Spearing amity point

[ben kent]

I was thinking about heading over to straddie for the weekend at amity point am I allowed to spear along the rocks that run from the boat ramp to the north, what sort of floats and gear do I need?

[cuzzamundi]

Mate I used to spear there a couple of times years ago, but unsure if you still can. I think so, but maybe someone in the know will be better to ask. The vis should be ok, but not amazing, so I reckon any gun between a 90 and 110 would suffice. Floats, 11 litre would be sufficient, too. I don't think there'd be too many monsters/speedsters that'd warrant a bigger float than that.

Cuzza

[marto78]

Isn't that where that girl got killed by a school of bull sharks a few years back?

[cuzzamundi]

Yeah, just up from there. Plenty of whalers cruise those drop offs, more so around dusk and dawn, though. Sharks are always a part of the equation when spearing, so it's a risk (a bloody tiny one) you just have to take.

Cuzza

[pipifin]

Just don't take your dog with you.

[gr hilly]

in the last 5 yrs there has been a big presence of bull sharks and i have noticed how unlike most sharks these buggers are very aggressive even chasing hooked up macks and isaw them nailing a Wobbegong i was there when a girl was taken and have seen them chasing Dolphins,i would NOT get in that water for whatever.cheers G.R.Hill

[bazza65]

Yea it is called shark alley, they cruise the drop off. Why would anyone risk their life doing that.

[snapperbasher]

Same reasonpeople risk their lives doing anything I guess......Its Risk vs Reward....

The likelyhoodof being eaten by a shark is very very slim.....

Driving yourcar to work or crossing bars in your boat are more likely to be fatal thanshark attacks....

[gr hilly]

Maybe when you get to my age and have fished the same waters for 40 yrs what you notice is different to what other people notice you also notice more changes be careful and good luck.
cheers,G.R.Hilly

[snapperbasher]

I haven’t fished them for 40 years but going onto 30now..... have speared Amity point and Moreton bay for my whole life.

Definately more Sharks now than ever before however I dontthink the risk for spearfisherman is any more than it ever was..... The sharksare only after the fish....any attack is by shear accident....I had a Ludericktaken off a rope on my belt at Amity the week before that girl was killedthere. Lucky it was hanging behind me and tied directly to me or it could havebeen nasty...

The Sharks stealing fish off fishing lines isthe worst I’ve seen it currently......especially a little further north....Ithink they are learning it’s an easy feed

[cuzzamundi]

Yeah, Snapperbasher, a lot more whalers around. Tigers, though, are far less in numbers. I think that's because they're far more pelagic, and get caught by finners more often. Ben Cropp was talking about that recently. The whalers tend to stay pretty coastal. Either way they're just a fact of life under there, and you always know you're taking that very tiny risk. Like you said, though, more danger crossing the bar!

Cuzza

[gr hilly]

I was taught to cross the bars some 45yrs ago now and been on rescues in bars spent yrs on air sea rescue and would cross most bars in a tinny and not worry but diving in the water to save a life not a problem but for a fish no way known i have seen tigers in the drink there and whales i have stood on a stone fish ill stay where im dry and happy but you have a ball mate good onya.all the best HILLY.

[ben kent]

Thanks for the info guys, as you say sharks are just a part of it I used to snorkel there as a kid seen quite a few sharks they never seemed to interested in what I tasted like, I'll have a go and let you know the results... If I don't report back well ermm... You know why.

[cuzzamundi]

Chances are you'll be fine. Go when the vis is good and the sun is high.

Cuzza

[bazza65]

I can not understand why people risk their lives on some hobbies and pastimes. I ride a bike but there is no way I would risk my life mixing it with city traffic.
I fish in a 4.2 ally boat but I would not consistently cross bars in it for safety reasons. I can not understand why people skydive. I have worked in the NT for 5 years driving triples and dozers but was always safety conscious and never had an accident. I realize people want to do their own thing but then they expect other people to risk their lives to rescue them when the shite hits the fan.I was camping at Hastings Point once and my son and I would fish at Black Rock beach at 5.00 pm every day and one day here is this guy swimming in the surf 200 mts from the beach with his dog. I just do not understand why people do these things.
bazza

[cuzzamundi]

Bazza,

Some of what you're talking about, those examples, are out of ignorance on the part of the participant- old mate probably wasn't even thinking about sharks swimming out there with his dog. Some of it, too, is up to the individual. If you're talking placing others' lives at risk if/when sh%t hits the fan, then you won't be doing too many things that raise a hair or two. Crossing a bar, for one. Even fishing offshore. Both of these can place rescuers' lives at risk. Would you not do that?

I would argue that spearing Amity isn't one of those activities, anyway. If Mr Chompie comes and grabs a spearo, then there won't be time for rescues to occur. If the spearo survives, he/she will be back to shore before rendering any help. No other lives at risk. If you look at the stats, you'll also agree that the spearo's life isn't at risk, either. Chances are so small they're not worth contemplating.

Cuzza

[scorpo92]

Ive had plenty of sharks near me when spearfishing. Im more worried about moray eels grabbing my fish.

[gr hilly]

Ive had plenty of sharks near me when spearfishing. Im more worried about moray eels grabbing my fish.
every time you have a glass of milk or piece of cheese or ice cream just think how many people died so you could.
Hilly

[scorpo92]

every time you have a glass of milk or piece of cheese or ice cream just think how many people died so you could.
Hilly

Hahaha classic

[goona]

HI Mate,

I have been spearing there several times. Got some good flathead and some awesome Jacks. The best thing to do is start at the bar end where the sand meets the rocks and drift the last (About an hour) of the tide coming in. Then you drift the hour going back out to where you started. This way you get the clearer water. I used to do in close to the rocks on the way in and out a bit wider on the way out. When in close and looking for jacks always keep you gun in front of you and ready to shoot as they are pretty flighty. With the sharks I have seen a few but nothiing to worry about. Dont keep your fish on you put them on a rig line attached to a float about 10m behind you. Any sharks will go for this first and when that close you can keep an eye on your fish and poke the sharks away with your gun. An 1100mm gun is all you need and a small football float. Best of luck Goona

[ben kent]

Well the good news is i didnt get eaten by a shark, the bad news... no fish! Was a beautiful day anyways... We did a few drifts dropping baits down in the main channel there and along the rocks at about 7am till the sun came out and the tide came in a bit but the bloody dolphins decided they needed the bait more then the fish. We jumped in the water about 10am until 1 had a few swims around the rocks to the left of the jetty and then over to the big wall, was lots of interesting little fish down there but nothing worth shooting. all in all good day was had.

[gr hilly]

Sorry you got no fish but its good to hear from you Hilly

[cuzzamundi]

How was the visibility?

[ben kent]

The vis was alright but not great, about 5 meters or so. Scared the crap out of me when we were coming back around to the boat ramp, it starting bucketing down and washed all the dirt into the water just at the ramp came around the corner and couldn't see a thing