Don't sweat the haters. They're just jealous you had a great time, great catches and went home and prepared that amazing seafood while they watched your video eating a Big Mac.
This was awesome! I wish to someday dive like this too. It seems so fun to be underwater for longer periods of time flosting just like in space haha. Great vid appreciate the upload :)
Thx sir. I was doing some shouting on this one. This was my buddy's first Gulf dive and I wanted him to see the lobster and grouper. lol thanks for your view and comment
that lobster is a hog!! And it was surprisingly content with you carrying it around haha. I just got back from the keys and the lobstering was tough, but we made due.
It was a big one. I was kinda surprised how easy it was to carry around too. I want to get down there sometime and see the gin clear waters. Thanks for the view and comment
I do some fresh water diving but have never tried in the ocean. I do have a question. Do you not get concerned about attracting sharks while you are dragging around a wounded fish? Sharks scare the crap out of me so I would be heading back to the boat as soon as I shot anything.
tinker10002003 Well, honestly, I'm not too concerned about sharks. We see them often and sometimes they come quite close but most of the time they keep their distance. I'm fortunate that here in the Gulf most people are aware enough to not feed sharks and most divers know not to give up their catch. Diving can be relaxing but it's important to remain alert and aware of potential dangers. When I shoot I keep my head on a swivel both to spot sharks but also to spot other prey species. The thing to remember is this, sharks are always there. We may not see them but they are there. If the spot you are on has fish then it also has sharks. Remember, this is not OUR habitat, we are only visitors. Be respectful and enjoy on those terms.
it was his first scuba dive in many years and the first dive in the gulf. He is a great lobster guy but in the Gulf its a different environment. lol I appreciate the view and comment
I guess the rightful judges of "fairness" is anyone without a tank on. I must have missed that when i got certified to dive. Oh well. Have fun swimming back to the surface while i fill my stringer
boogerfarmer Yeah, I feel the same way sometimes. The freedive "hate" on here is unbelievable. I get that it isn't how they dive but I don't really understand the need to get on here and talk to ppl like a jackass.
So, instead of screaming underwater like a lunatic to get your friends attention, you could always... carry literally anything metallic to clang against your tank as a bell... ever so slightly more effective.
Cool thx. I appreciate the view and comment. This was more than a few years ago and I've certainly learned a lot since then. I could explain why it was so important for HIM to see the lobsters but I doubt you'd read or care why so I'll forego the explanation and just say I'll keep your suggestion under advisement
i'm not a diver and i've never been able to see what a sea looks like because we live a thousand miles away from the ocean. does shark really bite you even how small it is?
The Gulf is so murky...itll never be the same. No aspirations of fishn the Gulf ever again after seeing this. It's been a long time, but back then it was pristine water, could see further, much clearer them. 💯
thx. appreciate the comment and view. I don't understand it either man. Some free divers act like I'm just shooting the hell out of every fish I see and that's really not how I operate but you can't tell someone something if they already know everything. lol
Thx Denise, I recognize you feel like I was a "bother" but this was his first day of diving in many years but also I wanted to get his attention to show him the grouper and lobster. Normally, I agree with your thinking though. Thanks for the comment and view
The best experiences I've had. It's like flying into another world. I do some free diving but it's strictly shallow stuff, emphasis on shallow. Thanks for the view and comment. If you ever get certified give me a shout and we'll share some water.
thanks, I know I need to do more with the editing. lol. I just have poor patience and little time. I mostly put these up and then link them on my fb so I can share with family and friends. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. I promise I will lay some music down on the next one.
The stick thing is a stringer commonly used by divers. I don't always stringer them through the eyes but I've found that the fish fight less when they cannot see. Some species like trigger fish are stringered only through the mouth as they often bite very hard while on a stringer. Thanks for the view and comment
My experience, the fishier the spot the better chance you see sharks. Truth is sharks are always with us. More often than not you don't see them or they ignore you completely. Thanks for the view and comment
Whatever puts food on the table man... I don't tank dive myself, but I won't hate on you for tank diving.Too many snowflakes now a days complaining on what others do and don't do.. Nice groupers by the way!
