The old fashion livescope

[Coyote_guy]

The more technologically advanced fishing becomes, the more fun I have keeping it as simple as possible. No scuba equipment, just a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, weight belt and gun. Relax on the surface, one deep breath and the hunt begins. I spent most of the day in the water on Sunday with one nice fish to show for it along with one miss. The fish were damn tough to find but I had one heck of a good time and got some good exercise in!

Anyone else enjoy getting in the water and hunting with traditional "Livescope" equipment?

 

[CatDaddy]

I don't have the desire to do what you do, prefer traditional methods......though I bet if I tried it once that may change. I also used to rifle hunt until I picked up a bow, so there's that lol. Awesome fish - nice work!

 

[Davy Crockett]

The more technologically advanced fishing becomes, the more fun I have keeping it as simple as possible. No scuba equipment, just a wetsu mask, snorkel, weight belt and gun. Relax on the surface, one deep breath and the hunt begins. I spent most of the day in the water on Sunday with one nice fish to show for it along with one miss. The fish were damn tough to find but I had one heck of a good time and got some good exercise in!

Anyone else enjoy getting in the water and hunting with traditional "Livescope" equipment?

Nice one, and it sounds fun, I'd, give it a try. What kind of "gun" do you use ? I don't see any holes .

 

[Coyote_guy]

I don't have the desire to do what you do, prefer traditional methods......though I bet if I tried it once that may change. I also used to rifle hunt until I picked up a bow, so there's that lol. Awesome fish - nice work!

I definitely couldn't give up traditional angling! Fun to spend part of the day in the water ( especially if its hot out) and also get some hook and line fishing in.

 

[Coyote_guy]

Nice one, and it sounds fun, I'd, give it a try. What kind of "gun" do you use ? I don't see any holes .

The little blood spot on the gill plate is where the spear shaft went through. I have a couple of different double banded spearguns. A short one for lower visibility and long one for clear conditions.

 

[1lessdog]

The more technologically advanced fishing becomes, the more fun I have keeping it as simple as possible. No scuba equipment, just a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, weight belt and gun. Relax on the surface, one deep breath and the hunt begins. I spent most of the day in the water on Sunday with one nice fish to show for it along with one miss. The fish were damn tough to find but I had one heck of a good time and got some good exercise in!

Anyone else enjoy getting in the water and hunting with traditional "Livescope" equipment?

What state are you doing the spearing? Is it legal in N.D. and MN?

 

[Davy Crockett]

Nice, I was wondering if that could possibly be what I was looking for. You didn't ruin much meat on that one. I'd like some insight on equipment, a pic or two so I know what to watch for. This is right up my ally , I think I have a perfect spot for this.

 

[Davy Crockett]

What state are you doing the spearing? Is it legal in N.D. and MN?

Devils lake basin it is. The rest I don't read up on.

 

[Callem'In]

Devils lake basin it is. The rest I don't read up on.

I believe that is for ice spearing. I could be wrong, but you can free dive and spear in any open water in ND, at least you used to be able to. It has been about 25 years since I speared in Sak. Ocean only as of the last 5 years.

 

[NDSportsman]

Underwater spear fishing is open only in the following areas:

1. Missouri River, except from the Garrison Dam downstream three miles to the southern boundary of the US Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreational Area;
2. Lake Sakakawea (except those areas posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers near the Intake and Spillway Structures);
3. Lake Oahe;
4. Lake Audubon (those areas open to fishing);
5. Devils Lake;
6. Stump Lake;
7. Spiritwood Lake

 

[1lessdog]

Underwater spear fishing is open only in the following areas:

1. Missouri River, except from the Garrison Dam downstream three miles to the southern boundary of the US Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreational Area;
2. Lake Sakakawea (except those areas posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers near the Intake and Spillway Structures);
3. Lake Oahe;
4. Lake Audubon (those areas open to fishing);
5. Devils Lake;
6. Stump Lake;
7. Spiritwood Lake

I always thought it was rough fish and Northerns.

 

[Traxion]

I know guys that do it on Oahe and love it. Very challenging.

 

[NDSportsman]

I always thought it was rough fish and Northerns.

Nope

Underwater spear fishing - all species except the following may be taken -- muskellunge (pure and hybrid), paddlefish, pallid sturgeon, and shovelnose sturgeon.

 

[Greenhorn]

Interesting. They must have changed the regs because I remember bass being off limits for underwater spearing.

