Harpooning Bass

[WestTipp]

Lads, I was down in Bunmahon last Monday spinning off the rocks and spotted 2 lads snorkelling. I thought no more of it but later learned that they were seen leaving the scene with around 16 bass and a harpoon. No wonder I caught nothing all week! Seriously, the locals are hopping mad over it.
I've since heard they were spotted in the area again. This is unconfirmed though.

[declan65]

As far as I know it's totally illegal, read it somewhere on this site, had a similar situation a few months back on a well known west waterford beach, was heading down to do some plugging when I met a few non nationals who were packing up their snorkelling gear they had the gall to tell me " loads of bass at the reefs" I spotted a spear gun amongst their gear, I informed them that using a spear gun was illegal and I was informing the relevant authorities and noted their car reg, so they left in a hurry, later heard that this had been reported before at other locations in waterford. If anyone sees this going on ring the guards as they have more chance of arriving on the scene promptly than fisheries guys... just my tuppence worth but worth reporting it coz otherwise we all know what will happen.

[Tommy B]

That is a huge problem that needs to be nipped in the bud and harshly. They have probably cleaned out all the lakes they know of of pike and are now takin to the sea, pure greed and disrespect. I really really hope something is done because those guys could be worse than fellas with nets. What with what Jim H posted earlier this is very worrying and could get nasty. Is there nothing safe from these b**
I seen them snorkelling myself in White rock and thought it was strange. One guy was in the water and the other guy just kept walking up an down the beach. I didn't see a spear but the guy on the beach was carrying something like a rod case but wasn't fishing. They met up at the next rocks so maybe it was handed out to him there, as they where acting strange around me. There is also another guy regularly snorkelling at Sorrento and he brings a bag with him? I'm thinking lobster here, is that legal? I was told it wasn't. I wouldn't worry about him though the lads that work the pots around there won't tolerate that for long.

[wilky83]

Spear-gun fishing is not illegal in ireland just the type of spear gun is only rubber-banded ones are allowed not gas operated as far as i know, but when done correctly and in moderation i dont see it being much different to what we do, only thing is they can pick and choose which fish we cannot.....although what the OP said is unforgivable give the reg to your local fisheries officer.

[Stevieg]

have seen this in Clare also, 2 guys with a speargun each coming out of the water with a number of bass each in a black net bag, foreign reg. annoying to say the least

[Tommy B]

but when done correctly and in moderation i dont see it being much different to what we do, only thing is they can pick and choose which fish we cannot......

???How is it not different Wilky when they have to kill every fish they catch????? I wouldn't say they pick and choose either, only one choice and thats take everything you can get!!!

[shamoo0804]

From what I understand spear fishing is LEGAL and they are to conform to the same regulations as rod and line fishermen regarding bass bag limits.

Anybody found exceeding these limits should be treated in the same manner as if catching with rod and line - report it to the relevant authorities and let them do their job.

[fishinmidget]

I don't see the problem myself. Yes, these lads broke the law and should be prosecuted, but its not as if some anglers don't do that too. In the same way that most of the bass community is pro-conservation, so is the majority of the spear fishing community. A few things you should know:

As someone above me said, elastic powered guns are legal, all other kinds are illegal.

Using these guns while wearing scuba gear is either illegal or frowned upon in the spear fishing community, i am not sure which.

As always, its a number of very irresponsible people who give the rest a bad name. Don't pretend anglers are somehow different, we aren't. It seems that anglers are quick to blame others in the matter of conservation.

Last thing, i bet that all of the people who have posted here that spear fishing should be stopped have never tried it. Heres an idea, try it. Or at least educate yourself about the activity and the people who do it before you start pontificating on public forums

Alex

[Tommy B]

Last thing, i bet that all of the people who have posted here that spear fishing should be stopped have never tried it. Heres an idea, try it. Or at least educate yourself about the activity and the people who do it before you start pontificating on public forums

Alex

I wouldn't care if they used "dynamite" as long as they only killed two fish but 16, surely you knew thats what I was on about, come on a bit of common sense.

[eric]

Last thing, i bet that all of the people who have posted here that spear fishing should be stopped have never tried it. Heres an idea, try it. Or at least educate yourself about the activity and the people who do it before you start pontificating on public forums

Alex

I wouldn't care if they used "dynamite" as long as they only killed two fish but 16, surely you knew thats what I was on about, come on a bit of common sense.

i'd have to agree with alex here, i cant see anything wrong with spear fishing providing its done within the law like ourselves. if they want to go out and stick two spears through two bass then whats the difference between that and catching two on plugs and then beating them on the head with a priest? obvioulsy killing 16 bass is illegal and thats where i have the problem. to be honest tommy you came accross as total anti spear fishing ref. to the responce to wilky's post?

