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If you want to;
Improve breath-hold
Learn spearfishing hunting techniques
Research better techniques for everything from finning to using burley (chum)
Have a go at using a GoPro for the first time or learn about underwater photography
Make improvements to your freediving techniques
Overcome common (and not so common) obstacles
Prepare better for your next big trip
Then this Get Started Spearfishing Guide might be exactly what you are looking for.
This post contains links to many of our getting started spearfishing guide’s, articles, interviews and more. This guide is updated periodically so it might be a good idea to bookmark it.
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Shrek left the building, so Sam the Waterman grabbed the mic, and it went about how you’d expect. Recorded on night two of the first ever 1770 Beginner Spearfishing Retreat run without the big fella, this one starts with a full trivia night: buddy rules, Boyle’s Law, world record bluefin, Molchanov’s 136 m dive and a Bali Files round about Noffs’ travel disasters. Then Ben Rennie wins the Shrek-impersonation bonus with a Killshot ad read, and “Bulletproof Buddy Protocol” gets exposed as something nobody has ever heard Shrek say. After that the students and instructors “dob in a legend”: Tom Smythe tells the story of a cobia fight that ended in a tangle of float lines, Ting shoots her first fish ever (having never freedived before), and seasick Matt comes back to crack 10 m and have a fish in the boat within 25 minutes. It’s for anyone who’s wondered what a Noob Spearo retreat is like from the inside, and for every spearo who keeps being told to “slow down”.
Sam the Waterman and the 1770 Crew Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00:41 — Sam the Waterman takes over the intro. It’s the first 1770 retreat ever run without Shrek, and the crew report on how it’s going.
00:01:00 — Meet the crew: Mark (lead), Bri, Ben Rennie (camera and scorer), Nick and Tom Smythe (up from Coffs) and Brad (Gold Coast).
00:03:15 — Round 1, Safety and Fundamentals: the four-word buddy rule, and the bonus “Noob Spearo version” nobody has heard of.
00:04:10 — Which gas hyperventilation strips from your blood, and why that sets you up for a blackout.
00:05:40 — The recovery breathing every instructor drills for the moment you surface, then 10 m neutral buoyancy and Boyle’s Law.
00:06:40 — Ikejime and the thing it delays (spelling was marked strictly, so “rigatoni mortis” didn’t count).
00:07:50 — Answers. “Bulletproof Buddy Protocol” gets a room full of blank faces.
00:10:30 — Round 2, World Records: Terry Maas’s 1982 bluefin, a Kiwi who shares his name with a Rat Pack crooner, Greg Pickering’s Spanish mackerel from Dorre Island and Carlos Siqueira’s 301 kg blue marlin.
00:13:30 — True or false: the women’s Indo-Pacific blue marlin record beats the men’s.
00:17:00 — Round 3, Freediving and Physiology: the mammalian dive reflex, why most blackouts happen in the last 10 m, samba/LMC, Molchanov’s 136 m CWT and Mifsud’s static record.
00:21:30 — Round 4, Equipment: why spearos avoid ultra-low-volume masks, shackles vs shark clips, what a flasher does, and speargun rubber in the tropics vs the Arctic.
00:23:30 — The Shrek-impersonation bonus. Ben Rennie’s Killshot ad read takes the three points.
00:26:40 — Equipment answers, where Shrek loses a point for his own flasher answer.
00:27:50 — Round 5, the Noob Spearo round: Full Froth No Ego, the launch year, 99 Tips and The Floater (a.k.a. “the big turd”).
00:32:50 — Round 6, The Bali Files: how many things went wrong for Noffs on the way to Bali, the instructor course in Amed, Adam’s mindset tools (the nana voice, the poo emoji, no plan B) and the discipline that “feels like cheating”.
00:36:50 — Final scores. Nick takes the trivia crown with 21.
00:38:00 — Mark wraps day two: instructors scouting reefs before the students even got wet, and a 100% pass rate.
00:38:50 — Fish comp results: Holly and Andy tie for first, Zach’s big fish, Ting’s award for the loudest stoke, Matt’s one-shot best kill and Sam winning the instructor comp again.
00:42:10 — Dob in a Legend starts. Fozzie on Matt coming back from the dead, Zach’s cobia, and staying calm on the drop.
00:44:00 — Brad’s instructor takeaway: teaching others keeps you learning.
00:45:15 — Bri on how buddy care between strangers turned into the highlight of the trip.
00:49:10 — Tom Smythe’s cobia story: a float line wrapped around two spearos, a fish fighting hard, and then a second “cobia” that turned out to be a shark.
00:53:00 — Tegan’s first fish is a coral trout, and her lesson: go slow, but not too slow.
00:55:10 — Andy’s trout lesson: dive-bomb them, and wait when they square up.
00:58:30 — Nick on keeping your eyes on the fish through the duck dive, and why a spearo sometimes has to dive before the perfect breathe-up.
01:01:40 — Dan on persistence, and on getting properly familiar with your gear before the trip.
01:03:40 — Holly learns to slow down, and Sam admits what his GoPro footage revealed about his own “slow” diving.
01:07:10 — Chris, a Sydney spearo, gets his first taste of the Great Barrier Reef. Dropping on top of coral trout changed everything for him.
01:12:20 — Kate on women getting into spearfishing, and why the no-ego vibe matters.
01:15:30 — Zach, the retreat’s biggest frother, on why a group celebration beats his own cobia.
01:18:10 — Ben Rennie wins People’s Choice, then shares Alex’s parrotfish moment and his motto: “you make your own luck”.
01:21:40 — Alex takes home two fixes: the 45-degree eyes-on-fish descent and a splash-free duck dive.
01:23:10 — Matt: slow down, and remember the look on everyone’s faces when the reef came into view.
01:25:00 — Ting’s first ever freedive and first ever fish, while understanding “maybe 30%” of what the Aussies were saying.
01:28:10 — Mark on leading without Shrek, what goes on behind the scenes, and Matt and Ting’s comeback from 5 m to 10 m.
01:34:30 — Sign-off, with a group “Full Froth, No Ego”.
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At 26, Matty Parker was locked into a Pilbara mining job.
He came over for one Coral Sea trip, went home, sold everything inside a couple of months, and drove across Australia to get out of the golden handcuffs.
Twenty-five years of spearing later he manages Divers World in Cairns — the biggest and longest-running shop up that way — and runs MBP Spearfishing Charters, and he’s the bloke every local kept telling Shrek to interview.
This one gets into the weeds properly: his entire dogtooth setup top to tail, the three-point brief he gives clients before a Coral Sea drift (“when you think you’re closer, get closer again”), why he keeps a scorecard of every fish landed and lost and what one-in-three actually looks like, the 10–30kg window where doggies get eaten fastest, and why he moves off a spot the moment it fires.
There’s also a proper, unflinching yarn about the shark situation in North Queensland after an ugly year for Aussie spearos, and Matty’s flat-out best answer of the episode — what it costs you to spend two years shooting fish in eight metres. Cost ’em nothing. Gain everything.
If you’re saving for a blue water trip, thinking about your first big gun, or you just want to hear a bloke who’s put in the hours talk about hunting instead of depth numbers, this one’s for you.
Matty Parker Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00:44 — Shrek sets up the episode: dogtooth gear, guiding pitfalls, social media’s grip on spearos, and the shark conversation nobody wants to have
00:01:20 — Free shout out to Spearo App, a completely free spearfishing forecasting app, and the level of detail that gobsmacked Shrek
00:03:00 — Fish One Hook’s power band size calculator, plus the free Noob Spearo scorecards at spearfishingcourses.com.au/scorecard
00:05:34 — Matty comes highly recommended — Shrek explains who kept telling him to get Matty on the show
00:06:49 — Started spearing at 10 in a small northern WA town; the Coral Sea trip at 26 that made him sell up and drive across Australia away from the golden handcuffs of mining
00:09:13 — Why “the trip of a lifetime” is the wrong mindset to bring on charter, and what the fish actually are (a bonus)
00:11:01 — WA vs the East Coast: fish density and shore access over there, weather-dependent reef trips over here
00:13:05 — Seven trout a day in Queensland is “astronomical”, and why the North QLD weather is a green zone in itself
00:14:12 — His first Coral Sea mission: two doggies landed before he lost one, then the figures went backwards fast
00:15:07 — Why hiding your gear from other spearos isn’t okay — shot placement and gear are the only two things we control, so share them
00:18:22 — THE FULL DOGTOOTH RIG, TOP TO TAIL: a 130–150cm conventional gun (he runs a 70″ Riffe Rader), three or four 16mm rubbers, 8.7mm shaft, slip tip, 23m float line, a 3-atmosphere float, a short 2–5m line, and a second 3-atmosphere float. Nothing else
00:21:19 — The shot-placement point most people miss: all that gun power is for getting through a foot-and-a-half of fish, not for taking longer shots
00:22:14 — Stone shots, the anti-climax-then-relief feeling, and why hearing the boys screaming on the surface is the best part
00:23:25 — “Doggies bring out the best and the worst in everyone” — diving on each other and shooting each other’s fish vs. proper team work
00:25:33 — What happens in the first 60 seconds after the shot: withstand the first run, then get it up fast, because that’s when they get eaten
00:26:31 — Matty’s shark theory — the 10–30kg window where doggies are too strong to overpower but small enough for sharks to eat quickly, and why big fish often survive longer
00:27:28 — The scorecard he’s kept since day one: every shot fired that doesn’t end on the boat counts as a loss, and he’s landing roughly one in three
00:29:42 — The three-point brief: get closer twice (take two more kicks when you think the shot’s on), take your time, and work as a team
00:30:44 — Fish karma — why not taking the bad shot pays you back somewhere else, maybe a year later in another country
00:32:16 — There are blokes on Matty’s list who can’t buy their way back onto a trip
00:33:53 — Life in the shop at Divers World, and the pre-YouTube days of nagging the newsagent for the first-Thursday-of-the-month dive mag
00:35:00 — The apprenticeship problem: “everyone wants to be the tradesman and no one wants to do their apprenticeship” — plus 100 hours a year, five years, then start pushing depth
00:36:59 — An 8kg red doesn’t taste as good as a 4kg red, so who exactly are you shooting big fish for?
00:37:20 — Matty’s definition of a good spearo: someone who knows how to find fish and hunt them. That’s it. “If you want to be a free diver, go be a free diver”
00:38:31 — Shrek on the gap between physiology and wisdom — you can learn to lay on the bottom in 20m quickly, but the ocean will still beat you
00:42:54 — Advice for green divers: pool training, join the club, then find one or two people at your level and grow together
00:43:11 — The self-check Matty runs on every dive: surface, look around, and if no one’s within 20 metres you’re only diving at 30% today
00:46:25 — How MBP started — the client on the tender who reignited it, four or five years of trips through the shop, then going out on his own
00:47:38 — His October 4–12 Coral Sea trip and the nine-day structure: steam out overnight, wake up in the Coral Sea, six full dive days
00:51:08 — Why the Coral Sea holds every Australian dogtooth record — the vis, the pinnacles rising from a kilometre of water, and how few boats actually get out there
00:52:14 — Doggies aren’t migratory and aren’t even tuna — they’re mackerel (Gymnosarda unicolor), resident on their pinnacles, and Matty’s seen the same fish a year apart
00:53:18 — When to be in the water: tide change, first light, and the golden hour on a shoal
00:55:00 — Why he never dives the same spot twice on a trip, even after a 20-fish afternoon — spread the pressure and the fish are there in three years
00:56:59 — Eating doggie: it freezes badly, ciguatera risk on the big models, sashimi most nights on the boat, and euro mounts for the jaws
00:59:28 — Burley and flashers: pilchards over fish frames (running a knife through fish aggravates sharks), and his basic buzz-bomb flasher with a knife jig and three double-sided mirrors
01:01:00 — Flash with purpose — “don’t just do it because I said go over there and flash”, plus why he stays on the flasher to call the dives
01:02:22 — Tracking a big gun with a breakaway: gun down, hand on the handle, and steering it through the water by the muzzle like a surfboard
01:04:21 — Finding the white dot on the tail knuckle in black water — and why the fish is invisible without it
01:05:39 — He works out every diver on the boat at the dinner the night before the charter
01:06:40 — “I won’t shoot a doggy under 30 kilo” — how expectations set by social media wreck people’s trips before they get wet
01:08:14 — Shrek’s horror story: the charter client who wouldn’t buddy up, 100 nautical miles offshore, and how far Shrek escalated it
01:11:33 — A week with no reception, and how the bloke you wanted to push over the side on day one is your mate by day four
01:13:52 — Shrek’s vision statement — reconnecting people with themselves, their food, the natural world and each other
01:15:18 — Beyond doggies: red emperor, Maori sea perch, buffalo emperor, iron jaw and green job fish, plus the wahoo, yellowfin and marlin you have to go and hunt separately
01:16:37 — The 140–150kg marlin that snapped a straight shaft last year — another argument for slip tips
01:17:32 — Reading current in the Coral Sea (it’s all ocean current, not tidal), and the October moon that fired then went dead five weeks later
01:19:59 — The Noob Spearo x MBP trip: a Great Barrier Reef trip heading north past Lizard Island in March
01:20:40 — What the B in MBP stands for, and the middle name Shrek and Matty share
01:21:43 — SHARKS: an ugly year for Aussie spearos, and Matty’s honest read on why it’s changed
01:22:03 — His two-part theory — social media virtue signalling plus an education gap — and the fact that a shark now has no commercial value in Australia
01:24:51 — Shrek’s flake confession, and how spearos take an abundant freezer completely for granted
01:26:18 — The maths on shark bycatch, and how visibly the aggression has changed in the water in five years
01:27:57 — The angry email Shrek wrote about “just buy your fish from the supermarket” comments on dead divers’ posts
01:29:53 — Matty’s in-water protocol: he can read an area in ten minutes and pull everyone out. “There’s no fish that’s worth any part of my body”
01:31:06 — The reefs off Hinchinbrook with resident, territorial bull sharks, and bites that happened in 20m of vis
01:33:21 — Shark deterrents: no one wearing one has been bitten, the scorpion tail zapping you on the duck dive, and how confidence itself changes a shark’s read on you
01:35:00 — Shrek gets charged on the bottom by a bull shark, and the seasons where he simply can’t relax enough to dive properly
01:36:42 — The most dangerous thing beginners (and plenty of experienced blokes) do: gun handling, clipped guns pointing at the diver behind them, finger on the trigger
01:38:36 — The best answer of the episode: if you could only shoot fish in eight metres for the next two years, what does it cost you? “Cost ’em nothing. And you gain everything”
01:40:09 — Shrek’s traditional ocean poo story request, answered from a back deck in California
01:41:16 — Where to find Matty and both trips, plus the price bracket
01:43:31 — Outro: Deep North with Matty and Shrek, March 2027 — spearfishingcourses.com.au/deepnorth
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🔥 DEEP NORTH — Noob Spearo x MBP | 13–21 March 2027
Nine days aboard the Norkat II out of Half Moon Bay Marina, Cairns, hunting remote sections of the Great Barrier Reef north of Lizard Island. Ten guests max, two in-water guides the whole trip (Matty and Shrek), all meals, fish processing and freezing, tenders, reef fees and a custom trip shirt included. $7,200pp, $2,500 deposit, payment plans available.
Fishes One Hook — power band size calculator under Gear Reviews
Free Noob Spearo Scorecards — Spearo Readiness Scorecard (not started yet) and Skilled Spearo Scorecard (already diving). Two minutes, custom results to your inbox
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What if becoming a better spearo had less to do with diving deeper or buying better gear—and more to do with learning how to actually see what’s happening around you?
In this episode, Shrek sits down with commercial fisherman, spearo, hunter and lifelong observer of the natural world Johnny Mitchell, with Johnny’s longtime mate Tim McDonald joining the conversation.
Johnny has spent decades living, fishing, hunting and observing in the bush and on the water. From commercially chasing Spanish mackerel and mud crabs to living out of a swag, caretaking Cape Capricorn lighthouse and spending countless hours simply watching animals behave, he has developed an extraordinary ability to recognise patterns in the natural world.
The conversation explores awareness, natural intelligence, tides, weather, animal behaviour, sensory awareness and pattern recognition—and why asking simplistic questions like “Is the full moon better?” or “Does falling barometric pressure make fish bite?” can actually hold back your learning.
Johnny explains why every productive fishing or spearfishing location has its own combination of features and conditions, and why the better question is often:
Why were the fish here today—and why weren’t they here yesterday?
Tim also shares how Johnny’s influence has completely changed the way he approaches spearfishing: shooting fewer fish, observing more, recognising short feeding windows and learning to know where to be, when to be there and why.
This one goes well beyond spearfishing. It’s a conversation about reconnecting with the natural world, waking up dulled senses and becoming less dependent on apps, assumptions and handed-down rules.
Johnny Mitchell Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Johnny Mitchell 03:00 – Johnny joins Shrek and Tim McDonald 04:00 – Johnny’s background: fishing, hunting and living wild 06:00 – Your subconscious is collecting more information than you realise 07:00 – Awareness: the foundation of everything 09:00 – Living at Cape Capricorn lighthouse 11:00 – Why good experiences lead to better questions 12:00 – Hunting versus simply observing animals 15:00 – Watching fish footage 100 times 17:00 – How Johnny changed Tim McDonald’s approach to hunting 18:00 – Pattern recognition and exponential learning 19:00 – The most important question: Why? 20:00 – Observational intelligence versus handed-down knowledge 23:00 – Nature is multidimensional: beware single-variable thinking 29:00 – New moon vs full moon: are we asking the wrong questions? 31:00 – Understanding the specific tide window for a spot 34:00 – Johnny’s “Zoom Out” technique 36:00 – Using landscape, wind and Google Earth to understand a fishing location 38:00 – How modern life dulls our senses 40:00 – “Unbroken connection” with the natural world 44:00 – How disconnected have we become? 46:00 – From awareness to recognising patterns and predicting opportunities 48:00 – Knowledge removes scarcity and makes you a more generous diver 52:00 – Making more space in your life for the outdoors 54:00 – You can start reconnecting with nature in ten minutes 58:00 – Why understanding fisheries can become extremely complicated 1:00:00 – Observing more and killing less 1:04:00 – Spearfishing has to become about more than killing fish 1:06:00 – Old-school dogtooth tuna and spearfishing stories 1:09:00 – You don’t need a $100,000 boat 1:10:00 – Why most fishermen don’t actually understand weather 1:12:00 – From reading conditions to predicting a 130 cm barramundi 1:14:00 – Johnny’s Break Free three-day program 1:16:00 – Becoming a better spearo by becoming a better person 1:18:00 – Psychology, learning and actually applying knowledge 1:22:00 – Everything Johnny teaches can begin at a duck pond 1:24:00 – Throw the barometer question in the bin 1:28:00 – Testing theories instead of turning observations into rules 1:31:00 – What does Break Free actually mean? 1:32:00 – Johnny’s links and wrap-up
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Every year a few Aussie spearos land in Europe with a 130 railgun, a summer wetsuit and a plan built for the Coral Sea. Most of them spend the first week confused. The water is calm and clear, the fish are small and educated, nobody owns a boat, and the bloke checking licences on the beach speaks four languages and accepts none of your excuses.
None of that makes Europe a bad trip. It makes it a different sport played in the same gear, and if you set your expectations right it is one of the best diving holidays you can do. This guide is built from year-round diving on both coasts, the Med and the Atlantic, and covers everything a visiting spearo should know before booking the flight.
Why Euro waters are a different animal
Start with the mindset shift, because it matters more than any gear choice.
The fish are smaller and smarter. The Mediterranean has been speared since before spearguns had triggers. A 2 kg sea bream here earns the same nod a 10 kg trevally gets at home. The upside is that hunting pressured fish will sharpen your technique like nothing else. Divers who learn agachon and tight shot discipline in the Med go home deadlier.
It is a shore culture, not a boat culture. The default European trip is a rental car, a coastal road and a pair of fins, not a charter. Parking above a headland, kitting up in a car park and finning out 300 m is the normal way to dive here, and it makes trips cheap.
The water is clear but crowded. Twenty metre vis is routine in the Med in summer. So are swimmers, ferries, marine reserves and other spearos. Reading the coastline for pressure, and diving at first light, matters as much as reading it for structure.
The rules change at every border. Australia has state rules; Europe has national ones, sometimes regional ones, and they genuinely differ. A dive that is legal in Italy can be a fine in France and a court date in Germany. Section five deals with this properly.
The two playgrounds: Mediterranean vs Atlantic
Europe gives you two very different oceans a few hours’ drive apart.
The Mediterranean is the warm one. Summer water runs 22 to 26 °C, vis is often 20 m plus, tides are close to nonexistent and most days the sea is flat enough for a paddleboard. It is relaxed, beautiful diving where the challenge is the fish, not the conditions. The trade-off is pressure: every decent headland within walking distance of a town gets dived.
The Atlantic is the wild one. Colder (14 to 20 °C depending on latitude and season), real swell, real tides, and vis that lives between 3 and 10 m on a good day. It feels much more like home for anyone who dives southern Australia. The reward for the harder conditions is bigger fish, fewer divers and long stretches of coast that see almost no pressure.
My honest advice: do both. A Med week teaches you finesse, an Atlantic week gives you the fish stories. The sample itinerary at the end is built exactly that way.
When to come
The happy accident for Australians is that Europe’s best diving lands in the Aussie winter.
