It’s very easy to see you’re a professional and have a wealth of experience in your job. It’s really cool to see how methodical and precise you are. The fish goes on the stringer the same way every time. The gun is reloaded the with the exact same motions. And even when you’re multitasking, your breaths stay the same rate. No wasted motion or bottom time. I aspire to be a diver like you some day. Thank you for the great videos!
The amount of knowledge I have gained from your videos over the last couple months is priceless. Thank you for the great lessons. My stringers have been coming up consistently more full since watching you work.
Even though it’s a lot of the same thing in every video of yours I’m still glued to the screen. I’m trying to cement the routine into my mind in anticipation of my next trip. I really appreciate you taking the time to upload. - Alan
Orlando, the crew always says that I don't need a lot of weight because my skull is almost solid and as hard as a brick. I'm glad you like the videos! Best, Dan
Thanks T50, Happy Fourth to you as well. Even in this screwy time, I bet most of us still appreciate all of our blessings. Thanks for your comment. Best, Dan
SB, yeah, I've been diving The MG for over 40 years and it's still one of my favorite places to dive! It's got it all, ledges to 45' tall, pinnacles 40' tall, etc., really an unique area! Best, Dan
Any tips for why you shoot with out a cable on the spear, I see you get lots of shots off quick, but how do you handle a big cobia and such with out a line to the gun. Unless you just stone them every shot. I dive on the Atlantic coast line . Would love to adopt that style. Great videos keep them coming!
Free shafting is superior for his style of diving and good vis. He could always powerhead a big cobia if one presented itself. Look how fast he reloads and is able to shoot numerous fish before stringing one. For heavy current and poor vis you'd have to be really good to freeshaft. But you can see the advantages for how he works.
Since he is working under a Commercial License he collects the type of fish his supplier is requesting FIRST , then other types if possible in the time he has left .
I am going fishing on the middle grounds next month .if you down there please hook a few of them on my line . I love seeing what it looks like down there. Go job.
@@danmacmahon3973 my buddy and I are going out July 5th for a 48 hr trip out of Tarpon Springs ,Fla. I'll let you know how we do. I dig watching your videos. Last year I caught a 28 lb African Pompano ,gags & mangos
Dead eye Dan you've got mad skills sir, so impressive to watch.., I used to skip breath too when I found em ..hoping to be able to stay 'wetter' again in retirement. Your footage is VERY motivating! (Good pic of that anchor again at 9:43). Did fire coral get ya? So glad I'm not a Grouper in your zip code.
CN, I think a lot of it is just muscle memory, you know, if you do something enough it becomes second nature. One of the tricks to multi shaft free shafting is to be able to load the gun while never taking your eyes off your quarry. Def a step up the ladder when you get that down. Best, Dan
Hey MW, I was a line shafter exclusively until the early 90's when a friend ( who was nowhere near as good as I was) made me look silly as he was free shafting and I was on a leash. The learning curve was challenging but def doable and I grew to really love the art. Glad you're enjoying the videos. Hope the Weather breaks pretty soon and we can get out and make some new ones! Best, Dan
Glad to see u survived the trip w the three Bulls taking your stringer on the surface! How long was it before the boat heard your whistle? Best spear fishing videos on the internet. Thanks for posting!
Thanks Bill, I actually didn't attempt to surface until I heard the boat above me. Being on the surface with bloody fish and 3 bulls didn't interest me in the slightest. Been there and don't want any part of that again! Multiple Bulls are def no joke. Thanks for watching and your comments. Best, Dan
Dan start buying your gloves from Galiton on line you will not be disappointed. I personally like the feather flex about 20 bucks a dozen. Been using them for Lobster and spearing for over 20 years. Great video .Thanks.
Nice video although honestly I'm watching playing where's Waldo for the sharks. lol. I've probably swam with sharks before in the Gulf but honestly the water was so muddy you couldn't see anything anyway. So sort of out of sight out of mind.
Thanks Jim, this is about the Sharkiest time of the year in this area. I try and avoid them as much as possible by diving deeper/smaller stuff. The best thing to do is spear a fish or two and leave. Go to another spot and repeat. Doesn't always work but def helps. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
Made gas money on that drop, and one up the hell outta the guy before you lol. Come on now put a couple minutes in showing those fish off on the deck of the boat. Great video brother, stay safe
Does pinching the fish's eyes instantly dispatch it or is there a special technique to what you're doing? Seems like a super efficient way of handling them
You're killing it. I recently dove 85 ft of water in cedar key and had 8 bulls on me. Worst experience I've had. How deep are most of your middle ground dives?
