Lionfish without a speargun or pole spear?

[HalcyonDaze]

I saw some monsters over there! They are shooting themselves in the foot by banning harvest on SCUBA, but whatever.

Yikes, that's what my fishing friends would call a "toad."

To echo what others have said, best to check up on the local regulations to see if it's just spearfishing or all harvest that's frowned upon.

To answer the original question regarding catching them without a spear - I wouldn't call it "safe," but in extremis I've chalked up a few exceptionally slow and/or stupid ones with the "Rambo" method:

 

[SubseaSports]

OP, that's a monster.

Laws/regs aside...

1) Slurp gun. There is a version with 3.5" diameter opening. You could diy a larger one for little funds.

2) Glock. More funner.

 

[Still Kicking]

Have you contacted the authorities and asked if invasive species are exempted from fishing/spearfishing regulations? This is the case in some other jurisdictions.

 

[Jai Bar]

Lionfish sting can hurt quite a bit, and the fish is not as stupid nor lazy as it seems: they can be quick, they can swim long distances and will definitely defend themselves. Catching them by hand is a bad idea.

 

[MB NZ]

Have you contacted the authorities and asked if invasive species are exempted from fishing/spearfishing regulations? This is the case in some other jurisdictions.

Yes, I went down this route 2 years ago and no go.