Med: August to October is prime. Water and vis peak in late summer, the crowds thin out after August, and October can be the best month of the year: warm water, empty beaches, hungry fish. June and July are good too, just busier. Winter Med diving (December to March) is doable in a 5 mm suit but short days and 14 °C water make it a locals’ game.
Atlantic: May to October is the window. The ocean needs settled weather, so you are hunting for the flat spells between systems. September is usually the sweet spot: the summer heat has soaked in, the water is at its warmest and the autumn swells have not started. Watch the forecast obsessively; the Atlantic will hand you three flat days and then close for a week.
If you can only make one trip: September. Both coasts fire, and it lines up with the tail end of your off season.
What you’ll be hunting
A realistic species rundown, not a trophy list.
In the Med: white seabream (sargo) is the classic quarry, wary and delicious. Dentex is the prestige fish, a proper predator that hunts the drop offs. Amberjack show up around structure and bait balls in late summer. Sea bass, mullet and barracuda round out the everyday hunting, and the barracuda here school in numbers that will surprise you.
In the Atlantic: sea bass is king, stalked in the white water the same way you would hunt the wash at home. Pollack sit over reefs and wrecks and come to a flasher. Gilthead bream patrol the sand edges, and big mullet are everywhere and harder to spear than they look.
The grouper note, and it matters: dusky grouper are protected or effectively off limits in much of the Med. France has had a moratorium for decades, and other countries restrict them. Do not build your trip around a grouper photo. Treat any legal grouper as a bonus, know the local rule before you load the gun, and let the big friendly ones on the reserve boundaries be.
The permit maze, country by country
The section nobody warns you about. Australia mostly lets you spear first and asks questions later; Europe wants paperwork first, and every country runs its own system.
One warning before the table: rules change, constantly. Costs and systems below were checked against official sources in mid 2026, but treat them as orientation, not authority. Verify with the local authority before every trip and every dive. I keep a longer explanation of how licence systems work in our guide to spearfishing laws and licences if you want the full picture.
Country
Licence needed?
Rough cost
The thing to know
Spain
Yes, regional
€20 to €30 plus a medical certificate
Every autonomous community issues its own licence, and the medical cert (about €50) catches travellers out. Sort it before you fly.
Portugal
Yes
About €10 a month
Online licensing that actually works for foreigners. The easiest system in Europe.
France
Yes
About €40 a year
Arranged through clubs or port authorities, and accident insurance is required.
Italy
No
Free
No licence, but stay 500 m from busy beach resorts, out of ports and away from fresh water.
Greece
No
Free
The licence was suspended in 2017. No night diving, no torches, 200 m from bathing beaches.
Croatia
Yes
About €60 for 10 days
You must join a spearfishing club to get the permit. It can all be done online.
And the two rules that repeat everywhere: no spearfishing on scuba, and no spearfishing at night. Both are banned essentially EU wide. Expect a standard buffer of roughly 200 m from swimmers and harbour mouths, daily bag limits in the 3 to 5 kg range, and marine protected areas that are genuinely enforced.
Shore vs boat, and how Europeans actually dive
The European default is the shore dive, and the whole culture is arranged around it. Here is what that looks like in practice.
The float and flag are not optional. Nearly every country requires a marker buoy with a dive flag, and in high traffic summer water you want one anyway. Tow it on everything. Local divers judge visitors on this in about four seconds.
Marine protected areas are everywhere and mapped. The Med especially is dotted with reserves, usually zoned: no take in the core, restrictions around it. The boundaries are on official maps and often on marker buoys. “I didn’t know” does not work on the water police, and fines are real money.
Distance rules protect you as much as the swimmers. The 200 m buffers exist because European beaches in summer are packed. Early mornings solve most of it: you get the fish before the crowds and you are out before the lifeguards set the flags.
Bring the buddy habit with you. Shore culture can drift into solo culture, and Europe’s quiet headlands make it tempting. The physiology does not care which hemisphere you black out in, so keep the one up, one down discipline you learned at home. We wrote up the full case in our shallow water blackout guide, and it applies word for word over here.
Boats exist, of course. Charters run out of the bigger ports and a RIB opens up coastline the car parks cannot reach. But if your plan is a rental car, a paper map and a different headland every morning, you are not doing it wrong. You are doing it the European way.
Coming ashore after a Mediterranean shore dive.
Gear tweaks for the trip
Leave the bluewater cannon at home. Here is the kit that fits the job.
Guns: 75 to 100. In 20 m of Med vis with wary 1 to 3 kg fish, a 90 is the do everything gun, an 85 or 75 for the caves and white water, maybe a 100 for Atlantic bass and pollack. Single band, simple rig. Reel guns are the local standard because shore divers cannot chase a float line through a crowded bay.
Bands matter more when the fish are small and spooky. A snappy, correctly sized band setup on a 90 beats a heavy twin band setup that throws the shaft past everything. If you are re rigging for travel, our free speargun band size calculator tells you exactly how long to cut bands for your gun and stretch ratio. Bands are also the one thing worth buying locally: every Med dive shop stocks bulk rubber.
Suits: 3 mm for the Med summer, 5 mm plus for the Atlantic. Med in September is board shorts warm at the surface but you will be doing long sessions, so a 3 mm open cell is right. The Atlantic wants a 5 mm, and a 7 mm if you head north or come early in the season.
And the one legal gear note that surprises people: spearfishing on scuba is illegal in essentially all of Europe. There is no grey area. Freediving only, everywhere you are likely to dive.
A sample two-week trip
A concrete itinerary you could copy, built around the two easiest licence systems in Europe.
Week one, the Med: Croatia. Fly into Split. Buy the 10 day permit online before you land (it includes the club membership requirement, all handled in the same process). Rent a small car and work the Dalmatian coast and islands: sargo and sea bass in the shallows at dawn, dentex on the deeper points, octopus if it is open season. Clear, calm, warm. Sleep in coastal guesthouses and eat your catch grilled with olive oil and lemon.
The weekend in the middle: fly Split to Lisbon. Cheap direct flights run all summer.
Week two, the Atlantic: Portugal. Buy the monthly online licence for about a tenner. Base in Sesimbra or head north to Peniche, watching the swell forecast, and dive the flat windows: sea bass in the wash, gilthead bream over the sand, pollack in the deeper structure. When the Atlantic closes out, drive south; the Algarve’s south coast often works when the west coast is blown out.
Total damage beyond flights: two licences for under €80, a hire car, and guesthouse beds that cost less than a night out in Sydney.
End of a session on the Atlantic coast.
Quick FAQ
Can I fly with my speargun?
Yes. Airlines treat spearguns as checked sporting equipment: broken down, unloaded, tips covered, bands packed separately, never in the cabin. Check your specific airline’s sporting goods policy the week you book, and add a gun bag with padding.
What about travel insurance?
Standard policies usually exclude spearfishing, so read the activity list before you buy. Dive specific insurers cover freediving and spearfishing explicitly, and remember France requires accident insurance for the licence anyway.
Should I bring gear or buy it there?
Bring your suit, mask and fins, because fit is everything and rental spearfishing gear barely exists. Guns and rubber are easy: coastal Spain, Italy, France and Croatia have excellent dive shops, often cheaper than Australia, and buying a travel gun there saves you the airline handling both ways.
Can a restaurant cook my catch?
Often, yes, and it is one of the joys of the Med: plenty of family tavernas will grill your fish if you ask nicely, clean it first and are not carrying half the reef. Ask before you assume. One hard rule: never try to sell your catch. Recreational catch cannot be sold anywhere in the EU, and it is the fastest way to turn a good trip into a legal problem.
Marco Reyes runs Fishes One Hook, a spearfishing blog covering the Mediterranean and Atlantic: honest gear guides, licence breakdowns and technique for shore divers. If you are planning a Euro trip and have a question the guide did not answer, the contact page reaches him directly.
In 1989 a young South African woman hung mid-water off a reef 20km out from the Mozambique coast, held out a 1 metre gun, and whacked a fish the same size as she was. It dragged her across the reef until her mask and snorkel came off, they had to cut it into four pieces to weigh it on a 20kg scale, and nobody on the boat could tell her what it was — 52 kilos of dogtooth tuna, an unknowing men’s world record that got broken by an Aussie three days later and still stands as the women’s international bluewater freediving record today. Jean Napier-Hattingh spent a year in hospital as a seven-year-old being told she might not walk again, decided right there she’d have the most adventurous life on earth, and has spent the 40 years since backing that up — a 138kg marlin on a 1.2m Cape gun with a rusty spear, a 26kg barracuda world record in Sierra Leone she also didn’t know about, and a nickname (Parrot Queen) she earned before she could shoot anything else. She’s also the woman who accidentally invented the flasher, using a wrist full of silver bangles worn on the outside of her wetsuit to out-shoot every bloke on her brother’s boat. Whether you’re a woman wondering if there’s a place for you in this sport, a game fish hunter after species-specific tactics, or anyone who reckons you need a big gun to shoot big fish — Jean will straighten you out.
Jean Napier-Hattingh @spearfisherlady Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:01:00 — Shrek sets up the chat: a South African spearo holding records from before women’s records even existed, and why her book Against the Tide is worth your time
00:01:20 — Listener Sam Livings’ voice message: a 15kg kingfish, a perfect head shot, and a completely seized flopper. Check. Your. Gear.
00:03:30 — Trip news: 1770 Retreat (two spots, September), the final ever Sail x Spear trips out of the Whitsundays, and PNG with Tim McDonald and Ben Rennie
00:06:00 — The “queppilat” (quince stick) above the pelmet, a farm childhood, and the year in hospital at age seven that made Jean decide she’d live the most adventurous life on Earth
00:07:30 — Why water felt safe when her legs didn’t work, swimming from age four, and how underwater hockey at UCT built the breath hold and stamina base for spearfishing
00:09:30 — Learning in the Western Cape (deep, icy, reef fish, head-in-caves) versus life now in Natal chasing pelagics in warm water — and why the transition was easy
00:10:30 — Marine parks north of Durban, why pelagic-only rules keep reefs alive, and the difference between poaching and subsistence fishing in Mozambique
00:11:00 — The weirdest intro to spearfishing going: scuba instructors ditching tanks, planting a loaded gun outside a cave, and sending Jean down the float line to shoot the fish
00:12:30 — How deep, how long: 25m these days, a lockdown breath hold app that got her to five minutes, and “I hold it for as long as I need to shoot a fish”
00:13:30 — “Girls do not do this sport” — getting knocked back off boats, entering comps because comps had to give her a boat spot, and slowly forcing the blokes to take notice
00:14:30 — The 52kg dogtooth. Baixo Danae reef, a 1 metre gun, a fish the same size as her, 30m of float line, mask and snorkel gone, water-skiing, and a 40kg potato bass turning up to help
00:18:00 — Cut into four pieces to weigh it on a 20kg scale. A men’s world record for three days, and a women’s record that still stands 35+ years later
00:19:00 — Why the lateral line shot was the only thing that saved it, and what she actually felt when she realised the size — “I just thought, well, that’s another fish, let’s get in and find another one”
00:21:00 — Two great white encounters at four-and-a-half to five metres, having to pull her gun back so she didn’t touch one, and why she didn’t move
00:22:00 — Five whale sharks and five manta rays in four metres of crystal water, with Jean in the middle of them
00:22:30 — Jean on Australian sharks: “the sharks in Australia have gone rogue.” Shark Shields on every diver on her Aussie boat, none in South Africa, and her overfishing theory
00:28:00 — Earning the Parrot Queen nickname on Natal knifejaw in Port Elizabeth — the friendly fish that come and sit on the end of your spear
00:29:30 — Strength versus patience. Weak arms mean sneaking closer, half your spears don’t pass through, and the boat can wait an hour while you bring the fish up gently
00:31:00 — The 138kg marlin. A 1.2m Cape gun, a rusty spear, an hour-plus swim, borrowing two mates’ float lines to reach 90 metres, and the first spear falling out at the surface
00:34:00 — Jean’s speargun setup: conventional Rob Allen 1.4m pipe gun, twin 14mm rubbers, load assist, 30m float line, big orange foam-filled float. “No fancy reels. Old-fashioned and it works”
00:36:30 — The silver bangles. A wrist full of glitter worn outside the wetsuit, worn every dive, and how Jean reckons she invented the flasher years before flashers existed
00:38:00 — Making provincial teams in Eastern Province and the Transvaal, organising comps, and the state of South African spearfishing clubs today
00:40:00 — Funny one: forgetting her husband’s boardies on a month-long Mozambique trip. He dived in her spare bikini bottoms with her wetsuit flapping around his waist — and out-shot her
00:41:00 — Doing everything together: a three-month drive right through Africa, bird watching, photography, and why she reckons she got lucky
00:42:00 — Arrested in the Trevi Fountain. Hot, huge backpacks, dusk, and a police interrogation in Italian they pretended not to understand
00:44:00 — Writing Against the Tide: lockdown alone in Stellenbosch, an online creative writing course, a 12-woman writers group who’d never dived, and one hunt per chapter
00:46:30 — The records she never claimed: at least seven world records, ~50 South African records, plus the 10 Australian records she does hold
00:47:30 — Why spearfishing is “good for the soul” and Jean’s pitch to any woman on the fence — the sport that’s not actually about shooting fish
00:49:00 — What’s changed since ’87: abalone poaching syndicates, crayfish next, dead dynamited reefs in Zanzibar, foreign trawlers, and reserves nobody can afford to police
00:52:00 — WA closing demersals indefinitely, the illegal abalone trade in NSW, and why spearos are the most environmentally conscious fishers going
00:54:00 — The rest of the gear bag: Freedivers fins, a Rabitech gun, leg knife, and tailor-made wetsuits by Sergio at the Rob Allen factory for 30-odd years
00:56:00 — Underrated African destinations: Latham Island in November chasing big doggies, and four and a half years in Sierra Leone diving off dugout canoes into water absolutely teeming with fish
00:57:30 — The 26kg Sierra Leone barracuda — another men’s world record she didn’t know she’d broken
00:59:00 — Game fish tactics, species by species: chase cooter (Spanish mackerel) flat out until they tire, dive to your flasher and wait for kingfish, and dive away from a wahoo and pretend you can’t see it
01:00:30 — Shrek explains throw flashers to Jean, and how they bring spooked wahoo straight back in
01:02:00 — “Age is a number.” Why Jean’s diving until she’s 90, the Load-EZ ratchet loader idea that might buy her another decade, and starting weights to keep her arms strong
01:05:30 — Jean’s parting shot to women everywhere: “grab life with both hands and just go for it”
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
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I gratefully signed up as a patron this week to help support you to keep creating purposeful content and courses
In a social media focused, technology driven western world people are becoming increasingly disconnected to nature, disconnected from real people, real community and losing the essential humanistic behaviours and skills like hunting for our own food.
As a farm girl who grew up to make a career out of advising farmers on synthetic nutrients and pesticides to grow profitable crops and live stock. I’ve unfortunately seen some of the ugly reality of modern food production, and that’s driven me to keep hunting fresh organic produce in a sustainable way to nourish my own body and those I get to share my catch with. There’s no better feeling.
Your noob spearo podcast helped inspired me to move states buy a speargun and teach my self how to spearfish.
The 1770 course gave me the skills and confidence to go from spearing coral trout and stripeys to Spanish Mac, tuskys and jacks. The instructors on the course were legends in the purest form.
The sail and spear trip last year was a once in a lifetime experience I lost my voice from laughing on day 1 and I made friends for life. My most memorable moment from that trip wasn’t the awesome fish we speared but was waking up before the sun laying on deck of the sail boat on the Great Barrier Reef star gazing and chatting to other spearos.
It’s so rare as an adult to have the opportunity to unwind in healthy way. your pods, courses and retreats brings out the inner kid in all of us and they’ve helped me to grow as a spearo and as a person.
I’m still a very average spearo paying my dues and get so much from your podcasts and the people I’ve met through you so I hope you keep them coming in the future because I still have a bloody long way to go as a spearo .
I often think about how if all of us loyal listeners who have listened to 100s of your pods like me chipped in a few dollars a month, how many more courses retreats you could run connecting more good people together .. and even more importantly, helping to connect us back to natures wild elements and our food.
Blood noses at 32 metres, nappies floating past mid-breathe-up, and a bloke sprinting freestyle across the open ocean after a borrowed Kraken roller gun — part two of the Bali crew’s adventure has the lot. Matty, Liv, Noffs, Rhys (No Viz) and Chiz wrap up their freediving instructors course with Adam Sellars and The Pressure Project, battling flu, an LMC scare and one heartbreaking dynamic apnea before every single one of them gets it done. Then it’s a few hours up the coast to Singaraja to spear the rumpongs — Bali’s handmade floating FADs — with the experienced local guides at Spearo Co, where triple tail come in like chickens of the ocean and the mahi mahi turn up in numbers. Liv’s redemption dynamic after four failed attempts is worth the listen alone, and Helios from Spearo Co jumps on at the end to talk Kraken Spearguns and fad season. If you’ve ever thought about doing your freediving instructors, or spearing Bali’s blue water on a budget, this one’s for you.
Matty, Liv, Noffs, Rhys @novizadventures and Chiz Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00:45 — Shrek’s intro: part two of the Bali crew adventure — instructors course wrap-up, then spearfishing the rumpongs
00:02:18 — The crew debriefs the final days of the freediving instructors course, including the 30-minute oral presentation requirement nobody saw coming
00:03:31 — Liv wakes up crook on day three — fevers, blocked sinuses and Bali Codral cold & flu with the course requirements still to get
00:05:58 — Noffs and Chiz hit their 32m dives — including another participant getting 31.2 and having it not count
00:08:23 — Noffs pushes through a stuck left ear for the requirement and surfaces with a blood nose while everyone stares
00:09:38 — Adam’s trick for diving with blocked sinuses: feet-first pulls down the line to drain everything out
00:10:58 — Liv’s comeback: first-ever mouth fill at the 20m mark and a 32m dive after two days out sick
00:13:23 — Rhys’s LMC scare at 25m — why he called it and waited instead of pushing for the 32
00:16:45 — Adam’s biggest lesson: you don’t need that almighty pre-dive breath to dive 30–40m — Liv hit 32 on half a lungful
00:17:44 — Mouth fill demystified: watch alarms at 15/20/30/32, charging at free fall, and why it’s simpler than it sounds
00:19:47 — Rhys throws nappies and drags a tree away from another diver’s breathe-up as a river of rubbish floats through the dive site
00:20:52 — Pool day: Matty cruises his 75m dynamic, Chiz sprints the last 25 (“they say you can’t muscle through freediving — lies”)
00:23:47 — Noffs’s three-attempt static at Adam’s villa at 7am — saved by Matty barking “you got the dog in you” from the balcony
00:27:44 — Liv hits the wall: four attempts stuck at 50m with jelly legs and tears in her goggles
00:30:31 — The redemption protocol: a massive feed, sleep, leg activations, Laird Hamilton breathing, borrowed DiveR fins and a one-shot dynamic coached by instructor Elle
00:36:06 — Matty’s tribute to Liv’s rollercoaster week + the crew’s shout-out to “support crew Matty”
00:37:46 — The charter breakdown: $625 each for transfers, accommodation, own rooms and two days on the boat
00:39:07 — Freediving takeaways: listen to your body, slower is faster, and spearfishing is one of the most unforgiving sports
00:40:30 — Rumpong time: two days spearing Bali’s floating FADs in 500m of water — triple tail, rainbow runner and first-ever dolphin fish
00:43:39 — Matty shoots a big bull mahi on the guide’s Kraken roller, the reel jams, and he does “an Ian Thorpe” sprinting after it
00:50:36 — Chiz’s redemption dolly after two heartbreakers — flopper failures, a Hail Mary and a stone shot from Noffs
00:51:38 — The swim cap game: best fish on the fad wears the beautiful white cap
00:52:52 — Bali key takeaways: who you know matters, get away from the main areas, flasher tactics for mahi vs wahoo, and bring Crocs
00:59:05 — Noffs’s gear lesson: always inspect your equipment — his gun failures cost him the biggest fish of the trip
01:00:02 — Helios from Spearo Co on Kraken Spearguns (the Katana rail gun that doesn’t flex), exposing local Indonesian guide talent, and fad season running April to December
01:03:53 — Shrek’s outro: register interest for future Noob Spearo Bali trips at spearfishingcourses.com.au
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
The crew:
Rhys — No Viz Adventures 🎣 No Vis Adventures (Flash) — @novizadventures
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A false-positive drug swab on the podcast recorder, a speargun declared at the airport, a phone lost forever somewhere up a Balinese hill — and that’s all before anyone gets wet. This one’s a proper fly-on-the-wall: no Shrek behind the desk, just five of the Noob Spearo crew — Matty, Liv, Noffs, Rhys (No Viz Adventures) and Chiz — handing the mic around in Amed while they work through their freediving instructor course with Adam Sellars at The Pressure Project. You’ll hear Rhys talk through his first-ever LMC on day one (and why his ego put him there), the mouthfill “great mystery” that throws every spearo sideways at 15 metres, Adam’s nana-voice-and-poo-emoji trick for shutting up the negative voice on a breathe-up, and the quietly massive idea of diving with no plan B. It’s Full Froth, No Ego in the flesh — blokes and a legend coming up short, laughing about it, and getting better the next day. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens on an instructor course, or you’ve thought about crossing from spearo into proper freediving, this is your backstage pass. (Quick caveat, straight from Shrek: these guys are learning in live time, so take the technical stuff with a grain of salt.)
Matty, Liv, Noffs, Rhys @novizadventures and Chiz Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00:50 — Shrek sets the scene: five spearos off to Amed to become freediving instructors with Adam Sellars, and why this one’s a fly-on-the-wall.