CR, I hear you. I quit diving that area during the Summer months a few years ago due to all the Bull Sharks. Multiple Bulls are no joke. The MG's range in depth from 80'-150' with most dives being in the 90-110' range. Be careful with those Bulls! Best, Dan
Hey Matt, it's a home made gun we make our selves roughly based on an older Sea Hornet but utilizes better quality parts and tighter tolerances. Best, Dan
SW, good eye. Looks like a typical commercial boat anchor, probably a Bandit Boat since long liners can't fish in the Middle Grounds. That's another beauty of spear fishing, we never anchor during the day and thus avoid any coral damage from anchoring. When we do anchor for the night, I make sure we're on flat sandy bottom, with no chance of vital habitat damage. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
you are deadly on that gun. I'm guessing the boat follows you around. It was always easier to give them the point than catch em, especially in the grounds. Great stringer on one tank of air. 85/95?
KO, it's a home made gun that we build ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet, but utilizing better quality parts and with better tolerances. Best, Dan
MrB, the fronts are made out of Neptonics track inlay. I bought a piece years ago, I think it was 48" long and cut the front shaft holders out of that. Best, Dan
i fish...dont know anything about diving...stumbled across this video...all i can say is....sir, you are man...and im sure you have no probably sinking with balls of steel you possess...
Hey Dan, I notice in all of your vids you always string the fish through the eyes. Why is that? I mean rather than through the gills and out the mouth. Also, have you ever thought about doing voice over narrations for your videos? It would give us poor schleps a little more insight the dive. Thanks.
B31, I never really thought about it, all the guys I know or have known, have always strung them that way. Probably just quicker, I do string through the mouth sometimes if the gills are open and it's easy. And of course some fish , like trigger fish, you'd better string through the mouth or you'll regret it. Good question Thanks, Dan
Shaun, we're blessed to have a wide Shelf here on the west coast of Florida. You can dive up to 100-120 miles off shore. There's literally 100's of thousands of spots that have never been dove. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 the ease to which I refer is related to the duration of the dive. and I ask you again, isn't fishing with self-contained breathing apparatus prohibited in your country? in Italy they arrest you
@@antoniozotti5423 don't know if you know this, but there is this thing called Google. Which if you used, would tell you it's legal to spearfish in all the United States with a scuba.
Bob, I've had a couple of them over the years snap shafts at the slot and made it look easy when they did it. At a seminar one time, a guy in the audience asked what I thought was the fastest fish from 0-60 and I replied without hesitation "a HogFish", the class laughed and probably thought I was joking. I wasn't! Best, Dan
It’s very easy to see you’re a professional and have a wealth of experience in your job. It’s really cool to see how methodical and precise you are. The fish goes on the stringer the same way every time. The gun is reloaded the with the exact same motions. And even when you’re multitasking, your breaths stay the same rate. No wasted motion or bottom time. I aspire to be a diver like you some day. Thank you for the great videos!
TJ75, thanks for the comments, means a lot. Hope you picked up a couple of tips and am glad you're enjoying the videos. Best, Dan
The amount of knowledge I have gained from your videos over the last couple months is priceless. Thank you for the great lessons. My stringers have been coming up consistently more full since watching you work.
MT, that's great to hear. I'm glad you picked up a couple of tips. Makes it all worth while for sure. Best, Dan
Your a beast underwater!!Loving the steady uploads man.
Thanks Austin! Glad you're enjoying the videos! Best, Dan
Even though it’s a lot of the same thing in every video of yours I’m still glued to the screen. I’m trying to cement the routine into my mind in anticipation of my next trip. I really appreciate you taking the time to upload.
- Alan
I've really enjoyed doing it Alan and I thank you for letting me know you appreciate it. Hope you have a great trip when you get out. Best, Dan
You don’t need weights with your balls of steel! Keep up the great work man. Love you guys!
Orlando, the crew always says that I don't need a lot of weight because my skull is almost solid and as hard as a brick. I'm glad you like the videos! Best, Dan
Great vis and incredible accuracy. Strong work!
Dale, thanks and you gotta love visibility like that! Appreciate you watching! Best, Dan
Great stuff man! I’ll be in the keys spear fishing next week and watching your videos gets me freaking excited!!
Dillon, thanks bud, I appreciate it! Hope you have a great trip! Best, Dan
Cool, calm, and just slaying the grouper. Nice work
Mav32, yeah if you loose it or get frustrated in the water, things go downhill fast! Thanks for your comment. Best, Dan
Awesome as always. Some serious bottom time on that one.
Insp, thanks! Nice to dive 100' and have some bottom time for once. Glad you liked the video. Best, Dan
Great video thank, and really nice stringer
RP, thanks and I sure appreciate you watching. Best, Dan
Man, once I start watching your videos I don't want to stop seeing them eventhough I have already saw then before.
