• Accessories
• Bags
• Boots
• Computers
• Fins
• Floats
• Foot Pockets
• Gloves
• Knives
• Masks
• Shafts
• Snorkels
• Spearguns
• Speargun Accessories
• Sportswear
• Weight-Belts
• Wetsuits

 

Accessories

What would I use a roll of nylon line for?

Beuchat’s nylon line can be used for reels on spearguns. Spearfishermen will often attach reels to their spearguns to avoid the need to tow a float and float line. The nylon line on the spearguns reel will attach directly to the spear shaft. When a fish is shot, the fish will take off with the spear and the nylon line will feed from the reel, allowing the fish to run and the spearfisherman to fight the fish. NOTE: floats are a vital piece of safety equipment and, even if using a reel gun, a float should be towed to allow other boats and your dive buddies to locate you quickly and easily.

Nylon line can also be used for the bridle of the rubber on the supergun. The speargun is loaded by pulling the rubbers back to notches in the spear shaft – the nylon ‘bridles’ slip into these notches.

For these two purposes, it is very important to have strong, high quality nylon line, such as Beuchat’s range of nylon and dyneema line.

 

What would I use dyneema for?

Beuchat’s nylon dyneema line can be used for reels on spearguns. Spearfishermen will often attach reels to their spearguns to avoid the need to tow a float and float line. The dyneema on the spearguns reel will attach directly to the spear shaft. When a fish is shot, the fish will take off with the spear and the dyneema will feed from the reel, allowing the fish to run and the spearfisherman to fight the fish. NOTE: floats are a vital piece of safety equipment and, even if using a reel gun, a float should be towed to allow other boats and your dive buddies to locate you quickly and easily.

Dyneema can also be used for the bridle of the rubber on the supergun. The speargun is loaded by pulling the rubbers back to notches in the spear shaft – the nylon ‘bridles’ slip into these notches.

For these two purposes, it is very important to have strong, high quality Dyneema, such as Beuchat’s range of nylon and dyneema line.

 

What would I use a line winder for?

Beuchat’s line winder is an extremely useful accessory for spearfishermen. A line winder is used to neatly wrap your float line up, which can be useful in a few different situaitons. Firstly, when a spearfisherman is a on the boat, it is important for their equipment to be kept in neat order. This will make it easier to move around the boat, and quicker to get in the water. With Beuchat’s line winder, spearos can make sure their float line is always neatly rolled up when they are in the boat, ready for a quick and efficient entry to the water.

A second use for the line winder is to shorten your float line when in the water. This is useful when on a shore dive, as you may need your float close to you to duck under waves, and avoid being pulled backwards or have your float caught on rocks. As the Beuchat line winder is completely buoyant, it will also ensure that your line is neatly wrapped and out of the way of any weed, rocks or reef – meaning less time untangling snags and more time spearing fish.

Of course, a third use for the line winder is to store your float lines at home in a neat way.

 

What would I use neoprene glue for?

Neoprene wetsuits can be prone to small or large rips and tears. Beuchat’s neoprene glue is an important accessory for every keen spearos gear bag. A small rip in a neoprene wetsuit can quickly grow if it is not fixed straight away. Beuchat’s neoprene wetsuit glue is handy as you can immediately repair your wetsuit – saving you hundreds of dollars. Wetsuit glue the cheap and smart option to make sure you get more use out of your wetsuit.

 

What are some other useful spearfishing accessories?

Speargun Bridles: Bridles  are a vital piece of equipment to a speargun. The speargun is loaded by pulling the rubbers back to notches in the spear shaft – the dyneema or nylon ‘bridles’ slip into these notches, holding the rubbers in the loaded position.  Bridles, like all speargun equipment, need to be maintained and changed regularly.

Muzzle Bungees: Muzzle bungees are a small piece of elastic rubber, like bungee chord, that attaches to the muzzle of the speargun and the mono line, which attaches to the spear shaft. The purpose of a muzzle bungee is to allow the spearfisher to shoot a fish and have the shock of the initial run of the fish absorbed by the bungee. Muzzle bungees therefore increase a spearfishers of landing the fish, making it an important piece of rubber.

Mono and crimps: Mono line is used to attach the spear shaft to the speargun. Crimps are used to attach the mono line to the spear shaft.

Speargun Rubber: Speargun rubber is attached to speargun through holes in the muzzle. The speargun rubber/s are pulled back to notches at the base of the spear shaft to load the gun.

Clips and lanyards: Clips and lanyards can be useful spearfishing accessories. They can be attached to your weight belt and used to hold items like cameras, or even to hold your speargun while you are swimming or doing something else with your hands, like dispatching a speared fish, or burlying.

Flashers: Flashers are shiny pieces or mirror and metal attached to mono line and a small float. Flashers are a useful spearfishing accessory for attracting fish to the spearfisher. Flashers can therefore make it easier to find and shoot fish, especially large pelagic fish that mistake the shiny objects for bait.

Wetsuit wash: Wetsuit wash, such as Ocean Fresh wetsuit wash, is an important accessory for a spearo, as it washes all bacteria from the wetsuit after use, and neutralizes the damaging effects of salt and chlorine. Spearfishing wetsuits will last longer if the spearo uses wetsuit wash.

Safety gear:Spearfishing is an inherently dangerous activity. There are some important pieces of safety gear that can make it a safer activity though. Safety sausages can be inflated and held in the air to alert other boats to the divers presence, or to allow the divers own boat to find them. Safety whistles are also important to be heard whilst at sea. Small flashlights can help a diver be located at night time.

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Bags

What do I need a bag for if I am spearfishing?

Spearfishing bags make keeping your equipment organized, and travelling with your equipment, much easier. There are two types of bags for spearfishing – equipment bags, and speargun bags. 