00:01:00 — A heavy shout-out: three Australian spearos lost to sharks in recent months, and a hint that future shark episodes are coming.
00:01:40 — Happier news — Shrek and Krystal welcome Grace Evelyn, their first girl after four boys.
00:04:40 — The travel saga begins: Liv’s “just checking in” phone call the night before saves Noffs’s whole trip.
00:06:00 — How an auto-generated “Ryan James James Noffke” nearly stopped Noffs boarding before he even left Mackay.
00:06:30 — The golden rule of flying with a speargun (never say the G-word) — and how Noffs couldn’t lie to the officer and ended up declaring it.
00:08:00 — The podcast recorder gets swabbed and lights up positive — a full security debacle that turned out to be a false positive.
00:09:30 — Rhys loses his phone somewhere on the drive up and never sees it again.
00:13:00 — The big one: Rhys walks through his first-ever LMC during a static, including the strange out-of-body feeling.
00:17:30 — “You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the levels of your training” — why drilling recovery breaths matters.
00:18:00 — Rhys on ego vs froth, and knowing when to push mentally and when to stop physically.
00:23:30 — The instructor requirements laid out: 3:30 static, 75m dynamic, 32–40m on the line, plus an assignment and a 30-minute presentation.
00:36:00 — Adam’s mental tricks for intrusive thoughts on a breathe-up: the nana voice and the poo emoji.
00:37:30 — Depth contractions explained — why they’re not the CO2 contractions you think they are.
00:39:30 — Rhys’s streamlining tip: hands up on the ascent, then ride the buoyancy.
00:43:30 — Mouthfill, explained from scratch by people who’d never heard of it 48 hours earlier — the M-sound, the glottis lock, and why it throws everyone off.
00:48:00 — Adam’s breathe-up routine that gave Noffs his most comfortable diving in ages.
00:51:00 — The two keys to freediving, per Adam: equalisation and relaxation.
00:53:00 — Adam’s three-day silent retreat story, and the roommate made physically sick by his own thoughts.
00:55:00 — Diving with “no plan B” — the most hard-hitting idea of the trip, and how it bumps against listening to your body.
00:57:30 — Why free immersion “feels like cheating” to a spearo (and why a bunch of them PB’d it anyway).
01:00:00 — Instructor lessons learned: don’t be afraid to speak up and tell people what they need to do to pass.
01:02:00 — Honest Amed travel advice: arrive 3–4 days early, and the night noises (geckos, dog fights, roosters, prayers over the speakers).
01:09:00 — Why Liv and Matty did a CPR, first aid and oxygen course — including the mate who put a dive knife into an artery.
01:10:30 — Oxygen tickets, the green whistle and restocking the first aid kit for remote trips.
01:13:00 — Shrek’s outro: these legends are teaching and assisting on Noob Spearo courses, and a tease for the next episode out on the rumpongs.
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
The crew:
Rhys — No Viz Adventures 🎣 No Vis Adventures (Flash) — @novizadventures
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Pull up a chair, crack a cold one, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained — because this is the 1770 Beginner Spearfishing Retreat debrief, Mark Two. Twelve learning legends, a pumped-up instructor team, and two days on the reefs of Agnes Water later, Shrek rounds up the whole crew on the last night for beers, belly laughs, and some genuinely moving takeaways. There’s Luke, who was mentally drafting his Marketplace listing for his speargun on Saturday afternoon before a red throat emperor at 20m turned him into a full-blown spearo evangelist. There’s Mackenzie, a total non-fisher who found herself staring down four bull sharks on day one and somehow ended the weekend relaxed about the whole thing. And then there’s Maddie — patient, methodical, and quietly devastating — who borrowed a reloaded gun with the boat bearing down and stoned a maori wrasse cold. Perseverance, slowing down, and the power of a crew that goes absolutely feral cheering for each other — if you’re on the fence about a retreat or just want to remember why you love this sport, this one’s for you.
1770 Retreat Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00 — Cold open: cobia stories, reef highlights, bull sharks
01:00 — Shrek intro + retreat reviews (Alex & Lorden)
03:30 — Debrief begins: competition results and venue shoutouts
05:00 — Most Meritorious: Lucas, Maddie, Lachlan
06:00 — Biggest fish of the retreat
07:00 — Student & instructor standings
08:00 — Tom’s takeaway: persistence when things go wrong
09:00 — The Cobia Chronicles (Lachlan and Patrick)
11:00 — Patrick on dive buddy chemistry
12:00 — Patrick’s first reef, first coral trout
13:00 — Luke’s story: nearly quitting Saturday, then a red throat changed everything
15:00 — Luke’s lesson: zig when they zag, embrace the dive bomb
16:00 — Mackenzie: from total beginner to bull shark veteran
17:00 — Four bull sharks on Day 1 (with Bri tapping her to open her eyes)
19:30 — Frothiest moment: octopus changing colours
20:00 — Shrek’s frothy moments (wardrobe malfunctions and a stitched-up mate)
21:00 — Shrek on coaching: one piece of feedback at a time
22:00 — Nos’s frothy moments: youngest Weasley’s first fish + Maddie’s maori wrasse
28:00 — Nos’s learnings: wear pants, check pockets, persevere
30:00 — Bri from Underwater Culture + Tom Sandstrom’s legendary impression
32:00 — Skip on EQ struggles and the pool exercise that helps
34:00 — What Skip got right when the plan changed
36:00 — Ben Renney: photographer, guide, hype machine
37:00 — Maddie’s maori wrasse from Ben’s perspective: “dog with a bone”
39:00 — Flash (Nova’s Adventures): everyone got a red throat
41:00 — Fish/Sex/Marry/Kill (you’ll have to listen)
42:00 — Flash’s biggest lesson: demonstrate by doing
43:00 — Alex’s section: most improved of the retreat
44:00 — The slow-down revelation: “We’re exploiting their curiosity”
46:00 — Alex’s first coral trout at 17m
49:00 — Alex’s genuine thanks to instructors and fellow students
50:00 — Mark impersonates Nos to devastating effect
53:00 — Mark and Dan’s mystery fish high-five
57:00 — Scotty putting Christian on his first trout
01:01 — “It’s not what you think” — depths are in your head
01:02 — Scotty’s parting words: Just do it
01:03 — Christian on breath hold surprises and spearfishing as a team sport
01:05 — Dan’s takeaway: it won’t click instantly, and that’s okay
01:07 — Dan’s fish-frying masterclass for Flash
01:08 — Final awards: most improved, most teachable, best buddies, frothiest person
01:09 — Wrap up
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
NSP:315 KillShot, Deep Apnea & the Real Shark Shield Story | Ed Martin
Ed Martin has been living one of the most chaotic and compelling entrepreneurial stories in the spearfishing world — running a dive shop, building timber spearguns under the KillShot banner, acquiring legendary US fin brand Deep Apnea, and nearly bringing Shark Shield back to market before the whole thing fell over. He’s since walked away from the Florida Keys, bought an 80-acre former turtle farm near Ocala, and is now running two manufacturing companies out of buildings he’s literally wired himself. This episode is equal parts business therapy and fin-nerd masterclass — Ed breaks down why soft, medium, and hard is a rubbish way to select your fins, how deep apnea’s hand-layup process produces one of the lightest and most responsive blades on the market, and why chasing too many rabbits is the surest way to catch none. If you’ve ever thought about turning your passion for spearfishing into a business, or you just want to understand what’s actually going on inside your carbon fibre fins, crack a beer and hit play.
Ed Martin Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00:41 — Shrek intro: Sentinel Ocean Systems now stocking the new Shark Shield Freedom 8 — if that’s why you’re here, head to sentineloceansystems.com before anything else.
00:03:51 — Ed’s three previous NSP episodes (123, 126, 281), and the catch-up begins: expanding the Florida Keys dive shop, buying Deep Apnea, and getting tangled up in Shark Shield — all at the same time.
00:07:40 — Why the dive shop had to go. Ed breaks down the brutal economics of juggling too many businesses at once — “the greatest way to fail is to try to do too much shit all at once.”
00:13:43 — What happened to Depth Charge Charters: isolation risk, seasonal staffing nightmares in the Keys, and the call from the marina that never came.
00:19:43 — Leaving the Florida Keys after 47 property inspections — and landing on an 80-acre former turtle farm with five ponds, a hot house, and spiders that’ll stop your heart.
00:24:12 — The real Shark Shield story. Why the Freedom 8 never made it to market under Ed’s watch, the pre-order he’s glad he never took, and the path forward for people with broken units. Australian repair contact: Tim [CHECK: “Tim Ner Benner” — likely transcription error, flag for Shrek to confirm name/contact details].
00:32:19 — Deep Apnea: how the company went from a South Florida sleeper to picking up new accounts including Neptonics. Ed walks through silk screening, the manufacturing workflow, and what it takes to build 600 pairs of fins a year with a tiny team.
00:37:33 — Should you turn spearfishing into your business? Ed’s hard-won take: “If you want to become a millionaire in the dive business, start with two million.” What to do right, what kills you, and the rare joy of watching a zero-to-hero customer walk back through the door.
00:44:23 — Actionable tip of the day: the flip flop chest loading pad hack. Ed demonstrates how to rig a full thong/flip flop with a dyneema loop and uni knots for an adjustable, depth-stable loading pad — and why neoprene pads are basically useless below 20m for scuba divers.
00:48:37 — Business exit strategy advice. Set a concrete number before you start, stick to it, and don’t be the guy selling gear out of the back of his truck in the car park.
00:52:43 — Deep Apnea vs the market: why the fins were originally designed for spearos by spearos, the case for tendon foot pockets over tendonless, and the moment Ed dives to meet his buddy who just shot at 60 feet — and why you should too.
01:03:58 — Why “soft, medium, hard” is a useless scale and what actually matters: static deflection testing, the parabolic flex curve, and how to match fin stiffness to your body weight, dive frequency, and depth.
01:09:00 — The lamination deep dive: where the carbon layers are stacked (closer to the foot pocket for torque, tapering toward the tip), and why Ed’s medium fins have 10 layers of carbon and 80 pieces to cut per batch.
01:17:16 — Hand layup vs vacuum bagging: why Deep Apnea fins have a matte finish, how the press squeezes out excess resin, and why less resin means a lighter, more responsive blade.
01:20:44 — Carbon fibre nerd-out: what 3K vs 12K actually means (3,000 vs 12,000 strands per tow), and why more K doesn’t automatically mean better.
01:22:16 — What’s next: doubling customers already this year, CNC automation, a possible carbon fibre propeller for a half-drunk neighbour’s airboat, and the dream — destination spearfishing, elk hunting, and getting the businesses to a point where Ed can actually leave.
01:31:05 — Where to buy: deepapnea.com and killshotspearguns.com — both rolling under the Deep Apnea platform. Use code NOOB10 for 10% off blades.
01:35:13 — Outro: 1770 Retreat debrief teased as coming next episode — described as “arguably my favourite debrief” and one of the funniest episodes in the show’s history.
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Ed Martin:
🦈 Deep Apnea Freediving Fins: deepapnea.com — use code NOOB10 for 10% off
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Josh Halley is back — the Shetland Islands spearo, filmmaker, and certified chaos merchant behind the Souls Untapped YouTube channel. Last time he was on (ep. 206) he was chasing pollock in North Sea washing machines. Now he’s planning to row the entire coastline of Norway with three mates including an ex-Norwegian Olympic rower and freediving coach, shooting fish and cleaning up the ocean along the way. In between, Shrek and Josh unpack some genuinely gold content: the “100% framework” for safely assessing your dive capacity in tough conditions, a near-blackout in Papua New Guinea that changed how Josh breathes forever, the mouthfill EQ technique that finally unlocked depth for him, and why you should never chase a 50+ kg dogtooth tuna without a working alarm on your dive watch. If you love adventure, raw honest storytelling, and practical lessons paid for in blood, sweat and jungle tent living — this one’s for you.
Josh Halley @soulsuntapped Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00:00 — Cold open: Josh’s quote about holding his first breath — and what happened next. Sets the tone perfectly.
00:00:35 — Shrek intro: Who is Josh Halley, what’s the Nordic Endeavour, and why this episode matters
00:01:30 — Event shout-out: Eden Spearfishing Challenge, June 6 — hosted by Southern Zone Spearfishing on Facebook
00:01:50 — Promo: Three spots left in the July 1770 Agnes Water beginner retreat; Sail & Spear trips in August filling fast
00:02:00 — Baby news: Shrek and his wife are two weeks from welcoming their fifth child — and first daughter
00:04:00 — Josh is back: Souls Untapped returns to the podcast 100+ episodes after episode 206, with more facial hair and more story
00:04:30 — Shetland geography lesson: what a “voe” is, why Shetland sits almost exactly halfway between mainland Scotland and Norway, and why Fair Isle sounds unhinged
00:07:30 — The Nordic Endeavour announced: rowing the full length of Norway’s coastline with Glen Sadler (ep. 227), ex-Norwegian Olympic rower and freediving coach Martin Helseth, and adventure athlete Anders — departing July 12
00:09:00 — The mission behind the row: ocean cleanups through freediving in coastal communities, charity fundraising, and Josh’s personal goal of self-discovery — plus how they landed a major communications company as a sponsor
00:10:30 — Training row in Norway: Josh and Glen’s first face-to-face meeting after years of calls — eight hours rowing, couldn’t put their own pants on at the end of it
00:12:00 — The boat “Little Nell”: fibreglass, ~6–7m, sleeping cabins fore and aft, and heavier than expected when loaded with dive gear and four blokes
00:13:00 — Norway’s appeal: tidal cod in a 40m-wide fjord entrance, halibut hunting, fjords you’d never see from the open ocean — why they’re threading the inside route instead of the safe offshore line
00:18:00 — ADHD and self-discovery: Josh opens up about neurodivergence, the highs and lows, and why expedition-style trips are the best classroom he’s ever found for understanding himself
00:22:00 — New Zealand tahr hunt: helicopter into the South Island with Irish mate Darren, a whiskey-fuelled 21-hour drive, climbing into cliff faces after nothing for days, and the moment Josh disappeared into a black void of monkey scrub with a rifle above his head
00:32:00 — Hunting vs spearfishing: the patience gap — why hunters will sit all morning watching nothing, but spearos bail on a spot in two minutes, and what Josh has taken from one discipline to improve the other
00:33:00 — New Zealand spearfishing: Mokohinau Islands with the Chasing Gallaher [CHECK: confirm spelling] crew, finally getting close to a kingfish vortex, and the chaos of helping Rudy land a 30kg king with two spears and a lot of grunting underwater
00:43:00 — Float line vs reel gun safety: real talk on line management with big pelagics, two mates who lost gear, and why you need to relearn float line skills before you go chasing wahoo, yellowfin, or dogtooth
00:50:00 — The washing machine kingfish: a tidal pinnacle in the middle of nowhere, Ollie Craig, a mask ripped clean off mid-fight, and what happens when your line wraps your GoPro housing instead of your arm
00:53:00 — Papua New Guinea: tent living in the jungle, ear infections from the “Bali doctor” [CHECK: Josh said Bali — he means a remote local medical setup], bad nutrition, and two days of relentless diving before Josh’s first dogtooth
00:58:00 — Near-blackout in PNG: the moment Josh felt his body “go” — the twitches, the terror, and why he almost didn’t recognise it for what it was until it was nearly too late
01:00:00 — The 50kg dogtooth that got away: spotting what might be the biggest fish he’s ever seen at depth, checking his watch alarm, and consciously choosing not to chase it
01:05:00 — Alarm watches for spearfishing: how Matt Hill’s training in Bali introduced Josh to depth and time alarms — and how that subconscious check saved him in PNG
01:08:00 — LMC on the surface in Bali: the sunfish that spiked his heart rate, a deep dive that went slightly too long, surfacing then losing consciousness — Matt Hill’s immediate rescue response, and how Josh had to relearn freediving from scratch after
01:11:00 — Overbreathing and hyperventilation explained: Shrek breaks down the CO2/O2 relationship and why “breathing up” can actually tank your performance and safety as you get more experienced
01:12:00 — Luca’s PNG technique: watching a 40m diver hunt dogtooth with barely a kick, spending 30+ seconds dropping in near-static, working through 20 contractions before surfacing — the most relaxed aggressive spearing Josh had ever seen
01:14:00 — Mouthfill EQ game changer: the technique Matt Hill taught Josh that finally cracked depth below 20m — one fill, one equalisation, done
01:16:00 — The 100% framework: how solo diving, thick wetsuit, strong tides, a camera, and an anchored boat all bleed your available dive capacity — and why assessing your percentage before every session is a non-negotiable
01:19:00 — Supporting the Nordic Endeavour: the £250 Club (your name on the boat), charity plans for mental health and Norwegian rescue (RS — Norwegian equivalent of the RNLI), and how to follow along on the journey
01:21:00 — Future vision: Josh and his partner — who is studying psychology with a focus on neurodivergence — want to run ocean therapy events combining spearfishing and mental health support
01:22:00 — New Nikon Z underwater photography rig: Josh’s new camera, plans for an underwater housing, and his vision for feature-film-quality adventure content from the Nordic Endeavour
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Reset Breathing, Equalisation Fixes & Ocean Glide: Cindy Yang on Spearfishing, Freediving and Mindset.
What happens when a Taiwanese-born Californian firefighter, underwater photographer, and freediving coach moves to Australia for love and brings two decades of ocean wisdom with her? Cindy Yang of Ocean Glide joins Shrek for a wide-ranging conversation that covers her extraordinary life arc — from a hyperactive kid in Taipei who’d never seen the ocean, to chasing abalone on the Northern California coast, to becoming one of the few female firefighters in her station, to eventually leaving her dream career to chase a different kind of depth. Along the way, they dig into practical gold: Cindy’s seasickness microdosing protocol, a deep dive into sinus anatomy and why surgery isn’t always the answer, her natural wetsuit lube (and exactly how to use it), and the episode’s standout gem — the RESET acronym, a breathwork framework drawn from firefighting and freediving that you can use mid-dive, mid-panic, or mid-argument with your kids to snap yourself back into calm, clear decision-making. If you’ve ever struggled with EQ, stress underwater, or just want to feel more in control in and out of the water, this one’s for you.
Cindy Yang @cindyatsea Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:02:00 — Listener tip from Matt: using coconut oil drops for ear lubrication and near-effortless equalisation, plus a 50/50 vinegar-alcohol rinse for ear hygiene after heavy diving
00:06:00 — PNG spearfishing charter announcement: Shrek and Tim McDonald taking 12 divers to Bali, September 12–20, $7,500 — intermediate-plus, 12m+ divers only
00:07:00 — Cindy Yang intro: free diving coach, underwater photographer, founder of Ocean Glide
00:13:00 — Cindy’s origin story: growing up in Taipei, ADHD energy with nowhere to go, parents applying for a US green card when she was born and it coming through 12 years later
00:14:00 — Arriving in California at 12 with zero English, landing in a school with no other Asian students — how adversity sharpened her observation skills
00:19:00 — UC Davis, wildlife conservation biology, and why veterinary school didn’t happen
00:20:00 — The moment spearfishing clicked: watching abalone divers emerge from the ocean at Mendocino and immediately joining them in a surf suit with goggles
00:23:00 — Career pivot to firefighting: what it was like being a small Asian woman in a male-dominated American fire station post-9/11, imposter syndrome, and how team culture eventually won out
00:30:00 — Spearfishing journey builds: mentor Larry with a tiny wooden speargun, the annual Mendocino camping extravaganza, and how California diving shaped her ethic
00:33:00 — First trip to Mexico, then the moment a local gear shop owner told her she had to do a PFI course in Kona first — and she did
00:38:00 — Moving to Australia for love: why it took Cindy a full year to write her resignation letter from a job she adored
00:41:00 — Seasickness protocol: how Cindy microdoses Quells (half a tablet early morning, another half at the boat ramp) to dive without drowsiness
00:43:00 — Sinus anatomy explained: why flat-faced anatomy creates drainage issues, the histamine-sinus-EQ connection, and why steroid sprays alone don’t fix the root cause
00:44:00 — The allergy desensitisation protocol: visiting an allergist, the checkerboard scratch test, and the injection series that cleared years of chronic sinus inflammation
00:46:00 — Surgery vs integrative medicine for EQ issues: why going ENT-first often skips better options, and the Santa Cruz integrative medicine approach that changed Cindy’s health
00:54:00 — Freediving technique: constant diaphragm engagement and why so many divers breathe wrong at the surface without realising it
01:06:00 — Ocean Glide origin story: zinc sunscreen in surf shops, then switching to natural-based wetsuit lube after reacting to chemical conditioners on reef dives
01:09:00 — How to use wetsuit lube properly: one to two teaspoons dry inside the suit, a quarter-cup of water, seal and shake — don’t over-dilute
01:13:00 — Shrek’s personal story: dropping a full clothing size (42-inch waist to 40, 3XL to 2XL) over three days at a freediving retreat — not weight loss, just inflammation from cortisol reduction
01:20:00 — Why Cindy reframes “breathing up” as “breathing down” — you’re not pumping yourself up, you’re breathing your nervous system down
01:21:00 — The double inhale technique backed by Andrew Huberman research: how it hijacks a neural circuit to snap your brain out of a stress loop (also works on diaphragm cramps)
01:22:00 — The RESET acronym unpacked: Recognise, Exhale, Stillness, Evaluate, Trust — a step-by-step breathwork framework for in-water panic, life stress, or anything in between
01:32:00 — Firefighting analogy for trust: how tunnel vision in new firefighters mirrors panic underwater, and why you train when you don’t need it so it’s there when you do
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Depth Progression for Spearfishing: EQ, Technique, Safety & Training with Mark Davies (Karma Dives)
On the Noob Spearo Podcast, host Shrek talks with Mark Davies from Karma Dives (Hervey Bay) about safe depth progression for spearfishing and freediving, focusing on why divers plateau and how to move from 10m to 15m, 20m and beyond. They cover equalisation troubleshooting (tongue positions, head-angle training, pulsing/warmups, balloons), refining technique and streamlining, disciplined surface intervals, and the added risk of spearing versus line diving. Mark shares cautionary blackout/samba stories, warning signs of pushing too hard, and practical training ideas like pool sessions, walking apnea, stretching/diaphragm flexibility, hydration, and gear considerations such as low-volume masks and appropriate fins. Mark also outlines his Maldives depth-progression retreat (ending with tiger shark dives) and mentions upcoming spearfishing retreats.
