Safe Spearing
WTW faces up to
the pointy end of
the popular sport of
spear fishing.
From Kingswell Bridge our favoured
route isEverybody knows fishing
but spearfishing is on the rise and has been
the fastest growing aquatic sport of the last
few years.
Despite its popularity, most people who
Words | Craig Shephard
Environmental Scientist
themselves) are a fairly secretive bunch. Like
location of their best fishing spot or, more to the
point, give away the secret to their successful
duty to lift the lid
on the sport and share a few tips that should
turn anyone with basic snorkelling skills into a
budding spearo.
Spearfishing means
stalking your prey
Pic | Walsh
24 WHAT TRADIES WANT.
WHAT TRADIES WANT. 25
Good aim is essential
when chasing big fish like
this dog toothed tuna
Pic | Torelli
DANGERS
As with all adventure sports there are some
dangers. Sharks are the first thing most people
ask about when considering spearfishing but
in reality sharks are rarely seen and only a
few species represent any danger. Boats are
a much greater threat, so ensure you have a
highly visible float and flag and always be aware
of boating traffic.
Passing out because you have been holding
your breath too long is also a possibility. Never
hyperventilate before a dive as it confuses your
system and increases the chance of blackout,
and never hold your breath longer than you are
comfortable. Furthermore, make sure you never
dive alone. Always spear with a dive buddy. The
rule is “one up one down” so your buddy has an
eye on you in case you do pass out.
Your first lesson in spearing begins with
start kicking forward on the surface and then
26 WHAT TRADIES WANT.
NEVER HYPERVENTILATE
BEFORE A DIVE
AS IT CONFUSES YOUR
SYSTEM AND INCREASES
THE CHANCE OF
BLACKOUT
bend at the hips, pointing your head towards
the floor of the ocean. At the same time, lift both
your legs up into the air. This will force your body
you sink below the water, gently start kicking and
continue to descend. Make sure you equalise
as you do this – pinch your nostrils closed and
gently blow through your nose to equalise the
flying). Some people need to start equalising
on the surface before they begin to descend.
Sharks are
attracted to injured
fish but they
generally leave
spearos alone
Pic | Torelli
EQUALISE
WARNING:
Rob Torelli is eating
well tonight
are at this level of spearing
Pic | Torelli
WHERE TO SPEAR
Once you are comfortable diving, you need
to check with your local Fisheries and Marine
Parks Office to determine whether spearfishing
is permitted and whether you need a license in
your intended fishing location.
As a general rule, spearfishing is best where
there is rock or reef, since these formations
provide habitat for fish. Even if you are chasing
pelagic species like king fish they hunt bait
fish which generally congregate around rocky
reefs and headlands. Bays and protected
headlands are perfect places to start as they
are not heavily affected by swell and currents.
thins out as you move into deeper water where
the calmest side of the headland.
You need to make sure you can get in and
out safely. Discuss this with your buddy and sit
and watch your entry point for 10 to 15 minutes
possible, whenever diving a new location, do so
with someone who knows the area as conditions
may change during a dive.
As you swim from the shore to deeper water
you will begin to recognise different types of
structures or habitats. Usually when you first
enter the water the reef is covered in some form
of kelp or weed. Seaweed requires sunlight and
are sponge gardens and then sand.
Depending where you dive, as a beginner
your common target species will include red
morwong, luderick, bream and leather jacket.
All of these species can be found in the shallows
but also out in the depths. When you first start
spearing, just look and learn. Take note of
where you first see different species as they
will probably be there again next time. You will
also quickly learn that different species act very
differently, so you will learn hunting techniques
specific to those species.
AS A GENERAL RULE, SPEARFISHING IS BEST
WHERE THERE IS ROCK OR REEF,
SINCE THESE FORMATIONS PROVIDE HABITAT FOR FISH
Luderick, for example, will often be the first
species a new spearo will encounter. Luderick
usually congregate in large schools – often in the
hundreds – but they spook very easily. The best
way to target this species is to calmly breath on
duck dive to the bottom. Lay as still as possible;
often luderick will come to have a look at you. By
sitting still on the bottom you use less oxygen and
you will learn to hold your breath longer. As the fish
come to you, quietly aim towards them and fire.
As a general rule, if you rush or make sudden
movements – no matter what species – fish will spook.
Alternatively, start looking in ledges, cracks
and caves. Rocky reef offers the best spearing
opportunities because, in addition to food, it
provides a home for fish, which spend large
amounts of time just sitting under ledges or in
caves. Quietly dive down with your gun ready
and look into caves. Be careful to correctly
identify your target species before you take
the shot. Caves and ledges are also great
hiding spots for lobster, abalone and other
treats including octopus and sea urchin. Make
sure you are aware of the rules and limits that
apply to these other species should you choose
to catch them.
Sandy areas also offer opportunities to chase
fish, particularly species such as flathead,
flounder, whiting and even tailor. However,
beginner spearos will almost always do better
along a rocky shore.
Pic | Walsh
28 WHAT TRADIES WANT.
Michael de Rooy
with black Marlin
Barry Paxman hand
feeds a Kingfish
Pic | Walsh
WHAT TRADIES WANT. 29
Spanish Mackeral are
fantastic eating
Pic | Walsh
NEVER LOAD YOUR SPEARGUN OUT OF THE WATER AND
NEVER POINT YOUR GUN TOWARDS ANYONE WHEN YOU
LOAD IT OR WHEN IT IS LOADED
Once you start catching a few fish you are
likely to quickly get caught up in this exciting form
producing a strong desire to improve and catch
that next bigger fish.
BREATHE EASY
breath longer?” The best advice is to practise
Pic | Rayner
LOADING YOUR SPEARGUN
Never load your speargun out of the water and
never point your gun towards anyone when
you load it or when it is loaded. There are two
methods to speargun loading, depending on the
handle of the gun. Older Aussie brands have a
butt that extends back past the grip. You can
place this on your hip and pull the rubber down
until it locks. However, most modern guns –
no butt at all. Euros need to be loaded against
your chest.
30 WHAT TRADIES WANT.
comfortable with, or hyperventilate. And never
practise holding your breath underwater without
someone directly watching you – excellent divers
have died from pushing too hard and passing
out in shallow water. The amount of time you are
able to hold your breath will grow as a by-product
of swimming and freediving in the shallows.
You can also do an accredited freediving
course such as those run by Obsession Dive in
Sydney, which will teach you great techniques
for how to dive deep and hold your breath.
When spearfishing, you are stalking your prey
on a single breath and you will quickly learn to
lower your heart rate, recognise good hunting
habitats and predict what a fish is likely to do.
Next time the weather and ocean is calm,
grab your gear and your sense of adventure
and get out there. You will learn to be at one
with the ocean and to find an inner peace and
respect for our planet you never knew you
had. By all means, take fish for dinner for your
family, but only take what you need. And never,
ever dive alone. Until next time, stay safe and
enjoy the new exhilaration you will receive from
spearfishing.
WHAT YOU NEED
mask
snorkel
wetsuit
on water temp – 3mm for Sydney)
fins
weight belt and weights
gloves
dive knife
speargun