Tell me about spearfishing

[2rocky]

Since I am going to have to spend 5 days in Florida for work Sept 8-13 near Plantation.
I'm considering arriving the weekend before and booking a spearfishing outing. I've never done it before, but I'm a strong swimmer.

is September a good time to go?
What is the learning curve?
Is one day enough?
What can I do to prepare?
Is it worth the cost?

 

[Robert N]

Spear phishing is a type of cybercrime, specifically a more targeted form of phishing. Instead of sending out generic phishing emails to a large number of people, spear phishing attacks focus on a specific individual or organization.Cybercriminals research their targets to make the phishing emails appear legitimate and increase the likelihood of success.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

Where are you going to be?

 

[NDcoyote]

Do it. Start snorkeling in a nearby lake if you can to practice equalizing (clear your ears) and work on breath hold . Shooting the fish is pretty easy, being able to stay under long enough to shoot them is the challenge.

 

[BearFoot]

Lived in Miami Beach 11 years. In those years, I snorkeled with a double banded speargun. Carried a pillow case to haul my catch. Punched holes in a lot of fish, lobsters. Some sharks and rays, and a few that busted 90 pound test line.

 

[2rocky]

Where are you going to be?

Near Plantation...

 

[oxn939]

Near Plantation...

It's a great sport, but not a good place to push your limits as a beginner. Since it's blown up online over the last few years, there have been a lot of accidents and fatalities- a quick Google search will show some of the higher profile ones. If you are able to take a freediving course, that's a good start. I would absolutely never consider diving without a buddy.

That being said, September is a great time of year in Florida if you can figure a way to do it safely. The list of places where you'd see anything worthwhile from shore is probably not very long, but even access to a stable fishing kayak would help that part of the equation a lot.

 

[TrapperJ]

Just sharpen stick to a point find fish and throw stick and you have successfully spear fished

 

[jeff_gibbons]

I had an experienced free diver mentor me in the sport and it’s a great time. Oxn939 is spot on. It’s a sport you walk into at a measured pace. My coach started me with a Hawaiian sling at water depths maxed around 30’. You’ll want to spend as much time under as possible and that can be dangerous if you push it w/o knowing your body and limits. Never go w/o a buddy watching your back. Take turns.

Shooting fish is the easy part and a kick.

 

[Goatshoes]

I highly recommend you stay clear of it. It'll ruin you.

I have never spearfished Florida, but my impression is that it is mostly done on tanks, and I don't know what the regs are there regarding SCUBA so it might be worth finding out. I hope you have great fun.

 

[Joe Bishop]

Do it. Start snorkeling in a nearby lake if you can to practice equalizing (clear your ears) and work on breath hold . Shooting the fish is pretty easy, being able to stay under long enough to shoot them is the challenge.

ND is right on with that advise, good time to start practicing. Did a lot of free diving on the north Calif coast, spearing and abalone.

 

[LuketheDog]

I highly recommend you stay clear of it. It'll ruin you.

I have never spearfished Florida, but my impression is that it is mostly done on tanks, and I don't know what the regs are there regarding SCUBA so it might be worth finding out. I hope you have great fun.

View attachment 377859

Nice fish! A big WSB and yellowtail on the same day is extra cool!

 

[Goatshoes]

Thanks. It was a great trip. San Clemente Island is a special place.

 

[oxn939]

I have never spearfished Florida, but my impression is that it is mostly done on tanks, and I don't know what the regs are there regarding SCUBA so it might be worth finding out.

Plenty of good coolers filled via freediving. Just gotta know the when and where and, to beat a dead horse, do it safely.

Also, that picture was taken in like 2012 and there are a LOT more sharks now than there were then. Some time spent watching youtube videos on their body language would be a good investment.

 

[squirrel]

Once you get the hang of it it doesnt have to be salty... go poke a whisker fish

 

[R.K.]

Once you get the hang of it it doesnt have to be salty... go poke a whisker fishView attachment 378171

That makes me think Arkansas.