Mark Davies Karma Dives Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00Depth Progression Teaser
00:42Shoutouts and Trips
02:21Sponsors and Welcome
03:27Mark Davies Background
04:19Freediving Inspiration
08:03Teaching and Mindset
12:59Sharks and Big Catches
19:52Safety Before Depth
23:13Blackouts and Pool Lessons
31:23Beginner Depth Barriers
32:58EQ Techniques and Drills
36:51Lifestyle and Hydration
39:55Confidence and EQ Discipline
45:25Continuous Equalizing Debate
46:46Breaking Past 10 Meters
48:11Technique for 10 to 15
50:17Surface Intervals and Safety
53:0215 to 20 Training Tools
54:18Stretching to Prevent Squeeze
57:45Warmup Dives and Mindset
01:01:55Team Diving at 20 Meters
01:04:1620 to 25 Slow Progression
01:07:29Gear Choices for Depth
01:11:03Hypoxia Warning Signs
01:14:33Leg Strength and Fin Power
01:19:43Maldives Retreat Breakdown
01:28:26Wrap Up and Next Episodes
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Host Shrek opens the Noob Spearo podcast with a listener voice message from Matt sharing ear-care tips for divers (coconut oil drops before diving and periodic rinses with a 50/50 vinegar and alcohol mix).
The episode then jumps into a last-day, post-trip recap of the Whitsundays Sail & Spear Trip 2, 2025, with Sam the Waterman explaining the context: sailing through the Whitsunday Islands to the outer Great Barrier Reef, hundreds of fish landed across the trip, multiple 20kg+ GTs caught on rod and line between spearfishing sessions, and notable catches like Red Throat and Spangled Emperor on luncheon meat, alongside strong crew bonding.
In a roundtable-style debrief, guests and instructors share highlights, misses, and “frother” shoutouts: exhaustion from consecutive days of diving, stories of drift dives and tidal creek/lagoon systems, Spanish mackerel attempts using throw flashers and diver formations, bull sharks around the boat, and lessons on relaxing during deep dives (relax jaw, hands, feet; free-float the top 10m). Several divers celebrate first-time or milestone catches including yellow lip emperor, coral trout, Red Throat Emperor, Red Emperor, parrotfish, and multiple GTs landed early in the morning.
The group emphasizes buddy diving, safety, instruction quality (notably Tim), and the unique Great Barrier Reef scenery. The episode includes sponsor reads for Neptonics, Adreno Spearfishing, and Aqualyte, and closes with details on how to join future Sail & Spear charters via spearfishingcourses.com.au, plus a push to watch the video version on YouTube/Spotify and check out the revamped Noob Spearo YouTube channel with help from Sam the Waterman.
Sail x Spear 2025 Trip 2 Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00Podcast intro and where to watch
00:48Ear care equalization tip
02:11How to send a voice message
02:38Sam sets the scene
05:10Day three recap begins
06:24Exhaustion and wetsuit woes
07:59Dive buddy teamwork highlights
09:14Spanish mackerel scramble
10:22Trip reflections and family plans
12:24Ryan’s end of trip debrief
14:39Ja’s rampage Pete and fishing lord
17:06Sponsor break Neptonics ad
18:01Tony’s highlights and firsts
20:15Liv’s injury and deep dive tips
23:56Laws first fish and mega froths
28:05Captain Crispy shoutouts and bull sharks
30:39Steve and Liv buddy diving synchronicity
36:32Steve on ego and lessons
38:18Blaze reefscapes and gratitude
41:43Big Chiz on misses and trout recovery
45:57Trip Reflections
47:01Sponsor Adreno Deal
47:46Neptonics Gear Promo
48:44Aon Coral Trout Story
51:50Brogan Big Day Recap
55:32Aussie Shrek Creek Dives
59:54Lord Nick Reef Takeaways
01:06:38Pete Last Session Push
01:08:31Aqualyte Cramp Fix
01:09:01Adam and Huss Chaos
01:18:30Sam Roller Breaks
01:24:07Tim Wrap Up Lessons
01:28:21Final Call To Join
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
In this episode of the Noob Spearo podcast, host Shrek is joined by Matthew Lewthwaite, who owns the Dive Cave on the Sunshine Coast. They discuss the intricacies and origins behind spearfishing gear, share important community updates, and reminisce about early spearfishing memories. Matt provides insights into starting the Dive Cave, his passion for high-quality gear, and the challenges of running a spearfishing business. They also delve into the local spearfishing scene, the importance of safety, and the journey from basic to advanced spearfishing techniques. The episode blends humor, personal anecdotes, and deep knowledge, making it a must-listen for spearfishing enthusiasts
Matty Lewthwaite Spearfishing Gallery
Important Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Shoutouts
00:36 Listener’s Voice Message
02:01 Spearfishing Retreat Announcement
02:52 Interview with Matt Luth
03:35 Matt’s Early Days in Spearfishing
06:04 Spearfishing Adventures in South Africa
24:33 Transition to Australia
30:28 Understanding the Challenges of Spearfishing
30:52 The Importance of Mentorship and Clubs
32:29 The Role of Local Retailers in Spearfishing
33:44 Celebrating the Community and Legends
36:00 The Art and Taste of Crayfish
36:53 The Journey of Spearfishing Gear
39:23 The Craftsmanship Behind Spearfishing Equipment
43:28 The Realities of Manufacturing Spearfishing Gear
46:36 Choosing the Right Spearfishing Gear
52:07 Balancing Quality and Budget in Spearfishing
01:00:37 Honest Advice and Long-Term Relationships
01:01:16 Inspiration from a Fly Fisherman
01:02:22 The Birth of Dive Cave
01:04:02 Social Media and Business Challenges
01:06:50 Spearfishing Innovations
01:19:07 Deep Diving and Spearfishing Passion
01:22:17 Podcast Conclusion and Future Plans
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
A one-stop shop for a basic but good quality beginner spearfishing setup.
This setup will come in well under $2000 and you can easily change out items based on your preference but this will give you a good idea of what you are looking for.
In this episode of the Noob Spearo Podcast, host Shrek interviews Jordan Hunter, founder of the Your Fish app. They discuss Jordan’s background in spearfishing, the inspiration and development of the app, and its features such as social networking, buddy finding, and competition management. Jordan also shares insights into his personal spearfishing journey, the importance of meditation and relaxation in diving, and the potential of ice baths to improve diving performance. The conversation highlights the app’s goal of building a global community of spearfishers and anglers, making it easier to connect and share their passion. Listeners are encouraged to download the app and join the community.
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
The simplest way to start spearfishing “Noob Spearo style” is to keep your gear and goals basic, focus hard on safety and freediving fundamentals, and plug into a local club or mentor so you are never learning alone. A small, simple setup plus structured learning and community will shortcut years of frustration.
Step 1: Get the right basic gear
For your first 6–12 months, a minimal beginner setup is enough: a simple railgun in the 80–100 cm range (or shorter in dirty/shallow water), a basic float/flag with a rigline, and a speed spike or stringer for your fish. Noob Spearo’s “101 Spearfishing Beginner Setup” breaks down this exact configuration and explains why avoiding complicated reels and accessories makes life much easier for new divers.
Add a comfortable low-volume mask, snorkel, long-blade fins, a suitable-thickness wetsuit for your local water, a rubber weight belt with small increments of lead, and a simple knife for safety and dispatching fish. The goal is neutral buoyancy at 8–10 m so that you float on the surface – this means you will be safe and relaxed (especially while learning).
*Don’t buy your first lot of spearfishing gear online, go into a dedicated spearfishing retailer (like Adreno) and meet people who spearfish themselves. They will make sure you get the right gear!
Australian Champion Spearo Bryson Sheehy with simple spearguns that he used to compete in the World Championship
Step 2: Build freediving and safety first
Before worrying about big fish, learn to freedive properly: relaxation, efficient duck dives, streamlining, equalization and safe surface intervals. A reputable freediving course (preferably taught by a spearo or an Instructor who understands spearfishing) will teach safety skills such as rescue techniques, black-out awareness, and proper breathing habits. Another great way to learn these skills is to join a pool training group like the Brisbane Bullsharks as they drill safety and fitness activities that are highly relevant to spearfishing.
In general, get in the swimming pool with your fins, mask and snorkel and get used to moving through the water, duckdiving and finning. This is a HUGE skill to learn before jumping in the ocean.
Adopt a strict buddy system from day one: one up/one down, eyes on each other, pre-dive plans for max depth, time, and turn-around points. Episodes like “101 Freediving for Spearfishing” and the Noob Spearo safety-focused shows walk through real incidents and best practice so you can avoid common beginner mistakes.
For your first hunts, pick sheltered, easy-access spots: the protected side of a headland, lee of an island, or calm beach reef with low swell and minimal current. Noob Spearo’s shore-dive guide recommends using tools like Google Earth to check reef structure, plan safe entries/exits, and then cross-check conditions (wind, swell, visibility, boat traffic) with local knowledge before committing.
Stay shallow (under 5m at first) and focus on simple species that don’t spook too easily, like reef fish in your local area, rather than chasing pelagics or deeper dives. Treat each session as practice in good entries, quiet surface swimming, basic bomb dive hunting and safe ascents, rather than purely as a ‘I have to shoot a fish’ session. For wind, tides and depth charts in one place before you head out, Fishbox covers Australian coastlines too.
Step 4: Plug into Noob Spearo resources
Noob Spearo maintains an up-to-date “Get Started Spearfishing Guide” page that links all their beginner articles, podcasts and checklists in one place. From there, you can jump into key 101 episodes covering beginner setup, shore diving, freediving, buddy protocols, plus “first year” lessons other divers wish they had known.
Finding a spearfishing club or experienced diver to learn from is one of Noob Spearo’s top recommendations for new spearos, because it accelerates learning and keeps you safer. Spearfishing clubs, Facebook groups, and local dive shops are suggested as the best places to meet mentors, get spot-specific advice, and do your “apprenticeship” in a supportive environment.
If you want more structured help, Noob Spearo-branded beginner and intermediate spearfishing courses (for example, Straddie trips in QLD) combine classroom, pool and ocean sessions to step people through gear, safety, hunting techniques and local conditions. These trips and courses are designed to turn absolute beginners into confident, competent spearos while avoiding the scary near-misses many self-taught divers experience.
Want more actionable information to improve your spearfishing? > Subscribe to the Floater Email Here and start with 10 Tips to Get Better at Spearfishing as a FREE downloadable resource
-Shrek
1770 Beginner Spearfishing Retreat | Learn with a bunch of like-minded people in a no ego, full froth environment
For years now, I’ve been going back and forth on induction-hardened steel shafts and their rusting issues.
Based on all the things I’ve read and been told, I know they’re not supposed to rust.
However, my experience has them rusting no matter what I do.
Even well-oiled shafts that never touched salt water rust sitting in my workroom on a rack.
Maybe because I live across the street from a saltwater marsh.
Despite a religious regime of rinsing, drying thoroughly, and then being oiled with a plant-based or a food-grade mineral oil, they continually rusted. My tolerance had ended.
A while ago I had to do work on my trailer and bought “CRC Zinc-It Instant Cold Galvanize” spray. With leftover spray, I coated my quiver of ever-rusting induction-hardened shafts.
To prepare them, I used a green kitchen scrubby and removed all the oxidation, rubbed them down with acetone to clean off oils, sprayed them with two coats of cold galvanizing spray paint, and let them dry in the sun.
The paint had runners and got thick in spots, so I used a very light sandpaper to smooth it down and applied another coat of light galvanization.
Then I started using the shafts again. The galvanization spray wore off as I used the shafts.
Still. I rinsed, dried, and oiled the shafts in my outdoor shower after a day of fishing.
After two years of this process, the shafts developed a dark bronze/black patina that, with regular oiling, NEVER rusts!
The induction-hardened steel and the spray galvanization must’ve created a chemical bond/coating that works very well to resist rust with washing, drying, and oiling maintenance.
I attribute this to sheer dumb luck, as in “blind pig finds corn”.
I generally lay low online. However, if you would consider sharing this insight with your network, you’re welcome to share my contact details below..
Attached is a picture of one of my shafts and the galvanizing
Your work, the sharing of tips and knowledge, and the community approach you employ are outstanding.
I am so over the typical spearfishing porn where you don’t learn anything.
Take care and I’d love to hear your feedback. Leave a comment with your thoughts, tips and ideas on shafts!
The final installment of a multi-day spearfishing trip called Sail X Spear. The episode features a group discussion and informal debrief with participants and the crew aboard the boat Condor, where they share their highlights, challenges, and “frother” (enthusiastic person) shoutouts from the trip. Conversations center on diving experiences, technical improvements like float line management and shooting accuracy, impressive fish catches (including a mangrove jack and a tuskie), and the positive, ego-free, teamwork-focused atmosphere fostered throughout the journey. The host, Shrek, and others frequently praise the generous attitudes of the participants and the competency of the crew, while also mentioning sponsors and future trip details.
Sail x Spear Gallery 📸@blaze_parsons
Important Timestamps
Join Shrek as he wraps up the Sail and Spear 2025 adventure aboard the Condor. In this episode, the crew reflects on their diving experiences, shares highlights, and acknowledges the camaraderie that made this trip memorable. Featuring spearfishing legends and enthusiastic frothers, the episode is filled with stunning underwater tales, teamwork, and the occasional mishap. Shoutouts to the dedicated crew, incredible patrons, and of course, the spearfishers who brought their A-game. Tune in for the final installment of this epic trip and get ready to dive back into the regular Noob Spearo interview style next week!
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:25 Setting the Scene: Sail and Spear Trip
01:25 Acknowledging the Team
02:37 Diving Highlights and Reflections
03:37 Spearfishing Techniques and Tips
06:04 Sponsor Shoutout: Drano Spearfishing
06:57 More Diving Stories and Highlights
08:38 Teamwork and Camaraderie
32:15 Sponsor Shoutout: Neptonics
33:52 Final Reflections and Farewells
38:55 Reflecting on the Trip
39:03 Diving Challenges and Successes
39:27 Celebrating the Catch
39:59 Memorable Moments and Highlights
41:08 Sharing the Experience
41:37 Diving Stories and Techniques
44:21 Acknowledging the Crew
46:39 Final Thoughts and Farewells
49:47 Concluding the Adventure
59:07 Looking Forward to Future Trips
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Here are six actionable tips for using a sounder (fish finder) and GPS together to locate fish effectively, with a focus on bait identification, structure reading, and current interaction:
1. Identify Bait with Your Sounder
Use your sounder to locate dense, cloud-like shapes in the water column—these are often baitfish.
Bait typically appears as tightly packed clusters or amorphous blobs, often mid-water or just off the bottom.
Predators are usually nearby; look for larger arches or streaks around the bait.
2. Mark and Return to Productive Spots Using GPS Waypoints (Commonly Called ‘Marks’)
When you find bait or fish-holding structure (e.g., a ledge or reef), mark it on your GPS.
Save multiple waypoints in promising areas to create a “milk run” of productive spots to revisit.
Use GPS trails to replicate good drifts for dropping divers.
*take note of prevalent current on the day you mark these spots because if the current is running in a different direction or there is no current at all, these spots/drift lines will have 0 relevance.
3. Scan for Obvious Structures Like Drop-Offs, Ledges, and Caves
Use your sounder to detect sharp changes in bottom contour—these often attract bait and predators.
Look for overhangs, caves, or sudden depth changes. These appear as steep vertical lines or shadows on the display.
Fish tend to hold near the edges of structure where they can ambush prey.
4. Understand How Current Interacts with Structure
Fish face into the current, positioning themselves where food is carried to them.
Use GPS to identify up-current sides of structure—these are often more productive than the down-current sides.
Target eddies and backflows near points, humps, or reefs where predators wait for bait to pass.
5. Layer Information to Pinpoint Fish Zones
Combine GPS, sounder data, and chart overlays (like depth contours and current flow).
If bait is hugging a drop-off and current is pushing over that structure, predators will likely be on the pressure side.
Look for convergence zones where structure, bait, and current intersect—these are prime drop zones. Keep in mind that if you are dropping divers in to target these zones, you will need to drop them off further up current to give them time to load their spearguns, relax, breathe up and prepare.
*low revs for the win: doing a few passes over the pressure points to assess conditions/fish life on the sounder is fine however do it with low revs to spook less fish and give your divers the best chance on a good drift
6. Adjust Depth and Frequency Settings Based on Conditions
Use higher frequency (e.g., 200 kHz) for shallow, detailed bottom imaging; lower frequency (e.g., 50 kHz) is for deeper water (generally line fishing).
Adjust gain/sensitivity to distinguish between bait, fish, and bottom clutter.
In deeper water or faster current, slow down your boat to allow better returns and more accurate reading of structure.
To wrap up, mastering your sounder and GPS is crucial for successful spearfishing. By understanding how to identify bait, read underwater structures, and interpret current interactions, you can significantly enhance your fishing efficiency. This is often why people with a line fishing background make great spearos – they already know how to find fish and understand basic things about where to find them.
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, several resources can guide you:
Books:
The Ultimate Fish Finder Guide by Martin Jacobs and Jens Biegemeier offers over 135 illustrations to help you interpret sonar images and locate fish hotspots. The Fishfinders+1Amazon+1
AFN GPS Fishing Marks Australia Wide by Jim Harmon is a valuable resource for Australian anglers, offering over 3,000 GPS fishing marks across the country. Booktopia
Online Courses:
Sounder Skills 2 by Ryan Moody Fishing is a self-study program that teaches you how to effectively use your fish finder to locate and catch more fish. Ryan Moody Fishing+1Ryan Moody Fishing+1
Episode two of the “Sail and Spear” trip, a spearfishing charter expedition to the Great Barrier Reef aboard the sailboat Condor. The host, Shrek, interviews participants and instructors about the second full day of diving, focusing on their personal improvements, hunting techniques, and “frothy” highlights from the day. Discussions reveal various spearfishing successes, challenges with equipment and visibility, and notable catches like Spanish Mackerel, Coral Trout, and a large crayfish, all while emphasizing the importance of teamwork and dive buddy systems. The episode concludes with plans for the next day and promotions for spearfishing gear and the podcast’s community.
Sail x Spear Gallery 📸@blaze_parsons
Important Timestamps
Sail and Spear Episode 2: The Right Cross – Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef.
In this episode of the Noob Spearo Podcast, host Shrek and his fellow spearfishing enthusiasts embark on an adventurous second full day of diving on the Great Barrier Reef aboard the Condor. The episode features highlights such as successful hunts, handling frustrations, and skills development. Key moments include shooting a Spanish mackerel in challenging visibility, landing a huge crayfish, and wrangling a giant trevally (GT). The divers share improvements in techniques, the importance of teamwork, and the joy of hunting in a target-rich environment. Tune in for stories of camaraderie, valuable takeaways, and the thrill of underwater hunting.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
02:25 Diving Adventures and Techniques
04:46 Spearfishing Stories and Highlights
08:23 Challenges and Improvements
11:12 Community and Support
11:56 Daily Highlights and Reflections
16:08 Teamwork and Collaboration
27:18 Memorable Moments and Future Goals
41:46 Epic Spearfishing Gear Promo
42:50 Daily Highlights: Tim’s Epic Moments
43:38 Spearfishing Stories: Will’s GT Moment
44:26 Spearfishing Challenges and Triumphs
46:07 Justin’s Dance with a Spanish Mac
48:38 Spearfishing Adventures: Whale Show and More
49:04 Spearfishing Highlights: Blaze’s Big Day
51:07 Spearfishing Reflections and Goals
52:35 Spearfishing Tips and Techniques
54:45 Spearfishing Gear and Froth Moments
57:50 Spearfishing Teamwork and Achievements
01:00:01 Spearfishing Wrap-Up and Future Plans
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
NSP:305 Sail X Spear Ep1: Hard Won Lessons and Frothy Tales
In this episode of the Noob Spearo Podcast, Shrek kicks off day one of their spearfishing adventure on the Great Barrier Reef aboard the Condor. Shrek is joined by Eckart from Salt Sessions, instructors Tim and Ryan along with a group of enthusiastic spearos, some of whom are experiencing the tropics for the first time. The episode, recorded live on board, features segments where divers share their ‘frothy moments’—highlights of their day, including special fish catches and new learning experiences such as float line management and managing breath holds.
With plenty of teamwork, fun, and some crucial safety reminders, this episode captures the vibrant energy and camaraderie of a spearfishing adventure.
