Hey my name is Eddie and I am new to the St. Pete area. I lived in Kailua Hawaii for about four years and used to do alot of spearfishing there. I would like to get back into it here in St. Pete but don't know any of the regs or were to go. I do have a couple of specific questions.

1. Is it legal to spearfish off the beach or anywere along bridges ect similar to Hawaii and if so do you have any pointers on were to go?

2. Are there any regulations governing freediving and equipment you have to have with you ie float with a dive flag and strobe?

Welcome to the Planet and to St. Pete Eddie :thumbup:

First, you'll find all your fishing regulations right here. (http://myfwc.com/marine/regulation.htm)

Here is the link to spearfishing regulations. (http://myfwc.com/marine/spearing.htm)

In the link above you'll find at the bottom that it's NOT legal to spearfish within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed.

That being said there are PLENTY of areas to freedive for fish and stone crabs within the Bay if you do some homework. Google Earth will show where the many bridges, rock piles, submerged jetties, and structure is located since you are not familiar with the area.

As far any special regulations governing freediving or equipment there really aren't any. If you're freediving around any of the local bridges, seawalls, etc. then legally you should have a float ball with a dive flag, that's it.

You will also need a recreational fishing license that you can acquire online or at any Wal-Mart and most tackle shops. If you're in a boat have the license with you or in your vehicle.

Typically the vis in the Bay during this time of year is pretty bad due to the rainfall runoff. Freediving the Bay during this time of year a 32" to 48" gun is all you'll need. If you have more than 6 feet of vis during this time of year it's a good day. It is still do-able though in certain places at the right tides and wind conditions and direction. Light easterly winds are favorable.

This time of year the tarpon are solid inside and around the Bay and with the tarpon follow the sharks. Definitely recommend removing any speared fish from the water as soon as possible.

Winter is best for freediving the Bay as the visibility greatly improves and you can land some really nice grouper as they tend to move into shallower water with the colder temperatures.

I landed the cobia in my avatar just 4 weeks ago freediving one of the many towers and channel markers inside the Bay.

Hope that helps!!

Bryan

Welcome Aboard Eddie,
Plenty of spearfishing activity in St. Pete and the surrounding areas. The State Spear Championships are this weekend and the World Championships are in St.Pete in August. There are a lot of spearos who dive shallow water and just like Bryan said in the previous post, you can get some nice fish without having a big boat. You should also check out some of the local dive shops that specialize in spearing to see what they can offer you. At Jim's Dive Shop, see Teresa, at Bill Jackson's ask for Billy, at Ocean Sports, see Jim and if you roll by my shop, ask for me or Charlie. Good luck and dive safe!