Are you looking to go spearfishing while you’re going on your next vacation? The world is filled with amazing places to spearfish.
Read on to hear our list of the top places to visit to discover the magic of spearfishing.
THE FLORIDA KEYS
Each year, the grouper season commences on the first day of May. It draws spearfishing enthusiasts from all around the globe. It is also the best time to catch mahi-mahi, aka dolphinfish, so the oceans are full of life. The Keys are a great place for divers of all levels, with plenty of shallower waters to explore more advanced areas to test your skill. Whether you want to use your freediving gear, scuba, or snorkel There’s something to suit all in this area of Florida Keys. There’s nothing quite like an apple or key lime pie in celebration of the best catch. Florida does have some rules concerning what you can and can’t catch Make sure you learn about them before you head out.
BALI, INDONESIA
Bali is the most popular holiday destination in Indonesia. With its ancient temples surrounded by clear, emerald-colored waters you’ll be hard-pressed to find a spot on earth like it. A dogtooth tuna is an enormous attraction, as is dolphinfish, sailfish Spanish mackerel, as well as the huge Trevally. Dogtooth tuna is in the range of 250+ pounds, while giant trevally has been known for reaching 175. Therefore, a trip to Bali will mean you’ll be swimming with some monster fish in awe-inspiring and stunning surroundings. And while you’re down in the depths, you can observe other marine species, including hawksbill turtles, giant moray eels, hammerhead sharks, and giant manta rays.
JAPAN
A lot of the same species of giant fish found in the waters of Bali can be found in Japan. In addition, you’ll see Bonito, Japanese yellowtail, amberjacks, snapper, mackerel, and a wide assortment of other sea creatures. Japanese citizens are experts on fish and have a knowledge of sushi dating back many centuries. Even though it’s a small country, Japan makes up 15% of the world’s total catch of fish. The coasts of Okinawa along with Zamami Island are both prime spots for fishing. Spearfishing and freediving have a rich history in Japan. In fact, there’s a long-standing tradition of women divers, called Ama. Women have been diving for abalone, lobsters, and sea urchins since the beginning of the 1700s. Despite the threats to the environment due to overfishing, Ama is not stopping in the present.
HAWAII
Another area that has deep traditional and historical ties to spearfishing is the islands of Hawaii. If you’ve thought of the Hawaiian design slings spear also known as pole spear you’re probably aware of how ardent spearos in Hawaii are. Historically, Lawai’a were the most revered spearfishers in the community, and they passed on their expertise to the Next Generation of lawai’a. However, spearfishing is alive and well today. There are no shortage of ono, mahi-mahi, billfish, ahi and barracuda swam in the Hawaiian seas. This is why the restaurants in Hawaii serve the best seafood available. While scuba spearfishing isn’t permitted in the western islands of Hawaii there are numerous great spots to discover. There are eight islands that form Hawaii and there are plenty to choose from.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
The Pacific Halibut that inhabit all along the coastline of California is a spearfisher’s paradise. The largest flatfish in the world, they have the potential to become your own personal Moby Dick. A spearfisher caught the Pacific Halibut which weighed 482 pounds. (And it wasn’t mistaken – it’s 482 pounds. This is two Brett Favres, plus some.) It is possible to find the monsters along the entire coast, however, if you have to pick just one, San Diego is known for its fishing aficionados. With such a high payout, it is possible to put in a little more effort, however. Pacific Halibut are known for being able to mount a tough fight when they’re caught, so you might want to take a companion along on this particular excursion. There’s also a plethora of other fish in the Golden State, including halibut white and striped sea bass, red snapper sheephead yellowtail, barracuda, and Bonita.