Sail x Spear Gallery 📸@blaze_parsons
Important Timestamps
00:00Introduction and Welcome
00:47Sad News and Community Updates
01:39Podcast Production Changes
02:09Newsletter Milestone
02:43Highlights from the Great Barrier Reef Trip
02:59Day One Reflections and Frothy Moments
04:02Spearfishing Stories and Learnings
07:07Gear and Sponsorship Shoutouts
09:17More Spearfishing Adventures
12:09Teamwork and Learning Experiences
20:21Final Reflections and Learnings
33:05Diving in Tasmania: A Cold Water Adventure
33:32Reef Adventures and Filming Fun
34:10Learning from Cam: Weight Adjustments and Diving Tips
34:55Team Diving: Benefits and Experiences
35:50Birthday Celebrations and Funny Moments
37:02Float Line Management Challenges
38:41Connor’s Day: Overcoming Sickness and Catching GTs
41:11Justin’s Frothy Moments and Line Management
43:22Timbo’s Highlights and Guide Experiences
46:35Nick’s Long Nose Emperor and Shrek’s Influence
59:21Captain Crispy’s Reflections and Team Efforts
01:03:09Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
Links Mentioned, Partner Deals and Discounts + Froth
Old Man Blue | Wickedly tough and well thought out gear! Spend $300 or more at oldmanblue.com.au and use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron!
Todays episode is with Bryson Sheehy as he gears up to take on the world’s best spearfishermen at the World Championships later this year in Brazil! Bryson and Tim McDonald won the Australian Spearfishing Championship in 2022, now he’s taking on the world, this time in Brazil. Get insight into what goes into preparing for a competition of this caliber, how much an event like this costs to compete in and some actionable hunting tips to help you land your next big fish.
Ear infections can be a painful and frustrating setback for spearos. They often arise from repeated water exposure and poor ear hygiene, potentially sidelining you from the ocean for days or even weeks. Continuing to dive with inflamed or infected ears can worsen the condition and even lead to long-term damage. To prevent infections, many divers use alcohol- or vinegar-based drops after each dive to help dry and disinfect the ear canal. For treatment, doctors commonly prescribe antibiotic ear drops like Ciproxin HC (ciprofloxacin with hydrocortisone) which help reduce infection and inflammation.
⚠️ Caveat: I’m not a doctor, and this isn’t medical advice—but here’s what I do: Instead of alcohol-based drops (which I find can dry out the delicate skin in the ear canal, especially the tympanic membrane), I use an oil-based solution. Mine is typically 80–90% olive oil with 10–20% eucalyptus oil. Be cautious—pure eucalyptus oil can sting! The oil helps keep the skin in my ears soft and flexible for equalizing, while eucalyptus offers natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When things get bad, my doctor has prescribed Ciproxin—but always check with your own doctor before trying any remedies.
😖 Problem: Ear infections are common among spearos and can: • Be painful and inflamed • Stop you diving for days or weeks • Lead to serious damage if ignored
🛡️ Prevention Tips: • Rinse ears after diving • Use alcohol/vinegar ear drops to dry them out • Keep ears clean and avoid poking around inside
💊 Common Treatments: • Ciproxin HC (ciprofloxacin + hydrocortisone) • Antibiotic + anti-inflammatory ear drops • Rest from diving until symptoms clear
🧪 My Personal Remedy (Not Medical Advice!): “I use an oil solution instead of alcohol drops: 🌿 80–90% Olive Oil + 10–20% Eucalyptus Oil It keeps the skin soft for equalizing and eucalyptus helps fight bacteria. But be careful—eucalyptus alone can sting! I believe alcohol dries the ear out too much, which isn’t ideal for healing.
📋 My doctor has prescribed Ciproxin when it’s serious—but you should always talk to your doctor before doing anything.“
Todays episode is with about 20 spearos from our 1770 Spearfishing Retreat! More than a course, it’s a spearfishing retreat out to some of the worlds best reefs under guidance and instruction from expert spearos. Loads of firsts, PB’s and freezers FULL of fish! Hear from instructors, students, and special guests like Carmen from Dive Spear and Sport, as they share their biggest learnings, frothiest moments, and the camaraderie that made this retreat unforgettable. Join us on our next trip – visit SpearfishingCourses.com.au to book your spot!
Spearfishing Trivia Night on the 1770 Spearfishing Charter
Todays episode is a new concept we’re trying – a spearfishing trivia night! Hosted by Sam The Waterman, Shrek + the That’s Chat podcast boys Smythy and Noffas, Tom Sandstrom, Ben Rennie and the rest of the instructors and crew go head to head in a test of spearfishing knowledge while out on our 1770 Spearfishing Trip. Learn something new about spearfishing and have a good laugh with the boys and girls as Sam tests their knowledge of spearfishing. The froth and competitiveness was high! Audio only episode today, check out our Patreon to get our adless podcast!
Todays interview is with DiveR founder Ray Powell! Ray talks about his journey in spearfishing, starting from competitions as a youngster to founding the company we all know and love – DiveR. He shares personal stories, including a close call with decompression sickness and a close encounter with a Irukandji jellyfish. Ray’s known for his generosity, often giving gear to help out new divers. We also dive into some technical talk about fin design and the science behind spearfishing gear. Catch this episode for a mix of personal tales, deep diving wisdom, and a few laughs.
Important times
00:00 Intro
04:14 Ray Powell’s Early Spearfishing Memories
06:14 Founding of DiveR Australia08:55 A Tragic Spearfishing Incident
12:53 Spearfishing Safety and Risks
21:27 A Dangerous Encounter with an Irukandji
29:52 Decompression Sickness in Freediving
39:08 Challenges of Deep Diving, Hydration and Nutrition
48:03 Rediscovering the Joy of Diving
01:03:04 Innovations in Diving Equipment
01:07:13 Wetsuits and Weight Considerations
01:08:56 Fin Rails and Stability
01:09:42 Shorter Blade Fins
01:10:33 Fin Width and Customization
01:11:25 Innovations in Fin Materials
01:17:46 Foot Pockets and Energy Transfer
01:19:22 Diver Australia and Custom Designs
01:25:45 Spearfishing Experiences and Favorite Companions
It’s finally here – Episode 300! We are joined by long time friend of the show Captain Dan Walsh as we go through and listen to the community messages and videos sent in to celebrate episode 300! Hear from yourself – the Noob Spearo community as we go through the many messages and videos you all sent in and hear how the Noob Spearo Podcast and community have helped so many spearos dive better and safer and have an amazing time doing it. We can’t wait to bring you the next 300 episodes!
💭 I’ll be honest—talking about my limitations isn’t my favourite thing. Especially when it involves something as risky as deep spearfishing.
Having said that, I’m going to try and build some wisdom into this around safety and decision making so if you take some tips from this please ALSO take the safety advice.
Recently I got to spend a weekend diving with Tim McDonald and Tom Sandstrom on a remote island way offshore. It was awesome partly because both of these guys are way better than me and it was an opportunity to learn.
Tom is a good bit better than I am and Tim is an order of magnitude better than both of us. Image below explains😉
We spent a lot of time diving deeper water than I usually spear in and as I don’t usually like to throw numbers out there, I’m going to lay out why I don’t before I do.
🤿 Why I Don’t Share My Dive Depths Online
When young, relatively inexperienced guys and gals watch YouTube, a portion of them will try to emulate the people they see. When I observe the depth counter and time keeping metrics overlaid on YouTube footage, I can just hear a young person say, “Wow, he’s at 34m.” or “OMG, she’s been down for 02:15”. I admire these divers too and their capability is amazing BUT
❗❗The PROBLEM is…
There is a 24 year old bloke on the Gold Coast who thinks that he can do it tomorrow and….
….💀 5 Reasons Young Divers Are at Higher Risk
🧠 Underdeveloped Risk Assessment: The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control, isn’t fully developed in young males, leading to riskier choices.
🔥 Thrill-Seeking Tendencies: Higher levels of testosterone and dopamine sensitivity can increase the desire for excitement, novelty, and adrenaline-fueled experiences.
👬 Peer Pressure & Social Identity: Young males often feel pressure to prove themselves or gain respect among peers, which can push them into dangerous behaviors.
🦸♂️ Perceived Invincibility: Many young men believe they are less likely to be harmed or are “tough enough” to handle extreme situations, reducing caution.
📉 Lack of Experience: With limited exposure to consequences and less time spent in the water, they may not recognize subtle warning signs or know how to react appropriately in critical moments.
⚠️ The Real Dangers of Deep Spearfishing
Diving relatively deep and long may be physiologically possible for you. You may also have the confidence and the opportunity to do it BUT:
It’s extremely likely that you won’t have the experience (read time in water) and self awareness to carry out deep spearfishing safely yet.
The other things that take time are physiological adaptation: YOUR BODY takes time to adapt to pressure. When you dive relatively deep, relatively quickly, you are at heightened risk of trachea and lung squeeze, deep water blackout, pulmonary oedema, shallow water blackout and other decision making inhibiting factors such as narcosis. These factors are just scratching the surface on risks with depth.
📖 Anyway, here’s what actually happened…
The first spot we dived came up to 22m. These kinds of depths would usually be deeper reef spots in a normal days diving for me but with Tim and Tom, we were diving much deeper.
I am a freediving instructor and have touched down at 40m on a line and I’ve been diving for more than a decade but spearfishing in 25-30m is usually not comfortable for me. I know this because I lose relaxation, have trouble with my ears clearing easily and I will start to get an uncomfortable feeling from the pressure in my chest. These issues it turns out are fairly common but do need to be understood.
Some of the drops I did were beyond 25m and I felt calm, had some time there to hunt and didn’t feel uncomfortable but this was definitely not every dive. In fact probably less than 50% of the dives felt comfortable so I did head up much earlier. As a rule: If I feel uncomfortable, I listen to my body. Pretty sure that 15 years ago I wouldn’t have done this.
📷@benrennie_ captured me mid-dive spearfishing a little deeper
📉 What Made Me Uncomfortable Diving Deeper
1. Poor equalizing on the way down prior to target depth: I was too infrequent and often started craning up to try and spot the fish. This made it harder to clear my ears because it pinches/restricts my Eustachion tubes. As I left it too long between EQ’s, I then had to more forcefully clear – not good for EQ or staying relaxed.
2.Poor breathe up: a breathe up when you are experienced isn’t modified breathing involving some magic breathing techniques (*I’m not sure we should even call it a breathe-up). It’s 100% about relaxation and I dived often without waiting to become fully relaxed. This was possibly my biggest issue. I noticed that Tim was far more disciplined on most of his drops and stayed on the surface longer and seemed more intentional about becoming relaxed than I was. Spearfishing is not freediving but if you are diving past 30m, you better be relaxed otherwise it’s not going to be pretty.
3.Chest inflexibility: This one is a hot button issue for many but honestly a limber, flexible and open chest is a winner for carrying more fuel down with you and feeling better when you do hit a depth where it becomes difficult to shift air around for equalizing (Freedivers call this Residual Volume or RV).
🔧 My Plan to Improve at Depth
*I am not an expert, I am sharing my experience and what I am learning right now so please don’t emulate me – 💬 Got your own tips, training ideas or questions? Drop a comment below—I’d love to learn from you or help if you’re earlier on the journey.
1. EQ Tool and Exercises: If you have tight, sticky or difficult Eustachian tubes, you have probably already done this. I teach students to do it! problem is, I have gotten away with my EQ until this deeper mode of spearfishing. I think I need to work on the elasticity of my Eustachian tubes. I already know an exercise popularized by Adam Stern. You simply do a series of 5 equalization’s on dry land and this increases pliability over time with regular practice. Basically your 1st EQ is at 25% effort, 2nd EQ 50% effort, 3rd EQ 75% effort, 4th EQ 100% effort (not blowing a fufu valve and hurting myself) and the 5th EQ 100% but hold the positive pressure for a bit longer. I’m also going to play with an EQ tool like this one and balloons every now and again.
2. Breathe-up Process: I am going to revisit a relaxation technique for spearos popularized by Luke Potts. Essentially you assign a numeric value to how relaxed you are: 10: I’m surrounded by sharks, severely hypoxic and my mates missing right through to 1: I’m literally about to fall asleep. As you can imagine diving anywhere from a 1-3 is perfect but honestly, I dive and have dived anywhere up to and including a 9. With Tim and Tom, I was often diving at a 4-5 level of relaxation and I was operating a little deeper, I should have spent a little more time relaxing. If you are all about improving breath-hold for spearfishing, then learn to relax.
3. Stretching and Diving Deeper more: Sounds counter intuitive but your body adapts. It’s just important that you do it gradually. I’m going to dive deeper when I have the right people and conditions and adapt slowly. I’ve also started doing some stretching during breathwork but there are a bunch of risks so I’m taking it super easy. I also started doing wonka tables and am considering some FRC laps in the pool but these have to be done with a trained buddy and I wouldn’t mind some expert advice (time to visit the Brisbane Bullsharks again!).
Conclusion
Diving deep isn’t just about numbers—it’s about knowing your body, respecting your limits, and learning from every drop. Sharing this experience isn’t about flexing; it’s about offering an honest account of where I’m at, what I’m working on, and the reality that even with over a decade in the water, there’s still plenty to learn. If you’re chasing depth, don’t chase it recklessly. Build the foundation—relaxation, equalization, technique, mindset—and surround yourself with people who raise the bar while keeping it safe. The ocean has a way of humbling even the most confident diver. So take your time, stay curious, and remember that the best divers aren’t the deepest—they’re the ones who come home.
Todays interview is with Nikki Watt – world record holder, cancer survivor and most recently having achieved the Super Slam, hunting one of each of the major billfish species. She did all this while fighting cancer and raising a child! Hear stories from Nikki’s adventures out in the water, close calls and get first hand knowledge on what it’s like to shoot a world record Marlin. Nikki has been on the show before – check out NSP:087.
Important times
00:00 Intro
03:17 Diving into the Super Slam
03:21 Spearfishing Gear and Techniques
06:04 Challenges and Triumphs in Spearfishing
12:01 The Black Marlin Adventure
16:14 Spearfishing Community and Ethics
33:32 Family Life and Spearfishing
37:34 The Sailfish Story
41:35 The Importance of Seizing Opportunities
41:57 The Difference Between Competitive and Recreational Divers
42:39 Generosity and Drive in Spearfishing
44:38 Teaching and Learning in Spearfishing
45:15 Challenges and Rewards of Self-Taught Divers
Todays interview is with Chris Coates, returning for a 3rd episode! In this episode, Shrek catches up with the legendary spearfishing pro from South Africa who’s on a journey to perfect speargun technology. Chris shares an intense story of a shark encounter that almost cost him a finger and talks about his journey trying to perfect speargun technology. They dive deep into the all the details that make spearguns work well. Roller’s, rubber thickness, and the pros and cons of different shafts. Chris also talks about his new Devil Fish spearguns and his upcoming spearfishing bootcamp in Mozambique, which you can sign up for on his website coatesmans.com. Today is a look into the finest details that make your speargun either work really well or miss every single time. Get ready to learn a lot!
Check out our first 2 episodes where we meet Chris Coates in NSP:021 and NSP:166 which is all about making your speargun shoot straighter!
Important times
00:00 Intro
06:08 Welcome back Chris Coates!
07:03 Spearfishing Bootcamp in Mozambique
16:23 Advanced Spearfishing Techniques
31:32 Understanding Fish Movement and Aiming Better
32:06 Reef Diving Configuration for Spearguns
33:20 Guiding and Shooting Techniques
34:25 Shark Encounter and Safety Lessons
35:54 Spearfishing Gear and Techniques
38:37 Speargun Mechanics and Rubber Bands
54:25 Shafts and Floppers: Preferences and Performance
Todays interview is with Steven Montgomery, founder and master craftsman behind Bombora Spearguns on the Central Coast. Steven talks about his journey from using pipe guns to making custom timber spearguns, sharing all the details about materials, design choices, and the ups and downs of speargun building. They also dive into speargun care tips, hunting techniques for big kingfish and some wild stories involving sharks and strong currents. A great chat with a master craftsman in the spearfishing world, visit his website www.bomboraspearguns.com.au to order your own!
Todays interview is with Christine Watterson, former Victoria Fisheries officer and frothing spearo! In this episode of the Noob Spearo podcast, we have an in-depth discussion with former Victoria Fisheries Officer Christine Watterson about the alarming proposed cuts to the fisheries offices in Victoria. The cuts would severely impact fisheries management, leaving marine life vulnerable to illegal fishing. Shrek and Christine explore the implications for recreational and commercial fishers, discuss notorious illegal fishing busts, and share the importance of community action. Christine also opens up about her transition from compliance to maritime industry, and her passion for spearfishing and marine art. Sign the petition here!
Important times
00:00 Intro
02:46 Welcome Christine Watterson
05:21 Christine’s Experience as a Fisheries Officer
12:10 Impact of Fisheries Cuts and Illegal Fishing
25:54 Petitions and Public Response
28:36 Memorable Poaching Busts
32:27 Disregard for Authority in Fishing
32:59 Call to Action: Petition and Political Engagement
Todays interview is with Kellen Parrish, founder of Ocean Cowboy Outfitters. Kellen is right in the middle of a crowdfunding project for his Cabazon-1 spearfishing backpack, designed for serious spearos who hike to remote dive spots. Hear about Kellen’s journey in marine science, badass lingcod hunts, and his passion for creating innovative gear that blends functionality with the spirit of adventure. Dive into fascinating discussions on spearfishing techniques, local diving conditions, and the significance of sustainable fishing practices. Also, get a taste of the culinary delights of Peruvian seafood dishes!
Here is the KickStarter campaign you can donate to, to help get this awesome backpack onto the market!
Important times
00:00 Intro
04:50 Welcome Kellen Parrish
06:02 The Origin of Ocean Cowboy Outfitters
07:20 Diving Conditions in Oregon
10:01 The Cabazon One Spearfishing Backpack
17:16 Fisheries Science and Gear Design
36:56 Travel and Utility of the Backpack
42:49 Great White Shark Encounter
45:33 Early Spearfishing Experiences
45:49 College and Vegetarian Streak
46:22 Living in Guatemala and Return to Spearfishing
Todays interview is with John Dornellas about all things diving, hunting, and personal growth. We dive into why ego control is crucial, how good communication and teamwork can make all the difference and how letting go of pride can enhance the overall experience. John shares some thrilling stories about his halibut hunts, highlighting how addictive chasing these fish can be. We also talk about John’s unique approach called “Wolf Walk,” a cool technique for building self-awareness and tackling addiction. Plus, we get into the emotional side of freediving and how connecting with your dive buddy can boost trust and safety. Along the way, we touch on John’s adventures hunting for megalodon teeth, finding that balance between passion and family, and his journey as a writer and photographer. There’s a lot of great insights and inspiration packed into this chat!
Important times
00:00 Intro
04:49 Welcome John Dornellas
05:51 Diving Tips and Personal Stories
18:08 The Importance of Ego and Teamwork in Diving
20:26 Advanced Diving Techniques and Safety
45:20 The Psychology of Hunting and Flow State
50:05 Analyzing the Fishing Environment
51:17 The Brain’s Role in Memory and Learning
54:26 The Challenge of Hunting Halibut
01:03:49 The Wolf Walk: A Unique Training Method
01:26:43 Marketing and Integrity in Spearfishing
01:36:50 Diving into Spearfishing and Storytelling
01:37:14 The Motivation Behind Writing and Sponsorship
01:37:37 The Impact of Storytelling and Collaboration
01:39:46 A Tribute to My Brother and Writing a Book
01:41:04 The Emotional Journey of Spearfishing
01:46:08 The Importance of Safety in Spearfishing
01:56:14 Exploring Megalodon Teeth and Ancient Oceans
02:00:03 Wildlife Encounters and Viral Moments
02:11:37 Spearfishing in Alaska and Community Building
02:14:00 Final Thoughts and Reflections on Spearfishing
Todays interview is with Ioannis Aliazis from Greece! An exceptional freediver and instructor as well as a frothing spearo, he absolutely loves the science behind freediving, helping people dive better and getting to shoot a fish for dinner. Hear stories from his courses, the tips and tricks he’s found over the years as well as some very interesting research he’s collected about freediving and its affect on the human body. So much more left to talk about, Ioannis will be back!
If you are in Greece, go check out his courses at free-flow.gr
Important times
00:00 Intro
05:00 Welcome Ioannis! You love freedive research?
08:10 Freediving and spearfishing in the Med
14:00 Freediving can be life changing
18:00 Y40 pool in Italy + dive and fitness training
Todays interview is with Shrek and 20 Legends on the Noob Spearo Beginner Spearfishing Retreat out on North Stradbroke Island! We don’t run spearfishing or freediving courses. We run spearfishing and freediving retreats! Imagine yourself with 20 other frothers all learning about freediving and spearfishing with plenty of time in the water, catch and cook, high quality instruction and all the stoke you can handle. This is what our beginner freediving and spearfishing retreats are like. No ego, full froth and 100% actionable tips and advice to help you get started spearfishing, or improve and tighten your skills to shoot more fish, safer.
Todays interview is with Josh Humbert, a returning guest and pearl farmer in Tahiti that recently suffered a shark attack. Hear Josh’s story of the attack and get his takeaways on what caused the accident to happen + how you can avoid this happening to you. Josh runs an eco-friendly pearl farm an absolutely spectacular part of the world. As a result, he deals with sharks literally every single day. Find out what happened, what was different and his recommendations on keeping yourself safe. He is on the path to recovery but could sure use your help! If you know anything or have resources that can help his leg heal from what he mentions in the podcast, please reach out to Josh or to Shrek@NoobSpearo.com.
