Spearfishing as a sport has gained a lot of popularity among freedivers and scuba divers alike. But like any sport, no one starts perfectly at it; there is always a learning curve. As a beginner working your way to learning about spearfishing, you should know few basics tips to ensure you get the most out of this rewarding and unique sport.
Not to worry, though, in this article, we outline the essential tips you should learn as a beginner spearfishing enthusiast.
Learn the basics
The best way to start learning about spearfishing and ensuring your success is to learn everything you can about the sport. You can start with learning the basics of diving underwater and the type of equipment needed. It is also essential to know the kind of waters and dive spots you can spearfish and the fish species you can hunt.
If you don’t have someone like a buddy or mentor to teach you, you can enroll in a spearfishing class to learn all the safety rules and everything about spearfishing. Taking spearfishing classes will also enable you to understand the basic skills and practice spearfishing in a practical setting and the comfort of knowing your guide is close by to ensure your safety.
Get the right equipment.
Many options are available for a spear gun, spearfishing outfit, and accessories from https://neptonics.com/. It’s easy to get excited and want to get everything on the site, but a spear gun, wet suit, booties, gloves, dive mask, weight belt, freediving fins, and a knife are what you need to start spearfishing.
Spearguns must be the correct size and weight depending on the type of marine life you will be hunting and the type of underwater conditions you will be hunting in. Bigger prey and strong currents need more powerful spearguns, which will also need training and experience to master.
Also, remember to get your license, educate yourself on the regulations on the waters you will be hunting in, and learn the fish species you can hunt, what size, and how many are allowed.
Safety first
Spearfishing can be fun and challenging, but all spearfishing enthusiasts should know that it is a dangerous sport, and you should take all the necessary precautions when indulging in the sport. Safety should be your number one concern before, during, and after every dive. Danger can present itself anytime underwater, and you should be prepared. You can get tangled in fishing nets, get bitten by eels, sharks or stung, get clamped, or even hit by other boats.
It is also worth noting that spearguns can be deadly if not handled properly. Ensure that when you are not actively hunting, the safety is on, and never point it at another person because it can harm them. Treat your speargun the same as you would a firearm. And if you are in the water spearfishing with another diver who doesn’t follow these rules, don’t go hunting with them; it is not worth your life.
Remember to take all safety precautions, keep your weapons and hands where you can see them, and dive only in waters that are not too advanced for your experience and skills level.
Do research
You may be familiar with freediving, or you may know a bit of spearfishing, but that doesn’t mean you can tackle any unfamiliar dive without doing some research first. Every spearo will have different advice according to their experience, so pay attention and don’t be afraid to approach them and ask them about their experiences and any advice they can share with you as a beginner. If you make a few friends, you can also join them in their dives and learn all about the local dives and the spots they like.
You can also ask your local dive shop where you can start, for example, suitable diving spots for beginners and the recommended spearfishing gear you will need for it. Alternatively, you can also get a mentor who has been at it long enough and knows the do and don’ts of the sport. They can go with you on all your hunts until you get the hang of it and can try it out alone.
It’s also essential to research the dive sites to learn the tides and conditions for the spots you will be frequenting to be prepared with the right gear and accessories to make your hunt a success.
Start small
During your first spearfishing sessions, pick smaller targets and spear them behind or near the top of their gill. Doing this will ensure you reduce the risk or error and increase your chances of a one-hit shot.
Another thing you should know is to get comfortable in the water. If you are in predator mode and flapping around, the fish will be able to tell. You are a predator in the water; don’t chase the fish. If you are aggressive, you will scare them away, so it’s important to calm down, take a breath and move through the water as if you belong there.
Another great way to build your confidence when starting is to start with the essential equipment like a pole spear or a Hawaiian sling. These will help you learn all the basics of becoming an expert spearo and will allow you to start because they are even more affordable than air-powered spearguns.
Improve your breath-hold
When practicing how to dive and spearfish, it’s essential to train yourself to hold your breath longer underwater than the typical three minutes, which is the standard time for experienced freedivers. Holding your breath for longer than three minutes will allow you to pick a spot on the sea bed or behind a rock and wait for your target.
This will also include learning more tricks to help you cope in the cold underwater, like wearing layers under your wet suit, using good fins – the ones for spearfishing are different from those used for diving and learning to go slow and never to give up.
Once you develop these techniques, you can stay longer underwater and increase your chances of catching good fish.