Bobby Wasabi Thanks man, I appreciate the support and comment. I don't understand why ppl gotta be like that, if you don't like it or think it's not ok anyone is free to just keep it moving. I am working to get in better shape at the moment and have considered doing some freediving but at this point if most of the people that do are representative of what I've seen I don't think I'm interested
The hate coming from the freedivers reminds me of fly-fishermen looking down their nose at anyone who stoops to fish with conventional rod and reel and (perish the thought!) live bait. Or bowhunters badmouthing gun hunters. In the end, it reflects more poorly on them than it does on you. Just try not to judge all free-divers based on these butthurt elitists, and keep doing what you do.... and keep posting the videos.
Thanks. I appreciate the view and comment. I started diving and shooting video as part of my job a few years a ago and originally I only posted for my family and friends so they could see some of the beauty I see and most I still do for that reason. Later I start taking some quality fish and wanted to share that too so I started editing the videos. I'm old enough to know that if you're doing something and having fun there's always going to be someone that either doesn't like it or doesn't like the way you do it because it isn't how they would do it. In short, 'haters gonna hate'
I don't think it's about elitism mate - scuba spearfishing is resented all over the world and prohibited in many countries. In the same way, why not fish with dynamite - way more effective than spearing or even commercial netting.
Mate, even though I spearfish without a tank, I can respect what you are getting up to. It must be annoying for people to compare their areas and fishing regulations to yours. Though, I can also get everyones' points on saying it is unethical. Keep doing what you are doing, and stop worrying about other peoples opinion on this video.
Thanks Erik. I really appreciate the view and the comment. More so, I appreciate the respect. For the most part I don't mind and everyone is entitled to their opinion and pov. I guess what I just can't grasp is the negativity and judgement. I've seen videos of people spearing Goliath Grouper, a federally endangered species in my country but that doesn't mean everyone has to abide by the laws of this land. The question of ethics is more about a personal choice than anything else. I've put up a few videos now the contention that spearing while on a tank is somehow "raping the reef" is hopefully dispelled in some part by watching my videos. I am selective in the fish I take. To me you can over harvest regardless of the method of take. You either harvest in a sustainable manner or you don't. I choose to dive in the manner I feel safest and that best suits the water conditions we have. I don't sweat ppl that don't know what they are talking about. Thanks again for your comment and support, maybe someday we can share some water.
In our early years its great to be able to free dive comfortably to 30>40' and shoot dinner. "At the top of you're game' Physically. When we get a bit long in the tooth it is not as important. And as you said, it's a bit safer with scuba....most times :-)
Yeah? You've been diving greater than 30 meters in the GoM? You've seen how fish react to all the noise created by breathing on a reg? You think flashers and camo dive gear, chum and oversized fins is fair? Do you question the fairness of sharks hunting? Here's the thing, we shoot quality fish because we have the time to be patient and the skill to approach fish that are scared by the noise we make. We don't shoot babies, we don't over harvest. By diving the way we do, to the depths we dive there is a significant financial investment which limits the number of people thus limiting the pressure on the fishery. Don't believe me? Educate yourself on the Atlantic coast of Florida hogfish population compared to the Gulf. Want more? Take a look at fisheries in other countries where scuba hunting is illegal and their fisheries are decimated. I appreciate you taking the time to view and comment. I appreciate your judgemental attitude and the hypocritical POV. Next time create a profile, post of video of your idea of "fair".
I shoot for a few good fish each outing. In this depth with a few holes or hard bottom its rare to come across gags. I honestly can't tell much of a difference in taste. We came to this spot looking to get some lobster. Thanks for the view and comment
The tail is great if you have the opportunity . The "trick" to grabbing them by the head is you have to get the knuckle not just antenna. You get the knuckle you're not gonna lose the lobster
Diving my homelands of Hawai’i for 45 years . You get there attention by putting one hand in front of the antennas and push them back so they walk into your other hand grabbing them by the tail. It’s really easy to do you even in a hole.
Yes there were several there. If I remember correctly there were 4 in that crack. I had shot at a snapper, that was the shaft that was sticking up. There was a lobster right under the ledge where the shaft was. I was trying to get my buddy to get it.
Jimmy Tan I didn't have a net or zip ties. Also, I ended the dive because we were out of bottom time. This dive was over 100ft and even on nitrox we couldn't stay forever. In truth I wasn't much at lobster catching anyway and didn't carry all the gear I needed at this point in my diving experience. I now carry a mesh bag just in case.