 

Spearfishing equipment bags come in all different varieties. It is important that the bag suits all of your requirements when it comes to weight, size and extras.  Speargun bags are big enough to fit your spearguns and keep them protected and covered at all times.

 

What should I consider when choosing a spearfishing equipment bag?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a bag for your spearfishing equipment, including size, weight and extras. It is important that your spearfishing equipment bag is big enough to hold all of your spearing gear. The fins that we use while spearfishing are particularly long, so it is important to make sure that your bag fits those in.

Weight is also important if you are considering traveling with your spearfishing equipment. Every extra kilogram will matter so be sure to check the weight of your spearfishing gear bag. It is also important if you are going to be shore diving with your spearfishing equipment and need to carry it in the bag. Shore dives can require long walks, so weight is important to consider.

Extras are also important to consider. For example, do you need a spearfishing bag with wheels that is suitable for traveling? Do you need small pockets for extra spearfishing accessories? Another extra for a bag is whether it is a dry bag. Dry bags are great because they prevent water from getting in or out. You can put your wet gear into the bag and have your car stay dry, or you can put things in the bag that you need to keep dry while on the boat – like a towel, phone or your food.

 

What should I consider when choosing a speargun bag?

A speargun bag will keep your spearguns out of the sun, covered up and prevent the spear from scratching or poking anything. It is important to consider the length of your speargun when choosing a speargun bag as you will need a bag that is long enough to fit your speargun. It is also important to consider how many spearguns you want to be able to fit in the bag. Some speargun bags are big enough for just one or two spearguns, and some are big enough for four or five. Also, consider whether you want a speargun bag that has pockets for extra spearfishing accessories.

 

How can I look after my spearfishing bags?

It is important to wash your bags out occasionally to rid them of salt water, and to look after the zips with a zip care solution to ensure the zips do not sieze up.

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Boots

Why are boots an important part of my spearfishing kit?

Boots are important for spearfishing for a few reasons. Firstly, they protect your feet from blisters. Neoprene boots provide a soft layer of protection between your feet and the sometimes-hard rubber of your fins. If spearfishing for long periods of time, it is not uncommon to get blisters. Neoprene boots can help to prevent this. Secondly, they make your foot pockets much more comfortable. Without neoprene boots, foot pockets can pinch the skin of your feet, sometimes making kicking painful. Thirdly, they protect your feet from rocks while shore diving, stingers or sharp things in the boat.

 

What thickness of spearfishing boots should I get?

Spearfishing boots come in a few different thicknesses. Most commonly, boots come in 1mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm. Which boot thickness you should get depends on where you are spearfishing, and also on how tight-fitting your foot pockets are. If you will be spearfishing in colder water you may need thicker booties to keep warm. However, it is important to consider how well your foot pockets fit, as thicker booties could mean that your fins become too tight.

 

How long will my spearfishing boots last?

How long your spearfishing boots last depends on what kind of diving you will be doing. If you are diving from a boat, your spearfishing boots should last you twelve months or more. However, spearos who dive from the shore often wear their spearfishing boots out much quicker as they are walking over hard rocks, coral and barnacles before entering the water. The longevity of your boots also depends on their thickness – if you have thinner boots, they may wear through quicker than thicker spearfishing boots.

 

How do I look after my spearfishing boots?

To increase the lifespan of your boots, you should make sure you look after them like you would any other part of your spearfishing kit. Wash your boots in fresh water and wetsuit wash after use to neutralize chlorine or salt and remove damaging bacteria. You can buy wetsuit wash, such as Ocean Fresh, online.

 

Computers

What are freediving computers?

Freediving computers are essentially watches that automatically record details of your dive while you are diving. Before you dive, your dive computer will count the minutes and seconds that you have spent on the surface. When you dive, your dive computer will automatically begin counting the meters of your dive, as well as the minutes and seconds of your dives duration. As you make your ascent to the surface, your dive watch will count down the meters automatically. When you get back to the surface, your dive watch will begin counting your surface time again. You can look at your divewatch and easily see you time spent on the surface, the time you spent under water, and the depth of your dived to, as well as how many dives you have done that day. Your dive computer then automatically stores this data so that you can look back on it in the future.

 

What are the benefits of having a freediving computer for spearfishing?

There is a plethora of benefits to having a dive computer. Firstly, a dive computer is an important device for measuring improvements in your diving. Dive computers, such as the Beuchat Mundial model, often allow you to view the dive data in a graph format on a computer. In that way, you can see any spikes or falls in your dive times and depths. Freediving computers also allow you to measure your improvements over a day. For example, you can see whether you freedive longer and deeper in the morning, middle of the day or late in the day. Dive computers are a great way to measure your improvement and success in the water.

Secondly, freediving computers are an important safety tool. Spearfishing is an inherently dangerous sport. More people die from blackouts in spearfishing than shark attacks, or any other causes of death while spearfishing. Blackouts are a result of a build up of c02 in your system. To prevent this build up, spearfishermen and freedivers need to ensure that they are spending an adequate amount of time on the surface, building up their oxygen (02) levels, and purging the c02 from their system which builds up as you hold your breath. A good way to tell if you are adequately removing c02 from your system, is to spend three times as long on the surface as you do underwater. This is the rule of thumb that all spearfishermen abide by. For example, if you are spending one minute underwater, you should be spending three minutes on the surface breathing up before diving again. You can set alarms on some dive computers, including the Beuchat Mundial model, which beep to let you know if you have dived too soon and are therefore in danger of blacking out. If a blackout occurs and you do not have a dive buddy with you, it is very unlikely that you will survive. For this reason, it is important to always spearfish with a dive buddy, and take precautions by wearing a dive computer to be safe.

