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Spearfishing is an extreme discipline of fishing that involves mastery of freediving, tracking fish and handling a spear.
It all starts with basic freediving principles, beginning with a proper duck dive, relaxation and equalization. It takes much practice to master the art of freediving because it is incredibly physically demanding, while the key is to be as relaxed as possible in the water while tracking fish. It requires mastering the discipline of breath-holding.
Tracking fish requires knowing where they like to be and understanding their behavior in the water so you can be as stealthy as possible. Fish tend to be easily spooked. It is all about reading the subtle signs in the water so you know where you need to look and how to act.
For the spear, it all depends on what you truly feel is best suited to your hunting style, whether that is a speargun or polespear. I personally like the polespear because I enjoy the extra challenge, as well as the simplicity of the design and quicker reload.
While learning to handle your spear, it is also important to remain aware of your surroundings with a safety-conscious mind, especially if you are diving with others.
In the end, spearfishing is a culmination of all your water skills. It is incredibly rewarding and a great sustainable way to harvest the bounties of the sea.
Ryan Park, a Marblehead resident and practicing dentist, writes "Beneath the Blue," an occasional column in which he shares the experiences, challenges and discoveries of freediving in photos and words.
