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Hey Strick, thanks for letting me know! I pay a lot of attention to forecasting, usually cross referencing multiple sources. Not so much targeting kingfish specifically but finding areas that look generally productive and dive able. I believe that a successful dive starts long before you enter the water, there are many factors outside of your control but you get to pick the battles. Like reading fish it takes time to build up your literacy but the benefits of becoming familiar with the amazing crystal-ball-esc tech we have access to. I try and dive many different conditions to get a better representation of particular areas. Beyond the obvious factors like tide, wind, time of day, and swell there are additional potential considerations like the moons position and phase. Some tools I use are windy.com, windsurf.co.nz, swellmap.co.nz, navionics.com, google satellite maps and social media location tags. Even with a good understanding of above mentioned there is still incredible variation in distribution patterns of fish and weather is inherently unpredictable. An entire life time wouldn't be long enough to truly understand the ocean but we can guess some things correctly.

Rewarding for sure, gotta be on best behaviour or say bye bye to the big dogs. I found your comment interesting, would love if you could elaborate further regarding behaviour relative to environment. My experience is somewhat similar as I find fish sticking around longer in shallow rather than deep water 🦷 🐠

@@BlueNeoprene Sure I can. I find mainly from personal experience and from watching over people videos, such as yours and north coast adventure, that snapper seem way more inquisitive and less flighty in harbour settings. In comparison snapper elsewhere tend to be much less willing to stick around, although there are of course exceptions. To why this could be is up for debate. Perhaps it could be they are accustomed to dirty water and feel safer because of this? Or maybe these populations of snapper are just less accustomed to divers then others.

Cheers Fishy, I find recording to be a great way of improving technique! You get to see how you dive and relive mistakes over and over. Uploading makes one significantly more conscientious due to possibility of getting roasted. Still figuring things out but I’m finding a style that works for me 🐟 🦈

Cheers Vaughn, I believe we are not as far removed from animals as we often assume!

@@BlueNeoprene You are right, "We're often quick to overlook our similarities with animals, but research consistently reveals shared traits like emotions, social structures, and instincts, will to live etc, Recognising these parallels highlights our interconnectedness with the natural world, despite each different kind being unique we still need to be reminded we are part of it not apart from it

@@Titannz213 well said, couldn’t agree more really. Hippies are long time proponents of “we are all one” but I think more skeptic folk may feel the same in light of scientific evidence. At the end of the day (or start of it) we share common ancestry with most other animals. Despite being millions of years removed there is enough there that we can understand other animals. Many hormones and neurotransmitters are found in humans and various others, example the high testosterone level of bull sharks. How could we share anything in common with such a beast? Forged though the fires of evolution and adaptation we walk the earth as it’s premiere specie, but not so different from others.

Thanks Clayton, no signs of Cig for me! Was sharing the fish with my fam and the village so only really ate a portion of what I caught. The dose makes the poision but I hadn't heard much talk of ciguatera there. There are red bass that are apparently really bad for it tho so I left em alone

Maybe next time haha. Wasn’t sure about it but have since heard they are good eating!

That makes more sense than the white and blue on to be honest, hard to see out on the water

Thank you, I want the videos to be more than simply entertainment if possible!

Thanks hoptic ockey, nothing beats catching your own food!

They Juwon, I have no idea what that means. Hope you enjoyed 🙏

Love is a powerful thing indeed, hope it works out for y’all!

One of the tastiest fish around, best day zero fresh sashimi in my opinion! 👨‍🍳

@@BlueNeoprene Agreed - i strugle to find around auckland tho

@@MilanPotterSmith yeah they seem pretty sparse around these ways. Have seen good numbers out tiri and some of the other island but very seldom from the shore. Jack macs just ain’t the same 😞

@@BlueNeoprene I got my last few at tiri

Cheers Gia! I am honoured to have provided value for you. Much appreciation for letting me know that the words found you 🥷

😎 🦈

Hey Ash, that is a great suggestion. I have been meaning to create more, made some back in the day but they never did particularly well. No promises regarding that however, most the shorts you will see here for a while are backlogged. Lots more short form content on my instagram if that’s of interest. Cheers

❄️🐟 🧊

A little humor goes a long way as far as I am concerned, same for respect. Thanks for the comment TDoDaDa

Shot Bug, good to hear from ya. No kingies there but y’all get mantas, whale sharks and hammerheads (from what I have seen). Okinawa is certainly up there with places I would most like to dive. The advice I try and keep generalised and not just applicable to kingfish. Landing a fish is pretty similar across species. I didn’t think “how to stop losing medium-large size pelagic fish” was a good title ha

We also get Mahi Mahi and big Doggies here as well! Im going to use your video as inspiration for my next Hunt!