I'm the guy taking the video. The Beast that catches THE lobster and shoots a nice red grouper is Matthew Bondi, hell of a diver and a total badass lobster catcher.
He screams a lot I was looking for a shark. What was at 8 mins or so? Are u worried about keeping the fish so close to you after u have it ( they don’t recommend it here in Oz due to attracting nasties) Interesting debate and ideas posted back and forth. Initially I tht also it’s not fair to use the scuba, but then reading your further comments I have softened my stance lol..
Haha, I did spend a lot of time trying to get my buddy's attention. This was his first dive in the gulf and his first scuba diving in some years. He is an avid diver but spent most of his time diving shallow and free on the east coast. Here lobster are less frequent but as you can see, quite large. Also, we have a lot more grouper but if you aren't used to looking for them you won't see them. I was doing a lot to keep an eye on my buddy, spot fish and shoot a fish or two myself. As far as keeping my catch close, yes! Here its advised you keep it close otherwise a shark or goliath may get the idea they can grab a quick easy meal. Thanks for the comment and view
At 8 min after he catches the big bug so easily I'm trying to tell him there are more lobsters under the ledge. We don't see them often, usually if we see any we are lucky to get 1 or 2 in a day but that little crack had 6 or so. My buddy is very good at catching lobster and at the time I was really inexperienced so I was more confident he could successfully catch them than I could
Ah ok yeh it does look quite deep. What is the law for crays in your region: can u spear them or only by hand? Here only by hand unfortunately. Not to spook u or anything but just today in Oz news a spear fisher was attacked by a shark , they think because the fish was near him, but who knows..
We have several species of lobster here. These are Florida spiny and it is prohibited to spear them. I did use my spare shaft to "tickle" it put of the crevice. We are deeper than 30m, approximately 115ft.
This was my friends first dive in the gulf and first dive on scuba in a long time. I was trying to get his attention and he was having difficulty hearing me above his bubbling.
lol, I think that kinda thing is on a different channel. I was trying to point out the other monster lobsters under the rock while holding the 8lber. Thanks for the view and comment
Spartacus Rex I'm not 'panicking'. Again, this is my buddy's first dive in the Gulf. He is a very avid lobster guy but has never shot a grouper prior to this dive. Additionally, my buddy wasn't hearing me when I tried to get his attention. I could have caught the lobster but I was trying to get his attention to show him our lobsters here. He's more accustomed to the east coast where the lobsters tend to be smaller due to increased pressure. I have a number of videos, if you watch them you'll see I don't panic. Thanks for the comment and view.
Do lobsters that big taste good it’s been my experience that fish that get past a certain size are not very good to eat . But can you do me a favor watch the language there is no need to use such words. It’s really immature you can express your joy without such words, is your parents going to see this video , are you a professional could your clients see this video . Just saying my boys like to watch such videos but I don’t like them to watch videos with such nasty words there’s really no need Happy fishing! May your trips be bountiful and y’all stay safe!!!
This one tasted delicious. I am sorry if my language is offensive. It wasn't done for effect or to illicit a reaction but just the raw expression of joy for my friend.
Idk where you are fishing but, where the flip is it legal to spear lobsters???? You can't tell size under water due to the index of refraction being different than air. You especially in the murky gulf might not see eggs on that lobsters underside Usually lobsters are required to be brought to shore alive You shoot into the reef which is also usually protected. (Also damaging your spear tips) all of which is just foolish get a damn snare.
didnt spear lobster. Didn't even shoot at any. The shot I took was at a grouper that was near the lobsters and you couldn't really see it in the video. Now, You CAN spear slipper lobster here in Florida but not spiny. You CAN spear spiny in the Bahamas but not while on scuba. I hope this clears it up.