Important times
00:00 Intro
07:05 Welcome back Josh!
08:30 You had a shark attack! What happened?!
12:40 Here is what I did wrong: I didn’t have a buddy.
16:30 If you have to spearfish alone, scan your surroundings when you ascend
19:05 Don’t become complacent
20:05 Tourniquet essentials and breathwork to deal with the pain
Todays interview is with Matt and the Western Australia Spearfishing Club. Everything you wanted to know about the Western Australia Undersea Club – all the competitions, ways to get involved, social trips and a brief look at life inside the WAUC. We also discuss spearfishing clubs in 2025 and how they can attract members, good vs bad culture in a club and the practical benefits of joining your local club. Massive thanks for the WAUC crew for joining us! Visit waunderseaclub.tidyhq.com to sign up and find out more.
Important times
00:00 Intro
04:50 Welcome WAUC!
09:20 Missing the Nationals time cutoff by 2 minutes!
15:15 Che, why you did you start spearfishing as a young person?
18:15 Competition vs social aspect
23:10 WAUC Spearfishing and Crayfish competitions
35:10 Club social trips
43:20 Welcome club champ Jess! How do you improve your spearfishing?
50:55 Attracting new members
57:25 Good vs bad culture in spearfishing
01:10:15 Competition fitness
01:14:30 WAUC safety and training subsidy
01:19:55 How to join the club and get involved?
01:21:00 Mack 1000 spearfishing competition
01:26:45 Long weekend competition in Albany in March
Todays interview is with Patrick Ryan, aka @DeepWaterDreamin live from Bali. Having gained a reputation as the ultimate vagabond spearo, he is nothing short of pure inspiration when it comes to travel spearfishing. Having spearfished all over the world, including the rivers of the Amazon rainforest, he’s picked up loads of great stories, tips and memorable fish along his adventures. Get behind the scenes insight on travel spearing, how to plan, where to go and where to avoid. + some bonus stories on his time spearfishing with Daniel Mann! From shooting Kingies in NZ to the Amazon, Patrick embodies the spearfishing lifestyle to the extreme!
Important times
00:00 Intro
09:40 Welcome Patrick! Where is that accent from?
13:10 Travelling is not what you think
17:55 Spearfishing in the Amazon!
24:15 Cooking trash fish
26:15 Viz in the Amazon and travelling with big timber spearguns
33:50 Travel spearfishing lifestyle
29:25 Dentex in Albania vs the Med, stories with Daniel Mann
49:00 Filming, timber spearguns and spear shafts
52:50 Starting spearfishing, cycling 5000 miles with the Noob Spearo Podcast and military service
01:03:55 Spearfishing massive Yellowtail Kingfish in Auckland city
01:12:30 Joints Spearfishing Spearguns
01:16:35 Freediving and spearfishing in Bali
01:20:45 How to plan a successful spearfishing trip
01:24:45 Tools to help predict good dive conditions
01:29:00 Financial planning and the easiest countries to go spearfishing in
01:32:40 Scariest stories
01:35:00 Noob Spearo Podcast
01:40:40 Top target species and bucket list spearfishing countries
This take on Parmi is a game changer. Coral Trout hands down destroys chicken in a battle of the Parmi’s. The delicate flavour and texture comes alive in this one.
…I asked my wife Krystle to recreate it and now our boys and I have a new family favourite with Coral Trout.
INGREDIENTS
Fish (Coral Trout is perfect but any clean, white, mild fish could replace it)
Flour
Egg
Salt and pepper
Panco crumbs
Oil
Pizza sauce or tomato paste
Cheese
METHOD
Cut fish to appropriate schnitzel size.
Then, Into three separate bowls place, flour, egg mix and Panco crumbs. (I like to add salt and pepper into both flour and egg mix’s)
Place a piece of fish firstly into flour mix, coat evenly, then place into egg mix, covering well, and finally place into Panco crumb mix bowl. Press down evenly and coat well.
Place on separate plate.
Repeat process until all fish is coated nicely.
Place oil into fry pan for a shallow fry, on medium/ high heat. Place fish into fry pan and cook on each side until nice and golden. Do not place too much fish into pan as you don’t want to crowd the pan.
Repeat process until all fish is golden on outside. DO NOT OVER COOK!
Place fish onto oven pan with non stick paper.
Spread pizza sauce/ or tomato paste on top of fish schnitzels evenly. Add sliced cheese on top and place in oven for 2-3 minutes until melted.
Todays interview is with long time listener, full time frother and new partner of the podcast Ben Hohnke from Hohnke Outdoors! The title is no joke! Get 5 mouth watering seafood recipes with tips and tricks on how to get the most out of them. We’re talking Razor Clams, fish stock, Ramen, tacos, burgers and hot smoked fish! Ben makes delicious spice mixes designed for different meats, perfect for red meat like steak, white meat like pork or poultry and the famous Salt Bay mix specifically for seafood. Ben also mentions tips for mushroom foraging. Make sure you check out HohnkeOutdoors.com and use the code NOOBSPEARO to get 20% off!
Important times
00:00 Intro
07:55 Welcome back Ben Hohnke, catching up and a 24 hour mountain biking race
Todays interview is with Helen and Pierre from Tide to Table! Founders of Tide To Table UK, they have a passion for foraging, food and spearfishing. They’ve made it their mission to reconnect people with the food they eat, showing people where it actually comes from so that they gain a great appreciation for their food, the natural world and our place in it. Recipes and cooking ideas, do not listen if you are hungry! Tide To Table UK have also made a shortfilm called Triggerfish, which is so nicely put together and shows off an often unthought of spearfishing destination.
Important times
00:00 Intro
06:50 Welcome Helen and Pierre, directors of Triggerfish.
18:45 Filmmaking, filming on land vs in the water.
16:30 Fish Forage Feast + 99 Spearo Recipes
21:45 Reconnecting people with their food
26:50 Kelp/seaweed recipes
34:05 Diving and foraging in Vancouver, cabezon and salmon recipes
42:15 Fish farming
47:25 A very sad moment in the water
59:50 Helen, as a Noob Spearo, what are you learning now?
A few weeks ago I get an email from Blake Smith 10.
It was one of those emails that’s short but just makes you smile.
“Hi Shrek my name is Blake smith and me and my dad went to The Big Bug Bash in Banks Peninsula where I got my first crayfish I also won your cook book. Thank you”
– Blake Smith 10.
Attached to the email were these pics
These kinds of emails are my fav so I reached out to him and his Dad Ashton.
“G’day Blake!
Bloody legend! – nice Cray mate and well done.
Would it be OK if I shared your pics and story on social media? is there an account I can tag you on?
How old are you? Can you tell me a bit about how you and your Dad go chasing Crays?
Cheers! – Shrek”
Blake wrote me back again saying:
Now, I am 10 years old and my dad before I was born did scuba diving in Australia and around the world and got lots of crays so he has some experience with crayfish. We go hunting for crays at Akaroa harbour in our Hamilton Jet 83 called Big Red.
A bit about my spearfishing journey
“Xmas 2021-2022 when we went to the Marlborough Sounds where we had a big float boat and I would hold onto it and look around at things (see pic above)
January 2023 I got a Wettie wetsuit each piece 5m and a little snorkeling set. Also Dad let me borrow an old weight belt of his and I started diving down and seeing kahawai at the Marine reserve and started getting more interested every dive.
February 2023 started to dive down to two and a half meters and started to listen to your playlist everywhere we went.
December 2023 I got bigger fins and started looking into spearfishing.
Christmas 2023 I got a Wettie Weight belt and a speargun and a few knifes.
January 2024 saw some Crays but couldn’t get them Dad got his first crayfish freediving and also a Paua.
April 2024 speared my first fish it was only a wrasse but it was good.
September 2024 I won composite Ruku fins (see above) for picking up most rubbish in the ocean at the spearfishing club we are a part of.
Yesterday I made the luxury lobster rolls they were so good but when i was making the sauce I put in a bit too much lemon but they were still good. Feel free to share the stories on social media tag Dad’s Instagram @ashtonrsmith.
Kind Regards
Ashton and Blake Smith
What a pair of absolute bloody frothers!
I love these kinds of emails and Blake and Ashtons message reminded me of a message I reflect on with bringing up my boys.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Solomon in Proverbs 22:6
If you ever have frothy tales to share like this, we are only too happy to share on the Noob Spearo. Stay safe and frothy Blake!
Todays interview is with new Noob Spearo partner Adam Serra, co-founder of Astard Pole Spears. When Adam and his great friend Kim went over to Japan they discovered the world of pole spears! Originally coming from WA, Adam was used to a traditional speargun, now he makes high quality roller pole spears able to take on any fish you can get in range of! Hear the journey of how he ended up preferring pole spears over regular spearguns, the innovations his company Astard has built in and get some bonus tips on how to cook Surgeon Fish!
What’s better yet is that Astard has become a major sponsor of the Noob Spearo Podcast! Go to Astard.co to buy your own roller pole spear and use the code NOOBSPEARO to get FREE SHIPPING world wide!
Important times
00:00 Intro
08:00 Welcome Adam Serra!
10:30 Spearfishing in Japan, illegal spearguns
16:55 Geography of Japan, Yellowtail Kingfish
20:50 Ama divers of Japan and pole spears
26:15 Features of the Astard Pole Spear, resting hook and roller spear
Part 2: Interview with Tim McDonald, Tom Sandstrom, Kurt Raymond & More
Todays interview is with Tim McDonald, Tom Sandstrom, Kurt Raymond and the crew of frothing legends! Join us as we dive into part 2 of our Mackay Beyond The Hardline Charter on the liveaboard QE II! Join us for short interviews right out of the water and then part 2 of the big final night chat withthe whole crew. Go through highlights, lessons learned and funny moments. Several Australian record fish were shot, monster size Mu, Coral Trout for days and even a Doggy to name a few of the species caught on this trip. We end with the start of a very serious moment that we can all learn from. Listen to part 2 coming in the next few days! Massive shout out to Ben Rennie, aka @benrennie_ for these awesome photos and Dan, aka @borgy_bjj on IG for the awesome drone shots!
Part 1: Interview with Tim McDonald, Tom Sandstrom, Kurt Raymond & More
Todays interview is with Tim McDonald, Tom Sandstrom, Kurt Raymond and the crew of frothing legends! Join us as we dive into part 1 of our Mackay Beyond The Hardline Charter on the liveaboard QE II! Join us for short interviews right out of the water and then part 1 of the big final night chat with the whole crew. Go through highlights, lessons learned and funny moments. Several Australian record fish were shot, monster size Mu, Coral Trout for days and even a Doggy to name a few of the species caught on this trip. We end with the start of a very serious moment that we can all learn from. Listen to part 2 coming in the next few days! Massive shout out to Ben Rennie, aka @benrennie_ for these awesome photos and Dan, aka @borgy_bjj on IG for the awesome drone shots!
Todays interview is with Liam, Elliot, Glenn and Zac, aka Dan from the Cairns Spearos! As the name would suggest, they are a spearfishing club based in Cairns and we get to talk to the club leadership about its history, current state and future plans. Get inside info on the most fun Tilapia spearfishing competition you might not have heard of where reload speed is your biggest consideration + tips for spearfishing in and around Cairns. Bonus recipe included! Hear how to make the tastiest Trout Parmesan recipe. Thanks again to Spearfishing Superstore for making this trip a reality!
Important times
00:13 Intro
07:35 Welcome boys! What do you love about spearfishing in Cairns?
12:35 Scoring sheet for competition
19:05 Getting on boats, Townsville vs Cairns spearfishing
23:45 How to be a Noob Spearo in Cairns – where do I go?
32:50 Joining a spearfishing club
40:32 Tips for new spearo boat owners
43:55 Trout Parmesan Recipe
47:30 How deep do I need to dive in Cairns?
53:15 Pairs spearfishing competitions
59:45 Tell us about your Tilapia competition!
01:15:20 Line fishing and spearfishing hybrid competitions
01:17:20 Mackay fishery vs Cairns fishery
01:24:40 Score sheets, rules and cheats
01:32:00 How to get in contact with the Cairns Spearos
Todays interview is with Max Davis and CJ Smith, aka Shoot To Kill Spearfishing! Join us for today’s LIVE interview held in the Spearfishing Superstore in Cairns with 2 legends Max and CJ! These 2 frothing spearos decided to leave Brisbane and make their way up north to Cairns to go spearfishing more often. Hear the lessons they learnt along the way, how they adapted to a new environment, learned a new fish sense and found new fish species to hunt. Massive thanks to Spearfishing Superstore for hosting us and to Max and CJ for joining us for the podcast! Go follow @STK_Spearfishing on IG!
Important times
00:13 Intro
07:00 Welcome Max and CJ! We are LIVE in the Spearfishing Superstore in Cairns!
13:55 Biggest wins after moving to Cairns, how it changed your diving and differences in environment/fish sense
20:30 CJ – how did you start spearfishing here in Cairns? What species did you start hunting?
26:20 Elusive species, reasons to hunt big + memorable fish
29:00 Jobfish, Spangled Emperor, Sharks and a memorable Yellow Lip
37:30 Wise decisions: when to put the reelgun AWAY!
40:45 What does the ultimate spearfishing team and gear setup look like? + Tips for blue water spearguns
45:35 Tips for burley, using a flasher and things that grind your gears
52:45 People die chasing big fish. How do you manage your risks?
58:25 Local reef diving tips
01:03:40 Biggest lesson you have learnt in spearfishing: persistence/time in the water
Interview with Ed Martin, new part-owner of Ocean Guardian!
Todays interview is with Ed Martin from Killshot Spearguns! Ocean Guardian, the company that produced the Freedom 7 Shark Shield, went into business administration and therefore could not continue to support the Freedom 7 or other Shark Shield technology. Now Ed and his team have purchased the company and are bringing it back to life, better than ever! Hear what actually happened, why they were forced out of business and how Ed and his team are going to make it work. We also put your community questions to him regarding warranty, repair, replacement and when you can buy a new unit. You can contact Ed’s team using the links below or email info@ocean-guardian.com!
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:40 Welcome back Ed! You bought Shark Shield!
10:35 How you bought Shark Shield
13:15 What went wrong and what will change in the future?
22:15 Freedom 8, taking new orders and loyal customers
29:35 Price
37:40 Dealing with sharks in the water
54:40 Effects on humans
57:05 Warranty
01:06:30 Shark Shield vs actual sharks story
01:13:10 Switch failures
01:20:15 Easy fix for not switching on
01:27:00 How do you respond to “it doesn’t work”?
01:29:05 Hanging it on a float
01:34:10 Rebranding, marketing and focusing on Shark Shield
01:39:10 Dealing with the long tail, getting tangled and the worst way to get shocked
01:43:30 How to deal with getting tangled: make it lightweight
01:47:25 E-Spear and integrating it into your fins
01:50:10 You just bought Deep Apnea!
01:54:00 Velcro straps
01:59:10 Shark Shield doesn’t charge? Try this!
02:01:15 Extend the lifespan of your Shark Shield
02:04:10 A messed up story and an interesting take on shark behaviour
02:09:55 Thank you for joining us again Ed! How to reach out and make contact
Todays interview is with Alex Smyth from the Noob Spearo team! Alex currently runs the Noob Spearo Instagram account and as we find out, he has a very interesting an exciting history with spearfishing! We chat about practical techniques to help deal with anxiety and depression, how spearfishing reconnects you with nature and how to travel to go spearfishing as a young person on a limited budget! Hear bonus stories from the British National Spearfishing competition and how he may have been responsible for helping shoot a record Bonito! Thanks for all your hard work mate, we are glad to have you on the show!
Todays interview is with Paul Best and Jackson Shields from Wettie in New Zealand! Paul and Jackson are two frothing spearos down in NZ that have a passion for spearfishing and have become quite legendary competition spearos in recent years. Having done over 20 comps as a dive team, hear tips and tricks they’ve picked up along the way as well as some close calls and encounters with the tax man. Competition spearfishing info + tips on how to dive and hunt effectively in cold, dirty water. Go check out Wettie’s gear at Wettie.co.nz.
Important times
00:13 Intro.
07:50 Welcome Paul and Jackson! Ever had trouble with tiger sharks?
19:30 Tahitian spearos are on another level.
21:00 All about spearfishing competitions: strategy, froth and noob tips
28:25 You guys dive together a lot!
32:50 What subjects have you deep dived into in spearfishing?
39:15 The secret to diving deep.
42:40 Wettie gear is awesome!
44:30 Shooting sharks, activists and sharks vs your reelgun.
58:00 What do you love to hunt?
01:01:20 How to dive in cold + dirty water.
01:05:45 Mental health and spearfishing
01:10:15 Aquabog stories
01:15:25 Gear: Wettie boat floats.
01:20:20 Decompression Sickness
01:24:30 What’s in your dive bag?
01:32:10 Dive watches for spearfishing, changing batteries.
Interview with Michael, Rudi and Danny (from Chase and Gather)
Todays interview is with Michael, Rudi and Danny (from Chase and Gather) – 2 South African expats and a Kiwi that run an awesome hunting lifestyle brand! They make awesome videos about hunting, from stalking game through the bush to smashing Wahoo in the deep blue. Join the boys for a memorable conversation about growing up and learning to hunt and spearfish, finding the best spears in the world, the hunting lifestyle and so much more! The hunting and outdoor lifestyle is one that these 3 embody, go check them out on YouTube at Chase and Gather.
Important times
00:13 Intro
09:00 Welcome Michael, Rudi and Danny!
11:30 Flower nuts
15:50 Diving with Laura from Spearo Diaries, South African vs New Zealand boats
20:20 Bending spears? Shoot them top down! Rob Allen, Ocean Hunter and more!
28:00 Chase and Gather merch
29:45 Bags on the boat, Brie cheese and the hunting lifestyle
34:00 Hunting rights, mental health and why we are hunters
41:00 How and why did you all start spearfishing and hunting?
47:35 Fiordland hunting trip – on land and in the water
56:50 What were your biggest mistakes?
01:08:30 The value of true, honest friends
01:12:00 Reelguns vs floatlines, tips to land big fish
Todays interview is with Nico Bleeker! A South African running a freedive school in Thailand and well accomplished spearfishing guide, Nico specializes in spearfishing that many of us dream of. Having dived and spearfished all over the world, he talks about his favourite locations, like Zanzibar, spending time at the International Spearfishing Academy in Qatar and missing a world record fish by 2 weeks! Bonus tips on how to hunt Lutjanus, or Snapper species with specific tips on Bohar and Mangrove Jack hunting. Check out his freediving school in Koh Tao, Thailand at ApexFreediving.com
Important times
00:13 Intro
07:50 Welcome Nico Bleeker!
10:00 Hunting Lutjanus species
11:35 How to hunt Mangrove Jack and Bohar Snapper
15:20 Missing a world record fish by 2 weeks
18:25 Tell us about your freediving school Apex Freediving!
21:45 When spearfishing becomes dangerous – fatigue and bullsharks chasing clients
35:40 How deep is too deep?
39:20 How to relax in difficult conditions – research is your friend
42:10 Systems check before a dive and upgrading your snorkel
47:25 How do you help divers relax
57:20 How to prepare for a spearfishing trip
01:05:00 The time you couldn’t reach your knife is when you needed it most
01:13:00 Growing up on the West Coast in South Africa, thick kelp kreef/crayfish, Yellowtail and Hotties
01:22:05 ISA Qatar, Extreme Blue Water Spearfishing and Apex Freediving
01:26:10 How did you start freediving?
01:34:00 Spearfishing vs Freediving
01:43:30 One piece of advice from freediving for spearfishing
Todays interview is part 2 from our Whitsundays Sail x Spear trip with Salt Sessions Freediving! Join us after a few brews as the crew chat about the trip, highlights & lowlights and everything in between. Hear reviews and feedback from the crew after spending a few days in a yacht together, what it’s like to spearfish on pristine reef, hunting new species and making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. To sum up the episode Nick puts it best: “…get up to 10 years experience in 4 days”. Visit SpearfishingCourses.com.au to put your name down for the next Sail x Spear trip!
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:30 Welcome back aboard the Condor!
10:30 Who should go on this trip?
13:05 Beth and Jo the Spear Sisters!
18:55 Sore ears
22:00 “Friendly” banter and the Tusky story
28:50 Trout Slayer
29:45 Sharing the fish or not
31:20 Diving with new buddies
35:30 Beth chowing the Lobster leg
37:55 “…get up to 10 years experience in 4 days”
39:25 Ron and pack hunting
47:40 Flashing for Mackerel
50:35 Adam and his trout
54:25 Jo and the Barracuda
57:25 Tim, Tony & the bullsharks
01:00:30 Captain Crispy
01:03:00 Felix the GT hunter
01:11:30 Don’t pass up on day 1 what you wouldn’t pass up on day 5
Todays interview is with a bunch of legends live from aboard the Condor sailing yacht as we wrap up day 2 of diving and spearfishing on our Whitsundays Sail X Spear trip! Hear highlights, frothiest moments, stories of epic hunts and loads of banter. We hope this gives you an insight into what these trips are like and that it inspires you to take a trip like this too. Check out SpearfishingCourses.com.au to sign up and register your interest!
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:55 Welcome legends aboard the Condor!
08:45 Mangrove Jack
17:35 Diving in current
27:45 Beth’s first fish!
31:50 Fun with Trevally’s!
