New Apex 3000 Handle Testing...Black Seabass?

By: Erik Sun

Sometimes diving in your own backyard is better than diving anywhere else.  The place in question was Catalina with an early morning start because the fish have been appearing in the morning rather than the day.  We hit one of the frontside spots at Catalina with a pinnacle that comes to 30ft.  My dive buddy Chris headed out upcurrent to check the bait while I geared up.  He headed to the shallows quickly rather than staying out after seeing no bait. 

It must have been the story of being at the right place at the right time; as soon as I hopped in the Jack Mackerels swarmed me, the Mackerel eyed me, the smelt and sardines greeted me as they ran from left to right and top to bottom.  I started my descent on the outer edge of the bait and was quickly greeted by a school of 50 yellowtail 6-8kgs.  I led the shot on one of the larger ones of the school to test my new toy: Rabitech Apex 3000 Handle fitted to a 120cm Rabitech Tuna Line Ali Barrel.  The shot hit the shoulder and the spear penetrated the fish as it took off 18 meters below.  And though it was a relatively quick fight my admiration of these incredibly strong fish grows every time, as does my belly - they are one of the tastiest fish anywhere.

Later, we left the morning spot to a large cove where there was Bonito, Yellowtail and Barracuda working small schools of bait.  Bonito is one of my favorite types of Sashimi, so it was only proper to load up on these.  The fast small targets ate the spear including a 2 for 1 shot.  As I looked around I saw a dark figure from the surface unhurried.  It was a good chance to drop my gun and take the camera from the boat.  Multiple dives on the single 25kg Black Seabass led me to two larger, roughly a 50kg and 100kg fish. An experience like this was not to be missed as they let me photograph for 10 dives.  The hunter in me decided a few videos was enough and I got around to bagging more fish as did the other divers.

On numerous occasions we tried to get one of our buddies to shoot a fish.  I shot a few mackerel and left them on the line which attracted the barracuda and Bonita.  The technique worked for Bonito and Barracuda but the Yellowtail didn't come for the bait.  In all we landed 4 Yellows up to 9kg, 5 barracuda and 5 bonito. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgpIH9MJ7KE

Erik