Thirdly, a dive computer also acts as a watch. In normal mode, your dive computer will tell you the date and time. This is important while you are at sea as you may need to keep track of times to be able to measure changes in tides etc. For example, if you are shore diving and know that high tide is at 9am, you may want to start heading back to shore at 11am before the tide/current picks up and makes it difficult to swim back. You may also want to time your dive so that you can swim against the current on the way out, and with the current on the way back in, making your dive easier.

 

How do I choose the right freediving computer for spearfishing?

There are many options when it comes to choosing a freediving computer for spearfishing. There are some important things to consider when choosing a dive watch. Firstly, you should consider whether the watch has all of the features that you are looking for. Does the dive computer allow you to track your surface time, dive time, depth and number of dives easily? Does the dive computer record this information automatically? Can you go back and check your dives? How many dives does the dive computer record before it is full? Can you download the data to a computer and put it in a format that is easy to read? Does the dive computer have other features, like stop watch abilities?

You should also consider the make of the dive watch. Is it made with tough materials? Dive computers get quite the beating – through waves, smashed on rocks, thrown around boats, left in gear bags. A dive computer needs to be able to handle all of these things without breaking. You should also consider the size of the face of the dive computer. Is the writing large, bold and easy to read? Is the face large enough to read easily, but not too large to become annoying?

Further, is the battery on the dive watch easy to change, or do you need to send it away or take it to a shop to be changed? What kind of batteries does the dive computer take, and do they last long?

Also, you should consider the price. You need a dive computer that does all of the right things, but isn’t too expensive. A great price for a dive computer is around $300, but many dive computers are around the $500. Be sure to check the benefits and disadvantages of the different dive computers, as the cheaper version will often do exactly the same things.

 

What are the features of a Beuchat Mundial Freediving computer?

The Beuchat Mundial Dive Computer features top of the market capabilities. Some of these include:

• Displays total number of dives
• Total dive time (minutes and seconds)
• Best dives
• The depth and time reached on any particular dive
• Surface interval time
• Records 99 freediving sessions
• Records averages for each freediving session for depth, time, and number of dives per day
• Configurable alarms for: elapsed dive timer, minimum surface interval time, descending depth alarm (up to three separate depths can be set)
• Stop watch
• Check your progress by downloading data to a computer

 

How long will the battery last in my Beuchat Mundial Freediving computer?

The battery should last at least 6-12 months without turning the dive computer off.

 

How do I change the battery in my Beuchat Mundial freediving computer?

The battery in the Becuhat Mundial Freediving computer is very easy to change and can be done by using the key that comes with the dive coputer. Simply Put the two ends of the key into the small holes on the back of the computer and turn to open. Take the battery out, and quickly replace the battery (and the o-ring if needed) with the new battery. If you change the battery on the Beuchat Mundial freediving computer quickly, it will not reset and wipe your data.

 

How do I check my past dives on my Beuchat Mundial freediving computer?

Simply hold in the log button (bottom left hand corner of the watch) and your last dives will appear. Use the top left and right butons to click through your dives.

 

How do I set the date and time on my Beuchat Mundial Freediving computer?

Hold the bottom left and top right buttons in. Use the other buttons to set the correct time and date on your Beuchat Mundial freediving computer.

 

How do I find out how to work all of the other functions of my Beuchat Mundial Freediving computer?

Your Beuchat Mundial freediving computer will come with handy laminated instructions, so you can keep them in your dive bag and use them as needed. Your Beuchat Mundial dive watch will also come with a CD which takes you through the functions of using your watch, so you have plenty of tools to help you get the most from your new dive computer.

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Fins

Why do I need long fins for freediving/spearfishing?

You may have noticed that spearfishing fins are longer than ordinary fins that you may have seen. A lot of people ask, ‘do I really need fins that long?’ and the simply answer is yes.Freedive spearfishing is all about conserving energy. When you are holding your breath it is important to use as little energy, or oxygen, as possible. Longer fins allow you to get down to the required depths by using as little energy and oxygen as possible, and they also help you get back to the surface as quickly as possible while relaxing and using long kicks to cut through the water. Long fins are efficient because they shift larger volumes across their large surface area. Rails on the sides of the fin blades help to create a vortex down the center of the fin, shifting water easily and efficiently. Long fin blades are therefore important for spearfishing to make diving a lot easier, allowing you to dive longer and get better fish.  

 

What are the Beuchat foot pockets like?

Beuchat foot pockets are a top quality foot pocket in the freediving/spearfishing market. They are made from soft materials, making them extremely comfortable and user friendly. Hard foot pockets can be difficult to use and wear out a spearos legs and feet easily. It is important to have nice, comfortable foot pockets, like Beuchat foot pockets, to make spearfishing as easy and comfortable as possible.

 

Are the Beuchat foot pockets/fin blades interchangeable?

The great thing about Beuchat fins is that the blades/foot pockets are interchangeable. That means that you can take the Beuchat foot pockets off the Beuchat fin blades and replace them with other blades, or put the Beuchat fins in other foot pockets. It is a handy option to have with your fins. If, for example, one foot pocket breaks, you can simply take that foot pocket off and replace it without having to buy a whole new fin set.

 

How long will my Beuchat fins last for?

How long your fins last for depends on what you do with them. Naturally, fibra or carbon fins are stronger than plastic fins and will last longer than the plastic fins. Be careful if training in the pool not to push off the bottom with your fins etc as this could cause them to snap. Beuchat fins are known for their strength and durability though, so they should last you many years if looked after correctly. 

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Floats

Why do I need a float while spearfishing?

