How to Spear Fish with a Spear Gun

Nothing beats the experience and thrill of spearfishing. When you learn how to spear fish, you’ll be able to enjoy it for a lifetime. However, it can be very confusing for beginners.

There are lots of jargon, there’s a long list of spearfishing gear to purchase, not to mention how the necessary precautions have to be undertaken prior to being in the water.

After all, you can be jumping into a dangerous situation that’s totally unfamiliar to you. This is why it’s important to learn the basics of spearfishing.

Tips for Beginners on How to Spear Fish

Spearfishing is a unique type of hunting. It’s a sport that involved the use of several different skills. Learning how to spearfish with a spear gun is about knowing all the tricks.

Here are some expert tips that will get you started as you immerse yourself in the sheer thrill of spearfishing:

Be a Fish Finder Yourself

One of the first concerns you’ll have is where to spearfish. Bodies of water can sometimes feel like fishless deserts as you’re diving.

You can easily spend hours floating and kicking without spotting anything, and this can definitely be frustrating. If you have spent some days above water fishing successfully, remember that spearfishing is just a different type of fishing method. So, capitalize on your skill and confidence to locate and target fish.

When you finally see a fish and it notices that you’re heading towards it, it’ll retreat as it feels threatened. Dive towards your target using an indirect route so fish aren’t spooked prior to you being in an ideal range. Still, fish behave differently, depending on the species.

If you can, it’s best you start practicing with the best fish to spear in Florida, such as sturgeon, bonefish, billfish, goliath grouper, and tarpon. They’re the most common targets of spearos on the east coast.

Work on Your Breath Hold

It’s standard for experienced divers to have the ability to hold their breath for three minutes or even more.

This duration will let you pick an optimal spot underwater and wait until fish comes along. Those who can’t hold their breath for too long will have to stay hidden while approaching and aiming at fish.

This will take a longer time to develop. Fortunately, there are things that you’ll be able to do in order to improve your breath-holding capability.

Get good fins, stay warm, and move slowly. You should also avoid pushing yourself when you’re diving and spearfishing. There’s no fish that’s worth risking your life from shallow water blackout or hypoxia.

Don’t Dive Alone

Hypoxia is a result of a shallow water blackout that occurs from the lack of oxygen in the body. 

When you experience a blackout, you’ll only have approximately two whole minutes to act or else brain damage or even death will become imminent. Having a dive buddy with you is necessary to avoid such unfortunate situations.

Research the Diving Spot Beforehand

As you’re just starting to learn how to spear fish, you’ll have to go to a local dive shop to get some supplies. This includes a dive knife which you need in cutting you or your diving buddy out of the entanglement. We suggest you ask the shop employees where beginner spots are located.

Make sure you also inquire about the things to look out for. There are spots that are safe only for the most experienced divers due to the presence of rough waters, tough terrain, or strong currents. All these make it very unsafe for a beginner to spearfish.

If you aren’t able to find someone trustworthy enough to answer your queries e.g. what are the best spearfishing spots in the area and what fish can you spear in Florida, then figure them out by yourself. If you’re not comfortable, never push it.

Because you’re just starting out, you’ll be better off avoiding situations that have the potential to cause harm to you. It’s also advised for beginners to avoid spots that have depths of more than 20 ft.

Use a Pole Spear

We know you would rather use a spear gun; however, it’s not advisable. As you’re still learning the basics, use the safer and less expensive pole spear. It’s still an incredible way to learn spearfishing, plus you can get started quickly!

You’ll be able to know how you can efficiently move in water as you’re holding a weapon. When hunting with pole spears, you’ll also learn the fundamentals for becoming an expert spearo.

Aim Small

This works even when it’s a bit of a cliche. When you aim at fish, choose the smallest target. When you choose small targets, potential errors are also small.

It’s best to target near or behind the top portion of the gill. If you aim at hitting a fish, the error will most likely result in you getting discouraged from missing again and again or having to lose your catch after you have shot it successfully.

Aiming for the stone shot will let you kill your target humanely in just one shot. This only happens when you have struck a fish in a spot behind its gill.

Conclusion

When learning how to spear fish, one important thing you need to remember is to familiarize and follow the local regulations. Know which species of fish are protected from spearfishing.

Depending on where you are, it’s possible that spearfishing is illegal in the area. Ignorance isn’t a plea. You can expect disciplinary action to be imposed on you by the local authorities and it can easily get costly.

Although there are some local rules that you may not agree with while some are simply hard to fathom, stick to them nonetheless. The authorities didn’t make regulations with baseless claims. Chances are, they know something that you don’t. Also, always ensure your safety while spearfishing.