Just joined the forum. I've been a waterman my whole life and just now getting started in freediving. I just recently purchased some Cressi 2000 freedive fins and An AB Biller 48" speargun. I would really like to know some must know things about freediving. I have been reading some of the posts and i'm not too sure what a floatline is or how it works. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really stoked about getting started in this sport and any advice/ help would be great. Thanks everyone

A floatline is just that, a line that floats to which a float of some sort(inflatable, crab buoy, etc) may be attached at the end.

The better ones are usually made of PVC tubing that is hollow, with some sort of reinforcing line run through it and attached to either end though that is really only necessary for stronger fish.

They basically serve a threefold purpose.
1) They allow you to fight a big fish using the float, giving you alot more line than just the shootling line to work with.
2) They allow you to keep your fish off of your body, which is germane in sharkier waters, and give you something to rest on(provided you have a big enough float)
3) They technically are supposed to warn boaters that there is a diver in the area and make you more visible. Of course, since 99% of boaters are idiots, your mileage may vary.

I've heard of stories where a boater went whizzing by the float of a diver because they didn't know what the red & white flag on the float meant and drove in to see what it was.

:iagree:...mn summed it up pretty well

& welcome to the Planet:toast:

Ohh alright thats what I thought it was. Thank you very much. Now say I was to freedive to 40 feet and shoot say a snapper. Do I need to get a reel to attach to my gun so I will be able to bring the fish in while trying to re-surface or is there line that is already attached to my spear when my gun arrives in the mail. I hate to act like a noob and ask noob questions, but im just trying to learn this sport. Sorry lol

:smthumbup::smthumbup:Howdy Kooker, the reel thing is nice but not necessary. I've got one on my freedive gun(61" hybrid) and I'm about to take it off. For shooting typical reef fish, I'm not worried about anything leaving with my gear, so I'm just gonna put a float line attached to the but of the gun instead. The real benefit in this is you can put a stringer on your float so ya don't have to kick all the way back to the damn boat every time(thanks Zacker!) I'll still use the reel, but only when I'm going after big reef fish in deep water. I'm also a fellow Tampa Bay boy, nice to meet you

Alright thanks man! Good to know. I'll take any advice at this point dealing with free diving.