Spearfishing
Spearfishing

What is Spearfishing?

Spearfishing, also known as underwater hunting or harpooning, is a traditional method of catching fish. Although spearfishing is banned in Switzerland, it has a long tradition in many cultures, especially in the Mediterranean region of Europe. Popular destinations for spearfishing include Italy, France, and Croatia.

Pros and Cons of Spearfishing

Spearfishing is controversial. The seas are considered overfished, and like hunting, some people condemn the killing of animals for sport. On the other hand, fish is a valuable food source, and spearfishing is the most eco-friendly and sustainable method of catching fish. There is no unwanted bycatch, and ecosystems are not excessively strained, unlike commercial fishing with trawl nets. Because the prey is selected before the shot, no undersized animals are harmed.

How Difficult is Spearfishing?

Many people, especially SCUBA divers, underestimate the difficulty of spearfishing. While fish generally show little fear of divers and approach out of curiosity, marine creatures behave completely differently towards spearfishers. Fish are constantly surrounded by predators and have learned through evolution to distinguish between peaceful fish and predators. They can also sense whether a predator is approaching with hostile intent or behaving passively.

Spearfishing Equipment

Before embarking on your spearfishing adventure and hunting for a substantial sarago or bass, it is important to have the right equipment. You will need one or preferably two spearguns: a longer speargun about 100-120 cm in length for hunting in open areas, and a shorter speargun of 70-90 cm for shooting fish in caves and rock crevices. A knife is necessary to quickly and painlessly kill the fish after the shot, as the shot is rarely immediately fatal. A fish stringer is used to attach your catch to your weight belt. A flashlight helps to spot fish in dark caves.

You can also use an old, worn-out freediving open-cell wetsuit for spearfishing. However, hiding behind rocks and lying on the seabed puts a lot of strain on the material, and your old suit will soon have holes and tears. It is worth getting a special spearfishing suit in camouflage colors, with a chest pad and possibly a urine relief system (a neoprene tube for urinating during long spearfishing sessions).

The rest of the equipment

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Viper Pro DS SpeargunMares Viper Pro DS Speargun
      Viper Pro DS SpeargunMares Viper Pro DS Speargun
          With the Mares Viper Pro DS speargun, no fish will slip away: you can shoot safely and precisely even at greater distances.
          €220.00Price
          Mixed items
          Viper Pro DS SpeargunMares Viper Pro DS Speargun
              With the Mares Viper Pro DS speargun, no fish will slip away: you can shoot safely and precisely even at greater distances.
              Mixed items
              €220.00Price
                  Mares Pneumatic Gun FORCEMares Pneumatic Gun FORCE
                      Mares Pneumatic Gun FORCEMares Pneumatic Gun FORCE
                          Are you looking for the perfect pneumatic speargun? Your search is over; here is the Mares Pneumatic Gun FORCE!
                          €271.00Price
                          Mixed items
                          Mares Pneumatic Gun FORCEMares Pneumatic Gun FORCE
                              Are you looking for the perfect pneumatic speargun? Your search is over; here is the Mares Pneumatic Gun FORCE!
                              Mixed items
                              €271.00Price
                                  Acent Dry Guns Bag
                                      Acent Dry Guns Bag
                                          Mares Ascent Dry Guns Bag: Reliably protects up to 6 spearguns. Practical bag for secure transport and easy handling.
                                          €85.00Price
                                          No Product available
                                          Acent Dry Guns Bag
                                              Mares Ascent Dry Guns Bag: Reliably protects up to 6 spearguns. Practical bag for secure transport and easy handling.
                                              No Product available
                                              €85.00Price
                                              Mares Argo Titanium Knife
                                                  Mares Argo Titanium Knife
                                                      The Mares Argo Titanium knife is your companion in both freshwater and saltwater. Made of titanium, it will never rust and will stay as beautiful as when you first bought it.
                                                      €68.00Price
                                                      No Product available
                                                      Mares Argo Titanium Knife
                                                          The Mares Argo Titanium knife is your companion in both freshwater and saltwater. Made of titanium, it will never rust and will stay as beautiful as when you first bought it.
                                                          No Product available
                                                          €68.00Price
                                                              €58.00
                                                              Diving Torch
                                                                  €58.00Price
                                                                  Diving Torch
                                                                      Clear view underwater with this Diving Torch. Durable, powerful, and waterproof – perfect for your next adventure in the Big Blue.
                                                                      €58.00Price
                                                                      No Product available
                                                                      Diving Torch
                                                                          Clear view underwater with this Diving Torch. Durable, powerful, and waterproof – perfect for your next adventure in the Big Blue.
                                                                          No Product available
                                                                          €58.00Price
                                                                              O-Ring Bar KeeperMares O-Ring Barb Keeper
                                                                                  O-Ring Bar KeeperMares O-Ring Barb Keeper
                                                                                      Secure the barb of your spears with the Mares O-ring Barb Keeper to prevent unwanted deployment before the shot.
                                                                                      €12.00Price
                                                                                      No Product available
                                                                                      O-Ring Bar KeeperMares O-Ring Barb Keeper
                                                                                          Secure the barb of your spears with the Mares O-ring Barb Keeper to prevent unwanted deployment before the shot.
                                                                                          No Product available
                                                                                          €12.00Price
                                                                                              Sleeves Plier
                                                                                                  €37.00Price
                                                                                                  Sleeves Plier
                                                                                                      The Mares sleeve pliers are an essential tool for every underwater hunter: they allow you to quickly get your speargun back in action!
                                                                                                      €37.00Price
                                                                                                      No Product available
                                                                                                      Sleeves Plier
                                                                                                          The Mares sleeve pliers are an essential tool for every underwater hunter: they allow you to quickly get your speargun back in action!
                                                                                                          No Product available
                                                                                                          €37.00Price
                                                                                                          Mares Mono Line Black 1.5mm fishing line
                                                                                                              Mares Mono Line Black 1.5mm fishing line for secure connection of the shaft to the speargun: no fish will escape you.
                                                                                                              €16.00Price
                                                                                                              No Product available
                                                                                                              Mares Mono Line Black 1.5mm fishing line
                                                                                                                  Mares Mono Line Black 1.5mm fishing line for secure connection of the shaft to the speargun: no fish will escape you.
                                                                                                                  No Product available
                                                                                                                  €16.00Price