[corbyeire]

you seem to be doing a bit of pontificating yourself there alex!

anything that is gas powered or compressed air shooting a projectile requires a licence from the gardai

from my experience of guys harpooning over the years - they are usually foreign - not aware of the laws and are after feeding primarily - most were on holidays

in recent years they have become a bit more wiley as they have learned the laws - and how they are breaking them - realised a lot of anglers dont like what they are at and tend to keep what they are up to quiet/out of sight

i never met an irish man at it - im sure there are some and i would like to know primarily what they do it for - sport or lunch

[Tommy B]

to be honest tommy you came accross as total anti spear fishing ref. to the responce to wilky's post?

Maybe I did Eric but didn't mean to apologises Wilky. What I hate is that SOME of these people don't know where to stop and just take take take, pure greed. I've heard stories of them stocking up refrigerated vans with pike and smuggling them into their own countries for a tidy little profit. I don't know how true this is but nothing would suprise me.
Once again I've nothing against spear guns or dynamite as long as limits are kept and people respect our country and it's laws.

[dbrock]

Don't see any problems with spear fishing as long as it's done within the law,
Wether for sport or feeding
It's something I'd love to try myself, maybe will one day

[wilky83]

but when done correctly and in moderation i dont see it being much different to what we do, only thing is they can pick and choose which fish we cannot......

???How is it not different Wilky when they have to kill every fish they catch????? I wouldn't say they pick and choose either, only one choice and thats take everything you can get!!!

Not every guy who goes spear fishing breaks the law..........so its the same as us being branded with the same brush as supposed anglers who take every fish they can.........if spear fishing is done correctly it is humane and very selective most spearo's dont want tiny fish...

[Tommy B]

Ah lads read back on the post before replying please. I'm not on about spear fishing it's about taking 16 bass and the reason they are using spears is that it is a lot easier in some cases than rod and reel. I am on about the law breaking and the greed!!!!
I think I am being wound up here

[nicefish]

The way my Bass fishing is at the moment i think I'll take up spear fishing.

[wilky83]

Ah lads read back on the post before replying please. I'm not on about spear fishing it's about taking 16 Bass and the reason they are using spears is that it is a lot easier in some cases than rod and reel. I am on about the law breaking and the greed!!!!
I think I am being wound up here

As i said in my first reply report the reg to the fisheries officer and tel them what you saw also if the spear gun was gas operated report them to the gardai!

[twinkle]

can you accidently spear seals? i often wonder why there not part of our diet. they have to be good for you spearing fish is the oldest form of catching dinner and its a very skillful art

[freediveireland]

Hi lads. first post here so please be gentle. This thread was brought to my attention as I freedive a lot and hunt with the camera.
A lot of people I know and train with are spearfishermen. So a few points, I know spearing has had a bad reputation in the past and deservedly so. The competitions in years gone by were focused on the weight and the amount of the catch with an awful lot of wastage. Todays spearo is usually very conservative, obays the law with regard to spearing in freshwater which is illegal, minimum catch size on bass and daily limit. The big difference is a spearo practices release and catch rather than the other way round, they can see the size and species of the fish before pulling the trigger. If those guys had been seen taking 16 bass by any of the spearos I know the guards/fisheries would have been called by them as well.

A seperate point, its not shooting fish in a barrell. You may need to dive down to 10m depending on the species bass obviouly are usually on the surface. Pollock etc you need to be able to dive deeper and stay down holding your breath for a minute at least maybe more. The fish get curious and come in to investigate you and then you can spear them. Its similar with a camera but you need the fish to be within one or two metres of you. Like any hunting if you make too much noise etc you will scare them off.
Its legal to take shellfish and scallops by hand if freediving but not iand a lot less damaging than a scallop dredger that destroys everything on the ocean floor. Depleting fish stocks are caused more by commercial trawlers and polloution than some spearos taking some fish for the pot.

[dbrock]

Hi lads. first post here so please be gentle. This thread was brought to my attention as I freedive a lot and hunt with the camera.
A lot of people I know and train with are spearfishermen. So a few points, I know spearing has had a bad reputation in the past and deservedly so. The competitions in years gone by were focused on the weight and the amount of the catch with an awful lot of wastage. Todays spearo is usually very conservative, obays the law with regard to spearing in freshwater which is illegal, minimum catch size on Bass and daily limit. The big difference is a spearo practices release and catch rather than the other way round, they can see the size and species of the fish before pulling the trigger. If those guys had been seen taking 16 Bass by any of the spearos I know the guards/fisheries would have been called by them as well.

A seperate point, its not shooting fish in a barrell. You may need to dive down to 10m depending on the species Bass obviouly are usually on the surface. Pollock etc you need to be able to dive deeper and stay down holding your breath for a minute at least maybe more. The fish get curious and come in to investigate you and then you can spear them. Its similar with a camera but you need the fish to be within one or two metres of you. Like any hunting if you make too much noise etc you will scare them off.
Its legal to take shellfish and scallops by hand if freediving but not iand a lot less damaging than a scallop dredger that destroys everything on the ocean floor. Depleting fish stocks are caused more by commercial trawlers and polloution than some spearos taking some fish for the pot.

welcome to the site, and well said
answers alot of questions