A Guide To Spearfishing Gear And Accessories
Spearfishing is gaining ground as one of the most love water sports. Although it’s risky, it’s satisfying when you catch fish, which involves diving and aiming toward your prey. One thing is that the ocean plays host to several predators, and the last thing you’d want as a spearfisher is to get wounded as you explore the sea. Thus, you should practice spearfishing safety guidelines, such as wearing the right gear.
Spearfishing gear and accessories make your fishing work easier. Additionally, they guarantee your body’s safe as you make the dive. If you make contact with predators, it’ll be difficult for them to hurt you if you have your gear on that’ll protect your body. The material used may not be easily breached by them.
As such, don’t risk diving into the ocean without them. You might not come out of the water untouched. It’d be best to prepare for uncertainties while you can.
On that note, here’s a guide to spearfishing gear and accessories recommended for you:
If you’re going spearfishing, you must have a speargun to spot the prey. Note that the spearguns may vary depending on construction. There are two common types; the manually operated and the pneumatic ones. In most cases, manually operated spearguns are launched using a band or a sling, while pneumatic spearguns are air or gas-powered.
Before choosing your speargun, consider its visibility or the kind of fish you’ll be hunting. Remember, for low visibility areas; you need to move closer to the prey. Thus, shorter spearguns will be ideal for such places. Unless you’re hunting big fish, the manually launched spearguns are an excellent pick. On the other hand, long spearguns are perfect for open-water fishing. You also need a speargun with multiple rubbers for more range and power.
Understanding the mechanism of your speargun is key to a fulfilling spearfishing experience. If you know its ins and out, you can be sure not to miss your kill. Once you’re done fishing, consider a wall mounted gun rack for safe storage. With one, you’ll avoid accidents that can happen if it’s misplaced.
When choosing a speargun, the material used in making one is critical. Wood can be an excellent choice due to its good performance under water and lightweight nature. However, if it’s made from some substandard trees, you’ll affect its buoyancy ability. Thus, go for natural hardwood trees, such as teak and mahogany. Note that wooden spearguns cost more than those made from fiberglass, but you get a good value for your money.
- Spearfishing Mask
When spearfishing, a mask is necessary. You’ll need it to equalize when you dive underwater. When choosing one, you should consider a low profile. It allows less air and reduces the water pressure you’ll need underwater.
Additionally, you can choose a mask spending on visibility. For low visibility areas, colored lenses will be great as they’re designed to see underwater. You can also go for mirrored masks. This feature provides more protection and can attract fish from its reflection. This way, you can grab the attention of your prey and have an easy kill.
Also, the mask should be the right fit. While purchasing, it’d be best to try it on to understand how it’ll feel or work underwater. One way to evaluate the mask’s effectiveness is by trying it on without the strap. To create an airtight seal, you can also suck in air through your nose. If you try this experiment and the mask stays on, it’s a good fit. Fitting your mask ensures you choose one that won’t leak during the spearing exercise and ruin your experience.
For spearfishing snorkeling, the J-shaped one is the most recommended. Remember, a simple design is good since it has fewer chances of breaking. Also, ensure the snorkel has a bottom valve and a splash guard at the top. The purge valve helps you clear the tube once you surface from the water without using your hands. And the splash valve is essential in stopping waves from filling your tube when spearing in high tides.
If you’ve mastered the art of scuba diving, you can dive with the snorkel clenched between your teeth. However, it’d be best to hire or invite a diving professional to teach and supervise your dive as a first-timer.
These are handy accessories that fulfill your spearfishing experience. They keep your hands warm and give extra protection from predators, such as spiny fish and rocks. There’s a lot that goes on underwater. For instance, you might need to grab your prey if it tries to escape. It’s best to have purpose-built gloves that make work easier and are adopted for such activities.
Also, the fabric plays a significant role. For instance, gloves made from kevlar fabric are lightweight and comfy yet sturdy enough for the spot. You can use regular gloves, but they won’t do as good as the specially crafted hand gloves used in spearfishing.
- Freediving Fins
One of the recognized facts about spearfishing is that you need to be swift and subtle, not to spook fish or predators. So, free diving skills come in handy. Freediving fins help you conserve energy and boost your ability to perform underwater best. The best way to pick fins is to go for the longest ones.
While at it, consider the material. It’s best to go for soft fins because hard ones might hurt your ankles when you go for long spearfishing sprees. Some common materials used in making fins include:
- Fiberglass
- Plastic
- Carbon
You can choose the fins depending on your expertise. However, fiberglass fins require low energy. This adaptation makes them best for newbies trying to learn the ropes.
- Weight Belts
A weight belt is one of the accessories you’d want to take advantage of. It helps you with buoyancy and avoids floating on the surface. Weight belts are designed to hold lead weight, thus, making it easier for you to wear the right weight.
Choosing a high-quality weight belt ensures you don’t worry about buoyancy while spearfishing. One of the special adaptations to watch out for in weight belts is the ability to compress and expand along with your wetsuit. With these features, you’ll have a perfect fit and can have a comfortable experience.
One thing you should always consider is your safety. Since you’re not the only one underwater, you need a knife. It comes in handy when your prey is caught or you get entangled in sea vegetation. The knife should be sharp to cut and easy to carry around. You can go for unique knives with serrated edges and sharp cut lines. It should be small, so it doesn’t get caught up in the kelp since it can be challenging to hunt in coastal areas.
Your spearfishing gear can’t be complete without a wetsuit. It’s one of the essential marine apparel you need for a fulfilling experience. The market has several designs to choose from. Depending on the water and temperatures, you should be able to find one that suits you perfectly.
One major factor you must consider is the thickness. If you’re going underwater diving, you need a thick wetsuit. Consider 1.5 mm thickness in warm temperatures. Alternatively, a rash guard will do for shallow spearfishing. You also need a camouflage wetsuit to blend in easily in the sea. After all, it’s best if the fish don’t see you coming.
- Dive Computer
With technological advancements, you stand a better chance at having a successful spearfishing experience if you have a dive computer. It helps you track your depth and monitor the speed of having a successful kill. This way, you can learn about areas you need to improve to make it fast and effective. It’s a handy tool for newbies. You can have a record of your progress, and you’ll eventually perfect your diving skills.
The beauty of the dive computer is that you can have it as a watch. Ensure you invest in a modern one with readability features.
You need a stringer for your float carrying your catch back to the land. You need to ensure it’s strong enough that it doesn’t break. Remember, you’re not the only predator in the sea. They also would like to share in your catch. For instance, seals are known to take advantage of spearfisher’s kill.
When fishing offshore, ensuring your catch is safe as you take it to land is essential. Consider attaching a catch bag to your float as you head out of the sea.
Conclusion
Investing in essential spearfishing accessories and gear ensures you have the best spearfishing experience. If you’re just beginning, go easy and slow. Take your time to learn the ins and outs of spearfishing. The gear also makes your work easier, enjoying your experience. Ensure you’re comfortable with every accessory you add. Consider the material and functionality features. Remember, you’re as good as your weapon. Take time to study your speargun. This way, you can bring down a huge kill in just one right shot.
