Spearfishing: how to start

Spearfishing: how to start

La Spearfishing is a sport that takes place in apnea. A sport that, over the years, has involved more and more enthusiasts. In fact, it allows you to experience unique emotions, in contact with Nature, and represents an extraordinary challenge with yourself and with possible prey.

Before starting to practice underwater fishing it is essential to get to know this activity, evaluating many aspects connected to it, from breathing techniques for freediving tobetter equipment, up to the importance of posture and current regulations.

Spearfishing, the essential equipment

In addition to the mask and snorkel, it must be chosen with great care the wetsuit. In fact, underwater fishing can also be practiced without it, but it all depends on the temperature of the water. Attention should be paid above all to the materials. There are many on the market, the aspect that should be favored the most, however, is the elasticity of the material. It will be the latter in fact to allow the dilation of the lungs in the respiratory act.

It will also have to be the right size: never too narrow so as not to hinder circulation and not too wide so as not to hinder ascent and descent. It is, as always, a very subjective choice in which it is necessary to focus on comfort.

Another key element is the shotgun. Focusing on a quality product customized according to your needs is always a winning decision. To start approaching this sport it is advisable to start gradually, first of all learning to move in the water and to know your limits. Later you can try to shoot, becoming familiar with underwater fishing.

How to get started

The best way to start experimenting is to immediately join an expert. Freediving instructors are usually excellent fishermen with long shoulders years of experience. In addition to theoretical training, they are also able to provide the useful tools to start practicing this sport. So we always start from freediving.

In addition to a good mentor it is essential to take into consideration other factors. First of all, the specific regulations of the place where you want to practice underwater fishing. The harbor master's office of the specific territory will be able to provide all the useful information and specific regulations. Safety is also very important. The regulations are many and vary continuously, for this reason it is advisable to inquire according to the periods and areas.

Experience is the best way to approach spearfishing. Starting rather gradually is important in order to improve the apnea times, but also to perform the movements in the best possible way in order to take advantage of the oxygen autonomy. However, everything starts from a deep awareness of one's limits and from the search for an inner balance.

The legislation

It should be remembered that the Spearfishing to all intents and purposes it is considered a sport. The discipline is regulated by a decree which has been amended several times. In Italy this practice is open to anyone and follows a regulation that is not only legislative, but also moral and ethical. In 2010, the Ministry of Agricultural Policies (Mipaaf) has disclosed a decree that requires those who want to practice spearfishing to register with the census of sport fishermen. Registration is linked to the release of the receipt which must always be kept available while practicing this sport.

The rules vary from country to country, which is why, as already mentioned, it is always important to inquire locally. In Italy, for example, the speargun should only be loaded in the water, while it is essential to keep away from bathers (500 metres) and fishing boats (100 metres). Finally, each fisherman has a limit of 5 kg of fish caught. Anyone who doesn't respect the rules risks facing heavy penalties, which is why information remains a key aspect.