@@ExploringwithBug Best of luck! If you get a doggie be sure to let us know

Thanks gcombar! If the video saves a few fish I will be very happy. Hopefully we can all do better 🙏

The pathos was honestly pretty terrible off the shelf, but after adjustments/re-rig it seems to be very accurate and reliable. The stock twin 16mm rubbers were not right for it, wonky shots and poor buoyancy. Mono filament shooting line is no good either. Put on some twin 14mm rubbers(blue ofc) and dyneema shooting line. Now it’s much more useable and “lazer” like. Reloading it is kinda difficult, fiddly line release and open muzzle. Muzzle design is beautiful however, big fan of the flopper catch. Shark fins tabs on shaft are less familiar to me but seem to do well. Would recommend it for sure but not as a first spearflinger. I think that roller guns are superior in most aspects except for reliability and ease of maintenance. When choosing a tool with the intent of killing it must be something that you can use effectively. There is a right tool for every job and while not perfect, the lazer ticks many boxes for me and it what I have been exclusively using for months! Hasn’t let me down since getting rid of the 16s and monofilament. I don’t consider reload time to be much of a factor in spear preference. I try take few shots and make them count. I like 👍

Thanks for the full breakdown, I will keep that all In mind! Was asking cause I was thinking of picking up the roller version so this really good intel. Also, are you based in Whangarei?

@@dylannewman5569 I was for a while, but no longer. Decent place, great diving but wasn’t ment to be. I’m in Auckland nowadays for various reasons. Much more challenging diving in terms of fish, but I love the challenge!

@@BlueNeoprene Ah thats a shame, would loved to go for a dive with ya.

@@dylannewman5569 Its possible, they let me out of the city occasionally!

Thanks Joey, I smile 4 U

Hey Zac, sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have no personal experience with aim rite equipment so cannot vouch for it. Riffe is very quality equipment but the question between roller and wooden traditional is really a matter of personal preference. I prefer rollers generally but traditionals have many benefits and are what I have been using recently. Comes down to you and what you want. If you use a standard spearflinger nowadays I would be inclined to give rollers a try. Keen to know what you got, if your still looking give me more info and id love to help you

Hey CCE, thanks for the comment. Very interesting to hear of your own experiences, have you had any further adventures? When the fish is right in close and your going for the k*ll is probably the riskiest part. Lost a memorable fish like that, hurts pretty bad huh. Mistakes happen but the key is making improvements in future so I'm glad this video found you. Happy hunting

@@BlueNeoprene cheers mate. Yes definitely hurts losing a good fish out your arms. Now ive shot a couple of small ones, I'm more picky. So l havent managed to get a solid one yet. Ive had a couple of shark encounters now and feeling a little more comfortable too. Hopefully there is still a bit more time this season for a decent king 🤞

@@coastncountryedits680 stoked to hear it dude, swim with sharks enough and you may start to really like them! It’s all learning and it’s important to enjoy the process. It’s a hidden blessing being a late bloomer in certain areas. Shooting a huge kingfish too soon would set unrealistic expectations and could take a long time to beat. Keep working at it bro, the big dog will come one day

@@BlueNeoprene True mate, I'm predominantly shore diving. So access to kings is more of a challenge. I'm trying not to force it, enjoying the process and reflecting heaps. Just waiting my turn and eventually that Vortex will come. safe diving and hit me up if you're ever in bay of islands👊

@@coastncountryedits680 shore diving is for the proper frothers, no boat no worries. Easy to get out more as-well I find also makes you appreciate boat diving more. If you want to keep in touch and maybe get out for a dive, hit me up on instagram. A lot easier to keep in contact with people there. Bring on that vortechs 😎

Love Is Key, I would have to agree!

Its close, good guess but not quite

Thank you Bug I love it here! Your based in Okinawa, right? I always thought that looked like an epic place to dive

@BlueNeoprene Yes, I am based in Okinawa for now. It is a beautiful place to dive with a lot of beautiful fish scenery. When summer time hits, the water gets warm, and life explodes!

Thanks, Ewen! Nothing snaps you back to reality like an injury, realizing the fragility of it all. Makes you appreciate many things a lot more. Even just waking up each day is a blessing, and you never know when it might be the last time. I'm sorry to hear about your concussion, I know somebody personally who had one and it was a truly lifechanging event. I hope you're doing better nowadays, wouldn't wish it on anybody. I want to help people and the environment; it inspires me to share myself. In my regular life I would best be described as very quiet, bordering on antisocial. It is incredible to me that people will listen to what I have to say. Thanks for watching and letting me know you enjoyed! really does mean alot! Daniel is not my name tho haha. I don't often include my name as I want the focus to be Ocean/Education, I never want this to devolve into self-glorification. My name can be rearranged into ORCAS so you can try work it out, probably be able to find it somewhere. But its irrelevant arguably Thanks Again!

Thanks Bug, it inspires me that people enjoy the content and find it useful. Plenty of garbage media nowadays but I will try my best to bring my lessons to world!

Glad you enjoyed, stoked to have you here!

Super appreciate the comment, Mr Brando Lando! Inspiring, glad I could help!

Thank you Nee Ree, glad you enjoyed!

Thank you Charlie, I hope the seabass are taking good care of you over there! Would love to dive with you again someday, until then keep being a legend!