Floats are an essential part of your spearfishing kit and serve many purposes. Firstly, floats prevent you from losing your gun when you spear a fish. When you spear a fish, the fish will take off. You will need to return to the suface for air, so it is important that you are able to let go of your gun if you need to. Once you have let go of your gun, you can swim to the surface, and relocate your gun and fish by pulling your gun in by the float line, which is attached to your float. In this way, the float is fighting the speared fish for you while you are on the surface getting some air. A float is also important incase you miss the fish, and your spear shaft becomes lodged in rock or coral. Again, you will need to let your speargun go an return to the surface for air. You can easily relocate your speargun again because it will be attached to your float by a float line.

Secondly, floats are important while spearfishing for safety reasons. Floats are high visibility colours of orange, red or yellow. This allows other boats on the water, and your own boat, to be able to locate your whereabouts quickly and easily, thereby avoiding a possible collision. One of the biggest causes of spearfishing deaths and injuries in the world are caused by boating accidents, where boats accidentally run over spearfishers because they do not know that the spearfisher is there. A float should also display a large flag, as the Beuchat floats do. This flag means ‘Diver Below’ and, legally, boats are required to stay 50m from this flag.

Floats are also important as they allow you to hold onto them to rest if you get too tired while on a shore dive, or if you get lost at sea. Some floats, such as the Beuchat Guardian, are particularly great for shore dives and competition diving as they allow you to put your fish in them, extra guns, and even water bottles and foot.

Finally, floats are important for spearfishing as they allow you to keep your fish away from your body during a shore dive or boat dive. If you have a float and float line, you are able to string your fish onto the float line, and let them drift back to your float, thereby keeping the speared fish away from your body. This can help to prevent shark attacks, and keep any unwanted shark attention away from the spearfisher.

 

What things should I consider when choosing a float?

When choosing a float, you should consider what you will be doing. The best floats are typically inflatable floats as they are light, durable and tough. This makes them great for shore diving or travelling as they weigh next to nothing and can be deflated to a small size.

Hard floats can be heavy, take up too much room, and harder to pull through the water. However, their positives is that they can’t get holes in them and ‘pop’. Overall, inflatable floats are the more popular option among spearfishermen.

If you are considering shore diving, or competition spearfishing, then you should consider buying a float that you can safely keep your catch in out of the water – these are often called competition floats. The Beuchat Guardian is a one-of-a –kind competition spearfishing float, designed to be easy to carry, and serves multiple purposes. Such a float is inflatable and therefore light, can hold two spearguns, water, food, fish etc all out of the water. These are great floats for shore diving or competing spearfishermen as sharks cannot get to your catch. Putting your fish out of the water and into the Beuchat Guardian means that sharks are not attracted to you as you do not have fish in the water. Beuchat Guardian floats also have great safety aspects. You are able to carry safety devices in them, as well as food, and water, and you can also sit in the float to rest, or wait for assistance if you are in trouble while spearfishing.

 

Do inflatable floats just get holes in them and pop easily?

Inflatable spearfishing floats are tough and do not pop easily. They are made from a thick outer later, and often have an inner layer (or tube), which is inflated. It is therefore very hard to accidentally pop an inflatable float. Indeed, just spearfishing around rocks etc will not damage your inflatable spearfishing float, as they are made for such rough spearfishing activities.

 

How should I look after my float?

You should look after your spearfishing float the same way as other spearfishing or diving equipment – wash with fresh water after use, leave to dry and store in a cool, dark place out of the direct path of sunlight.

 

Do I need more than one float if I am hunting bigger fish?

The down side to inflatable floats is only a consideration if you are chasing extremely big, powerful fish such as Tuna. This is because such a powerful fish may pull the inflatable float under and, at pressure/depth, the float will collapse because it is only inflated by air which compresses at depth. If hunting large, powerful fish, you may need a second float which is a hard float. That way, if your inflatable float does collapse, your hard float will always bring your inflatable float and the rest of your spearfishing gear back to the surface!

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Foot Pockets

What are foot pockets?

Foot pockets are the part of the fin that your foot goes into. Food pockets are attached to the fin blades by clipping onto the rails of the blades, and screwing in to the blade.

 

What fin blades fit in Beuchat foot pockets?

The Beuchat foot pockets are fantastic as they fit almost all fin blades.

 

How should I choose my foot pocket size?

You should choose your foot pocket size the same way that you would a shoe, and generally in the same size. Sometimes there will be a small discrepancy in the size – if this is the case, it is better to get foot pockets that are slightly bigger as you can make them fit by wearing thicker socks and fin keepers to hold your fins in place. Your foot pockets should not be too tight as this can result in cramping and blisters, but it is important that they are not too loose as they may slip off and be lost in the surf.

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Gloves

Why are gloves important for spearfishing?

Gloves are important for spearfishing for a few reasons. First and foremost, spearfishing gloves provide protection for your hands. Your hands need protecting from fish spikes which can become lodged in your hand while you are trying to dispatch of the fish, and may need to be surgically removed. While spearfishing, your hands will also need protecting from stingers and harmful corals that you may accidentally touch. Wearing gloves gives you piece of mind to be able to enjoy the full experience of spearfishing. The other important thing is that gloves protect your hands from the cold!

 

What thickness gloves should I wear for spearfishing?

Spearfishing gloves provide warmth to your hands while you are in the water, and also help to limit the amount of water that gets into your wetsuit. The thickness of your spearfishing gloves should depend on the temperature of the water that you are spearfishing in. However, it is important to get as thin of gloves as you can handle. 2.5mm gloves are ideal as you still have full movement in your fingers. Thicker gloves tend to restrict your mobility, which is bad for spearfishing.

 

How should I care for my spearfishing gloves?

