How do I get into spear-fishing?

Hello -

I am a diver but never really tried spear fishing. Do I just buy a gun and start shooting fish or would I be needing underwater hunter certification to get on charters? Any advice you could give to someone who wants to start this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.


Cheers -

S H

try to find people in your area that can show you the ropes, it will be a lot cheaper than charters. try your local dive shop

Thats good advise. See if your LDS can set you up with some local spearheads. They probably have a gun you can use. Expect to go in on fuel etc and youll learn what to shoot and what not. After 1 trip you can go from there. A fish ID card and size regulations info is good to know.

Some instructors/shops teach spearfishing and some don't.

Here's a list with links to some of the most avid enthusiasts in the sport: The Blue Wild Spearfishing Seminar and Expo

Where are you?

Chad

Chad do you know of any freedive spearfishing clubs in the Boca Raton/Pompano/Ft Lauderdale area? thanks.

So just like we get asked for a AOW card for deep dives and a nitrox card for nitrox, we dont need a U/W hunter card to board a spear-fishing charter? I mean the C-card then doesnt really do anything for you then right?

Just get the equipment, find some buddies and dive on in!

SeaHound:

.... we dont need a U/W hunter card to board a spear-fishing charter?

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No you do not need a specialty card or course card to board a charter. But on most every boat you will need a fishing license along with any species 'endorsements' (ie lobster) before you are allowed to hunt. Some boats do carry a captain's license that would exempt you personally from holding a fishing license, but it is extremely rare on dive boats. I've never found one that does.

SeaHound:

....I mean the C-card then doesnt really do anything for you then right?

Click to expand...

Well you still need a C-card to get manifested on a scuba dive charter boat. But if you freedive without tanks, you technically don't even need a c-card. Although you would still possibly need a fishing license if the boat doesn't possess a captain's license. If the perfect boat is available that has both a captain's license and lets you freedive, then you don't need a c-card nor a fishing license, just jump in and shoot a proper fish.

But for 99% of all the scuba dive charter boats in Florida, you'll need the correct C-card (corresponding with planned depths, ie AOW,EAN,tech), a valid fishing license (with endorsements) and as always permission from the captain to bring a speargun on board. Some captains don't allow spearguns. :mooner:


I also suggest new hunters, take a class or shadow an experienced spearo to learn the sport. There is nothing as brutal like being yelled at when you bring a protected fish, short fish, or trash eating fish back on the boat. Learn before you splash what fish you can target.


This was last Thursday's dives off Jupiter. It's a great sport!

Go here and order a salt water fishing license and also a lobster one, there cheap, bring these and your gun to a dive boat, show the captain and ask if it is ok to spear on his/her boat.

FWC - Licenses & Permits

Broward Longfins and the Palm Beach Freedivers... I'm sure there are more.

Chad

Johnoly, you don't have a spearfishing card?

(Me either!)