Spear Fishing

[webcraft]

Is it easy?

Is it legal in many places (eg Caribbean?)

Reason I ask is that it seems like a good grab bag thing if nothing else . . . seems to have been what kept Steven Callaghan alive in his liferaft for 76 days, although he did get a bit mystical towards the end and reckoned the dorado were sacrificing themselves to keep him alive.

I suppose that Sod's law says you will shoot the liferaft or literally shoot yourself in the foot . . .

- Nick

 

[StephenRobinson]

yes it is but a bit nippy in the uk.
A very selective way to get dinner on the table. you can choose your fish. I go for Bass usually found in string weed in bays or deeper off headlands.
have a look at spearo.co.uk for advice
happy hunting

 

[pelicanpete]

I don't know about the Caribbean as a whole but here, in The Bahamas, only Hawaiian Slings are legal for spearing your dinner. And these can only be used while free-diving. These are spears propelled only by strong elastic or rubber tubing attached to a hollow wooden handle. I suppose it's the underwater equivalent to a catapult. Cartridge propelled spears will find you spending time in clink if you get caught! I suspect it's similar throughout the Caribbean as all these countries want to preserve their valuable fish stocks.

 

[spindrift_uk]

The Hawaiian slings are the only way to go.
I've tried spear guns but are a waste of time, as you cant get leverage to pull back the elastic if you are in the open water ie- no reefs or large rocks to stand on.

 

[michael_w]

Using a spear gun in most of the Lesser Antillies is illegal for visitors. The only exceptions I can think of are the French Islands. Probably the reason why the snorkling/diving is crap there. The Cousteau Park on Guadaloupe excepted.

 

[Kilter]

It's easy but you have to check from island to island as to wether it's allowed. Some islands are surrounded by marine reserves, e.g. Saba

 

[claymore]

Why don't we tie up tae a fush farm oan ra Chentleman's cruise an ye can gie it a whirl.

 

[suse]

My 14 year old nephew speared 2 lobsters in one go with one of these slings - we were all most impressed and they tasted delicious. We did wonder whether they were on the job at the time, as they were one on top of another. Dont think that would affect the taste either way - I hope!