Spearfishing

[TMHeimer]

And for what it's worth, spearfishing is the least destructive means of catching dinner. No bait used, no by-catch, no terminal tackle, no monofilament and long lines, no nets left behind, and many spearfishermen do not use anchors. It is the DIR of fishing.

I was gunna say that even though you didn't ask. Also to be considered is that spearing probably nets the smallest % of fish compared to commercial fishing, even rod & reel. Though I find it hard to believe, many divers claim that divers do make some impact on removing Lionfish. I think someone's trying to develop some other more effective method.

 

[BlueTrin]

I was gunna say that even though you didn't ask. Also to be considered is that spearing probably nets the smallest % of fish compared to commercial fishing, even rod & reel. Though I find it hard to believe, many divers claim that divers do make some impact on removing Lionfish. I think someone's trying to develop some other more effective method.

You could try to introduce their predator, although it could cause even more issues.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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[Storker]

How do you use a pole spear ? I thought with the water slowing you you wouldn’t be able to spear things effectively

You don't stab with a pole spear. You put the rubber sling around your wrist, stretch it thoroughly and grasp the spear firmly. When you let go just ever so slightly, the spear shoots forward a lot faster than you can stab.

The range of a pole spear is a lot less than that of a speargun; about half the length of the spear. I tend to see that as a feature, not as a bug. While I won't dive with someone carrying a speargun, I'm quite fine if my buddy carries a pole spear. Particularly since the pole spear isn't "loaded" before my buddy gets ready to spear something.

 

[Johnoly]

.... A speargun is pretty much useless for lionfish because they are rarely out in the open. ...

I'd 99% agree with you but for the reason it takes so long to remove and reload that you are wasting 50% of your dive time.
On the other hand, two weekends ago I had a pair or slobs line up perfectly for a ' 2-fer ' shot and used my freeshaft. It still took way too long to put them in the container, but it was fun to do. On a side note, I have a dive team member who catches them with his green lobster looper and he's really good at it.

 

[Johnoly]

...Sorry :: what is "LF gear"?......

Abbreviated for LF = Lionfish

Spearo's tend to shorten all fish names,,,ie Mangrove snappers = Go's,,,Amberjack = AJ's,,,,Hogfish snapper = Hogs,,,,Barracuda = Cuda,,,Lobster = Bugs,,,,Shark = Taxman

 

[Sam Miller III]

no interest = delete

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

How do you use a pole spear ? I thought with the water slowing you you wouldn’t be able to spear things effectively

This video shows a diver using a MAKO carbon fiber pole spear to take jacks weighing over 20 lbs. it should give you some idea how they work
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MNgSNLUdisg#

 

[IncreaseMyT]

I don't understand why anyone would have a problem with spearfishing, it is the cleanest form of fishing by far. I would suggest that those who have a problem with it get out of their basement more

 

[covediver]

I recently returned from Maui, Hawaii. A company takes visitors out spearfishing and targets invasive species which are competing with endemic species. We had a wonderful time learning spearfishing techniques while helping control a menace. I am not sure that spearfishing is all that destructive to sea life compared to other sport and commercial fishing activities.