This interview is jam packed with good info for any spearo wanting to do their first bluewater spearfishing trip. Adam Malski prepared a tonne of info just for this chat several months after getting back from his first Coral Sea Spearfishing trip (watch highlights here). Adam is a Sydney based, North Shore Underwater Club member with a down to earth nature and a lifelong learner mentality. Listen in!
Important Times
06:00 Who is Adam Malski?
12:50 Adam Malski has competed at high levels in Triathalons, Running, Boxing, Mountain Biking and others. I ask him what skills have crossed over into spearfishing.
17:38 North Shore Underwater Club and Sydney Diving
19:00 What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your spearfishing journey so far?
Adam Malski with New Zealand Yellowtail Kingfish
24:00 Veterans Vault | First Timers Guide for Blue Water Spearfishing Charters
What went into the planning phase of the trip?
What equipment did you decide on?
How do the Dories operate?
How do you work effectively as a team and dive buddy on a bluewater charter?
How do you plan which grounds to fish?
What are common issues first timers experience blue water hunting?
Dogtooth Tuna tips for first timers
Dogtooth Tuna Coral Sea Spearfishing with Adam Malski
55:00 What is your favourite species to hunt, how do you find them and how do you hunt them effectively?
“Hey all, If you haven’t had a chance to jump in and help with the effort to expand spearfishing opportunity, now is your chance! And we really need your help with this one.
In a recent public hearing the proposal was met with opposition from the angling community who have cited two (2) main areas of concern:
Spearfisherman disproportionately catch & kill trophy sized fish (there are only ~ 50 active spearfisherman in the state so we are outnumbered 10,000 to 1 by anglers)
We are unable to judge the size of fish underwater before shooting.
My contact at the CPW has requested that spearo’s send him an email at [email protected] stating support for the proposed regulation. In order for him to more easily organize the emails, we are suggesting you use the following template and address the two bullet points above in the statement of support section if possible:”
This interview is about Matt Tratt, the man who was tragically bitten by a shark off Indian Head at Frazer Island. Rob Tratt was with him spearfishing when a shark (likely a Bullshark) attacked. Matt and Rob were in relatively shallow water when the shark bit him and opened an arterial wound in his leg. Matt Tratt was a much loved Father, Husband and Brother and Spearo. This episode is a tribute to him and the full story of what actually happened.
Important Times
03:30 Rob Tratt Introduction and a bit about how we connected
16:00 How important was the spearfishing lifestyle to Matt?
21:40 How would Matt’s mates describe him?
40:40 Background behind the Frazer Island Trip
58:40 Sharks at Frazer Island? Spearfishing at Indian Head
68:20 The shark attack story | What happened to Matt Tratt
Matt’s first Queeny (Kingy lol).
28kg mackerel off Indian head 2015
Matt Tratt with Cod and Blackspot Tuskfish
Me and him spearing at the Marloo wreck (both on the surface)
Rob Tratt Morwong
Rob Tratt Barry (barracouta)
Beach launch for the Marloo wreck (check spelling) I’m driving, Matt walking around.
Rob Tratt with a pig shot 1hr 11 min from Brisbane, from like 4 weeks ago.
Massive thoughts about hunting Dogtooth and other Bluewater species, Southern California Diving, Dirty Water Diving and more….all with the host of the SpearFactor Podcast, Bret Whitman. We have a good old time in this episode. Listen in!
The Path Of The Jedi – The Benthic Boys – Mike Pooler & Joe D’Agostino
The Path Of The Jedi – The Benthic Boys – Mike Pooler & Joe D’Agostino | Mike Pooler is the owner/operator of Benthic Ocean Sports in Destin, Florida; and Joe D’Agostino is his chief Freediving Instructor International (FII) Instructor there. Additionally, Benthic Ocean Sports services all freediving Spearo needs for the Florida Panhandle and South-East US with the highest quality hardware from all over the world. These guys are an FII-accredited institution and are absolute legends! They instruct Levels 1 & 2, a Waterman Survival Course, and a Spearfishing Course, among many others that they do privately for some of the military folks in the FL panhandle.
