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Old 09-16-2019, 09:09 PM   #1
Bob Ballew
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Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

John Dornellas, a Florida free diving instructor and spearfisherman, has a new pending record Halibut. Diving out of Homer, and after many tries, he finally found a boat captain who put him on a secret shallow spot where large flatties could be found.
...He made the dive in the green water, saw two eyes looking up at him from the bottom silt and let it fly..Tryng to subdue the big fish about did him in. Despite stabbing it in the head numerous times, it bucked and fought him to the end. Back at the dock, it weighed in at 149 pounds..A new record..
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Old 09-17-2019, 12:39 PM   #2
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

Just for the halibut, post a link/pic please.
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Old 09-17-2019, 02:36 PM   #3
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

Wow, nearly a magic carpet ride if that whopper had started to get underway.
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Old 09-19-2019, 12:16 PM   #4
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

I've lived in Truckee over 30 years but before I moved here there was a small dive club. The old timers tell the story of going to Alaska and spearing a huge flattie. They were on scuba and there were 4 of them in the water. They had a grand plan. One diver had a slip tipped shaft attached to a line that ran to a rod and reel held by a fifth guy on the boat. The other three divers all had big guns with 3/8" freeshafts. The plan was that all three would shoot at the same time, with the three freeshafts weakening the fish.

As the story goes, they found a big fish, but when the first shot was fired it went nuts, stirring up the bottom so vis was gone. All four divers shot, but in the chaos don't know what they hit. The fish was lost, but not before it darn near killed all 4 divers with the line attached to it.

They're grand plan was more of a, "hold my beer and watch this" kinda thing.

I have a huge amount of respect for a freediver who could safely do what this guy did!

Ron.
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Old 09-20-2019, 03:12 PM   #5
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

Looks to me like the dog shot it, (notice the wet suit on the dog) and the guy was just taking the credit for it....
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Old 09-20-2019, 03:29 PM   #6
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

That is awesome!
I had doing this on my bucket list a long time ago and even started research on getting it done. The big issue with me is that I wanted to go deep with tanks and shoot a giant. The biggest obstacle was sourcing air. There was hope I could get a fill from a fire station but it just didn't work out. Maybe when I retire soon I will just drive up with all the gear I need. That would be an adventure.... who's in!
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:31 PM   #7
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

Read a story in Skin Diver magazine where a guy shot such a huge Halibut that when it heaved up from the bottom it was much bigger than he was and began powering its way towards a drop off that lead to an Abyss. Fearing a magic carpet ride into the depths being dragged along by this enormous and super powerful monster he let go of the spear and decided that his life was more valuable than trying to hold onto the fish
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Old 09-20-2019, 07:01 PM   #8
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

Quote:
Originally Posted by popgun pete View Post
Read a story in Skin Diver magazine where a guy shot such a huge Halibut that when it heaved up from the bottom it was much bigger than he was and began powering its way towards a drop off that lead to an Abyss. Fearing a magic carpet ride into the depths being dragged along by this enormous and super powerful monster he let go of the spear and decided that his life was more valuable than trying to hold onto the fish
A float line attached to a couple of 55 gallon drums could have solved that problem. Shoot and skedadel
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Old 09-21-2019, 10:12 AM   #9
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Re: Florida Diver sets New Halibut Spearfishing Record

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Originally Posted by North Star View Post
Looks to me like the dog shot it, (notice the wet suit on the dog) and the guy was just taking the credit for it....
I think he used the dog as his float. A novel approach...
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