1. It's a Shore Thing
Many spearfishing enthusiasts shore dive for their catch. Like the name implies, shore divers enter the water from a beach, cove or bay. Shore divers typically search for fish around ocean formations, such as reefs. Their dives can range between 15 and 80 feet depending on the location. Shore divers face an element of danger because they are likely sharing their hunting ground with sharks. Many divers tow their catch several feet behind them so they are out of harm's way if a shark decides to steal the catch.
2. Fish by Boat
Some fishermen prefer to spearfish in open water, away from land formations. To get to their hunting grounds, these divers must travel by boat, ship or kayak. It's common to dive off oil rigs or fish aggregating devices, which are man-made structures designed to attract certain species of fish. Boat diving is popular at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, off the northern islands of New Zealand and in the Gulf of Florida. Boat divers typically dive for mahimahi, tuna and yellowtail kingfish.
3. Extreme Fishing Takes Patience
The most skilled spearfishers put themselves to the test by blue water hunting. Divers are dropped off by a boat in deep, clear water and left to drift. Blue water hunting takes extreme patience and doesn't always produce a catch. It's not unusual for blue water hunters to experience sensory deprivation after drifting for hours without seeing anything but water. Blue water hunting is popular off the coast of South Africa and in the South Pacific. Yellowfin tuna and dogtooth snapper are common catches.
4. Ancient Methods Still Practiced
Fishermen for thousands of years have waded into shallow waters with a hand spear and pulled out fish. No-dive spearfishing is still practiced today. This type of spearfishing not only takes great hand-eye coordination, but the fisherman also needs to compensate for optical refraction, which makes the fish appear farther away than it actually is. This type of fishing is done both in shallow salt water and fresh water such as rivers.
5. Pick Your Gear
Some spearfishers choose to use a trigger speargun, while others prefer a hand spear. Hawaiian slings are tubes with an elastic band attached to fire the spear. Shore and boat divers can use full scuba gear, although some regions prohibit it. Snorkels are another option. Many spearfishers opt to free-dive, and some can hold their breath for several minutes. Fins are a must for spearfishers, as is a knife. Much of a spearfisher's gear is designed specifically for the sport, such as camouflaged wet suits, elongated fins and special dive masks.
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