36:55 Fish ID
41:30 Spanish Mackerel, hitting the good ground and great trout
48:00 More frothy moments
51:40 Relaxation techniques
53:35 Morwong, 70cm Trevally and 80cm Shark Mackerel
Todays interview is with Gui Bruges from the Azores! Meet the man behind the videos and get an inside view into living and spearfishing on and around the Azores from a very talented spearo. Gui has been diving and spearfishing all his life and has learned a thing or two about hunting in the Azores. Learn about target species, Polvo, hunting white Trevally, Conger Eel, Cubera and loads more, how to hunt them and even a special mention on how to cook Barracuda. Some big lessons learned as well as we talk about losing friends at sea and a potential false sense of security when diving with buddies. Lots of info today from a legend who knows how to spear awesome fish!
Important times
00:13 Intro
09:20 Welcome Gui! How did you start spearfishing?
16:30 Tell us about the Azores Islands, your YouTube channel and target species
21:55 Dusky Groper
27:05 Barred Hogfish / Dogfish
31:40 Azores is not the spearfishing destination it once was
35:40 Polvo, White Trevally and seafood with your family
41:15 How do you train to dive and spearfish?
46:20 Barracuda hunting tips and how to cook them
53:20 Shorediving Wahoo and Amberjack, hunting tuna
58:15 Cubera Snapper, Ciguatera
01:02:15 Dive buddies and diving alone: losing friends next to you
01:07:50 Conger Eel tangling you up
01:13:55 Cave hunting tips: how to retrieve fish in caves without getting tangled
01:21:55 Veterans vault: vertical vs horizontal reels
01:31:00 Importing foreign fish
01:37:25 Eating a Conger Eel
01:41:10 XT Diving from Greece, fins, spearguns and gear
Todays interview is with Don Solomon, a spearfishing legend from South Africa! Specializing in deep spearfishing, Don is a treasure trove of diving knowledge and spearfishing wisdom. Having competed in the Sardinia spearfishing world champs and regularly hunting fish in 40m-50m of water, Don dives at another level. Listen in on the conversation as we scratch the surface on what Don has to offer, we chat about spearfishing clubs, competitions, sharks, diving extremely deep and building world class spearfishing boats! Don also has personal experience with Taravarna, or decompression illness, having suffered from it in the Sardinia world champs and has some interesting insights into it and how to prevent it from happening to you.
Important times
00:13 Intro
07:25 Welcome Don Solomon, president of SAUFF
08:05 Spearfishing clubs
10:15 What if I don’t like competitions?
17:15 South Africa’s best spearfishermen & competitions in South Africa
25:40 Your first ever fish while spearfishing
28:10 How do you deal with a fish after shooting it?
31:20 Sharks in South Africa
35:45 Building and spearfishing from boats
37:25 How to build a spearfishing boat; Osprey 420
43:55 Outboard size
53:45 Fish finder transducer hacks and tips
56:05 Deep diving is extremely accurate diving: reading electronics
1:03:20 Deep diving buddy Corry, Deep EQ
01:05:30 Why do you dive so deep?
01:10:55 Adapting to diving deep
01:15:55 Relaxing
01:21:00 Taravarna, Decompression Illness
01:28:30 How to prevent Taravarna: stay hydrated
01:34:25 The day before diving is extremely important
Interview with Shawn Wilson, the Spearfishing Pastor.
Todays interview is with Shawn Wilson, the Spearfishing Pastor from Jamaica! “To share my faith through my adventures” sums up Shawn’s attitude towards the spearfishing lifestyle. He is a frothing spearo from Jamaica with an awesome youtube channel and is also a pastor! Get an inside view into spearfishing in Jamaica, what fish he likes to hunt, the conditions and what life is like living and spearfishing in the Caribbean. Hear some of the funny moments along the way with some of the lessons learned.
Todays interview is with Elise Clynes and Laura Kuggeleijn from the Spearo Diaries Podcast! Two frothing Kiwi mermaids that are passionate about spearfishing, the ocean and catch ‘n cook. The girls brought such awesome energy, make sure you go check out their podcast on Spotify: The Spearo Diaries. We chat about the realities of running a spearfishing podcast, spearfishing in and around New Zealand, pool training, how to burley Kina/sea urchin, girl’s wetsuits and loads more! Massive chat today with two speara legends, we hope you enjoy!
Interview with Tim McDonald, Tom Sandstrom and a bunch of other legends
Todays interview is with Tim McDonald, Tom Sandstrom and a bunch of other legends on a zoom call to chat about the Mackay Beyond the Hardline Trip! Join us for an open Q&A with Shrek, Tim and Tom about what to expect from the upcoming Mackay Beyond the Hardline trip, what gear to bring, what spearguns to pack, what fish we will hunt and everything else they could think of. Head over to SpearfishingCourses.com.au and show your interest in our next big trip!
Important times
00:13 Intro
04:30 Welcome everyone
10:45 Tim and Tom’s highlights from the Intermediate course
16:50 Welcome Smythy and Noffas! Tell us about yourselves and the vessel
20:15 Meals, showers and sleeping arrangements
25:20 Welcome to our guests: why did you sign up for this trip?
Todays interview is with Luke Potts, aka @AquaticRehab and now @luke_likes_ledges from New Zealand! Today is a big chat all about the mental side of life and how it affects our spearfishing, life on land and the world we live in. Shrek and Luke discuss ways to get ahead of and treat depression and anxiety and the role that spearfishing plays in managing your mental health. Luke also shares some great spearfishing tips on how to hunt snapper and using ledges to stalk fish, or “snapper snooping”. If today’s episode has helped in any way or made you think of life a bit differently, reach out and let us know in the comments!
Todays interview is with Bert Keulder & Deryck Tan for part 4, the end of the WA trip! They recount a story of a wild last day of diving involving Cobia, lobster and an angry shark. Take a look back on the trip and reflect on the lessons learned, new fish speared and scary situations they came out of. A great chat around the fireplace to end off a great trip, here’s to the next one! We have Old Man Blue Cray Loops and SeaSacs for sale here in our shop too, check it out here!
Todays interview is with Melissa Brunning & Dorcas Chia! Two absolutely frothing spearas, these WA ladies are a great example of pure spearfishing passion. They have both been diving for just over two years at this point but have already racked up a scorecard most of us would be jealous of! Regularly dominating the woman’s spearfishing category, hear stories and laughs from their time spearfishing together, what they do well together and what they don’t do well as well as a bunch of funny stories and memorable hunts from their time in the water.
Important times
00:13 Intro
04:05 Welcome Mel and Dorcas!
06:00 How did you start spearfishing?
08:35 Competition spearfishing
12:45 Struggles in spearfishing and how you overcome them
16:05 Shark in the WA Nationals
18:15 How to shoot long skinny fish and how to aim
Todays interview is with Bert Keulder & Deryck Tan for part 3 of the WA trip in the greater Gascoyne region! We do a shoredive after more vehicle trouble, jeepers there are some magic places around here. But even more flies! Join us for a shoredive in a remote and rugged place with loads of great fish. A day filled with first’s, banter and great memories.
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:10 Welcome Deryck, Bert and Adam!
07:50 Deciding on a shoredive, entry and what conditions to expect
11:40 Adam shooting his first Jack
12:50 Deryck’s first Estuary Cod
13:50 Bert’s diving problem
16:30 Swim through’s and double wraps
21:50 Day 1 wrap up
27:55 Day 2 heading out in the boat, meeting friends and shooting a black wrasse
32:40 Green turtle, sea snakes, lots of fish species and describing the structure
35:40 Bert and Adam’s tiger shark encounter
43:55 Shrek gets his spear stuck in a cave 20m+ deep!
Todays interview is with Glenn George from Coffs Harbor! Hear stories from a legend with decades of spearfishing experience and from his times representing Australia at world spearfishing competitions, battling sharks, spearfishing with his boys and so much more. Great advice for being a good buddy, boaty and allround great partner out on the water as well as the most memorable hunts from his decades at sea.
Important times
00:13 Intro
04:55 Welcome Glenn!
06:55 Strategy for the Nationals
09:10 Spanish Mackerel
14:40 Spearfishing over the past 40 years
22:45 Massive dogtooth tax and landing massive fish
29:40 Competitive spearfishing
35:35 Spearfishing in New Zealand
41:25 Why do you love spearfishing Spanish Mackerel?
44:45 Your boys shooting the same fish together
47:00 Shark stories
55:50 Representing Australia at the world championships in Brazil
01:04:30 Difference between Noob spearos and pro spearos
Todays interview is with Bert Keulder & Deryck Tan as we travel north for part 2 of the WA trip! Today we suffer a vehicle breakdown, go diving around Geraldton and chat about the highlights and memorable fish from the trip.
Interview with Glenn and Beau George, Andrew and Korben Hart
Todays interview is with Glenn and Beau George, Andrew and Korben Hart – father-son spearos entering the WA Spearfishing Nationals! Today is all about father son spearing. Hear how they prepared for the competition, the challenges they faced and how the overcame them. Spearfishing with your dad, or with your boy is such a cool thing to do! Hear how they get it right, the techniques and hunting tips they use, getting past butting heads and some actionable spearfishing tips from guys with way more experience than age! Thanks to Glenn and Andrew with their sons Beau and Korben! Go give Beau and Korben a follow on IG!
Important times
00:13 Intro
03:45 Welcome Glenn, Beau, Andrew and Korben!
05:00 Father son legacy in spearfishing
06:50 How does the National Spearfishing competition work?
09:05 Best fish of day 1
10:15 Prangers, prep and Coffs Harbor Spearfishing Club
13:05 Why spearfishing is important
17:00 Fish of the trip, Crayfish Popcorn and plans for days 2 and 3
23:50 Memorable moments starting spearfishing with your kids
26:20 Scary moments – reelguns vs float lines
33:55 Worst things about spearfishing with your dad, diving around boats and spearfishing with your son
40:30 Most memorable hunts
43:50 Marlin story
51:40 Shooting big fish on a reelgun
58:20 What gear do you have for WA spearfishing? Differences in hunting
01::01:40 Spearo Q&A
01:07:20 Best advice for spearfishing and ear injury
Interview with Deryck Tan, Bert Keulder & Michael Tropiano WA Trip 1
Todays interview is with Deryck Tan, Bert Keulder & Michael Tropiano after a few days of diving the WA Spearfishing Nationals! Hear how Shrek and Deryck got along during the comp, the misadventures on the Hallubaloo with Bert the Old Man Blue and photography legend Michael Tropiano! Join us for WA Trip 1 for a recap of the nationals, WA dive conditions and tips and plans for the rest of the trip.
Todays interview is with Carl ‘Curly’ Jongedyk! A freediving and spearfishing instructor by day and a fin blade maker by night, Curly is a legend from WA and he took us diving! Join in on the car ride to the secret spot and hear the conversation on the ride back home again, talking about the conditions and structure they dove, fish species they saw and a bunch of memorable and funny stories along the way. Curly’s fins are hard to find but well worth the effort, check out Down South Camping to buy yourself a pair. Curly also talks about the dangers of diving alone and gives a different perspective on it. An awesome guy, keen learner and frothing spearo, have a listen to this awesome chat with Curly!
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:45 Welcome!
08:00 The less you want it the easier it comes
11:25 Struggles learning to dive
13:45 Training and mental trauma
17:55 Performance vs enjoyment
22:25 What makes a high risk diver?
24:20 SpearReady
26:50 Tough dive buddies
31:50 Post-dive review – conditions and structure
33:25 Fish species
34:55 Curlys Crackers fin blades!
39:10 Should I just make my own fins or buy a set?
44:30 Spearfishing and freediving courses
45:35 Student shooting his first Spanish Mackerel
47:15 Teaching new spearos
53:00 Funniest stories
54:55 Memorable Spanish Mackerel hunt
57:20 How to hunt Spanish Mackerel, spearfishing tips
01:01:25 Reef spearfishing tips
01:06:05 Great eating fish
01:09:50 What “trash fish” do you love to hunt? + fish cake recipe
01:14:50 Do a course with Curly – curlysfreediving@gmail.com
Todays interview is with Joe Pike! Hailing from South Devon, his Youtube channel has over 45k subscribers from the videos he makes of their adventures out in the UK ocean. Sub-zero spearfishing, fighting MASSIVE Halibut and all about UK spearfishing. Hear stories of spearfishing in the UK, White Seabass, spearfishing giant Halibut in Norway, his own spearfishing shop Start Point Spearfishing and the youtube game! If you are a UK spearo go check out www.spearfishingstore.co.uk! An awesome behind the scenes chat with the man with an awesome Youtube channel, he’s humble, an avid learner and absolutely froths on the spearfishing lifestyle.
Todays interview is with Jørgen Jenssen from Norway! An exceptionally successful competitive spearo, he has overcome a serious metabolic disorder which leaves him heavily fatigued all the time. Hear how discovering freediving and spearfishing changed his life and opened him up to a whole new world and how he wants to help change it for others. Learn about the best eating fish in Norway, the best hunts and locations and stories from a spearo that lives and breathes spearfishing! Norway is a bucket list destination for so many people, get an insiders perspective on this dream spearing destination!
If you have any spearfishing gear to donate to Jørgen, contact @ArcticSpearo on Instagram.
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:15 Welcome Jørgen!
07:10 Spearfishing changed my life
11:05 Tell us about your disability
16:25 Going from dark winter diving to winning competitions!
21:45 Target species in Norway
23:10 What is your dive process?
25:30 How to read conditions and find fish in Norway
30:10 Dive conditions, wrecks and artificial reefs
35:05 Best fish in Norway
38:05 Struggles learning to dive
40:40 Kelp forest in Norway
45:20 Cold water problems
48:20 Memorable fish
51:55 Favourite species to hunt
53:30 Competitive spearfishing vs lifestyle spearfishing
57:55 Best eating fish in Norway – Tuna of the North!
Todays interview is with Bond, Matt Bond! You may know him as the @CutProfessor from IG, but did you know he is a cook and an economist?! A major contributor to 99 Spearo Recipes, Matt has had a lifelong love for the ocean and foraging with a particular interest in mushroom foraging. Hear Matt’s humble beginnings as he started hunting and foraging with his refugee friends, got his first ever speargun and learnt to get the best eating out of the world around us through years of catch ‘n cook. An awesome chat today with the man behind the name, thanks for joining us Matt Bond!
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:20 Welcome Matt!
08:20 Economics and Spearfishing
11:40 Learning to spearfish from refugees
25:25 Learning to spearfish
32:55 Your first real speargun, mahogany vs teak
40:45 First hunt with a real speargun
46:45 Great White sharks, White Seabass and Shark Shield
Todays interview is with Spencer Faucher, president of the Tri-State Skindivers Spearfishing Club! We have a highly experienced spearo boater on today! Thanks to his dad, Spencer has been out on the ocean all his life and has a ton of experience to show for it. Hear about the Great White sharks, massive Blackfish, his first Wahoo and the in’s and out’s of running a spearfishing club! Get bonus tips on how to be a great boaty, spearfishing clubs and networking with spearos all over the world to go spearfishing more often.
Important times
00:13 Intro
05:20 Welcome Spencer! Who are you and what do you do?
06:45 Tri-State Skindivers Spearfishing Club
13:10 How did you start spearfishing?
14:30 MASSIVE Blackfish
18:45 You and your dad are massively into your boating
Interview with Kurt Raymond, aka @Exhale_Adventures
Todays interview is with Kurt Raymond, aka @Exhale_Adventures in part 3 of our Mackay trip! A coal miner with an extraordinary froth for spearfishing, Kurt Raymond is a local Mackay spearo that you’ve no doubt seen on social media. Frothing on 3-4m viz, dealing with bull sharks and tips on how to hunt Spanish Mackerel are part of today’s show! We go behind the scenes of his Youtube videos and learn what it’s really like going blue water spearfishing for the first time, spearing wearing a camera and so much more. Something Kurt is well known for is his rebuilding of the Iconic Haines 565 boat, he shares his tips, advice and the things he learnt along the way. If you love spearfishing videos then go check out Exhale Adventures on YouTube!
Todays interview is with Dustin Mann with Smythy and Noffs LIVE from the Neptune Spear & Dive store! We chat with @DeepDropDusty about spearfishing in Airlie, doing monster trips to the outer reef, managing huge tides and poor viz, tips to hunt Mangrove Jack, Spanish Mackerel and so much more! The boys from That’s Chat stoke the banter and ask some really good questions. This one has a ton of actionable info that will improve your spearfishing! Apologies for the audio quality, our Patrons have provided us with new cables! Enjoy this chat with Dustin Mann, Shrek and the That’s Chat podcast boys!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:20 Welcome
06:30 Youtube adventures with Cainit
08:50 Big tides in Airlie
10:35 How to find spots to dive
12:05 Planning your dive trips
14:30 How far out do you go? Big trips with big guns!
19:00 Scary stories
19:50 Airlie spearfishing compared to other areas
27:30 How did you improve your diving? Freediving courses
Interview with Thomas Smythe and Ryan Noffke aka Smythy and Noffs
Todays interview is with Thomas Smythe and Ryan Noffke, aka Smythy and Noffs from the That’s Chat podcast! They run an awesome show that ranges from spearfishing to MMA, working out to banter and all sorts in between. They are a pair of funny blokes that live in an amazing place for spearfishing and absolutely froth on the lifestyle. Hear what it’s like living and spearfishing on the Great Barrier Reef, dealing with sharks, how to hunt better and so much more. Go give the That’s Chat Podcast a follow and a listen!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:30 Welcome Ryan and Tom!
09:20 Where did the podcast start?
11:20 Spearfishing history
23:10 Spearfishing in Mackay
31:05 Memorable fish and hunts
35:05 Shot process
38:55 How do you aim
41:50 Hunting Tuskies
46:35 Gus the Blue Groper
48:50 The future of the That’s Chat podcast
54:35 Scary stuff
01:08:00 Funny stories
01:16:15 What resources helped you improve your spearfishing?
01:22:10 Eastern Voyager spearfishing trip and future plans
Todays interview is with Daniel Mann, he’s back for the 4th time! He has just returned from a massive road trip with his wife from Europe into Asia, spearfishing along the way with legends and making awesome videos at each stop! You can follow Daniel’s latest video series where he takes us with him on his adventure through new lands, almost getting caught in warzones, making new friends and shooting amazing fish. Check out Daniel’s YouTube channel here to watch his latest videos! You can also get some of his awesome Dive Everywhere merch here!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:20 Welcome back Daniel Mann!
07:40 Tell us about your epic road trip!
11:20 World champs in Spain and conditions
15:10 What makes a spearfishing team great?
18:05 Solo diving
21:55 The night after the world champs
23:30 Croatia
35:15 How to hunt effectively in holes: the 2 rules
43:10 Seafood, Shrekviche and 99 Spearo Recipes
46:05 Driving through Europe
54:04 Albania with Patrick Ryan, @DeepwaterDreamin
56:40 Albania spearfishing
01:00:35 Greece, Thessaloniki
01:04:35 Sport burning: its MY spot
01:16:55 Turkey and almost getting caught in a warzone
Todays interview is with Emma & Marcus Lincoln-Smith, father and daughter spearfishing duo and founder of ocean themed apparel company Ocean Ranger from Sydney! Growing up on and around the ocean has inspired a way of life many dream of! Marcus, being a marine biologist with several published papers, has a unique and fascinating insight into the underwater world and how spearfishing interacts with it. His love for the ocean clearly shines through in Emma, an Olympic Skeleton Bobsleigh champion that froths just as hard on spearing! Together they team up to go hunt fish and have collected some awesome stories from their times out in the water. Learn why Mulloway are their favourite fish to hunt, how to target Kingies in Sydney and where to shoot Dolphin Fish/Mahi Mahi/Dorado! Also, hear about the time they had a run in with a huge Great White! Loads of great stories and info in this one, we hope you enjoy!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:15 Welcome Emma and Marcus!
07:50 Marine biology
12:55 Marcus, how did you start spearfishing?
16:40 Emma, how did you start spearfishing?
19:55 Why do you hunt?
24:55 Ocean Rangers Apparel – Why do you love Mulloway?
29:20 Mulloway numbers, growth and life cycle
35:05 How should spearos treat bag and size limits?
37:15 Wise words about shot placement
40:50 The pain of letting the fish swim away
42:20 Marcus, tell us about some of your research
48:15 How urchin barons work
53:25 How often do you get out to spear?
55:00 How to shoot Dolphin Fish/Mahi Mahi/Dorado
56:10 How to hunt Kingies in Sydney
58:45 How good a job are Fisheries Management doing?
01:03:55 Dive buddies and competition spearfishing
Todays interview is with Robert Schmaus, a spearfishing FROTHER and guide currently based in Panama! If you wanted to plan a spearfishing holiday to somewhere maybe not as well known as other places, Panama seems to be the PERFECT option! Surrounded by 2 different oceans, thousands of islands, unbelievably productive topography and good fishing all year round, this seems like the ideal spearfishing destination! Robert has also written several books on spearfishing and is a wealth of knowledge. Listen to 5 minutes of him talk about spearfishing in Panama and you’ll be booking your trip there in no time! Check out Robert’s books here!
Todays interview is with Jared Rosenberg, probably the fittest man ever to join us on the podcast! Strength and conditioning coach and frothing spearo, he is joining forces with us to help create our SpearReady program! Do spearos need strength and conditioning training? Jared makes a pretty good argument to say yes! As spearos, we use our whole body in ways that don’t fit into the normal gym or exercise routine – Jared solves this problem with his awesome business Earth and Ocean Fit or visit his Facebook page Earth and Ocean Fit which helps all sorts of people get fit and strong for their needs. We chat about the advantages of strength training for spearos, funny stories and the usual banter you’ve come to expect!
