Intro to Spearfishing - A Sustainable and FUN Dive Activity

After you’ve been diving for awhile, most divers will seek out additional activities to maintain interest and excitement in the water. Some people get into photography or videography, others take fish surveys and clean-up fishing line, while others are enticed by the thrill of the hunt.

We allow divers to hunt on any dive off of our Kyalami boat in Jupiter, FL. Captains are happy to give a separate drop and the deck team keeps a watchful eye for lift bags with your catch attached!

With the recent opening of grouper and hogfish season here in south Florida, I have been reflecting on the activity of spearfishing. While I am by no means an absolute authority on this topic, I do want to share why I chose to spearfish, what I enjoy about the sport and how anyone who may be interested can get started. 

Grouper is one of my favorite locals to catch and cook!

I personally feel in this modern day and age too many of us have become too far removed from the source of our food. I would implore anyone who enjoys seafood to do some research into the unsavory practices of commercial fishing and really think about the impact our choices make on the environment, Mother Ocean in particular. 

I personally clean any fish I catch. It is important to use a sharp knife and with some practice, it is a rather straightforward skill to develop. To me, it’s one more way I can remain connected to my food source and show respect and gratitude for the fish by getting as much cleaned off of it as possible.

Recreational fishing with hook and line is an improvement from long-lining and the commercial practice of casting large gillnets, however it still pains me to see any undersized fish reeled up to the boat, only to be mangled, de-hooked and tossed back in (oftentimes as shark bait). Worse yet is the unintentional hooking of protected species – such as hammerheads and goliath, who are often left with nasty scars and large hooks that we hope will eventually rust away. Lastly, let’s not forget the negative impact of fishing line that gets stuck on the reef which can entangle animals and do a lot of harm to the marine environment.

Can you see the hook left in the mouth of this goliath?

While I am far from perfect, I do pride myself in making sustainable food choices. Particularly when it comes to seafood. As a pescatarian, seafood is one of my primary sources of protein. I have to tell you few things are more rewarding than catching, cleaning and cooking your own meal. To feel connected to the animal you are eating - to know how it was caught, that it was killed in a swift, humane manner, that the species was in season and the right size - not to mention it will be fresh and delicious beyond compare - this to me is what sustainable fishing is all about. 

Few things inspire me in the kitchen like fresh fish! Here I made a macadamia-encrusted yellowjack with a creamy garlic and butter sauce, and it was delicious!

A fresh grouper feast I prepared for my parents. I love sharing the gifts from the sea with my friends and loved ones.

 This is why a couple years back I decided to learn more about spearfishing. While photography underwater remains my primary passion, I have to tell you what a blast it is to go on hunting trips to mix it up every now and then. 

On my best days, I can do both photography and hunt!

**This was in the Bahamas, where capturing lobster with a polespear is acceptable practice.

Few things compare to the thrill you experience at the peak of the action. . . imagine, after thoroughly searching you finally locate a fish that is the desired species and size . . . you are excited, but know you need to approach carefully and remain calm . . . as you narrow in, unlock the safety on your gun and go for the kill shot, your heart begins to race. Once you’ve shot your fish, you need to act quickly and decisively. 1st step is to brain the fish to get it to stop moving otherwise you risk attracting sharks or hungry goliath looking for an easy meal. Next, you string it up through the eyes or gills to prepare to send it up on your lift bag. As you inflate your bag take caution to look for predators that may come snag it from you before it blasts to the surface. Finally, say a little prayer that it makes it to the boat safe and sound so you can brag about your catch when you return to the surface – and of course, enjoy a delicious meal with it later. It is truly the thrill of a lifetime!

In the Bahamas spearguns are not allowed, nor can you have a polespear on scuba, so my freediving skills are always put to the test in these beautiful blue waters.

 A few requirements for hunting in our waters here in Jupiter and West Palm: gloves, a knife for braining the fish, shears (for lionfish), lift bags with stringers (you can repurpose old SMBs for this), a gun that suits for skill level, knowledge of local regulations (Fish Rules is a great app for this) and a passion for the hunt.

His + Hers. Yes, they made pink bands for spearguns - perhaps that’s part of why I got into the sport?! ;)

A key learning I had early on was regarding speargun size. As a female, I prefer to hip load rather than chest-load which means I need to be able to reach down to grab my bands and pull them down towards me– it’s harder than it looks and will really test your upper body strength! A slightly shorter gun works better for me, with a single wrap for simplicity (trust me, it makes reloading so much easier!). The thickness of the bands also makes a huge difference, so be sure to do your research.

We have a wide assortment of zookeepers in our shop on Northlake Blvd. And yes, we even carry it in pink. :)

Looking to get started with hunting but not quite ready to pick up a speargun? The best way to dive in is with a pole spear and a zookeeper. Lionfish are easy targets that allow you to get super close. Pro tip, pull the pole spear band as far back as you can for maximum power; with larger lionfish it can help to pin them up against a rock so they can’t wiggle off the tip of the spear. Be careful with their spines! Some people trim them in the water, but I think it’s safest to secure them in the zookeeper 1st, then clean them topside in a more controlled environment.   

Slaying lionfish is a great way to get into hunting. You will have a high success rate, which will boost your confidence and get you inspired to learn more. You will also be helping to rid our reef of this damaging, invasive species!

If you’re looking for your next adventure in the realm of scuba diving then why not come out and give it a try with us? One of our private guides can you walk you through the process and help you get started on the right foot . . . err fin?! 

If nothing else, spearfishing is great way to make new friends and have some more adventure in your life!

Coordinating camo outfits are optional, but they do look great in photos!

Hope to see you on a hunting trip with us soon…And don’t forget, we have our 1st Annual Lionfish Derby coming up next week!

Happy & Safe Diving, 

Grace