You should care for your spearfishing gloves in the same way that you would any other spearfishing equipment. Simply rinse well with water and Ocean Fresh wetsuit wash after use, hang to dry, and store in a cool dark place.

 

How long will my spearfishing gloves last?

It is important to note that spearfishing gloves do notlast forever, and no decent spearfishing gloves will. You are grabbing spiky crayfish, sticking your hands in gills full of sharp teeth, and grabbing onto rocks and reef  - so your spearfishing gloves will deteriorate eventually. However, Beuchat spearfishing gloves are some of the best and toughest spearfishing gloves on the market, and we have found them to last longer than most spearfishing gloves.

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Knives

Why do I need to carry a knife while spearfishing?

It is important to carry a knife while spearfishing because it is required to dispatch of fish, and as a safety precaution. When you have speared a fish, it does not automatically die. You need to pull the fish in and ‘spike’ it by putting the knife into its brain. Knives are also an important safety accessory while spearfishing. It is easy to get tangled in float lines while in the water, and you may need to cut yourself free in a hurry.

 

What is special about a spearfishing knife?

A spearfishing knife is typically a ‘dagger’. A dagger has a sharp, pointed end, a smooth sharp side for slicing flesh, and a rough sharp side for sawing through ropes etc. Spearfishing knives also typically come with a sheathe, and clips, buckles or a velcro elastic strap to strap the spearfishing knife somewhere on you while you are spearfishing. Spearfishing knives also have holes in the sheathe to allow the spearfisher to thread the weight belt through the knife and attach the knife to the weight belt that way whilst spearfishing.

 

Where should I carry my knife while spearfishing?

There are a couple of different places that you can carry your knife while spearfishing. Some spearos carry their spearfishing knife on their weight belt. They do this by threading their weight belt through specially designed holes in the knife’s sheath. The positive of this is that when you are preparing your gear and getting dressed for a day of spearfishing, you don’t have to remember or worry about packing the knife separately, or taking the time to attach the knife somewhere else on your body. However, the disadvantage of having your spearfishing knife on your weight belt is that it can become annoying if your weight belt moves around a lot. If your weight belt does this, as most weight belts will, then you may find it difficult to reach or find your knife when you need it.

Some spearos will carry their knife on their arm or leg, fastening it there with the straps, buckles or elastic velcro which spearfishing knives typically come with. The benefits of having it on your arm or leg is that it is typically easily accessible, and you always know where it is and are able to access it quickly when you need to dispatch a fish, or cut yourself free in an emergency. The downfall to having your spearfishing knife on your leg is that it may catch on things, like your float line, and your knife may be pulled off your leg or pull you down. Understandably, this can be dangerous. Having your knife on your arm is therefore probably the best place to strap your spearfishing knife.

 

How do I properly dispatch of my fish once it has been speared?

Dispatching your fish means killing it properly once it has been speared, as fish do not always die straight away once speared. A struggling fish in the water can be dangerous as it attracts sharks. It is therefore important to dispatch your prey quickly and cleaning. To quickly dispatch a fish while spearfishing, you need a spearfishing knife. Pull the fish in close to you, grab the fish’s tail first, and then grab its gills. Once you have a tight hold on the fish through the gills, you can dispatch of it.

A spearfishing knife, as discussed above, is a dagger. This makes it easy to dispatch the fish by sticking the sharp, pointed end of the knife into the fish’s brain. The easiest way to find the fishes brain is to imagine an equilateral triangle between the fish’s eyes – i.e. the distance between the fish’s eyes across should be taken back equally in the middle of the fish’s head and this is where the knife should be driven in. When you hit the correct spot on the fish, the fish will begin to shake and eventually go limp. This is an extremely helpful tip to remember when spearfishing, and could avoid unnecessary attention from sharks.

 

How do I decide which spearfishing knife to buy?

There are many different spearfishing knives available on the market today. It is important to choose a spearfishing knife that is right for you. A spearfishing knife should, most importantly, be a dagger, as discussed above. The spearfishing dagger should be kept in a sheath, which comes with straps or buckles. If you want to keep the knife on your arm or leg, it is important to ensure that the knife comes with high quality clips or buckles that aren’t going to break or loosen themselves. If you want to keep your knife on your weight belt, it is important that the knife has holes in the sheath that will fit your weight belt.

Beuchat’s spearfishing knives, the Mundial Dagger’s, are great because they are a high quality stainless blade, high quality clips that cannot loosen, and the holes will fit a weight belt.

 

How should I look after my spearfishing knife?

Your spearfishing knife should be looked after in the same way that you would look after other pieces of spearfishing equipment. Washing your knife in fresh water mixed with Ocean Fresh detergent will neutralize/dissolve the salt and avoid any corrosion.

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Masks

Why are spearfishing masks important?

Spearfishing masks are a vital part of your spearfishing kit. Essentially, they are your eyes underwater. If you do not have a comfortable spearfishing mask then your time in the water spearfishing will be very uncomfortable.

 

Do I need a low volume spearfishing masks?

A comfortable spearfishing mask should fit well, and be made of a comfortable, soft silicone that provides a seal across your whole face. Spearfishing masks should also be low volume, especially if you are planning on doing deeper dives. Low volume means that there is less air space between your face and the mask lens. The less air space in your mask, the less air that you need to use to equalise your mask. If you do not equalise your mask properly, you will get ‘mask squeeze’ as you descend to depths, which puts pressure on your forehead and eyes, and can be very painful. Therefore, lower volume masks allow you to dive deeper, more comfortably and for longer.

 

What should I do when I buy my spearfishing mask to make sure it is ready use when I take it spearfishing?

