How to Use a Speargun for Fishing: A Quick Guide and Why You Can’t Use Firearms
Are you looking to go fishing and want the perfect weapon to catch those larger-than-life fishes? Never used a speargun before and want to learn how? Wondering if you can use your gun instead?
Spearguns are great weapons perfect for fishin
g for elusive or large prey. They’ve been proven to kill different kinds of fish quickly, effectively, and humanely (delivering the killing blow with one hit).
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use a speargun effectively, why you can’t use “normal” guns underwater, vital gear to have when speargun fishing, and answers to related questions.
Why You Can’t Use Firearms Underwater
If you’ve already tried hunting on land, you might wonder if you can just bring your gun out to sea and hunt fish that way. Here are a couple of reasons why you can’t do that.
Some Guns Jam or Break Underwater
Depending on the type of gun you have, it may jam when fired underwater. Some guns have very complicated mechanisms where any foreign liquid will disrupt the firing system.
The likelihood of jamming increases on semi-automatic firearms like non-revolver pistols or AR-15s, whereas more simple loading methods like bolt action rifles may still fire.
Even if the gun manages to fire one shot, it might jam on the next one or completely break your firearm. Therefore, if you want to keep your gun working, don’t risk it.
The Gun Will Be Ineffective
When you submerge any gun, whether a pistol, a shotgun, or a rifle, the barrel will fill up with water. Even if you’re able to fire the gun, the bullet won’t travel far.
Different types of guns have varying power, caliber size, and other features that make them unique and increase or decrease your chances of success.
(Check Shooting Mystery for all there is to know about guns and optics/accessories to make them more effective).
The bullet will have to push past the water pressure before leaving the barrel, which is much heavier than pushing the same amount of air. Liquid is a lot denser than gas, after all.
This means that when you fire your gun, it will lose all momentum and power as it leaves the barrel, decreasing the range, penetrating power, and accuracy all at once.
Your shot would be inaccurate, ineffective, and inhumane. It would also be more difficult to recover your fish once you’ve shot it underwater.
Step-By-Step Guide to Using a Speargun for Fishing
If you’ve never gone spearfishing before, here’s a step-by-step tutorial on what to do and what to keep in mind. While you don’t have to strictly follow each step, doing so will make your life easier.
Step 1: Safety First
Before you begin, there are a few safety practices you should always keep in mind when handling your speargun. Remember, it’s a dangerous weapon that could cause serious harm.
Never load your speargun out of the water. It’s designed to be loaded when submerged because of the extra resistance that liquids have compared to loading it in the air and on land.
You should never fire a speargun out of the water because it could launch 200 feet away instead of the expected 20 feet it would launch underwater.
Finally, similar to firearm safety, never point the speargun at something you don’t want to hit. Don’t flag people, animals, or property even if you think it isn’t loaded.
Step 2: Research About the Fishing Area
Whether spearfishing or fishing with a bait and hook, you should always research everything there is to know about the waters you’re fishing in.
Research the corresponding environmental factors like the weather forecast, tide, surf conditions (where the swell might move you towards), and possible water hazards.
You don’t want to show up at the fishing area only to find out that thunderstorms or heavy waves were expected. Being prepared is always good, especially when heading out on the water.
Step 3: Start in Shallow Waters
If you’re just starting out with spearfishing and aren’t used to the techniques, you should start practicing in shallower waters. This will protect and prepare you for the risks of full underwater fishing.
Practice the “stalking” technique, which is hunting for fish while your head is above water with your speargun being underwater. This will improve your skills when spearing fish over time.
As your skills in shallow water increase, you can move to deeper waters and bigger fish. While you’ll have less control using your legs, you’ll already be used to firing the speargun, which makes the process more effective.
Step 4: Be Patient and Aim for the Head
Overly jerky and sudden movements can easily scare fish away. To avoid this, try to make slow and deliberate movements that don’t disturb the water too much.
Inch closer to the target without getting too close to startle them. At the same time, you should be aiming for the head of the fish so it can’t get away.
Aiming for the head is also good practice because you’ll instantly kill the fish in one shot, which is the most humane way of dispatching it. It also teaches you to lead your target to hit it accurately.
