Spearfishing: The Ultimate Guide to Underwater Hunting
Spearfishing is an ancient method of fishing that combines skill, patience, and precision to hunt fish underwater using specialized gear. It can be practiced in saltwater or freshwater and is popular for both recreational and subsistence fishing.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced spearo, this guide will cover everything you need to know to dive in safely and ethically.
Essential Spearfishing Gear
Speargun or Hawaiian Sling – The primary tool for catching fish. Spearguns come in band-powered and pneumatic varieties, while Hawaiian slings offer a more traditional approach with a handheld launching mechanism.
Pole Spear – A simple, hand-thrown spear with an elastic band for propulsion. Great for beginners and shallow-water hunting.
Mask & Snorkel – A low-volume mask ensures better visibility and easier equalization, while a snorkel allows for efficient surface breathing.
Freediving Fins – Long-blade fins provide maximum thrust with minimal effort, crucial for deep diving and extended underwater time.
Wetsuit or Dive Skin – Offers thermal protection and camouflage while also preventing scrapes and stings. Neoprene thickness depends on water temperature (e.g., 3mm for warm waters, 5mm+ for cold).
Weight Belt – Helps maintain neutral buoyancy while diving, allowing smoother descents without excessive effort.
Gloves & Booties – Provide protection from sharp rocks, reefs, and fish spines while keeping hands and feet warm.
Dive Knife – A crucial safety tool for cutting fishing lines, dispatching fish quickly, and dealing with entanglements.
Float & Buoy Line – Increases visibility to boats and fellow divers while serving as a storage point for fish and equipment. Some floats also feature dive flags for added safety.
Stringer or Catch Bag – Used to hold your catch while continuing to hunt.
Dive Computer or Watch – Tracks depth, dive time, and surface intervals to prevent shallow water blackout and decompression sickness.
Pole Spear – A simple, hand-thrown spear with an elastic band for propulsion. Great for beginners and shallow-water hunting.
Mask & Snorkel – A low-volume mask ensures better visibility and easier equalization, while a snorkel allows for efficient surface breathing.
Freediving Fins – Long-blade fins provide maximum thrust with minimal effort, crucial for deep diving and extended underwater time.
Wetsuit or Dive Skin – Offers thermal protection and camouflage while also preventing scrapes and stings. Neoprene thickness depends on water temperature (e.g., 3mm for warm waters, 5mm+ for cold).
Weight Belt – Helps maintain neutral buoyancy while diving, allowing smoother descents without excessive effort.
Gloves & Booties – Provide protection from sharp rocks, reefs, and fish spines while keeping hands and feet warm.
Dive Knife – A crucial safety tool for cutting fishing lines, dispatching fish quickly, and dealing with entanglements.
Float & Buoy Line – Increases visibility to boats and fellow divers while serving as a storage point for fish and equipment. Some floats also feature dive flags for added safety.
Stringer or Catch Bag – Used to hold your catch while continuing to hunt.
Dive Computer or Watch – Tracks depth, dive time, and surface intervals to prevent shallow water blackout and decompression sickness.
Spearfishing Techniques
Free Diving (Breath-Hold Hunting)
The most common method in spearfishing. Divers rely on breath-hold techniques to hunt fish without scuba tanks.
Requires proper breathing techniques and equalization skills to dive efficiently.
Stalking and Ambushing
Approach fish stealthily by minimizing movement and noise.
Use the seafloor, rocks, and kelp for cover.
Avoid fast or jerky motions, as fish detect vibrations in the water.
Drift Diving
Letting the current carry you while scanning for fish.
Useful in open water environments like reefs and drop-offs.
Hole Hunting (Reef Hunting)
Used to target reef fish hiding in caves or rock formations.
Requires a short speargun or pole spear for precision in tight spaces.
Bluewater Hunting
Advanced technique for hunting large pelagic fish like tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi in deep, open water.
Often requires chumming (baiting) and the use of large float rigs.
Scuba Diving Magazine
Target Species & Ethical Hunting
Spearfishing is highly selective, meaning you only take what you aim for. Ethical spearos focus on sustainability by targeting legal-size fish and avoiding overfished species.
