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Kayak "Diving" Inshore?

Moken10Moken10 Posts: 292 Deckhand
New to the forum just a quick question from the Tampa area. Is it illegal to swim the inshore flats/mangroves with a Hawiian Sling? Targeting legal fish with a dive flag from the kayak?

Replies

  • surfmansurfman Posts: 6,017 Admiral
    No, it is legal, just not around jetties, and piers where people are.
    Tight Lines, Steve
    My posts are my opinion only.

    Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.  Will Rogers
  • Moken10Moken10 Posts: 292 Deckhand
    Was that just a dumb question that 60 people looked at it and only 1 replied? Legal in backwater canals? Residential docks? Feels like im pushing my luck but I just want to know.. Thanks again Surf
  • T TopT Top Posts: 3,703 Captain
    Moken10 wrote: »
    Was that just a dumb question that 60 people looked at it and only 1 replied? Legal in backwater canals? Residential docks? Feels like im pushing my luck but I just want to know.. Thanks again Surf

    No
    Yes
    Yes
    You're not,just like we all do....
    You're welcome.:blowkiss
  • Lagoon AnglerLagoon Angler Posts: 114 Officer
    It's not that hard to go to www.myfwc.com and do a search....


    Spearing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing its body. Spearing does not include the catching or taking of a fish by a hook with hook and line gear or by snagging (snatch hooking)."

    Spearfishing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish through the instrumentality of a hand or mechanically propelled, single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water."

    The use of powerheads, bangsticks, and rebreathers remains prohibited. The following is a list of species that are prohibited for harvest by spearing. Any other species not listed that are managed by the Commission, and those species not managed by the Commission, may be harvested by spearing.
    ■Billfish (all species)
    ■Spotted eagle ray
    ■Sturgeon
    ■Manta ray
    ■Sharks
    ■Bonefish
    ■Tarpon
    ■Goliath Grouper
    ■Snook
    ■Blue Crab
    ■Nassau grouper
    ■Spotted seatrout
    ■Red drum
    ■Weakfish
    ■Stone Crab
    ■Pompano
    ■African pompano
    ■Permit
    ■Tripletail
    ■Lobster
    ■Families of ornamental reef fish (surgeonfish, trumpetfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, porcupinefish, cornetfish, squirrelfish, trunkfish, damselfish, parrotfish, pipefish, seahorse, puffers, triggerfish except gray and ocean)

    You may NOT spearfish (excluding bowhunting and gigging) as described below:
    ■Spearfishing of marine and freshwater species in freshwater is prohibited. Possession of a spear gun in or on freshwater is also prohibited.
    ■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.
    ■Within 100 feet of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of the sea - except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1,500 yards from the shoreline.
    ■In Collier County and in Monroe County from Long Key north to the Dade County line.
    ■For any fish for which spearing is expressly prohibited by law (listed above).
    ■In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection, Recreation and Parks. (Possession of spearfishing equipment is prohibited in these areas, unless it is unloaded and properly stored.)

    Fishermen who catch and/or sell fish harvested by spearing are subject to the same rules and limitations that other anglers in the state are required to follow.
  • surfmansurfman Posts: 6,017 Admiral
    There you go.
    Tight Lines, Steve
    My posts are my opinion only.

    Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.  Will Rogers
  • Moken10Moken10 Posts: 292 Deckhand
    Awesome!! Thanks Lagoon and Surf. Im going to go out there and give it a shot.
  • The Cat's EyeThe Cat's Eye Posts: 1,721 Captain
    Barracuda, Mullet, Snappers, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Grunts,
    Giimoozaabi
  • Moken10Moken10 Posts: 292 Deckhand
    Thanks Cats, How do these guys behave down there. Mostly sheepshead, flounder, and drum. I have only free dived once in the keys in like 10-15 ft of water and shot a couple hogs. They were pretty calm and kind of curious. Easy to shoot. Any chance these guys are a clean shot with a sling and not a gun?
  • Lagoon AnglerLagoon Angler Posts: 114 Officer
    Hogs are stupid and super easy to shoot. I'm not sure how sheepshead, flounder, and drum will be on a sling. Give it a try.
  • The Cat's EyeThe Cat's Eye Posts: 1,721 Captain
    I never have speared in the mangroves, but have taken snapper, Barracuda, & flounder in inshore waters. Sheepshead are very spooky. Never have seen a black drum underwater.
    Giimoozaabi
  • GeorgePGeorgeP Posts: 59 Greenhorn
    Moken10 wrote: »
    Was that just a dumb question that 60 people looked at it and only 1 replied? Legal in backwater canals? Residential docks? Feels like im pushing my luck but I just want to know.. Thanks again Surf

    In many cases people look to see and are curious as to the answer but do not know the answer. If I am not interested in the answer or don't know the answer I don't look, but if it sounds interesting for the title then I will look. Also many times people will look because they are not sure what the question really is. Your three word title could actually mean a number of things so some of the people looked to see exactly what was being asked. Once they saw your full question they didn't know the answer and therefore didn't respond. No need to get an attitude, most of the people on here have two qualities. They are curious and they are helpful, but most will not respond unless they are pretty sure of their answer.
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