Contents
The concept of spearfishing came to us from abroad; for Westerners, this concept is invested in the ability to shoot prey in the water column, mainly at sea or in the ocean. Our lovers of this activity have adapted all this to the conditions of fresh waters.
What is underwater hunting
For many, fishing is a favorite hobby, sitting on the shore with a fishing rod is the best leisure time. Someone is a supporter of hunting, special equipment and a hunting license help to connect with nature. Now a new concept has appeared, hunting under water is already a common thing for many, but a novelty for most.
Hunting under water is called an occupation to which a person goes with a weapon and in special equipment. Without this, the hunt will not be successful, the effectiveness depends on many skills and abilities.
In order for everything to go well, hunters first take preparatory courses or learn from more advanced craftsmen. In addition, it is necessary to study the rules, collect equipment, find out all the subtleties of personal safety when under water.
Spearfishing rules
It should be understood that you can’t just buy the necessary equipment and go to the first body of water with a gun. This sport belongs to a conditionally licensed type of activity. To avoid fines and confiscation of equipment, you must:
- be a member of a sport fishing club;
- have permits for hunting;
- to take on hunting a document confirming belonging to the club;
- buy a ticket every year.
Moreover, even if all the documents are in order, you can not do your favorite leisure time everywhere. There are certain rules for conducting:
- You can not hunt in protected natural areas, reserves, territories adjacent to them.
- Hunting is unacceptable for fish, which are classified as protected species.
- Fishing is prohibited near dams, locks, on fairways.
- It is forbidden to hunt during spawning.
- Hunting in recreation areas is prohibited.
- Hunting is prohibited in places where the right to commercial production belongs to legal entities.
For violation of these rules, a fine and confiscation of weapons, as well as cancellation of the license and membership card are provided.
Security
Before diving, you should study the safety rules; these unspoken laws have saved many lives. To avoid injury and be confident in your actions, you must:
- Work with a partner or in groups.
- Do not stay in the water for a long time holding your breath.
- The rest time after diving should be twice as long as being underwater.
- Before shooting, you need to make sure that the target is clearly visible, do not shoot at blurry silhouettes.
- Bring the gun to its original position and the shot itself is carried out only in the water.
- It is unacceptable to aim at a person on land or in water.
- Weapons should be kept out of the reach of children.
- Exemption from the weight belt is carried out only after making sure that there are no barriers to ascent.
Immediately after the shot, you should not rush to the trophy, wait a bit, let the fish calm down.
Equipment
Equipping a hunter is not as easy as it seems at first glance. There are two options for equipment, the first is mandatory, without which it is forbidden to engage in this fishery. The second option is suitable for those who have been hunting for more than a day and know what they miss while doing their favorite hobby.
We will not touch the second option, but we will describe the first one in detail. It is on the basis of the first that various additions are added that will help the hunt to be more productive.
Mask
This item is extremely necessary, without it it is impossible to examine the prey and correctly determine the distance to it. Now there are a large number of masks for swimming in stores, but not all are suitable for hunting, and everyone chooses for themselves. Choose as follows: the model you like is firmly attached to the face and slightly pressed. If the mask does not fall after a slight rocking, then it fits perfectly.
Snorkel
This item is necessary so that the hunter does not rise every time. With a snorkel, he can safely be under water and closely monitor life in the water column. The main requirement is comfort, the mouthpiece should fit snugly against the gums, but not rub them. Everyone chooses the length and shape independently, depending on individual needs, taking into account the place of hunting.
Wetsuit
Naked wetsuits are used, their feature is that they adhere tightly to the body. This characteristic will not allow water to get under this piece of equipment, and will also help to better retain heat in the body.
Wetsuits come in different thicknesses, the denser it is, the lower temperatures it can withstand. When choosing it, you should pay attention to the fact that the thing should not sag, and it is also not desirable to strongly tighten the body.
Belt with weights
Hunting under water in a suit is impossible without a belt with weights. This product is made from rubber and nylon. You should first calculate how much cargo you need. For the average person, this indicator will also depend on the thickness of the material of the product. For a material of 5 mm, 8 kg is sufficient, for 7 mm, 12 kg is required, and for 9 mm, 16 kg of lead is suitable.
Flippers
This item of equipment is a shoe, you should take this into account when choosing. Fins should not squeeze the foot, otherwise the dive will turn into torture. You can choose both a fully closed version and an open heel, here you should already rely on personal preferences.
Weapon
In order for the equipment to become complete, special attention should be paid to weapons for hunting. There are several types of it:
- Shotguns are considered the most common. They are selected individually according to the conditions of the hunt and personal preferences. You should not buy advertised by a friend, you must choose yourself, after holding it in your hands.
- Crossbows are used by more experienced hunters, most often home-made options or expensive products from abroad are used.
- Harpoons are also used by our hunters, but for this you need to already have certain skills and dexterity. It will be difficult for a beginner to cope with this type of weapon.
Lantern
In muddy waters and during night hunting, additional lighting is needed, for this everyone should have a flashlight.
Everyone chooses the power on their own, but too bright ones will not work, they will simply scare away the fish.
Нож
Everyone is recommended to have a knife, although it is not included in the official underwater hunter’s kit. Nets, algae will not give in to hands, but with the help of a knife, everyone can easily deal with such obstacles. The main conditions for choosing are the small size and sharpness of the blade.
Gloves
This wardrobe item is extremely important for a hunter-submariner. It is made of neoprene of different thickness, used to prevent water from flowing under the suit.
Gloves are three-fingered and five-fingered, and both will not hinder movements, it is quite convenient to use weapons in them.
Further, the hunter independently adds other items of equipment, choosing for himself convenient and necessary for a successful outcome of the hunt.
Spearfishing for beginners
It should be understood that simply by buying equipment and studying the rules of hunting, success cannot be achieved. Spearfishing will require the acquisition and application of certain skills, techniques and tactical principles that are not taught immediately.
Beginners of this business should know and understand some secrets:
- The hunter must himself be like a fish. In the aquatic environment, everything is very phlegmatic, any sudden movement is regarded as a danger. That is why the hunter himself must simply merge with this environment. To move, you can’t swing your arms or a gun, it’s enough to make light movements with flippers, while they should be barely noticeable. Going down from the boat, you can not make a lot of noise, everything should go as calmly as possible.
- The ability to wait is also the most important component, because the fish swimming past the driftwood does not pay any attention to it. So the hunter should become the same snag and not give himself away either by sound or movement.
- Keeping calm is also very important in many cases. Do not forget that we are 80% water and when hunting we are in the same environment. Seeing a potential trophy, you must be able to control yourself, a strong heartbeat will instantly give you away, and it will immediately disappear.
- Hearing training in the water is also important, experienced hunters hear approaching fish long before they appear in the field of view.
These simple and accessible skills will help beginners quickly adapt to a new occupation and very soon they will be hunting on a par with experienced ones.