The Importance of Spearfishing Equipment for Hunting Underwater

Do you find fishing to be rather boring as you work on your patience skills most of the time and wait for the fish to start moving the rod? You wouldn’t be the first one, and definitely not the last one. The perfect alternative is spearfishing. This is the type of sport that enables you to be in water and fight for your meal the way our ancient forefathers did, with the help of advanced equipment of course.

The reason this fishing sport is known to boost adrenaline is because it gives you the opportunity to be a real hunter, selecting your prey and stalking it before you take aim and kill – that’s where all the thrill is and the thought in the end you’ve got a handful of healthy meal to take home. Spearfishing can help you be at one with nature as you become part of its ecosystem, and is the most eco-friendly fishing there is due to the lack of by-catch and pollution.

Before you dive right in and start with the hunt, you’ve got to be sure on the rules and regulations in the area you intend to carry out spearfishing at so you avoid ending up with no catch and huge fines to pay. As soon as you’ve checked that, you have to get on with some shopping. If you’ve tried scuba diving, you’re aware of the essentials when under water. The gun has to be one of the most notable bits of equipment with this adventurous sport, however, the spearfishing mask is one of the basics.

The importance of a spearfishing mask stems from its purpose: provide you with better vision while protecting you from dangers at the same time. Since there’s a wide range of masks you’d stumble upon, remember having the right fit is all it matters first because it prevents fogging and water leaking in. While rubber skirts aren’t that uncommon with spearfishing, the typical mask skirts are made from silicone, more specifically black to keep your vision straight to the fish and away from distractions. When you come across low volume mask, you can be sure it sits closer to your face so there’s less air in.

When it comes to the gun, beginners are advised to start with a smaller one. The weapon you have has to be easy to use so you don’t waste time trying to figure out the way it works and focus on your prey before you become the prey of some larger predator. Shorter guns are also perfect for spearfishing in poor visibility conditions, whereas longer ones are ideal for clear. Then again, size also depends on the species being hunted. As soon as you get the skills for this sport, you can move on to bigger prey and guns.

As for the spears (also known as shafts), which can be found in the sizes from 6 to 9 mm, you can’t go wrong by opting for the ones made from hardened stainless steel since it can resist corrosion and is strong enough to rid you of the worry it would bend. There are two common tips due to their favourable properties (less expensive, easy to remove from fish), known as Hawaiian and Tahitian, the first being with floppers on the bottom and the latter floppers installed on top.

Don’t forget the importance of a proper wetsuit and fins. Same as with the masks, these two bits of equipment have to fit you snugly which is why it’s always more advisable to buy than to rent. The material the wetsuit is made of is a key element, with lycra being only suitable for warm waters, while the closed cell neoprene is the most preferred one because of its durability, affordability and insulation. Also, bear in mind the thickness is another feature you should think of: 1.5 mm for warmer months and 3 mm for the cooler ones.

Once you have chosen the equipment and given it a try, it’s essential to remember to maintain it every time you’ve gone for a dive by rinsing it with warm water to take off all of the salt. This would help extend the lifespan.