Mike and Joe are seasoned Spearos and have had some *seriously* impressive Pelagics on the other end of their spearguns! These guys shoot some of the largest and most epic fish available in Gulf of Mexico waters, and his Chief Instructor Joe D’Agostino instructs and travels throughout the freediving and spearfishing community worldwide. We’re sure you’re going to enjoy this conversation!
Important Times
11:00 Early Obstacles
14:00 What is “Benthic”?
15:00 How did you get involved and put together as a Freediving Shop?
16:00 The Path Of The Jedi
22:00 Favorite species to hunt…tune in for the Panhandle’s most desirable species
27:00 FL Panhandle’s Freedive Spearo Club – Agua Verdes
30:00 Tough situations out in Blue Water
44:00 Veterans Vault: Dyneema vs Mono | Timber vs Pipe | Equipment Discussion
Americans with wood guns and mono…what are you guys doing?
The Benthic Boys think Dyneema is the right stuff – why?
Line memory – what is it?
Critical knots to use and why.
“Game Changer” – what’s a quick-disconnect knot and why’s it important?
Line management and tangles
Reels vs. Floatlines
Reel Gun safety – Tension, tension, tension!
Don’t be married to your equipment – “You can buy a new gun, you can’t buy a new Mike!”
The importance of education and safety within the freedive spearfishing community
Best Buddy Practices – “Finality is Reality”
Minimum safety requirements – One up-One down, learn your buddy’s “dive profile”
Courses offered at Benthic Ocean Sports (FII Levels 1 and 2, Waterman Course, Spearfishing Course
The mental and physical benefits to spearfishing
80:00 Spearo Q&A
What separates you from other spearos?
What is the spearfishing destination you’d most like to visit?
Most influential person in your spearfishing journey?
Connect with Mike Pooler & Joe D’Agostino at Benthic Ocean Sports @
This chat is a panel interview with 4 people passionate and highly educated in Marine Science. We chat about fish fecundity, parasites, equilibrium, threats to the ocean, and best of all, how you can get involved making our oceans healthier. Listen in to a great yarn:)
Irene Middleton: Currently completing a PHD in Marine Biology. Specialist in Weird and Unusual Fish Species Research. What’s that fish FB Group in New Zealand.
Libby Liggins: Lecturer at Massey University. Also spears a wee bit. Marine Biologist.
David Aguirre: Libby’s Husband: Invertebrates Geek. Spearo as well. Marine Biologist.
Blair Herbert: Fish Nerd and gatherer of weird and wonderful species.
Isaac aka Shrek (Host): Hopefully asks a few good questions:)
Important Times
04:30 Personal Introductions, Specialties & Passions
09:00 Whats that Fish Facebook Group | tracking fish species and range data using crowdsourced info
13:55 Aging fish. Otoliths and other methods
16:30 How Marine Scientists like Libby, Irene and David collect and collate the data
18:20 What are the changes Scientists are observing in the ocean and its inhabitants?
This episode covers spearfishing in the Florida Keys. We chat species, hydrography, conditions, and more. Ed Martin is a speargun craftsman and Freedive Instructor based in Isla Morada. Listen in!
Important Times
03:50 Ed Martin Introduction and Background. Crappy gear, Angola & Barracuda
12:45 Massive discussion about Sharks, Shark Shields, Body Language and Tales!
21:15 Popular boats for spearfishing in Florida
23:15 Most Memorable Fish | Mangrove Snapper
28:00 What is something that scared the crap out of you and what did you takeaway from it?
‘We don’t rise to the level of our expectation, we fall to the level of our training.”
31:00 The relaxation Conversation!
36:00 Veterans Vault: Spearfishing in the Florida Keys
