Gear
Two important points to remember about diving places like Alijos Rocks...the water is clear and the fish can be BIG. Unless you are prepared to let the big one go, make sure you are rigged for big. Big Yellowfin sometimes tend to keep their distance so every bit of extra shooting range you can get could give you the edge you need.
Visibility in excess of 100 foot can also really mess with your distance estimates. If your used to good viz being 30-40 foot, plan on missing your first several shots until you can calibrate to the clear water. Here again, a bit of extra range can help out. Need a new gun? Check out our Speargun Links page. Also, don’t forget to bring spare shafts!
GUNS
Plan on water temps in the mid 60’s at San Benito and high 60’s to low to mid 70’s at Alijos Rocks. Also plan on spending lots of time in the water. Diving multiple days in a row seems to reduce your ability to stay warm. Bring your warm 7mm+ suits and cheater vests for San Benito with 5mm option for warmer waters at Alijos.
WETSUITS
FLOATS
If your planning on shooting and landing the biggest Yellowfin Tuna of the trip, you may need two floats with at least one of these preferably being a hard (non-compressible) type or one of the new high PSI inflatable floats that resist compression.
Rigging the last float with a bungee can help reduce the pull out and help tire the fish as it works against the bungee.
Flags on the floats will make it easier for the chase boats to keep an eye on you.
ACCESSORIES
A good sharp knife located within easy reach and in a place that won’t get tangled up with shooting lines or trail lines is a must.
Also consider bringing spares of just about everything just in case....especially spare shafts and shooting line!
Craig O’Connor wih 77.4 lb Yellowtail
© Colla / www.Oceanlight.com