There are a couple of things you should do before taking your spearfishing mask on its first trip. First and foremost, it is vital that you wash away the protective seal that covers the lens on every spearfishing mask when it is made.  To wash away this protective film, you should use white toothpaste. Rub the white toothpaste on the inside of your spearfishing mask lens. Rub around thoroughly, let it dry for a couple of minutes, and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. You should repeat this several times. If you do not remove the protective film before your using your spearfishing mask, it is highly likely that it will fog up, and that will not make a very enjoyable first experience with your new spearfishing mask. It is also a good idea to test your spearfishing mask in a pool before you take it out spearfishing. Make sure the straps are all the right length so that it is not too tight on your head, and make sure you have a nice seal around your face so that no water is getting in.

 

What I need to wear prescription glasses, can I get prescription lenses for my spearfishing mask?

If you have to wear prescription glasses, and think that you won’t be able to see clearly underwater, you will need to wear contact lenses with a normal spearfishing mask, or buy a spearfishing mask which allows you to replace the lenses with prescription lenses to suit your needs. Beuchat makes a spearfishing mask called the Beuchat ‘X-Contact’ mask, which you can purchase Beuchat lenses for to suit your sight needs.

 

Should I have a black silicone or clear silicone spearfishing mask?

It is better to have a black silicone mask for spearfishing. This is because you need to be focused on what you are looking at, and not distracted by the light or movement on the edge of your vision that is allowed by a clear silicone mask.

 

How long will my spearfishing masks last for?

Your spearfishing mask will last for at least 18 months if you look after it properly. If you find a mask that fits you, and that you absolutely love, it is a good idea to by a few pairs, just in case the manufacturer stops making them. Changing spearfishing masks can be an annoying process.

 

How should I care for my spearfishing mask?

You should care for your spearfishing mask the same way that you would any other piece of spearfishing equipment. Wash it after use in fresh water, and store it in a cool dark place. Beuchat spearfishing masks come with boxes so store your mask in that to prevent it from getting scratched or damaged.

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Shafts

What is a spear shaft used for?

A spear shaft is connected to the speargun by mono line. The spear shaft is the part that actually spears the fish. Once the spearfisher has lined up on the fish, taken the shot, and hit the fish, the spear shaft goes through the fish and a ‘flopper’ opens on the other side of the fish, holding the fish onto the spear shaft, attached to the gun. The spearfisher can then begin the battle of pulling the speared fish in and dispatching of it.

 

What thickness spear shaft should I use?

The thickness of your spear shaft should depend on the type of spearfishing you are doing. The thinner the spear shaft is, the less impact it will have. Therefore, if you are just starting out and only shooting small fish, you may want to only use a thin shaft as it will still penetrate the fish, but the spear shaft won’t be damaged too much if you hit a rock or the reef. A good thickness shaft to start of with would be 6.5mm – 7mm in thickness. Contrastingly, if you use a thicker spear of 7mm – 8.5mm, your spear shaft will be hitting its target with much more impact. This may be beneficial for larger fish, however, the spear shaft is also more likely to become stuck in a rock/reef, bent or blunted.

 

What length spear shaft should I use?

The length of spear shaft that a spearfisher uses is a personal preference. As a general rule, spearguns come stocked with a spear that has a 30cm overhang. This means that the spear shaft sticks out 30cm from the top of the speargun. If you have too long of a spear shaft, the spear shaft may sag, causing it to become inaccurate. However, if you have too short of a spear shaft, you are not getting the maximum range that you could be, and you may miss fish.

 

How do I know if I need to change my spear shaft?

You will need to change your spear shaft if it is bent or blunt. If it is just blunt, you may be able to sharpen it yourself with a file. If your spear shaft is bent, you can sometimes straighten it. However, not all spear shafts can be straightened.

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Snorkels

Why do I need a snorkel for spearfishing?

Spearfishing in Australia is undertaken primarily through freediving, as it is illegal to spearfish on tanks in most states. Freediving involves breathing up on the surface, and taking a dive on a single breath. To breathe up on the surface, you will need a snorkel to breathe through while you have your face down in the water.

 

What should I consider when choosing my spearfishing snorkel?

An important thing to consider when choosing your spearfishing snorkel is it’s practicality. You need a snorkel that is basic, and virtually unbreakable. A simple, flexible snorkel that cannot be broken by standing on it etc is best for spearfishing. Beuchat snorkels, for example, are completely flexible, so flexible that you could tie them in a knot and not have them break.

When deciding whether to get a snorkel with a purge valve, or a basic snorkel, you should take into account the old saying that ‘the less that is going on, the less that can go wrong’. Purge valve snorkels have a lot of different components. From semi-dry tops, to the purge valve, lots of pieces can break and make your snorkel virtually unusable. For spearfishing, where you rely so heavily on your snorkel working so that you can hunt and breathe while on the surface, 

 

How long will my spearfishing snorkel last?

If you get a good, flexible snorkel like the Beuchat Activa Snorkel, it will last you for many years.

 

How should I look after my spearfishing snorkel?

You should look after your spearfishing snorkel in the same way that you would any other piece of spearfishing equipment – simply wash it in fresh water after use, and store out of direct sunlight.

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Spearguns

Do I need a quality first speargun?

When choosing your first speargun it is important to spend as much money as you can afford in order to get the best quality speargun. A higher quality speargun will give you much more enjoyment in the sport of spearfishing, as your gun will be much more accurate, easy to use and stronger. As the old saying goes, ‘buy cheap, buy twice’.

However, everyone does have to start somewhere. So if you only want to shoot small bream at your local seaway, then by all means start out with a hand spear or a small $79 speargun such as the Beuchat Espadon.

 

Which size of speargun should I buy?