RV, man, I'm honored and really appreciate that! Best, Dan
Nice shooting and no time wasted...👍
IM, thanks! Summer time gags are one of my favorites! Best, Dan
Good work Dan!!
Thanks Yiannis! Appreciate it! Best, Dan
Good stuff!!
I would call that a Productive Dive !!!
Wow ,can't get enough of this videos, you're a bad ass spearfishing.Nice hogfish .
Thanks Jorge, I'm glad you like the videos. Best, Dan
You Sir are a Damn Machine! when you punch the clock it gets real! Real quick! Cool video, not all are giants but all will fill the box!
MH, thanks bud, really appreciate you watching! Best, Dan
Your efficiency is fantastic.
Thanks Barry, I greatly appreciate it! Best, Dan
Tear em up! Great video man
Gavins, thanks !Appreciate it! Best, Dan
Awesome 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
I have watched millions of spearfishing videos and you are definitely the best. Good work man a master of your craft.
Thank you Trevor, I appreciate you watching and your comments! Best, Dan
Damn that was a good feed you lads got organised with the straight hooks!
DS1, appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. Best, Dan
Awesome video Dan what a stringer! ,.Happy 4th of July and stay safe and God bless 🙏!!
Thanks T50, Happy Fourth to you as well. Even in this screwy time, I bet most of us still appreciate all of our blessings. Thanks for your comment. Best, Dan
Awesome 😎
TLOL, thanks brother. Really glad you're enjoying the videos! Best, Dan
What a beautiful area.
SB, yeah, I've been diving The MG for over 40 years and it's still one of my favorite places to dive! It's got it all, ledges to 45' tall, pinnacles 40' tall, etc., really an unique area! Best, Dan
Whoa..nice shot again sir....
Thanks Mubang! Best, Dan
Buddy you are a natural born killer great video
Thanks David, glad you liked the video! Best, Dan
very Rare not seeing a shark down that long out there , as usual great shooting sir 👍
BB, yeah I was expecting one any minute. Was kinda nice not to have to deal with it! Thanks for comment. Best, Dan
thats the stringer, awesome shooting
S55555, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Best, Dan
Would have really liked to have seen the boys reaction to THAT stringer of fish. Jeez!
Probably something like the old squirrel can still find a few acorns or something similar to that!
Any tips for why you shoot with out a cable on the spear, I see you get lots of shots off quick, but how do you handle a big cobia and such with out a line to the gun. Unless you just stone them every shot. I dive on the Atlantic coast line . Would love to adopt that style. Great videos keep them coming!
Free shafting is superior for his style of diving and good vis. He could always powerhead a big cobia if one presented itself. Look how fast he reloads and is able to shoot numerous fish before stringing one. For heavy current and poor vis you'd have to be really good to freeshaft. But you can see the advantages for how he works.
Since he is working under a Commercial License he collects the type of fish his supplier is requesting FIRST , then other types if possible in the time he has left .
I am going fishing on the middle grounds next month .if you down there please hook a few of them on my line . I love seeing what it looks like down there. Go job.
Hey Scott, I hope you have a great trip out there! Great place to dive and fish! Would enjoy hearing about how you guys do! Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 my buddy and I are going out July 5th for a 48 hr trip out of Tarpon Springs ,Fla. I'll let you know how we do.
I dig watching your videos.
Last year I caught a 28 lb African Pompano ,gags & mangos
You are impressive with that gun!
B31, thank you. I'm pretty used to her and shes pretty used to me! Best, Dan
This should have been called "Hammer Time" my goodness at the stacking and whacking. you need a quiver of shafts man. Awesome job
Thanks Kenny, I still love diving the MG after all these years. Truly a special place! Best, Dan
I love all of yours videos. I would love to have a copy of you gps numbers lol. I offshore fish a lot in the northern gulf. I'll be watching
Thanks Ken , really glad you're enjoying the videos! Best, Dan
Dead eye Dan you've got mad skills sir, so impressive to watch.., I used to skip breath too when I found em ..hoping to be able to stay 'wetter' again in retirement. Your footage is VERY motivating! (Good pic of that anchor again at 9:43). Did fire coral get ya? So glad I'm not a Grouper in your zip code.
Thanks Paul! Glad you're enjoying the videos, and I'm happy to report that no, the fire coral didn't get me! Best, Dan
U r amazing .
Thanks AA! Best, Dan
Hi Dan! Always enjoyed and learned alot from you videos. May I ask how many Centimetres is your gun length?
Cheers!