Thank you KiwiKaimoana, means a lot, seriously. Cheers for the continued support. Hopefully bring you some more videos soon, shouldn’t be so long to sit through however. 💙🦈

@@BlueNeoprene I dunno if you ever saw it, but I shouted out your channel on one of my earlier videos called "Found BIG Paua in Kaikoura's 2ND PAUA SEASON [4K]". I try and do 2 or 3 channel shoutouts every year and do it for the hobbyist youtubers, the ones with smaller numbers.

@@KiwiKaimoana Wow, I am honored. Missed it, but just had a look now and I'm just flattered ha-ha. Big thanks to you Sir. I think that's a really cool and interesting idea to shout out smaller channels, and something I may look to do myself. The scarcity mindset would convince one not too, but there is great value in leading people to other informative content. A more competitive environment on "speartube", with more creators would lead to high quality productions over all I think. Cheers KiwiKaimoana

Hey Kiwi, I am better after the incident. Thank you for bringing it to my attention that the comments were turned off! And for the feedback, really appreciate anything constructive. I can understand the rational as to making multiple videos as opposed to one long one. I personally wanted to try something different instead of making more shorter videos, I enjoyed the process but that one is arguably too long. I believe that people who watch me are most interested in nz based content, so I wouldn’t want to fill my feed with oz vids. Another reason is I have lots more to share, it would have taken me longer to put out multiple vids. I’m ready to move on now, feels like I relived it a few times now haha. Has been a great summer so far and I look forward to sharing more missions. Thanks again Kiwi, great to hear from you as always!

Thank you Wynandvabdernerwe! 😎

For starters the conditions were completely different. This year was heading out to epic spots on epic days, while the previous year was challenging spots on challenging days. Right from the start it was clear that a lot more fish would be killed. However, the most seemed to relish the opportunity, excited to kill as many fish as possible. I have spent time reflecting on the way I conduct myself with the growth of Blue Neoprene. And have come to the realization that I do not want to promote anything that I wouldn't want to see other people doing. I don't believe that it is fair to say my views and beliefs changed a whole 180. Both events can be judged from the same perspective and obvious differences found between the two. If this year's event happened a year earlier, I think I would feel the same way. Nowadays I am harder on myself and more resolute in my beliefs, but they are not new ones. I want to be a servant of mother nature, but I cannot do that while inspiring death. Humans are monkey see; monkey do. The more you do something the more likely others are to follow suit. If everyone dived like they were in Nationals or another Competiton, there would be less fish and more deaths. I don't want to encourage this, and I don't really want to be a part of it myself. Not to say "DONT DO COMPS" but personally it's not for me anymore, but I could always tell. The burleying speech was the final nail for me and I never want to ever be associated with such acts. In competing you are both condoning and associating yourself with the event. I don't think events of spearfishing NZ do much to help our environment (except catfish cull). I am in constant competition with myself and don't feel the need to measure against others. I don't need to be the best, I just want to keep improving.

>God like >Plastic Pick one! I cannot fault the durability; you never ever hear about broken rob Allen's. It does make sense also, as plastic doesn't rust. But personally, I love metal. I think it feels far more legit and premium. Top dollar for plastic will always baffle me, no matter the application. When I'm diving well, the spears feel like an extension of me. This may sound strange but perhaps a metal trigger mechanism can make you more in tune with the spear. Plastics have extremely low vibrational frequences and do not conduct electricity. If using a metal trigger mech and making contact with the trigger, I imagine the shaft will conduct the energy you are outputting. If you were a galaxy brain genius maybe you could steer the spear towards fish with your mind! But till then it's personal preference really. And I absolutely prefer metal.

Ps I can't fault you for your view of burleying illegal fish

Hey Hemirizvi, thanks for the support. I used to desire the ability to show off, but it doesn't feel right to me in this context anymore. I don't want the reputation of a killer; I want to save the fish! My past achievements at nationals, I felt pride at the time. But now they symbolize to me the diving I am probably least proud of. My diving performances at nationals have been riddled with mistakes and arguably characterized by greed. The mindset of competition is not productive for the calm, methodical and patient style I try dive. That may be my own fault, but for me I don't think it's worth competing. Either I retain my values or indulge in a competitive mindset that will probably haunt me. 1-2 days is too long for me to ignore the way I truly think and feel!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I’m glad you found this video. There is often more to be gained from listening to those who disagree, rather than agree! I state the aim within the first minute but if you want to overlook that I will reiterate. The aim is to help people make an informed decision regarding their own participation. A lot of people have never competed and are curious of what it’s like. Beyond that the purpose is to show the somewhat ugly truth about competitions. Watch it with the sound off, or watch something else if you don’t like to hear differing opinions. But I think you, in particular, would benefit from trying different thoughts. Much love my Dude 🌊💙

More or less had to bring in, propped myself up on it to sleep during open ocean crossings. Huge swim to Samoa, but float boat probably actually made it easier! Nah in all seriousness, took it on the plane. Huge asset to have and I couldn’t have done what I did without it!

Hey mate, very cool diving out there. Launched from Tairua, two boat ramps there. Never a problem getting boat in the water but the bar can be treacherous! Best of luck 🤞