The desire to go spearfishing is heating up just like the offshore water. This is usually the time of year when divers who have gotten comfortable with their skills decide to take up the sport. Some learn from their buddies.
There's a lot to learn. Safety is first and foremost. Other important topics are equipment types and their designed uses, fish identification, shot placement, fish behavior and harvest techniques, spearfishing laws and tips on being an ethical sportsman. If your buddy is teaching you, make sure he's addressing all these topics. If you need help, a few scuba shops and independent instructors in every area give regularly scheduled underwater hunter classes. Try to find an instructor who will take you on a spearfishing trip after you complete your training.
For a spearfisherman, there is nothing more satisfying than teaching someone to stalk, find and harvest his quarry. Last weekend I had one of those great days teaching a spearfisherman from St. Petersburg's Admiral Farragut Academy how to be an underwater hunter. Alex Weghorn shot a couple sheepshead, a snapper, two hogfish and a grouper. Most importantly, he had fun and fresh fish for dinner, and he learned to spearfish safely.
- Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and freediving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg. Call (727) 344-3483.