Sure. Whatever you say. I'm sure you're excellent at diving to 35m on 1 breath. Maybe sharks should chase fish with half their tail cut off so it's fair? Thanks for the view
I appreciate the comment and view. People have opinions and the internet is a vehicle to share them I guess. lol. Thanks again for the support and view
with the due respect, it is ilegal and completely inmoral to spearfish with a tank, please delete this video so that it dosent encourage people to do the same
with the same respect. it's not illegal nor immoral. It may be illegal where you are but where you are isn't the only place to dive. Have you ever tried diving in the Gulf of Mexico? As to the morality issue, consider all the fish seen in this video and the fish actually taken. I am very selective about the fish I take and I eat the fish I take. Diving on a tank allows me time to be more discriminating. This is a dive to almost 115ft in the Gulf of Mexico. Have you considered that if it were illegal to spear with a tank that someone from law enforcement would have done something? Sir, stop the hate and take some time to educate yourself and perhaps consider why someone does something differently than you do. I respect free diving, it isn't for me particularly in deeper waters such as this dive.
this ain't lobster pal....it is a crayfish(langouste)Lobsters are carnivores and have claws(MAINE)..Crayfish(worm waters) feed on plancton,different species,different taste of meat and habitat......
lol, "pal" I appreciate your comment and view. I'm no biologist but I would posit that the genus is actually Panulirus not langouste, which is more a common name much like your use of crayfish. The term "lobster" is also a common name and encompasses nearly 60 species including this one. I didn't name them nor try to "pass them off" as the same species as a member of Nephropidae. Perhaps you should rally the charge and take up the educational campaign here in Florida. Thanks again for your comment and the educational material.
good,so you agree,that this is not a lobster,enjoy your catches and please;no seasoning,but just salt and pepper,keep that fresh meat pure,i know you think i am a jerk,,,,,
Warm water lobster have the same shell crushing mouths yankee lobster have because they eat similar foods. They don't eat plankton, i have no idea where you dreamed that up, but based on your ignorant statement, I'd say facts are wasted on you anyway. At least you're not crying about using tanks.
Wow, thanks. Never thought of it that way and the first I've heard of anyone doing it. You know my Grandpa always said, "call me anything you want just don't call me late for dinner", you sir are coming in after dessert. Thanks for the view and comment. No matter the originality or creativity. I will show greater respect and at least put in a full 10 seconds of thought in responding to your comment
Derek Petrisko yeah? So killing stuff is a "hobby" for you? Please explain to me again how you are just better. Derek, I'm a diver. I like diving, I like looking at all the cool stuff I see down there. I carry a gun because sometimes I take something nice for dinner for me and my family. I don't kill for sport, I don't kill as a hobby. My 87yr old Grandmother happens to enjoy grouper very much. Most days she will eat about half a cheese sandwich but when I bring her a grouper like the one I shot here, she usually has at least 2 helpings. I'm not about "pushing limits" or trying to prove anything to myself or anyone else. I dive because I enjoy being in the water and I am very selective in the taking of these fish. I'm thrilled you decided to share your opinion and provide some insight on your position. Thank goodness you aren't another judgmental tool bag that thinks it's "ok" to use expensive free dive fins and a special low volume mask and an expensive gun or pole spear along with a wetsuit and snorkel to hunt fish on an a fair and level playing field while considering other divers methods as "unfair". By the way, who decides exactly how much equipment makes it fair and how much makes it unfair? Is it just your opinion? That seems to be what I get from the free dive community at least. I guess flashers and chum are fine.
Jason Thompson I don't kill just to kill. I kill to eat. Idc if u dive for fun, so do I but spearfishing and scuba diving take the challenge away from it. Anyone can spearfish and scuba dive. You have to work for your things and get better.
Derek Petrisko Convenient you ignore everything I mention in my comment. Look, if you want to discuss it I'm open but if you want to just be critical and and judgmental, you've stated your opinion. You know what they say about opinions right? You claim it takes no skill I have to disagree but that's hardly a surprise. Thanks for the view and opinion.
Good video guys. Nothing wrong with a nice dive and a few fish or lobster at the end. The "freedivers" are a mouthy bunch of haters and I am not sure I would want to be around them. It is about the same argument as bow hunters vs. rifle hunters. If you like that sport, do it, but don't push it on everyone. Some people can't hold their breath for 2-4 minutes. just like a lot of freedivers probably can't rebuild a transmission or run a lathe. I guess they are a bunch of stupid little bitches for taking their car to the shop when something goes wrong with it. I prefer to hang out under water and see all the beauty without being rushed for time. It is legal for a reason. If spearfishing with tanks significantly diminished the population of fish in the ocean, maybe it would be illegal, but in the big picture, most people only take what they are going to eat and that is just fine.