The size of speargun that you buy for spearfishing depends on the type of spearfishing that you will be doing. A speargun that is shorter in length can be better to start off with, while you get used to the loading technique etc. An 110cm speargun is perfect for a teenage or adult spearo to begin with, or a 90-100cm gun for a young teen or junior. These spearguns will allow you to experience spearfishing without having to worry about the difficulty of loading a massive speargun. It is always important to have a couple of different sized spearguns as you grow into the sport though, so if you buy a high quality first speargun of about 110cm, then you will still be able to use that speargun in 10 years time if you look after it. Smaller spearguns are not just for beginner spearos, they are also great if you are hunting in shallow water, or bad visibility – or if you just want a bit more of a challenge on those bigger fish!

If you are a bit more experienced in spearfishing then a larger speargun may suit you better. A 130cm speargun is great for someone who has been into spearfishing for a while, has got the basics down pat when it comes to loading, hunting and diving in general, and is looking to hunt some bigger, more challenging fish.

If you are looking for an ‘all round’ speargun, and you are in your late teens or an adult then a 120cm gun would be great. A 120cm speargun is often called ‘the jack of all trades, but the master of none’ because it is too small for the larger, more tricky fish, and too big for the low visibility and shallow water hunting – but it is a good in between, all rounder if you only want one speargun for spearfishing.

 

Should I get a rail gun or a basic speargun?

A rail gun is the most accurate speargun available. A rail gun is simple a speargun with a rail running down the center of the barrel that the spear sits in. It acts as a guide for the spear as it travels out of the muzzle, making for a much more accurate speargun. It is important to have a rail gun if you can afford it. Once again, when it comes to purchasing a speargun, it is important to buy something of quality to get the most out of the spearfishing experience.

 

What sized spear shaft should I put in my spear gun?

The length of spear shaft that a spearfisher uses is a personal preference. As a general rule, spearguns come stocked with a spear that has a 30cm overhang. This means that the spear shaft sticks out 30cm from the top of the speargun. If you have too long of a spear shaft, the spear shaft may sag, causing it to become inaccurate. However, if you have too short of a spear shaft, you are not getting the maximum range that you could be, and you may miss fish.

 

What thickness spear shaft should I use in my speargun?

The thickness of your spear shaft should depend on the type of spearfishing you are doing. The thinner the spear shaft is, the less impact it will have. Therefore, if you are just starting out and only shooting small fish, you may want to only use a thin shaft as it will still penetrate the fish, but the spear shaft won’t be damaged too much if you hit a rock or the reef. A good thickness shaft to start of with would be 6.5mm – 7mm in thickness. Contrastingly, if you use a thicker spear of 7mm – 8.5mm, your spear shaft will be hitting its target with much more impact. This may be beneficial for larger fish, however, the spear shaft is also more likely to become stuck in a rock/reef, bent or blunted.

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Speargun Accessories

What would I use a reel on a speargun for?

Spearfishermen will often attach reels to their spearguns to avoid the need to tow a float and float line. The reel is full of nylon or dyneema line and attached directly to the spear shaft so that the speared fish is fought from the reel.

 

What would I use a roll of nylon line for?

Beuchat’s nylon line can be used for reels on spearguns. The nylon line on the spearguns reel will attach directly to the spear shaft. When a fish is shot, the fish will take off with the spear and the nylon line will feed from the reel, allowing the fish to run and the spearfisherman to fight the fish. NOTE: floats are a vital piece of safety equipment and, even if using a reel gun, a float should be towed to allow other boats and your dive buddies to locate you quickly and easily.

Nylon line can also be used for the bridle of the rubber on the supergun. The speargun is loaded by pulling the rubbers back to notches in the spear shaft – the nylon ‘bridles’ slip into these notches.

For these two purposes, it is very important to have strong, high quality nylon line, such as Beuchat’s range of nylon and dyneema line.

 

What would I use dyneema for?

Beuchat’s nylon dyneema line can be used for reels on spearguns. Spearfishermen will often attach reels to their spearguns to avoid the need to tow a float and float line. The dyneema on the spearguns reel will attach directly to the spear shaft. When a fish is shot, the fish will take off with the spear and the dyneema will feed from the reel, allowing the fish to run and the spearfisherman to fight the fish. NOTE: floats are a vital piece of safety equipment and, even if using a reel gun, a float should be towed to allow other boats and your dive buddies to locate you quickly and easily.

Dyneema can also be used for the bridle of the rubber on the supergun. The speargun is loaded by pulling the rubbers back to notches in the spear shaft – the nylon ‘bridles’ slip into these notches.

For these two purposes, it is very important to have strong, high quality Dyneema, such as Beuchat’s range of nylon and dyneema line.

 

Why would I use a trident or pranger head on my spear shaft?

While spearfishing, you may come across some fish that you are more likely to land if you spear them with a pranger or trident tip on your spear shaft. Fish such as flat head, which lay flat on the sand, may slip off a normal spear as the flopper would not open once the spear hits the sand/fish.  A trident or pranger tip has small hooks on the spear, like a fishing hook, which stops the fish from being able to slip off the spear shaft, even if the shaft has not fully penetrated the fish.

 

How should I care for my speargun?

You should look after your speargun by thoroughly washing each piece with fresh water after use. Make sure you stick a hose right into the trigger mechanism/handle of the speargun to wash any salt water out of there. You should store your speargun in a cool, dark place. The sun will quickly deteriorate speargun rubber, so store your speargun in a speargun bag out of the sun.

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Sportswear

Why would I need spearfishing clothes for spearfishing?

