Is shooting game fish with a spear gun legal?

[longboarder76]

I have a question. I have been told conflicting answers concerning what I can shoot with a spear gun offshore. Some say snapper, AJ's, etc. and others say only fish classified as "non-gamefish". Any help would be appreciated since I wanted to get into it.

[Santiago]

I have a question. I have been told conflicting answers concerning what I can shoot with a spear gun offshore. Some say snapper, AJ's, etc. and others say only fish classified as "non-gamefish". Any help would be appreciated since I wanted to get into it.You probably ought to check out Texas Parks and Wildlife website for that, at least for 9 miles and in.

[speckle-catcher]

spearguns may be used only to take non-gamefish in state waters.

spaearguns may be used to take any fish in federal water, unless otherwise specifically prohibited. (jewfish & redfish come to mind immediately as not legal for take)

look at the TPWD regs under legal devices, also look at what is defined as a gamefish. I don't have the list in front of me.

For Federal water, check with the NMFS. I looked it all up once in the Code of Federal Regulations - basically the only restriction was using a rebreather device when spearfishing in certain areas is a no-no.

[longboarder76]

What about possessing a fish killed in federal waters with a speargun in state waters?

[Hang Time]

What about possessing a fish killed in federal waters with a speargun in state waters?
Fish that are shot in federal waters are brought into state waters all the time. I wouldn't worry about it... but I suppose you could always say that the fish were caught with fishing gear and gaffed if you were being questioned in that great of detail. Again, I wouldn't worry about it.

Randal

[speckle-catcher]

after looking at the gamefish list, the only thing you have to worry about is cobia & wahoo - and you don't find too many of those in state water anyway.

[Santiago]

after looking at the gamefish list, the only thing you have to worry about is cobia & wahoo - and you don't find too many of those in state water anyway.Yea and if you can swim fast enough to spear a Wahoo I wouldn't worry about a game warden. The only thing that should concern you is kryptonite

[speckle-catcher]

santiago, wahoo are easier to spear than you think. finding them is the problem.

I've got a friend that in 2 days his boat shot 9, all over 80# - the biggest was about 115#

[Santiago]

santiago, wahoo are easier to spear than you think. finding them is the problem.

I've got a friend that in 2 days his boat shot 9, all over 80# - the biggest was about 115#Yea I was just making a joke but I actually had no idea they would slow down long enough to spear. Boy I'd love to spear a Wahoo. That's good eating!

[speckle-catcher]

they are very curios fish in the water - like cobia.

they will come right up to a freediver - if you can avoid making eye contact, you can hand feed them (sometimes) if they come into a chum line. Get them in close enough and then BLAMMO!

[Santiago]

I needed a PE class so I took scuba at A&M and the instructor told the story of how he enthusiastically shot a Barracuda the first time he tried spearfishing. The fish took off like a lightening bolt swimming in circles and the line got wrapped around the guy's throat! He had the whole class laughing.

[speckle-catcher]

Santiago you well learn very quickly that spearfishermen lie more than line fishermen.

That story is probably true up until the point the line wrapped around his throat.

[Santiago]

Santiago you well learn very quickly that spearfishermen lie more than line fishermen.

That story is probably true up until the point the line wrapped around his throat.
:biggrin:

[scrambler]

Santiago,
We had the same instructor.
Ken, Class of '85

[Captin.kid]

Should I toss my rod for a gun???