Hey guys

Having read another post, it lead me to consider looking at fishing kayaks for spearing. Obviously you guys have more experience with this and so will perhaps indulge a few questions.

What should one look for in a kayak?
Plastic or fibre?
Considerations when using this type of equipment?
Legalities surrounding the employ of kayaks for spearing and the like?
Are there any reviews on kayaks available? (If not,will there be in future editions of Ultimate Spearfishing?)
Any other suggestions or points I have not yet considered.

Thanks in advance.

Plastic or fibre?
Fibreglass fishing ski. You need to have the fish hatch, storage compartments, etc. don't buy sit-on-top plastics.

Considerations when using this type of equipment?
Stability is more important than speed, so get a fishing ski that has a very stable platform (e.g. Pinnacle).

Legalities surrounding the employ of kayaks for spearing and the like?
Legal, but you're officially only allowed within 1nm of the shore.

Are there any reviews on kayaks available? (If not,will there be in future editions of Ultimate Spearfishing?)Has been in the past on the old USM site, also fishingcorner.co.za. For me, the best diving platform is the Pinnacle ski.

Any other suggestions or points I have not yet considered.
Yes, many. Ask more questions so that more answers can be provided.

check out the new pinnacles, they are amazing to spear off. I have an old stealth but am trading it in for one of the new pinnacle ones.

I have dived off a pinnacle a few times and enjoyed each of them.

fishingcorner.co.za/fishingstories/fishi...orn-pinnacle-eliteq-

Thanks guys for the input. I took a look at the Pinnacle Elite; it looks really good. Any idea what they cost?

Also, I am a green(new) spearo and trying to get into the sport. Is a ski/kayak a good start?

OK if you're new to the sport of spearfishing then one other question: how experienced are you in surfski/surfing/pulling bugs, etc. In other words, how 'ocean savvy' are you? If not much, rather start with basic shore dives before you start trying to launch a ski through the surf (probably on your own).

Guys who buy fishing ski's to dive off have this general profile: they're experienced shore divers, probably with a surfing or surfski background as well, have spearfished off mates boats a couple of times and had their eyes opened to a whole new world, but don't have the budget to buy their own boat (and/or go throught the schlep of getting their skippers ticket). They are competent divers, know what they are doing, know how to get themseles out of a tangle, probably have a handheld GPS with marks for their locals ledges and hotspots, and are on a mission to take the step up from shore diving to something between shore dives and boat dives - where they can launch their boat on their own, put it on their roof racks, not worry about the hectic admin of a motor-powered boat, only want to explore locals reefs not deeper than 20m, etc.

If that fits your profile, then let's continue talking.

If you still need to learn what a set/lull is, what a 'shorie' is, or how to use a rip, then spend a year or so doing shore dives before we can talk again.

Here is my 3cents on the original Q's ...

What should one look for in a kayak?
Tom was right about stability, remember you need to get on and off the ski easily. And on occasions you will find your self doing some yoga to get your suit top on or off.
This said speed is also a big thing for me, a slow painful to paddle ski is just not worth the effort. No point in getting to your location half dead. So it needs to be quick.
Storage is also very important. You need compartments for gear. weight belts and masks dont mix. and spearfishing you have fins ect to carry so the hatch needs to be big. A huge bonus is if the speargun can go in the hatch.
Plastic or fibre?
I owned a plastic C-kayak for many years and despite its impractical hatches I worked around them. In its day it was faster than any fishing ski ... they were so far behind! That's why I got it. Now there are many glass skis much faster and paddle better. Here is the thing a plastic ski is virtually indestructible. I even paddled mine down a white water course and down 12ft waterfalls!!
Glass skis have a life span and some are notorious at being weak. But that is the only good quality of a plastic ... it will out last you

Considerations when using this type of equipment?
Tom laid out some important point on using a ski in his previous post.
Only thing I will add is that don't be delusional and think that you will be off to Mozambique and go and clap the fish on a ski.
A ski is a fair weather vehicle and in Moz you have strong currents to deal with as well. This means long fast drifts , with long slow paddles back up to the starting point. And if the wind is blowing as well ... then its even more difficult.
This said when the conditions are right I enjoy diving off a ski, its quiet, mobile (like Tom said) and I enjoy the solitude while I quietly pick apart my favorite spots with competition from others. (Yes I know not the safest practice..)

Legalities surrounding the employ of kayaks for spearing and the like?
Its just no bugging and you also need a fishing permit to 'fish' off a vessel. Available from post office with other licenses.

Are there any reviews on kayaks available? (If not,will there be in future editions of Ultimate Spearfishing?)
Hope to do some reviews in the future ..

Any other suggestions or points I have not yet considered.
Heed Tom's sentiments (post before this one)... they may seem harsh, and maybe a little over reactive, but there is truth to all of what he has said.

If you don't fit the experienced profile it does not mean that you should not get a ski. Just that you need to be seriously realistic. Maybe take the ski on a couple light fishing trips when the conditions are good and get to know your ski and how to handle it. You are going to get drilled in the surf and .... you will learn some lessons the only way you can learn them and that's the hard way.

If you are already comfortable on a ski and have that down, then start you ski diving at a place you know well and feel comfortable, and again in good conditions.

C