Spearfishing clothes, such as Beuchat’s sportswear range, are a good way to keep covered up from the sun while you are in the boat and by wearing a diving brand, you are letting others know that you are a keen spearo. This can lead other spearfishermen or divers to spark up a conversation with you about it. Wearing diving brands of spearfishing clothes is therefore a great way to meet other spearos.

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Weight Belts

Why do I need a weight belt for spearfishing?

Because spearfishing is predominantly done on breathhold/freediving, it is important to wear a weight belt to assist you in diving to the bottom with as little energy as possible. Wetsuits are positively buoyant, and so are we, so wearing weights on a weight belt while freedive spearfishing helps to counter this buoyancy.

 

How do I choose the right spearfishing weight belt for me?

You should consider buying a quality weight belt as it will last you a long time, and is not that much difference in price. A webbing weight belt, with a plastic buckle is impractical for any wanting to get into spearfishing as a frequent hobby. When you put weights onto a webbing weight belt, the weights can slip around freely and even slide off unless you buy weight keepers to hold them in place on your weight belt. Also, plastic is flimsy and breakable and, if your weight belt breaks while you are out spearfishing, it is very hard, if not impossible, to continue diving for the day. If you are only going to be diving a few times a year, however, a plastic webbed weight belt may be an ideal cheaper option at about $15.

Most spearfishers use rubber weight belts with stainless steel buckles. Such weight belts will last many years and your weights will not move around or slip off the weight belt, making it the best option for freedive spearfishing. Rubber weight belts cost around $50.

 

How many weights should I have on my weight belt while spearfishing?

The number of weights that you put on your weight belt really depends on a number of factors. The largest consideration is the thickness of your wetsuit. Wetsuits are extremely buoyant as they are made of neoprene. The thicker your wetsuit is, the more neoprene that has been used, the more buyoyant that you are and therefore the more weights that you require to dive down comfortably and conserve oxygen while spearfishing. You should always use as little weights as possible while spearfishing, however, as neoprene compresses at depth and you become less buoyant. That is, as you dive down you will begin to sink quicker. This change usually occurs around 10m, after the first change in atmospheric pressure. Once this has occurred, the effect of your weights will increase. If you are wearing too many weights, you will find it difficult to get back to the surface.

It is VERY important for spearos to be positively buoyant to that 10m mark. This means that if you stopped kicking at 10m while ascending, you should still slowly float to the surface. The reason for this is that, because spearos are holding their breath, they may black out. If a spearo blacks out and no one is watching to retrieve them, or cannot dive deep enough to retrieve them, then the spearo will die unless they are positively buoyant and can float back to the surface without kicking. Many, many spearos tragically die from blackouts each year because they do not have the correcting weighting, do not use a float and, most importantly, do not have a dive buddy watching them at all times who is able to save them.

A good test for whether you have the right amount of weights while spearfishing is relax vertically in the water, take a deep breath in, and then slowly let all of your air out. You should only sink to eye level, or sink very slowly and only just past your head.

 

How long will my spearfishing weight belt last?

If you buy a high quality, stainless steel rubber weight belt, it should last you many years,

 

How do I look after my spearfishing weight belt?

You shuld look after your spearfishing weight belt in the same way that you would any other spearfishing equipment. Simple wash with fresh water and store in a place out of direct sunlight. Rubber is more likely to deteriorate in direct sunlight, so store your weight belt somewhere dark.

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Wetsuits

Why do I need a spearfishing wetsuit?

Wetsuits are important for many reasons. Firstly, they act as protection from the sun. If you are not wearing a wetsuit while spearfishing you will get a VERY burnt back, legs, shoulders etc VERY quickly. Secondly, wetsuits are good for protection from jellyfish and harmful stingers. If you are wearing a wetsuit, the tentacles of sometimes deadly jellyfish and marine stingers will not be able to make contact with your skin. Wearing a spearfishing wetsuit in certain areas is a must. Thirdly, wearing a spearfishing wetsuit is important for warmth. If you are not warm, you will not be able to relax enough in the water to dive to your complete potential. Wearing a spearfishing wetsuit is important to staying warm in the water.

 

What thickness of wetsuit should I wear?

The thickness of wetsuit that you should wear really depends on how ‘cold’ of a person you are – that is, how susceptible you are to the cold. Have a talk to some divers in your area or at your local dive shop and ask what thickness wetsuit they wear. In some areas, spearos will need more than one wetsuit, and up to 3 wetsuits. It is ideal for a spearo to have a 1.5mm wetsuit for Summer, a 3.5mm wetsuit for autumn and spring, and a 5mm wetsuit for winter. If you can only buy one wetsuit, and the water in your area is generally around 20-30 degrees, then a wetsuit around 3mm is perfect for spearfishing. If you buy a two piece 3.5mm spearfishing wetsuit, you will be able to just wear the top with boardies in summer, and you can add a thermal vest underneath the full wetsuit during winter for some extra warmth.

 

Do I need a camouflage patterned spearfishing wetsuit?

Camouflage patterned spearfishing wetsuits help to break up your shape in the water. If a fish sees a large, black shape they are more likely to be scared than if they see a shape that is broken up by bits of green, blue, brown etc. It is not absolutely essential that you have a camo spearfishing wetsuit, but it can help.

 

Do I need an open cell lined wetsuit?

An open cell, or lined, wetsuit will keep you warmer in the water. However, the downfall of such a wetsuit is that you will need some kind of lubricant to put it on such as conditioner, baby powder etc.

 

How long will my wetsuit last?

Your spearfishing wetsuit should last for about two years, depending on how often you use it, and how you treat it or care for it.

 

How should I care for my spearfishing wetsuit?

You should always wash your spearfishing wetsuit in fresh water and Ocean Fresh washing detergent after use. This will remove any slat and harmful bacteria from the wetsuit and greatly increase its life.

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