Thanks for the view and comment. I appreciate the support and perspective. I feel much the same way. I also invite free divers to come and dive these waters before they decide to tell me how I should or shouldn't do it here.
Hey, guys honestly i really enjoy the video, nice water, nice gun, both look nice people, but im a fisherman for 10 years now and im not gonna be another guy juge you for diving with bottle, here in portugal its ilegal , but like you said its more safety, and you can chose what you want, nice really good , but try to see the history of spearfishing, try to understand the SPIRIT of spearfishing , and you will understand why the people said its not fair, you not a spearfishing man, you are just a nice guy want to bring some fish home and share with family and friends , and that just 20% of spearfishing ! Try to do it without , even if you dont do it i hope you a GOOD DAYS enjoy the fish! If you come in portugal try Algarve , i will wait for you ! cheers guys!
I appreciate your view and comment. If I've ever there I will look it up. If you come to the Gulf of Mexico please dive my waters and you may appreciate why so few people free dive here. Good luck to you and safe diving.
lol, I responded to him and never even noticed his profile pic. I was showing my buddy Matt, guy that caught the lobster, he noticed the profile pic straight away. Said the same thing too. Thanks for the view and comment.
Yeah? Thats what it takes to be a "real man"? Dude, you asshats with the 'free diving is the only way to dive' bullshit are just so dumb. I appreciate you taking the time outta your busy schedule of hate, envy and self genuflection to watch and comment on my video.
In my country if you shoot fish with scuba - you are poacher, even if it is allowed to use scuba and gun at the same time. Try to dive up to 40 - 45 meters without a scuba, show a breath delay of 3 minutes and more, the skill of finding fish in these limited 2-3 minutes for a dive. Then you are really cool hunter! RU-vid is your place! But now- sorry: poacher. With scuba and a gun, everyone can.
In general, I was born and raised in USSR. Now I am a citizen of the World - I live where I want. At the moment I live in Central America. In my native land - in Ukraine (part of the USSR) long time ago (30 years ago approximately) in any large and small river, lakes, in the Black and Azov Sea there was a lot of fish. There was sturgeon, beluga, and another 250 species of fish that I could get. There lived a catfishes ap to 150 kg. Now there are almost no fish left ... I knew people (or not people ... I do not know how to identify these humanoids) who in winter time in the night time in a scuba over night could kill up to 2 tons of fish from a gun. You understand, laws are written in order to execute them. But we, the Russian, carry the law of God in our hearts. And according to this law, killing the creature of God for food using smart mechanisms that give a chance to us, but take away the chance of survival in the fish is too bad. My personal opinion.
Dmitriy Karin, I respect your opinion BUT your opinion isn't the law here. People that hunt like you describe exist and will harvest without thought to the future. Watch the video, in fact, watch all my videos. You will see that I am very selective about what I take and I am NEVER shooting just to shoot. Your relationship with God is your personal relationship. Please be respectful and understand that you DON"T have a direct line to God and only you know right from wrong. Show me where this law you mentioned is written? The fish has all the chance. I'm a foreigner in the sea. This dive was greater than 34m and our waters aren't that clear. There really aren't many people that can dive safely in those depth much less hunt. I appreciate your view and comment but try watching more and you'll see I'm not raping the sea. Try coming off your high moral horse and not judge so much. peace
gay? I'm a guy, are you suggesting the tank has a gender and that the gender is also male? that's odd and disturbingly homophobic. This is a dive in 100+ft of water with limited visibility. There are a very few folks that can safely dive that depth and fewer still that dive it in with limited visibility. I assume you prefer free diving and on that assumption can appreciate your methods. I don't believe them to be the safest and so do not choose to dive that way. How pitifully closed minded and small of you to take the time to so negatively bash another diver you have no knowledge of. All the same I am grateful for you perspective and wish you well.
the dumbass doesn´t even probably as much as snorkel in the kiddy-pool, people will always leave stupid comments, just call them out on their stupidity and forget them, Great videoes!! had my first dive a couple of weeks ago in Rhodes, Greece, and it made me decide to try scuba diving again for sure. keep enjoying what you do!
