Just checking in to see if there is any fellow spearo's in the Catania area. I'd also like to get any info on some good shops around here.

Sorry, not my neck of the woods (I'm up north of Italy) but I've been there on holyday five yeras ago. Plenty of beautiful places, arts, great food and wine, people are warm and welcoming.
For gear shops, try a shop called Olga Sport in Catania, piazza Santa Maria della Guardia, phone 095377069, or another shop called Mareblù at Acireale (a town 20 minutes drive from Catania) adress via Vittorio Emanuele #83, phone 095605165.
Have a nice journey and be patient in your spearing: fish are small, cunning and deep but in this season you can still get some nice amberjacks and big leerfish IF it's your lucky day. Otherwise, peep into holes and crevice for sargo, moray eels (the mediterranean type is good to eat) and eventual groupers.
Take care of boat traffic (bring a float with diveflag: it's mandatory by law).
Stay away of the Marine protected area "Isola dei Ciclopi": it's the nicest dive spot in the Catania province, but spearfishing is illegal in the MPA (heavy bounty and gear confiscated if busted).

Great place. Take alot of guided excursions, Palermo, Argiento (sp), Teromina

Hey Al, I initially thought you're there for holiday. Then I read your introduction and realized you're moved to live in Sicily!
Try to get in contact with the local club "Circolo cacciatori subacquei" ("underwater hunters club"). It's a serious club, established 1954, with many top class spearos in the team.
I think they'd warmly welcome the new american buddy. Here's their website (no english version, though):
http://www.cicasubcatania.it/

Great place. Take alot of guided excursions, Palermo, Argiento (sp), Teromina

We just drove there and had a great time, we still need to go to Teromina though. We found paying for the guides hasn't been worth it too much. thanks though.

Hey Al, I initially thought you're there for holiday. Then I read your introduction and realized you're moved to live in Sicily!
Try to get in contact with the local club "Circolo cacciatori subacquei" ("underwater hunters club"). It's a serious club, established 1954, with many top class spearos in the team.
I think they'd warmly welcome the new american buddy. Here's their website (no english version, though):
http://www.cicasubcatania.it/


Thanks for the info, I need to get some bands for my gun and order some more shafts for it too. Hopefully I'll be able to get out.