All nuances aside, there are actually two distinct types of spearfishing. First, there is the spearfishing in Hawaii. Then there is spearfishing everywhere. Don’t confuse one for the other – do it and you might find yourself off the coast of Hawaii exhausted, cut off and frustrated with the fish.
The waters around Hawaii are so difficult to navigate because the surf is significantly stronger than in many other parts of the world. It’s very easy to get caught in the surf and find yourself thrown onto some rough rocks, as you may have seen happen to Steven Rinella in MeatEater Season 10 Part 2. I’m also convinced that the fish here are smarter than anywhere else. , but could be partial. Here are some pieces of gear I use that help me get the upper hand under the waves.
Reefs Euro 110 speargun
Riffe is a pioneering name in the world of spearfishing. Jay Riffe started making his own spearguns at a young age, over 40 years ago, eventually setting several world records with them. The Euro 110 is a super versatile gun that works for any spear fisherman, beginner or professional. The long stock is made from teak so it’s super lightweight, and the expert construction will stand up to anything it can throw its way through.
All Riffe underwater spearguns also come with pre-threaded holes to attach a Riffe horizontal spool. This versatility allows you to switch between a reel rig and a floating line rig, so you can go from shallow reefs and medium sized fish to deep blue waters and the monsters that call it home. This pistol is possibly the most crucial part of my kit.
Women’s Riffe Digi-tek 3.5mm 2 Piece Wetsuit
It’s a fairly recent phenomenon for a dive company to make a women’s specific wetsuit. For a long time, female divers were forced to slip into men’s wetsuits, and many still do. But men’s styles can be too tight in some places and too loose in others. Any annoyance is annoying at best and a performance drag at worst.
The Riffe Women’s Digi-tek 3.5mm couldn’t be a better solution to this problem. The fit is super comfortable and the camo is beautiful and seems to blend in with every environment I find myself in. With an average thickness of 3.5mm, the neoprene material is flexible and also retains heat very well. The knees and elbows are reinforced, so you’re more protected from tearing if you throw yourself onto rocks.
Riffe by DiveR Digi-Tek Composite Fiberglass Fins
Riffe worked with fin blade manufacturer DiveR to create these medium flex fiberglass fins, and they are possibly one of the most versatile models on the market. The medium-flex fiberglass is perfect for spearfishermen and divers of any level, so he can buy them once and use them from day one until he breaks records like Jay.
This model comes with foot pockets, but you can also buy the blades without foot pockets if you already feel comfortable or are committed to a different brand such as Omer, Mares or Salvimar. The ability to glide smoothly through the water is crucial to a successful underwater hunt, and these fins keep me stealthy and fast, whether I’m moving through seagrass, clinging to rocky cover, or surfacing with a catch. fresh.
Spearfishing is nothing more than gear intensive. Curious to know what else is on my checklist? You can see the rest of the essentials here. And head over to Netflix to see Steve, Cal, and I use all this cool gear to put a real Hawaiian dinner on the table.