The Dos And Don’ts Of Spearfishing

 

A form of fishing, spearfishing can either be a hobby or a source of livelihood for some. It involves the use of effective and modern pneumatic- or elastic-powered spearguns and slings to hunt fish. It can be done by applying scuba diving, free-diving, or snorkeling techniques. 

There are different types of spearfishing. One is shore diving. It entails entering and exiting the sea from headlands or beaches and hunting around ocean structures, like rocks, sand, kelp, and reef. Spearguns, as well as trigger-less spears, including Hawaiian slings and pole spears, are used when shore diving. 

Another type of spearfishing is boat diving. You can use a kayak, a boat, or a ship to access a location that’s near the shore but unreachable by land. Popular places for boat diving include the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll find dog-tooth tuna and wahoo, New Zealand, where you can catch yellow tail kingfish, and the Gulf of Florida oil rigs, where cobia grouper is abundant. 

Blue water hunting is the type of spearfishing that experienced spearfishers prefer. It requires accessing deep and clear water, trolling, and chumming for fish species, such as tuna, marlin, or giant trevally. It’s often performed in drifts: A boat driver will drop off one or more divers and let them drift in the current until a few kilometers before picking them up. Regular spots that blue water hunters go to are the South Pacific, which is filled with dog tooth snapper, and South Africa, which is rich in yellowfin tuna. 

Spearfishing can be challenging, to say the least, since you’re essentially free diving with nothing else but your spear, skills, and determination to catch some fish. Read this helpful guide to know about the dos and don’ts of spearfishing.

 

The Dos

 

• Do Learn More About Refraction

You might have learned about the basics of refraction back in elementary. In case you’ve forgotten what it is, refraction happens through different properties of light. Viewing an object from above the surface may not be the easiest to do, as refraction causes that object to appear in a different position from where it actually is. 

If you’re spearfishing for a living, then knowing the difference between visible and actual position is crucial since it will help you catch fish successfully. 

• Do Research The Location

When you’re spearfishing in a new location, be sure to ask local dive shops where the best spots are. Ideally, you should look for one with a depth no deeper than 20 feet. This is usually a place suitable for beginners. 

Ask the locals too for any potential dangers to look out for, like crowds of spearos, dangerous animals, speed boats, or a change in current.

• Do Prepare Your Basic Gear

Of course, you shouldn’t go into battle unprepared. The following is the basic gear you’ll need if you want to try spearfishing:

• Mask and snorkel: They need to meet the criteria of visibility and fit. A low-profile mask is usually preferred, as it allows less air to enter the mask.
• Spearfishing wet suit: Choose a color that allows you to blend with the surroundings underwater, so fish won’t notice you. The thickness of the suit you wear also depends on what the temperature is, so you won’t feel too warm or cold.
• Fins: These are necessary, as they make it easier for you to get around underwater. If you plan to use your fins often, invest in good ones made of carbon materials and fiberglass, which make it easier to move around.
• Weight belt: It will help you go underwater easily since wet suits keep you buoyant.
• Spearfishing knife: Along with a spear gun or a Hawaiian sling (which is a matter of preference), it’s your main weapon to strike fish.

 

The Don’ts

• Don’t Force Yourself To Hold Your Breath For Too Long

Even the best and most seasoned spearos had to start somewhere. They took time training themselves to hold their breath. So, if you’re just starting out, don’t rush. It will be extremely dangerous to put your body in a situation it isn’t used to, especially if it involves holding your breath for long durations.

What you can do is engage in dry training for spearfishing. Exercises will help your body acclimate to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) while reducing your oxygen (O2) consumption. 

Spearfish with a companion as well. In case you get attacked or tangled or run out of air, your buddy will be there to help you out. 

• Don’t Give Up

‘Don’t give up’ is common advice, but it’s helpful. Just because you failed to catch a particular type of fish doesn’t mean that you’ll go home empty-handed. There’s an abundance of other fish that you can try hunting.

There are some useful tips you can follow to have successful catches. If you’re trying to catch fast-moving fish like tuna, don’t chase them. The amount of time you have to aim won’t be enough to catch them. So, you should swim with them rather. 

One more tip is to be quiet when spearfishing. Don’t create any sudden movement because it will only disturb the fish. In addition, take out your snorkel before diving to avoid creating bubbles, which will just scare away fish in the vicinity. The same goes for splashes. Splashes will spook any fish, so it’s best not to make splashes when you dive. 

Remember that once you’re underwater, always stay positive. You never know what you might find. Over time, you’ll get better at catching fish. 

 

Conclusion 

Spearfishing is challenging at first, and it can be dangerous if you aren’t aware of its risks. But if you know what to do and what to avoid, you’ll finally understand why so many find the sport thrilling. Once you master it, it will be a hobby you’ll enjoy for a long time.