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Spearfishing: Ready, dive, fire!

By CHAD CARNEY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 29, 2001

In north Florida divers are into caves, and on the southeast coast it's wrecks. The lower Keys are lobster diving central, but Florida spearfishing might be best in the west.

Spearfishing is a challenging sport practiced by a small but growing number of scuba and free divers. Nowhere in the country is the sport more popular than around Tampa Bay. It's hard to miss the abundant spear guns and accessories in local dive shops and all the new divers with the inclination to try it.

The Florida Middle Grounds, a large underwater reef area about 75 miles to Tampa Bay's northwest, is the prime location for spearing. Many wrecks, ledges, springs and potholes spread offshore in a 100-mile radius. (See www.sptimes.com and check the archive for previous Down Under articles on ledges and wrecks locations.)

Tampa Bay has many spearfishing clubs sponsored by the West Coast Council of the Florida Skin Divers Association that run tournaments for scuba divers and free divers. The upcoming St. Pete Open, in its 36th year, has become the world's largest spearfishing tournament. It will be held Aug. 17-19 in Tierra Verde. Contact Chris Gardinal at (727) 864-1095 or at www.spearfishingspuc.org.

The recent state and national free diving and spearfishing competitions were held in Bayport and Tarpon Springs. Both tournaments had record numbers of teams, many entering for the first time.

Last summer a west coast publication, Spearfishing Magazine, premiered at the 35th St. Pete Open. Publisher Mark Frisbie was a member of the second-place state free-diving team and finished third individually. Spearfishing Magazine is online at www.spearfishingmagazine.com or can be contacted at (863) 533-4114.

Pro tips

How do you get started or improve your spearfishing? Here's some advice:

David Shelton, FSDA tournament director and member of the 2000 first-place state free-dive team: "Learn from experienced divers. Don't rush, it only spooks fish."

Gary Zumwalt, national team and individual free-dive champion: "Do not be humiliated or intimidated by others, enjoy it and don't forget to lead your fish."

Armando Suarez, third-place state free-dive team: "Join a club to get in with experienced divers with boats."

Jim Zumwalt, anchor of the state free-dive team with the most wins, specific to free diving: "Practice fin swimming while breath holding. Hold your breath after reaching the surface, it will give you confidence to dive longer. Never practice alone, due to black-out possibilities."

Mark Frisbie, second-place state free-dive team and third-place individual: "Get a mentor and dive often."

Common bloopers

Using short and underpowered spear guns: Water's density slows short spears quickly.

Descending before loading the gun: The best shot often presents itself during the initial descent.

Swimming near the bottom: Get as high as visibility allows. This relieves the pressure on fish. Gravity also helps for a faster shot.

Chasing fish and rapid breathing: These spook fish. Slow down and relax.

Incorrect fish identification: Get a guide book and learn shapes and skin appearance.

Undersized fish: Get the size regulations and mark them on your gun. Don't shoot marginal fish.

Shooting from too far away: Learn the flight distance of various fish.

Not target shooting: You need to fire the gun often and from various angles and distances to obtain the necessary hand-eye coordination.

Pulling on or lifting a speared fish: The spear will often tear out. Swim to the speared fish and keep it pinned down.

Spear removal before stringing the fish: This almost always results in a lost fish. String it first.

Bagging a fish: This is rarely easy, creates tremendous drag and does not conceal the fish from predators.

No light: The diver can't pursue wounded fish that hide.

Too much gear: It clutters the diver and slows him down.

-- Capt. Chad Carney teaches scuba and spearfishing and charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 423-7775 or e-mail info@mobilescuba.com.

Want more?

For more about dive clubs, contact Florida State Dive Association president David Shelton at (727) 847-5479 or 5636 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey, FL 34652.

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