 

[guywhofishes]

3-2. Bow (Archery), Spear and Underwater Spear Fishing)​

• 3-2-1. Equipment and Restrictions
  
  Legal bow equipment for licensed anglers is any hand-drawn and released longbow, recurve bow, compound bow or rubberband-assisted (sling) bow, to which an arrow is attached by a line and equipped with a harpoon-style or wire barbed point. Crossbows are prohibited, except with a special Director’s permit that may be issued if an individual is permanently disabled. The use of night vision equipment or electronically enhanced light gathering optics including all lights used for locating and/or shooting at fish is legal. Possession of a bow is counted as a hook and line fishing pole while bow fishing.
  
  Legal spear equipment is any manually powered shaft with barbed points. Possession of a spear is counted as a hook and line fishing pole while spear fishing.
  
  Legal equipment for underwater spear fishing is rubber band powered, or pneumatic powered spear guns only. All spear guns shall have the spear attached by a lanyard with a maximum length of twenty feet. Underwater spears may be discharged only when the operator and equipment are entirely under the surface of the water. Underwater spear fishing is prohibited within 150 feet of any designated swimming or water ski area, boat dock or spillway or individuals engaged in fishing. The Diver’s Down Flag must be displayed on the water on a float or buoy during any underwater spear fishing. Underwater spearers must stay within 100 feet of the vertical position of their Diver Down Flag. Individuals who underwater spearfish between sunset and sunrise must display a lighted Diver’s Down Flag and must carry a hand-held light which must be visible from a distance of 150 feet. The hand-held light must be displayed when the diver is at the surface.
• 3-2-2. Seasons and Water Bodies for Legally Taking Fish
  
  Bow fishing is legal from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year.
  
  Spear fishing is legal from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year.
  
  Underwater spear fishing is legal for residents and non-residents from April 1 through March 31 of each fishing year.
  
  Bow and spear fishing is open on all waters open to hook and line fishing (Section 3-1-2) with the following exception:
  1. That portion of the Missouri River from the Garrison Dam downstream three miles to the southern boundary of the US Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreational Area.
  Underwater spear fishing is open only in the following areas:
  1. Missouri River, except from the Garrison Dam downstream three miles to the southern boundary of the US Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Recreational Area;
  2. Lake Sakakawea (except those areas posted by the US Army Corps of Engineers near the Intake and Spillway Structures);
  3. Lake Oahe;
  4. Lake Audubon (those areas open to fishing);
  5. Devils Lake;
  6. Stump Lake;
  7. Spiritwood Lake
• 3-2-3. Species Legal to Take
  
  Bow and spear fishing – other than the exception listed below, game fish, as defined in Section A-1 of this proclamation, may not be taken. All other species are legal.
  • Exception - Channel catfish may be harvested within Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe, and the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, up to the initial point where either a bridge spanning a tributary or a road crossing over a tributary is encountered, whichever occurs first.
  Underwater spear fishing - all species except the following may be taken -- muskellunge (pure and hybrid), paddlefish, pallid sturgeon, and shovelnose sturgeon.
  
  It is illegal to return fish to the water after being shot or speared.

 

[johnr]

A buddy and his son do it in the Pick City area all the time.

 

[Coyote_guy]

Interesting. They must have changed the regs because I remember bass being off limits for underwater spearing.

I didn't notice that! Definitely must've been a change. I dont think I'll be spearing much for bass..I dont think there's an easier fish to get close to. Darn things will come close enough to touch if you're quick. Just too easy.

 

[Coyote_guy]

Nice, I was wondering if that could possibly be what I was looking for. You didn't ruin much meat on that one. I'd like some insight on equipment, a pic or two so I know what to watch for. This is right up my ally , I think I have a perfect spot for this.

I can take a couple pictures of my guns tomorrow.

Another must have would be a dive knife for dispatching fish and just in case you were to get caught up in line while under water. There is LOTS of fishing line under water up on DL and plenty of it has hooks on it still. I absolutely would not be diving without an easily accessible knife. I bout one for like $25 on Amazon.

The last thing I really recommend doing is learning about shallow water blackout. You dont have to be diving deep for it to be dangerous..Lots of repetitive diving without spending enough time on the surface recuperating can be deadly, especially if diving alone. A cheap dive watch can be had for around $150, that'll tell you your depth your at, time spent underwater and also the amount of recommend recovery time you should spend on the surface. Mine needs a new battery so I've just been using a digital watching with a stop watch feature. I always try and shoot for spending 3x longer on the surface than time diving.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I think it changed 2 years ago.