bluewater hunting and freediving
surface and the male undulating below, as they, too, speed by.
Within three minutes“ the happening” is over. The animals are traveling at a speed of six knots. It is quiet again. Only fish scales remain; a mute testament to the passing of this ancient ritual. The flurry of iridescent blue and purple sequins shimmer and dance in the reflected sunlight as they slowly make their way to the ocean floor a third of a mile below.
GENERAL BLUEWATER SPEARFISHING TECHNIQUES
Some say successful bluewater hunters, with their trophy fish, are lucky. I define“ luck” as the meeting of opportunity and preparedness. Create your opportunity by carefully studying fish and their habits. Prepare yourself and your gear for that one chance at a big fish.
Freediving clubs are an excellent source of knowledge and companionship. Find a buddy and grow together. Discuss your observations. This will accelerate your learning. As you become more educated about the sport, you’ ll worry less about the risks of drowning and shark attack. Your fears of the unknown will be replaced with a wary confidence that you have the skills to manage these problems.
Our chapter contributor Cameron Kirkconnell says.
Every dive trip requires a certain degree of preparation, and the most successful of them are usually a result of years of planning and research to put you in the right place at the right time. There was a time when dive clubs and tournaments were the only few chances we were given to share our thoughts and successes with peers and to learn new techniques for hunting in different areas. With the advent of Internet forums and multiple spearfishing magazines, information on bluewater hunting has never been more accessible.
Sharing his own knowledge, Cameron adds, Check your position in the current or with the shoreline, and make sure that you stay over the hot spot. Constantly scan even while you are breathing up on the surface, and be aware of the area 360 degrees around you. In my experience, especially in bluewater, 75 % of fish are spotted from the surface; so anytime you are in the water, you are in hunting mode.
Mentally prepare. Expect 99 percent of your diving time to be spent waiting, but tell yourself on every dive that this time“ the big one” will appear. Do not allow your mind to wander.
Do not think about your work or how cold you are. Instead, focus on the important questions:
Am I quiet? Am I at the right depth? Is my gun in position and ready to go? Is my float line clear? From which direction do I expect the fish to approach?
This is a time for profound physical relaxation. Every part of your body should be relaxed, including your gun grip. A little anticipation, however, goes a long way in sharpening your scan. If you have just sighted a large school of fish, you will be alert. Hours later, as your enthusiasm wanes, imagine a record fish lurking just outside the limits of your visibility. The belief that,“ I am going to see a big fish this dive,” produces fish. Every dive must contain this affirmation.
Let us review a typical dive. It starts as you surface from your last dive. Your snorkel is already clear of water. As you prepare for your next dive remember that excessive hyperventilation is dangerous. Hyperventilation is rapid and / or deep breathing practiced long enough to cause light-headedness and dizziness. Avoid hyperventilation. Hyperventilation will be explored in the chapter on shallow-water blackout.
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