ML. glad you're enjoying the videos. The "wood" is 140 CM long. With the Muzzle attached, it's 147 CM long without a spear. Best, Dan
like a well oiled machine!
CN, I think a lot of it is just muscle memory, you know, if you do something enough it becomes second nature. One of the tricks to multi shaft free shafting is to be able to load the gun while never taking your eyes off your quarry. Def a step up the ladder when you get that down. Best, Dan
I’ve been binging your videos. How long did it take you to get so accurate that you took off the string that is attached to the spear?
Hey MW, I was a line shafter exclusively until the early 90's when a friend ( who was nowhere near as good as I was) made me look silly as he was free shafting and I was on a leash. The learning curve was challenging but def doable and I grew to really love the art.
Glad you're enjoying the videos. Hope the Weather breaks pretty soon and we can get out and make some new ones! Best, Dan
You clean up brother. That was sure a mess of grouper sammiches..Being locked down is driving me nuts. I have to get out on and in the water soon.
MV, I hear ya brother. It was great to get offshore for a few days. Kinda recharged the batteries a little. Hope you get out soon! Best, Dan
Wow, best ever?
DR, thanks, it was def a good one. I love snipering Gags, one of my favorites. Best, Dan
Glad to see u survived the trip w the three Bulls taking your stringer on the surface! How long was it before the boat heard your whistle? Best spear fishing videos on the internet. Thanks for posting!
Thanks Bill, I actually didn't attempt to surface until I heard the boat above me. Being on the surface with bloody fish and 3 bulls didn't interest me in the slightest. Been there and don't want any part of that again! Multiple Bulls are def no joke. Thanks for watching and your comments. Best, Dan
Dan start buying your gloves from Galiton on line you will not be disappointed. I personally like the feather flex about 20 bucks a dozen. Been using them for Lobster and spearing for over 20 years. Great video .Thanks.
Hey Mike, I will def check that out! Thanks for the tip! Glad you liked the video! Best, Dan
Peixes pequenos.....
DETROIT MICHIGAN WELDER WONDERED IF THAT SHARK WAS YOUR DIVE BUDDY...YOU JUST KEPT PUNCHING OUT..
APEX PREDATOR WHAT👏⚓🤙
Nice video although honestly I'm watching playing where's Waldo for the sharks. lol. I've probably swam with sharks before in the Gulf but honestly the water was so muddy you couldn't see anything anyway. So sort of out of sight out of mind.
Thanks Jim, this is about the Sharkiest time of the year in this area. I try and avoid them as much as possible by diving deeper/smaller stuff. The best thing to do is spear a fish or two and leave. Go to another spot and repeat. Doesn't always work but def helps. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
Was that a Hog in there too? Big Hog 👍
Tony, I like big Hogs too! Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
Dan is that east or west coast? Looks like east coast! You are the best keep up the videos man...cheers from deerfield beach
V2526, it's def the West Coast in the Florida Middle Grounds. Glad you're enjoying the videos. Best, Dan
Made gas money on that drop, and one up the hell outta the guy before you lol. Come on now put a couple minutes in showing those fish off on the deck of the boat. Great video brother, stay safe
BT, thanks! I will def do more deck shots, starting next trip! Glad you're enjoying the videos. Appreciate you watching and your comments. Best, Dan
@ bubble trail. What’s goin on bro?
That moment when his extra large stringer was too small
RSKW, thanks for that, made me laugh out loud. Appreciate it. Best, Dan
Does pinching the fish's eyes instantly dispatch it or is there a special technique to what you're doing? Seems like a super efficient way of handling them
PK, it def is, they just freeze up. Can really be advantageous in most situations. Best, Dan
Love your videos my brother...but ...I would like to see the size of the fish in the boat.
Mes, thanks! I will def be doing deck footage starting next trip. Should have some of that up in the next couple of weeks. Best, Dan
You're killing it. I recently dove 85 ft of water in cedar key and had 8 bulls on me. Worst experience I've had. How deep are most of your middle ground dives?
CR, I hear you. I quit diving that area during the Summer months a few years ago due to all the Bull Sharks. Multiple Bulls are no joke. The MG's range in depth from 80'-150' with most dives being in the 90-110' range. Be careful with those Bulls! Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 I'm starting to notice that. I appreciate it
What gun you shooting dan ?
Hey Matt, it's a home made gun we make our selves roughly based on an older Sea Hornet but utilizes better quality parts and tighter tolerances. Best, Dan
Congrats on views.
FR, thanks friend. I started posting these at the beginning of the CV outbreak and have enjoyed doing so. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
How far offshore do you consider middle grounds?