Thanks! I appreciate the view and comment. Always nice to see a supportive comment. I'd love to dive the Med sometime, maybe after the kids are gone...#dream. Maybe someday we can share some water. Keep diving and enjoying it.
I appreciate your point of view but this isn't tech diving. Have you ever dove the Gulf? Have you dove off Charlotte County waters in 100+ ft? Thanks for the view and comment
Oom, I'm aware of your opinion. I respectfully disagree and would posit that it's at least as far as using flashers and chum to bring fish in. I'm also aware of his meaning but if he's going to take the time to post negative comments he should at least do so from a position that is accurate. Free dive folks are odd, they act like the way they chose to do something is the only way and all other are cheating. Again, I ask the question, have any of the critics been in these waters? at these depths?
Jason Thompson, pretty much everywhere else on the world has made it illegal to spear fish using scuba gear, hence why most spearos from outside the States considers it cheating. I agree, chumming and dropping flashers takes all skill out of it. Shooting game fish that way is almost entirely luck. I can hunt on breath hold in depths of over 100 feet. most decent spearos can. It takes a lot of practice and training to get there though, unlike when using scuba gear to dive the same depths. Hence why it's looked down upon.
Oom, I appreciate your pov. I disagree on some things, MOST free divers CAN'T dive greater than 100ft. They look down on it for a number of reasons. Like you pointed out, many countries have regulations against spearing on scuba and so many of these comments come from people that have NO experience doing it. I have tried free diving, its not the safest way to dive in my opinion and its not for me as I'm not a spear fisher but rather a diver that sometimes spears fish. With a tank I enjoy many things during my dive not just shooting fish. I think people talk a lot of trash because the internet gives them an opportunity to do so. If you would like to dive here, experience the waters here, get an idea of the conditions here you may find that there is a reason the majority of divers here dive with a tank. I appreciate your view and comment
Hahaha thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Next, try scrolling through and maybe you'll understand what's happening. OR. And this one is tough, if you don't like just scroll on? Give it a shot you may find you like it
I appreciate the sentiment but would ask this, Is it not more sad to take an animal that hasn't contributed as much to the continuation of the species? Specifically, that "OLD" lobster has been breeding for many seasons, wouldn't that make it a better choice than a younger/smaller lobster that hasn't had the large number of opportunities to breed and add to the gene pool? Biologically, I think you'll find my perspective has some scientific legitimacy while yours is more sentimental and less informed. I thank you for the view and comment
Bitter, party of 1 your table is ready, Bitter party of 1. "American decadence"? You pompous jerk. What exactly is decadent here? Thanks for the view and comment. Really appreciate you self important types that love to judge without any knowledge.
@@jasonthompson3522 THIS is decadent: that you don´t even realize it´s not fair to do spear hunting with scuba equipment. Why do you think it´s prohibited in most countries in the world, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean? BTW: "to judge without any knowledge" - I do spear hunting for 60 years now, I started when I was 9 years old.
@@vonpfrentsch btw, do you "do spear hunting" here? Have you been to the Gulf of Mexico? Do you dive over 35meters? There is nothing decadent in being selective about the fish I harvest. What is legal in 1 country and not in another does not matter. It is legal in some countries to kill a daughter that has brought shame to your house. Is it still American decadence that we criminalize that act? How bout you dive more and judge what you don't know less? Thanks again
@@jasonthompson3522 Yes and no. Yes, I´ve been diving in the Gulf o Mexico, with a strict interdiction to touh anything. No, I did not do spear hunting there. Yes, with my AOWD brevet and Nitrox tanks I dive up until 40 m, sometimes a little bit deeper. It is common sense in the Western World that spear hunting and scuba diving don´t go together. But, lucky you, you left the "common sense world" from January 2017 on, and it looks like that it is getting worse. Finally, take this home, the USA are not the navel of the world.
@@jasonthompson3522 Oh, I forgot this one: "It is legal in some countries to kill a daughter that...". How could you mention this? Coming, apparently, from an US citizen, the country with 17.250 homicides in 2016 and more weapons around than brains? Dive more, think less about things you don´t understand and which you probably learn from fox news.
