to the spear fishing scene, is it advisable to use wetsuits? The water is quite warm up there so getting 'cold' isn't really an issue from what I understand? can only think it may help with buoyancy?
The other question is on the sharks. The last time we got in the water the boys didn't even see the sharks in close proximity (There were 3 I saw) and we were only snorkelling not far off bundegi. Want the boys to understand what its going to be like if sharks start to appear, I for one don't have an issue with the sharks up there unless a big tiger says hello, but don't want any of the boys freaking out if or more to the point when a shark turns up.
What's peoples experience with spear fishing and sharks up there. Do they get nice and friendly and have a crack at any speared fish? What's the best way to keep your fish away form any interested sharks? Hold up out of the water whilst heading back to the boat or keep in water and close to you?
Do any of you use shark shields up there?
Cheers
Bodie
sunshine
Posts: 2555
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Water will be warm - lycra suits might be better
Lighter, thinner but still provide protection from the stinging things both in the water and on the reef - stops you overheating which a wet suit can cause
scotto
Posts: 2470
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Just use a sleeveless vest
So you can load your guns. Even a 2mm can get warm up there.
Sharks are always there. If they get bad (moving fast, pecs down, stealing fish, etc) then move spots. Dive in numbers, so if you shoot a fish, your mates can go down and keep the sharks off it. Chuck your fish straight in the boat.
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
agree with you
but I still use a 5mm long john wetty with a full jacket just for the protection on the reefs when trying to drag crays out from under ledges , he also needs to use a spear tip that he can fold the floppers back on so when those cheeky reefys come in you can give them a headache with out your spear getting stuck in them
Pitty
Posts: 161
Date Joined: 08/12/12
Was spear fishing in May up
Was spear fishing in May up there, speared a big gt (we use for bait when fishing). Had 2 big tigers come in and were circling me. I had the shark shield on and I believe that's what stopped them coming in hard at the fish. I was a fair way from the boat so had them following me for quite a while, and jabbed them quite a few times with the cray loop every time they came close. I just wore my 2mm spring suit and gloves and light weight. Need gloves as there are crays under a lot of the bombies (mix of painted and reds).
Make sure you download the rules for spearing in the ningaloo marine park, different rules apply to spearing around the murions in regards to species your aloud to spear as well as spearing on scuba.
Great area for free diving though, excellent fish in shallow water.
UBIQUE
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
i would keep going
keep going to Onslow mate lots more productive ground if you just go a bit further north Exxy is productive but gets a hammering
Luke
Posts: 167
Date Joined: 02/11/09
Yeah onslow is heaps better
Yeah onslow is heaps better then exmouth not many fish and heaps of big tigers here.
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
haha
so your a exmouth local luke haha