Even if your target moves quickly as you fire the shot, aiming for the head means you’re more likely to pierce through it, allowing you to recover it using the rope connected to the spear.
Step 5: Keep Your Distance
One rookie mistake most new spear fishers make is getting too close to the fish or too close to the ocean floor. This agitates the fish and makes it harder to aim.
By staying closer to the surface, you get a better view of where all the fish are. You’ll basically have a bird’s eye view to spot potential targets.
Maintaining a proper distance from fish will also prevent them from detecting you and swimming away. Let your speargun do the work!
Bonus Step: Practice With and Understand Your Speargun
If you want to get better at using your speargun, there’s no alternative to practice. Aiming and feeling the weight of your speargun as well as its range will make you more accurate.
Different types of speargun models have varying shooting line paths, like roller, closed, and open muzzles. Shooting your speargun more will get you used to its line path.
While practicing your aim, you should also see how your other spearfishing gear works in conjunction with it.
Spearfishing Gear You’ll Need
Besides your speargun, you’ll need more equipment and gear when going fishing. Here are the most important ones to bring with you and why.
Spearfishing Mask and Snorkel
You’ll need both a spearfishing mask and a snorkel to stay underwater. The mask will help you equalize as you go down while the snorkel helps you get air.
Proper fit is the most critical factor when choosing the mask and snorkel. It should be snug, with no gaps between your face and gear.
The only way to ensure it’s on properly is to try it on before buying it.
Gloves
Gloves are essential to protect your hands from getting cut and to help you grip your speargun or the fish you’ve captured.
It can help protect your hands from being cut when touching spiny fish and rocks. Gloves can help, too, if you’ve only partially speared a fish and it tries to swim away.
Freediving Fins
Choosing freediving fins will help make your movements quick while still being subtle. This helps you maneuver around the fish to get a clean shot without scaring them off.
The rule of thumb is to choose longer fins, which will help make your movements more fluid and efficient. Try to get softer fins because they won’t hurt your ankles over time.
Weight Belt
Lead weights help spearfishers and divers stay underwater without fighting their body’s natural buoyancy and tendency to float to the surface. It helps conserve your energy for spearfishing.
A weight belt helps you hold those weights effectively, comfortably, and conveniently so that it doesn’t get in the way of your spearfishing.
Some weight belts also compress and expand with your wetsuit, which is a neat feature. A perfect fit helps reduce the number of times you must manually adjust your belt.
Knife
Knives are your self-defense and sticky situation tool. Whether defending yourself from predators or trying to free yourself from getting stuck, it really comes in handy.
While you can choose any type of knife, getting something small or retractable is usually recommended so that it won’t get in the way of your spearfishing.
Wetsuit
Wetsuits are essential gear for any spearfisher operating in shallower or deeper waters. The thickness of the wetsuit is the most important consideration to make.
Thinner wetsuits are ideal for shallow-water spearfishing, while thicker ones are better for deeper spearfishing or diving.
Stringer
This is a device that helps you carry your kills back onto the boat or land without risking it floating away or getting stolen by other opportunistic sea creatures.
For example, seals are known to poach kills from spearfishers. You’ve done all the hard work just for it to be taken from you at the last moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might have related questions after learning more about using a speargun for fishing and why you can’t use regular guns in this situation. Here are answers to the most commonly asked ones.
What Are the Most Difficult Fish to Spear?
The Bluefin Tuna is the hardest fish to spear because it’s fast and agile. Even for the most experienced hunters, this one can be elusive.
What Speargun Is Best for Beginners?
The best speargun size for beginners is usually 35-40 inches for shorter people and 40-43 inches for taller people.
Is Spearfishing Better Than Normal Fishing?
While both have their advantages and disadvantages, spearfishing takes the hunt to the fish. Instead of passively waiting, you get to pick and choose what you hunt.
Final Thoughts
Spearfishing might seem like a challenging hobby to get into on the surface. It’s a lot easier if you start slow and practice in shallower waters, progressively going deeper and hunting faster fish.
Before you know it, you’ll be a natural at hunting different kinds of fish in deeper waters. Just remember to bring the right equipment and focus on keeping yourself safe.
You might also like: A Guide To Spearfishing Gear And Accessories
