Texas coast reply

Cj
I am first "assuming" your certified.. Right?

I am kinda new to the Texas coast myself.. But having been diving and spearfishing for more years than I care to admitt... I will say this..

As you know there many things to do by yourself..Some better than
others

...
Spearfishing all alone is probubly not recomended, on a rig or a reef... for a multitude of reasons.. Mostly safety and secondly it's just not a fun sport by yourself..

The boat is subjective.. a 22 wellcraft is not a bad boat. It will get you out "a ways" But once again... a lot of variables.

I would imagine your new to the Texas Coast, or at lleast new to the sport by your questions. new interested people are a great thing !
Hook up with a few people and do a few trips and you'll have more information for a better decision.. and live to tell about !

Espo

 

When you go out to the rigs to dive down and scuba.

Can you do this by yourself?

What is a good boat to do it in. I am thinking of buyin a 22ft Wellcraft?

Any suggestions?

Depends on what you mean "by yourself" Never leave the boat by itself. Have had times where weather changed and person(s) in boat have had to untie from rig to keep rig legs from completely destroying boat. Waves have a lot of force and are unforgiving. If boat gets between rig beam and water, you can say good bye to boat. 22 Wellcraft is a nice size for going offshore.

 

im no diver but i do recall hearing
NEVER dive alone
always take a buddy
the experianced guys can correct me if im wrong

 

Correct, you are always taught in any basic class to never dive without a buddy. It is never recommended to dive alone.

 

I always dive with a buddy...no exceptions..I also leave someone on the surface in the boat..just n case i'm carried away from the structure for whatever reason..I guess my way of thinking is that there is not a lot of room for mis-judgement while diving and spearfishing..
see ya on h2o

 

I always dive with a buddy -- as long as it's my wife or my son! Diving with an individual when you don't know their experience level, their comfort zone, how they'll respond in an emergency, etc. is more dangerous than diving alone. My son was once assigned a dive buddy who talked big on the boat, but paniced as soon as he hit the water. Not a good concept! Also consider the fact that having a buddy may involve some legal responsibility for that person. That's why most dive operators insist on buddy diving, you're taking on their responsibility! If my wife or son can't dive with me, I ask the operator if I can dive solo. If the answer is no, I just don't go. Hey, did Mike Nelson ever dive with a buddy? No often.


CP McHugh

 

I never dive solo but my buddy and I hit the water and go on the hunt.I might see him as we swim around the rig ( we mostly rig dive in water max 110')Got a 50 mile out max on my old Persuit. BUT we have been diving together for over 15 years.If you got no friends that dive make a bud snorkle around a rig thats all it took for my dive bud got a C card quick.

 

Despite the limited time I have been reading on this forum, one thing I can say is that you dont HAVE to go by yourself. There seems to be plenty of guys that would gladly chip in on the gas bill to ride out on your boat. Just post up a week or two before you go.

 

I'm not against diving solo but wouldn't recomend it to ya bro if rig diving and a 22' Wellcraft is brand new to you. I would never hit the gulf alone in a boat, (because I'd be bored) but solo diving isn't a crime once you gain enough experience to do it properly. Like mentioned earlier, post up prior and you'll find a crew.

 

as far as the boat - always leave one person on board as previously mentioned.

as far as in the water...the PC answer is that you should always dive with a buddy

in reality - IF there are two divers in the water at the same time, they are likely to never see each other during the dive, so you need to be comfortable enough in your abilities and your equipement to consider it a solo dive.

 

in reality - IF there are two divers in the water at the same time, they are likely to never see each other during the dive, so you need to be comfortable enough in your abilities and your equipement to consider it a solo dive.

Egggzacary.

 

Sorry but I could not disagree more with diving solo. Its just asking for trouble. I'm a pretty experienced diver and have friends that are even more experienced and they would not recommed solo diving either.

I'm not against diving solo but wouldn't recomend it to ya bro if rig diving and a 22' Wellcraft is brand new to you. I would never hit the gulf alone in a boat, (because I'd be bored) but solo diving isn't a crime once you gain enough experience to do it properly. Like mentioned earlier, post up prior and you'll find a crew.

 

Your right tall, but you know our team, there are 3 of us. And sometimes 2 up 1 down is just how we roll. Been known to send all 3 down. I don't recomend our style to anyone, especially anyone just starting out.

 

Scubaru, you guys are edgy for sure.......and I already knew you rolled a different way anyhow but I still think your ok guys ....JK You need to hook up with us sometime then you can roll right. LOL

 

I have been fishing to many of the close rigs on the coast. Usually the current is ripping pretty good. I have never dove on any of them but have always wondered if it is any good when the blue water is in. What is the vis like and is the current a problem. Also, what do you see?

 

I have to agree with most.....never dive alone, always have a buddy, just in case. You never know what could happen. Also those currents out there are strong in some spots, you can get caught in one and brush up against stuff you shouldn't or just drift away from your boat.

 

Good to see you online Tall1fin. We missed you.

Diving alone is not a good idea. I would never do that! However; there are a few that I have been diving with a couple of years ago. I would have been much safer diving alone. We all heard that story about being attacked from behind, like a shark attack. Not funny at all.

And never leave the boat unattended! The seas can change at anytime. Or you could come up and find your boat has suddenly vanished.

There are plenty of great people on this site to take you offshore. Is the reason we had some happy hours last year, and will again this year, when we are all not so busy trying to make money.

Networking is a great way to meet people. And having happy hours, you get to meet who you'll be diving or spearfishing with. I have to say, I have met the greatest people right here, and lasting friendships. I'm comfortable diving with all of them that I have met on this board and they have put up with all my silly post that make you fall out of the chair. That's my job! To make you smile.

There are also some great people in Port A. That I met years ago. There looking for buddies also.

Oh yes, the Wellcraft is perfect on a calmday.

 

Carla - George made that post a few months ago

 

Solo diving is mas macho but getting caught in a current that seperates you from your boat and you cannot swim back, sucks! It is, in my opinion, more important to have someone in the boat while you are diving than to have someone in the water with you.