Darren, it starts about 80 miles out of Tampa. Goggle earth shows the Reef areas pretty well. Best, Dan
old anchor at 5.29?
SW, good eye. Looks like a typical commercial boat anchor, probably a Bandit Boat since long liners can't fish in the Middle Grounds. That's another beauty of spear fishing, we never anchor during the day and thus avoid any coral damage from anchoring. When we do anchor for the night, I make sure we're on flat sandy bottom, with no chance of vital habitat damage. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
Dan,
What kind of gun are you using with multiple shafts?
-Mike
Mike, it's a home made gun we make ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet, but utilizing better quality components. Best, Dan
Dan MacMahon ,
Do you sell them? If so, how much are they?
-Mike
you are deadly on that gun. I'm guessing the boat follows you around. It was always easier to give them the point than catch em, especially in the grounds. Great stringer on one tank of air. 85/95?
This place is like the Rocky Mountains of the gulf of mexico
DM, yeah there's some stuff 50 feet tall! Pretty amazing area! Best, Dan
Dan MacMahon that’s insane I’ve got some ledge spots that are like 5 feet I’m all proud of.......
Sniper! If you are using a gopro type camera, you might want to get a flat lens. Appears there is distortion on the sides.
Thanks Kevin, I'll check into that. Best, Dan
How deep was that?
Ditto
Around 100'-110' or so, might could get down to 120' if you had a mind to. Pretty typical Middle Grounds depth. Best, Dan
👍
Thank You! Best, Dan
What kinda Speargun is that
KO, it's a home made gun that we build ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet, but utilizing better quality parts and with better tolerances. Best, Dan
Sr. What kind of speargun is that?
Hey Hugo, it's a gun we make ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet but utilizing better quality parts and tighter tolerances. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 thanks so much for your videos and help. I bought the ocean rhino I think it’s the one that most closely
no tax man? the spare spears, are held on the front with magnets? fast reloads.. makes me wonder why I'm using strings.
MrB, the fronts are made out of Neptonics track inlay. I bought a piece years ago, I think it was 48" long and cut the front shaft holders out of that. Best, Dan
One shot Dan.
Eli, thanks, I sure try for one shot but sometimes it just doesn't go that way! Appreciate you watching, Best, Dan
Someone's anchor at 5:28?
SA, looks like a typical Commercial Bandit Boat anchor. Good eye! Best, Dan
😀👍
Thanks VL, Best, Dan
You are skip breathing. Not all the time but often .How deep is this dive ?
Mike, it's about 110', little less on top, little more on bottom. Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
i fish...dont know anything about diving...stumbled across this video...all i can say is....sir, you are man...and im sure you have no probably sinking with balls of steel you possess...
Thanks 0380arod, glad you like the videos. Best, Dan
Hey Dan, I notice in all of your vids you always string the fish through the eyes. Why is that? I mean rather than through the gills and out the mouth. Also, have you ever thought about doing voice over narrations for your videos? It would give us poor schleps a little more insight the dive. Thanks.
B31, I never really thought about it, all the guys I know or have known, have always strung them that way. Probably just quicker, I do string through the mouth sometimes if the gills are open and it's easy. And of course some fish , like trigger fish, you'd better string through the mouth or you'll regret it. Good question Thanks, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 what do you mean about the trigger fish. Thanks for replying.
@@befmx31 They bite...
Scuba illegal here no game
Shaun, we're blessed to have a wide Shelf here on the west coast of Florida. You can dive up to 100-120 miles off shore. There's literally 100's of thousands of spots that have never been dove. Best, Dan
too easy to fish with self-contained breathing apparatus. but isn't it prohibited in your state?
AZ, I can assure there's nothing "easy" about deep free shaft spear fishing. I wish you the best however you choose to spear fish. Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 the ease to which I refer is related to the duration of the dive. and I ask you again, isn't fishing with self-contained breathing apparatus prohibited in your country? in Italy they arrest you
@@antoniozotti5423 don't know if you know this, but there is this thing called Google. Which if you used, would tell you it's legal to spearfish in all the United States with a scuba.
C'est pas équitable il chasse avec des bouteilles et pas en apnée
This is shit you go with air bottles to hunt. Spearfishing is free dive man . This is a assassination not spearfishing
AO, thanks for watching buddy! Good luck yo you with how ever you spear fish. Dan
Those hogfish are tough mudders. Beautiful load of fish. Good day for you, eh?
Bob, I've had a couple of them over the years snap shafts at the slot and made it look easy when they did it. At a seminar one time, a guy in the audience asked what I thought was the fastest fish from 0-60 and I replied without hesitation "a HogFish", the class laughed and probably thought I was joking. I wasn't! Best, Dan