Common Spearfishing Species
Reef Fish: Grouper, Snapper, Hogfish, Parrotfish
Pelagic Fish: Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Kingfish
Flatfish: Flounder, Halibut
Freshwater Fish: Carp, Pike, Catfish
Pelagic Fish: Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Kingfish
Flatfish: Flounder, Halibut
Freshwater Fish: Carp, Pike, Catfish
Avoid: Endangered or Overfished Species: Always check local regulations to ensure responsible harvesting.
Safety Considerations
Spearfishing involves inherent risks, so safety is paramount.
Know Local Laws & Regulations
Research catch limits, protected species, and no-spearfishing zones.
Some areas prohibit spearguns and only allow Hawaiian slings or pole spears.
Dive with a Buddy (One-Up, One-Down Rule)
Always spearfish with a partner to reduce the risk of shallow water blackouts or shark encounters.
The one-up, one-down rule ensures one diver stays at the surface monitoring their buddy.
Use a Dive Flag & Float
Informs nearby boats that divers are below to prevent accidents.
Know How to Handle Your Catch
Dispatch fish humanely with a quick knife strike to the brain (Iki Jime technique).
Use a stringer or catch bag to keep fish away from your body to minimize shark attraction.
Be Aware of Marine Life
Avoid territorial animals like moray eels, barracudas, and sharks.
If approached by a shark, stay calm, maintain eye contact, and slowly back away.
Coastal Angler Magazine
Top Spearfishing Destinations
Spearfishing is practiced worldwide, with each location offering unique marine life and challenges.
Hawaii, USA – Reef fish, pelagic fish, volcanic rock hunting.
Florida Keys, USA – Warm waters, grouper, snapper, hogfish.
Baja California, Mexico – Yellowtail, roosterfish, pargo.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Coral trout, Spanish mackerel.
Bahamas – Crystal-clear waters, snapper, lionfish (invasive).
French Polynesia – Trevally, parrotfish, deep reef species.
Mediterranean Sea (Spain, Italy, Greece) – Grouper, sea bass, octopus.
New Zealand – Kingfish, snapper, cold-water spearfishing.
Florida Keys, USA – Warm waters, grouper, snapper, hogfish.
Baja California, Mexico – Yellowtail, roosterfish, pargo.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Coral trout, Spanish mackerel.
Bahamas – Crystal-clear waters, snapper, lionfish (invasive).
French Polynesia – Trevally, parrotfish, deep reef species.
Mediterranean Sea (Spain, Italy, Greece) – Grouper, sea bass, octopus.
New Zealand – Kingfish, snapper, cold-water spearfishing.
The Hawaiian Sling: A Traditional Approach
The Hawaiian sling is a hand-powered spearfishing tool similar to an underwater slingshot.
Key Features:
Simple Design: A rubber sling propels a steel spear forward.
Silent & Stealthy: Less noise than spearguns, great for close-range reef hunting.
Legal in Some Areas Where Spearguns Are Banned.
Silent & Stealthy: Less noise than spearguns, great for close-range reef hunting.
Legal in Some Areas Where Spearguns Are Banned.
Best for: Shallow reef hunting, beginners, and areas with restrictions on spearguns.
Spearfishing vs. Traditional Fishing: Why Choose Spearfishing?
Selective Harvesting – No bycatch or wasted fish.
Minimal Environmental Impact – No nets, hooks, or pollution.
Challenging & Skill-Based – A true test of patience, breath-hold, and precision.
Health Benefits – Increases lung capacity, endurance, and overall fitness.
Minimal Environmental Impact – No nets, hooks, or pollution.
Challenging & Skill-Based – A true test of patience, breath-hold, and precision.
Health Benefits – Increases lung capacity, endurance, and overall fitness.
Spearfishing is a thrilling and rewarding sport, but it requires skill, responsibility, and respect for the ocean.
Before diving in:
Learn proper breath-hold techniques.
Follow local regulations and practice sustainability.
Always prioritize safety by diving with a buddy and using proper equipment.
Follow local regulations and practice sustainability.
Always prioritize safety by diving with a buddy and using proper equipment.