Todays interview is with Ben Rupnik & Tom Sandstrom as we chat all about the 2024 Australian Spearfishing Nationals, 20-26 April 2024! Shrek and Tom are teaming up for this true pairs spearfishing competition and today they chat to Ben Rupnik, the AUF WA Spearfishing Chairperson for tips, tricks and local knowledge. This is a shoredive based comp with a huge hunting ground, fitness, technique and the right gear are going to be essential to success here. Find out what target species they will be hunting, where they should be looking, what gear they need to bring along and loads of other interesting things about the spearfishing nationals!
“New goals don’t deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome. For this reason, all of your energy should go into building better habits, not chasing better results.”– James Clear
On April 18th I’m heading to a big spearfishing competition and then a big personal spearfishing trip North in WA. I want to be Spear Ready and I thought I could take people on a journey with me and create a program that we can all use time and again.
The Problem:
… In the past, I have planned for big spearfishing trips and worked my ass off trying to get ahead with admin, finance and social credit with my wife and family in order to go. The PROBLEM is that when I get there, I’m not in the physical condition necessary to make the most of it. What I NEED is an easy to follow recipe that I can rinse and repeat every time I get a special charter or trip to go and spearfish. I want to make the most of it and be SPEAR READY.
So I consulted the very best and I mean the very best in order to become SPEAR READY
For strength and conditioning, I consulted Jared Rosenburg from Earth, Ocean and Fit to improve my finning endurance, strength and performance and minimize my whiney, bitch ass cramping and fatigue.
For freediving, I consulted Adam Stern & Wayne Judge to deliver effective dry and pool/ocean training.
For nutrition and flexibility, I consulted Jared Rosenburg so that I didn’t waste time searching the internet for a time consuming mess that would be difficult to integrate into a busy life.
For flexibility, I consulted Dr Jaap Verbaas to help me become more pliable in and around my chest, throat and upper body area.
For me (and possibly you?)
X I DON’T want to feel like a drag or be a liability to my mates.
X I DON’T want to be unsafe.
X I DON’T want to use half the trip working my way into dive fitness and miss the opportunity of a lifetime.
✔ I want to swim for miles, punch out decent dives and look after my buddy even on long swims.
✔ I want to dive deep (for me) and stay longer (for me).
✔ I want to be SPEAR READY
What is the difference between this program and others?
We have a reputation for being actionable. That means that our 50 day program needs to be realistic and achievable while still delivering tangible improvements.
So I broke the training into Good, Better and Best.
The good is extremely doable and will get 80% of the way to being prepared:
The better is fully practical in a busy everyday life and will get you 90% of the result:
The best is still highly actionable but will take diligence and determination to get 100% of the result:
In this 50 day guided program, you pick your path to becoming SPEAR READY
Any effort is better than none. Make the most of your spearfishing trip of a lifetime and signup below
Todays interview is with Straddie Spearo Course Legends who attended our beginner course 4 and 5 as well as the group that joined our intermediate spearfishing course! Hear stories from each of the courses and meet the legends that joined us! From big first’s to PB’s, stories of success and struggle and everything in between, listen in on the conversation and join in the stoke! A massive thanks to everyone that joined us over these trips! If you want to join us on the next one, visit SpearfishingCourses.com.au!
Todays interview is with Matty Turner from the Becoming A Bowhunter Podcast! The on-land equivalent of Noob Spearo, the BAB Podcast aims to help Noob bowhunters get into the sport, get equipped and become more effective hunters. Hear some epic stories from hunts, the struggles of learning to stalk animals, what to do when things don’t go to plan and so much more! We also chat about butchering, packing and eating wild meat. There are some definite similarities and differences in bowhunting vs spearfishing but both sports can learn from each other, get first hand info on everything you wanted to know about becoming A Bowhunter!
Todays interview is with Prime Hall, a former MARSOC Raider, an Entrepreneur, Founder, CEO and Master Trainer | Coach, underwater fanatic and pioneer of Deep End Fitness and a new underwater sport: Underwater Torpedo League! Although he doesn’t do much spearfishing, Prime has some unbelievable stories and experiences from his time in the military and how that shaped the man he is today. He runs Deep End Fitness which hosts underwater training and runs the UTL: think undewater rugby + hockey. Prime was also a guest on the Sean Ryan Show, hear the advice he has for dealing with mental health, going through trauma and overcoming difficulty. A bit of a different episode but full of great life advice!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:00 Welcome Prime Hall!
09:30 What has shaped your life and given you a love for the water?
13:20 Machine guns to pool training
16:30 Deep End Fitness
23:20 Your military history, trauma and a buddy system
Todays interview is with Dave Scholefield! President of the South Australia Gulf Skindivers club and a frothing competition spearo, he has a bunch of great tips to improve your spearfishing, find better fish and be a more effective spearo. Some hilarious stories of his rivalry with Rob Torelli, inspiration to get your own kids into the water and so much more! Another great guest to interview, thank you all so much for supporting the Noob Spearo podcast in 2023, we will be back next year with loads more!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:25 Welcome South Australia Gulf Skindivers president: Dave!
06:55 Tell us about South Australian diving!
09:50 Tell us about the Gulf Skindivers spearfishing club!
14:30 Club culture and competitions, value of being in a club
20:20 Shorediving in SA: do you need a boat?
24:40 SA target species and great eating fish
33:05 Harlequin Fish and self-regulation
38:45 Torelli and crayfish diving in SA
45:20 Cray size limits
48:35 Commercial abalone diving
52:45 Competition spearfishing
01:00:20 Family man spearfishing: diving with your family
01:05:10 How to take your kids spearfishing
01:16:35 Your favourite species to hunt: Flathead
01:21:10 State titles story: rivalry between you and Rob Torelli
01:26:30 Finding landmarks and navigating to scouted spots
01:28:30 How do you scout spots?
01:33:00 Physical fitness and preparation for a comp
01:36:55 Overturning of a spearfishing ban in Adelaide!
Spearfishing is an ancient activity that can be traced as far back as 90,000 years ago. Today, while spearfishers only represent less than five percent of marine recreational fishers, its participants tend to enjoy greater levels of well-being than anglers. Because spearfishers are themselves in the water, they experience a more visceral connection to the sea and the fishes themselves – a concept known as “aquaticity,” according to a global review published by Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries.
Whether you’ve long been enjoying the benefits of aquaticity or starting as a spearfisher, you may be curious about what to consult to enhance the efficiency and enjoyment of your spearfishing experience. Niche interests like spearfishing can be tricky to find resources for, but luckily, online platforms are now available for hobbyists to access relevant content. In the case of spearfishing, digital library Everand features ebooks and audiobooks for both beginners and veterans alike to dive deeper into their favorite hobby. Some examples are the beginner-friendly The Ocean: The Ultimate Handbook of Nautical Knowledge, which provides essential survival tips for the great big blue. Meanwhile, our 99 Tips to Get Better At Spearfishing is ideal for experienced folks looking to refine their technique. Another option is to visit your local libraries to check if they have anything available or see if an Interlibrary Loan can help you locate materials that aren’t available in your area.
There’s a breadth of resources for every skill level, so here are a few of the best ones to consult before your next spearfishing trip.
Spearfishing Manual: Insider Secrets Revealed
Beginners can use this manual by Mike McGuire as an accompaniment on their first few spearfishing excursions, as it contains plenty of tips on how to spearfish, safety strategies, speargun purchasing pointers, gear to secure, and the best areas to go spearfishing. While the book is geared toward first-timers, even longtime spearfishers could pick up a thing or two from this comprehensive, up-to-date guide.
Breathing for Warriors: Master Your Breath to Unlock More Strength, Greater Endurance, Sharper Precision, Faster Recovery, and an Unshakable Inner Game
This audiobook, read by author Dr. Belisa Vranich herself, zones in on the science, techniques, and benefits of correct breathing, which helps spearos and other athletes alike. Breathing techniques are half the battle when you’re underwater, and learning how to do it well will help you avoid injury and recover more efficiently. The biohacks you’ll learn from this book will let you connect with your body, with plenty of actionable tips you can use outside spearfishing.
99 Tips to Get Better at Spearfishing
We’ve talked previously about the joys of spearfishing, not just as a way to connect with nature but to improve one’s mental health and promote a healthy mind. But despite the benefits of this wonderful sport, there are issues to overcome. We’ve written an all-in-one guide for tackling common issues like equalizing problems, poor breath-hold, or finding quality equipment that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Our book comes in ebook and audiobook form, and you can add this to your resource list along with our Noob Spearo Podcast where we speak with the world’s best spearos and source valuable advice.
One spearo who is making waves right now is California’s Mitsuki Hara, who broke the world record of the International Underwater Spearfishing Association for white sea bass by women’s speargun by weight. For enthusiasts looking to challenge themselves with similar feats, it’s vital to identify and address issues constantly; there’s always room for improvement. By reading and listening to fresh perspectives with these ebooks and audiobooks as your guide, you can further learn and grow in reaping the benefits of spearfishing. Best of all, the profound insights from these titles will remind you of why you fell in love with this sport in the first place.
This year has been a significant one for me as a part-time spearo. Setting the scene quickly, I’m a working spearo Dad that lives too far from the ocean, I can have limited involvement, but with enough time in the water, I’ve been blessed with what I consider to be some fish of a lifetime given my skill level.
This year began with my Kickstarter backing of “99 Spearo Recipes” as a gesture of gratitude toward Isaac Daly. He played a pivotal role in supporting me during unexpected health issues, which led me to believe my diving days were over, and Isaac went out of his way to connect me with people who could assist. Part of the 99 Spearo recipes I volunteered to proof read, and part of that was the style guide, which intricately defined the Noob Spearo culture—characterized by humility rather than ego. As an introvert flying under the radar, this culture was particularly welcoming.
The Kickstarter reward was a 3-day beginner course on North Stradbroke Island. I’ve dived for years and done a freediving course so my motivation was more about giving back to someone who has contributed immensely to the spearo community, so if the dates couldn’t align, I was prepared to accept that. Fortunately, everything fell into place, and I attended without even taking a spear gun. The experience was enriching, even for someone with 30 years of diving experience. North Straddie’s beauty and the evident Noob Spearo culture made it a fantastic weekend.
Being a regular listener of the Noob Spearo podcast, I listened in to the Whitsundays Spear and Sail trip Zoom meeting. Initially planning to have it on in the background while sorting dinner, I was surprised by the intimate gathering. Long story short, work and family planets aligned and I ended up joining the trip! Despite never having sailed before (a tip for lightweights that struggle with the cold take wet weather gear) the trip was fantastic, and I witnessed the Noob Spearo culture in action once again. The story of the Golden Trevally I shot is featured on the Adreno website, which ironically my poor shot placement allowed the Noob Spearo culture to shine. Read it here, Whitsundays Sail x Spearing Trip! – Adreno – Ocean Outfitters emphasizing the teamwork, and I have memories etched from this trip.
The Whitsundays instilled confidence in my spearing abilities, prompting me to consider myself a permanent part-timer. When the Intermediate Course on North Stradbroke came up, with planets aligning again I was a last minute inclusions and scored the trifecta . This course, although I had moments of apprehension that I might be a small fish in a big pond was fine for a mid depth diver. However, the inclusive Noob Spearo culture again was evident which makes for the positive experience. The diverse skill sets of the instructors gave observational, cognitive, and instructional learning, which I don’t know if that’s intentional but it certainly works
A heartfelt shout-out to everyone I’ve shared these courses with—it’s been a pleasure. Here’s to a great year, and a big thanks to Isaac for all he does. For those contemplating purchasing the “99 Spearo Recipes” book or joining any of the trips, based on my experiences, you’ll walk away with indelible memories, a sense of community, and improved spearo skills—without a hint of regret.
Todays interview is with Ryan from F*ck The Taxman, the shark themed clothing apparel company that isn’t afraid to make a statement! As spearos, fishos and almost everyone that harvests from the sea will encounter the dreaded taxman, it’s something we can all relate to! That feeling of being sharked just as you’re reeling in that prize fish really makes you say “F*ck the taxman!”. We chat with Ryan and find out the story of the brand and some funny things along the way.
F*ck The Taxman is now a major sponsor to the Noob Spearo Podcast! Grab some of Ryan’s awesome merch and get a free hat when you use the code NOOBSPEARO.
Todays interview is with Jerry Guerra from Neptonics! A veteran, spearo business owner and an absolute frothing spearo, he is a wealth of knowledge and expertise on spearfishing. We chat about some of his new gear on sale at Neptonics.com, hunting Longnose Emperors, doing massive spearfishing trips to Africa, training and so much more! Get the inside scoop on the flasher with built in fish caller and the mighty chum dinger! Don’t forget to use the code NOOB10 for 10% off at Neptonics.com!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:55 Welcome Jerry!
07:10 Being a veteran, PTSD, mental health and spearfishing
10:50 Quiet days and closed seasons
12:50 Longnose Emperor hunting tips
18:10 Neptonics, African spearfishing and new gear
Todays interview is with Bert Keulder from Old Man Blue and we chat all about the new gear he’s made! Old Man Blue is well known for making rugged, tough, extremely well designed and properly engineered dive gear for spearfishing and crayfish/lobster diving. First he brought out his famous SeaSac catch bag, now he has released the soon to be famous Orca Harness weight vest and Heavy Duty Floatline. The Orca Harness is a weight vest designed to make you not know you’re wearing it, protect your lower back from strain and make you much more maneuverable in the water. The Heavy Duty Floatline is exactly that: a floatline for hunting and fighting huge fish like Dogtooth Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Marlin, etc! A bunch of other gear as well as funny stories from Bert’s diving days.
Win a FREE T-SHIRT for the best story about Old Man Blue gear! Tell us how it’s changed your diving and why you love it! Submit your story here!
Todays interview is with Simon Trippe & Craig Seadog and we talk everything Seriola Lalandi, the Yellowtail Kingfish! Happening on the 11th and 12th of November all along the greater Sydney area! That’s over 250km of coastline, several weigh stations and a whole load of frothing spearos all out to hunt the mighty Yellowtail Kingfish! Join Craig and Simon as they talk about the history of the Adreno Sydney Kingfish Cup, info on the fish, how to hunt them, what to look for and so much more!
Interview with Kaitlyn and Shelby from Neptune Spear and Dive
Todays interview is with Mackay Spearfishing power couple Kaitlyn and Shelby from Neptune Spear and Dive! If you are ever in the Mackay area make sure you go visit Neptune Spear and Dive and say hi to Kaitlyn and Shelby. Hear stories from their experiences in the spearfishing business, running a shop and life in Mackay. Find out about the crocs, when to go diving, what weather you need, some scary stories and some Spanish Mackerel and Tusky hunting tips! Go give them a follow and pop in for a visit if you’re ever in the area!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:45 Welcome Shelby and Kaitlyn!
07:05 Business and spearfishing
08:50 What about crocs?
11:30 Dive seasons in Mackay
13:30 What weather do you need to spearfish in Mackay?
16:20 Introduce eachother
25:00 Spanish Mackerel spearfishing tips
26:35 Spearfishing life vs shop life
28:50 Where is your shop?
34:30 What did you struggle with in your spearfishing and how did you improve it?
44:30 Steak and Lobster. 99 Spearo Recipes – Your best seafood dishes!
51:45 Tell us about Neptune Spear and Dive!
55:45 Scary stories and close calls
59:30 Dealing with sharks
01:04:05 Attacked by a Grouper and having heart problems on the bottom
01:10:50 Dropping your weight belt
01:14:55 Species to hunt: how to spearfishing Tuskies
01:23:30 The green Jobfish that got away!
01:29:40 Choosing a target species. Get picky about the fish you shoot!
01:33:40 Bucket list fish
01:36:55 Charters and trips available
01:43:20 Funny stories
01:52:20 Spearo Q&A
01:57:15 What does the spearfishing experience mean to you?
Interview with the crew of frothers from our Straddie Trip part 3
Todays interview is with our awesome bunch of frothers from our latest Straddie Trip part 3 Crew. Here we talk about the in’s and out’s of the challenges that we faced and had to overcome, the highlights and lowlights of the trip, world class Ceviche, as well as a bunch of laughs from stories and yarns experienced by all that came along. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:13 Welcome Back!
06:45 North Stradbroke Island Beginners Spearfishing Course group introduction
12:51 Group Shout outs, Who was cool to go diving with and why did they impress you?
20:05 Discovering and highlighting areas of self improvement
being humbled by your ego / discovering new limits
22:05 5 Minute Freediver | Freediving Family |Killshot Spearguns
24:48 Shrek’s student appraisal
25:38 Self improvement continued
Finding comfort being uncomfortable / correct technique / equalization
Favourite Froth moments!
Teamwork | 15 year old Frother | Comfy wetsuits |Beautiful Sealife | Returning to nature | Crackin’ hard solos, and magical mouth to mouth with Shrek.
47:35 Ted Harty Roadmap to Frenzil | Aqualyte Hydration
51:30 Trout yarns
52:33 Everyone’s highlight of the day
Successful line dives | Scotty’s Enthusiasm | Missing Flattys at point blank | 10 metre PB | Roller gun virgin | Sucking eye balls out of Tusk fish
1:02:11 Learning opportunities / Ways for improvement for future courses
1:10:28 Adam Stern Freediving Course | Killshot Spearguns | Freediving for spearfishing
1:13:10 Best meals eaten, Funniest thing experienced on the trip
Julian’s Gold Class Ceviche | Scott and Lee’s A-grade banter | Spearing first fish | losing snorkels | MC Tony on the Mike | Tony’s 10 Metre | Shrek’s wife’s muffins and brownies | Rays line dives | conversations with Curlews | wholesome nights round a fire | Everyone’s level of stoke | Salt and Vinegar Crumbed Flathead
Todays interview is with Lenny Logsdail aka Aquatic Apes! You may know him from Tiktok, Instagram and Youtube, here is his story of how he started spearfishing, how he ended up in Bali, Indonesia and how he went from 0 – 2.3 million subscribers! Hear about spearfishing in Bali and around Indonesia, hunting huge dogtooth tuna and wahoo, island life, filmmaking and Youtube! We hope you enjoy this episode with a legend of the spearfishing Youtube game!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:55 Welcome!
08:00 How to achieve Youtube success
11:30 Moving to Bali, Indonesia
14:20 Indonesia vs Florida
19:00 Your big Hollywood movie career?!
20:40 How to go spearfishing in Bali
28:35 How to get rid of the rust
30:35 Walk us through your speargun and float setup
35:10 How to shoot more big fish
37:45 A budget friendly, DIY trip to hunt Dogtooth Tuna
Interview with Andy from the Stalk Outdoors Podcast!
Todays interview is with Andy from the Stalk Outdoors Podcast! Andy is a frothing spearo and an avid outdoorsman with a particular interest in bow hunting. We chat about his spearfishing story, his days in the commercial dive industry, scary stories and some epic fish hunts! Get some excellent and practical tips on gear, spearguns, fins and so much more. Go have a listen to the Stalk Outdoors Podcast and hear his interviews with other legend spearos and hunters like Trevor Ketchion, Zachary Schmidt and many others! Such a good conversation, thanks for being on the show mate!
Todays interview is with Captain Matt and his First Mate Ben Crisp! A massive thanks to Matt and Ben with Prosail for hosting us on our Whitsundays Spearfishing and Sail trip! The Crisp brothers are veteran sailors that looked after Shrek, Eckart and the crew while sailing around the Whitsunday Islands! With praise all round for dealing with the rugged windy conditions, keeping everyone safe and putting them on some good fish – they did a legendary job this week! Hear some BTS stories of the wins, close calls, spearfishing tips and tricks and the usual banter you’d expect from Shrek and the crew. Again a massive thanks to Prosail and Salt Sessions for making this trip happen!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:55 Welcome Matt and Crisp!
10:55 Where did your love for sailing start?
14:40 What goes into planning a trip like this?
16:25 How did you start spearfishing?
17:55 How do you dive deep? How to hunt effectively & how to find fish
24:00 Fish species! Red Throat Emperors, Mangrove Jack & the ones that got away
31:55 Teamwork spearfishing: when the fish fight back!
35:40 Matt’s scary stories: pushing your limits too far
43:20 Ben’s scary stories
48:30 Blackspot tuskfish
50:05 Cobia and Bullray
57:30 Line awareness, some stupid decisions and doing way too much at once!
01:02:40 Bombing seamounts, Dogtooth tuna with the Back to Basics boys and tiny coral trout
01:09:20 Funny stories
01:20:00 What dive gear do you use?
01:25:40 What does spearfishing mean to you?
01:29:25 Favourite fish to eat and how to cook it
01:31:00 Dream list of locations or species, rugged conditions and close calls
01:38:30 We had a magic time, we’ll be back for sure!
Todays interview is a report from the Whitsundays Sail & Spear Charter! Some gusty conditions did nothing to kill the stoke of the legends that joined us on the sail and spear charter with excellent underwater conditions, loads of PB’s and some great friendships forged! Here are some stories and reports from the trip, we are looking to plan another trip for 2024 so if you missed this one, the next trip will be for you! A massive thanks to everyone that joined us on our trip and made it so much fun! Another great trip from Eckart and Salt Sessions and a massive thanks to Prosail for hosting us!
A question I get asked a lot is: “Rhys I see you out diving all of the time, but you’ve got 3 kids, how do you do it!?”. Whilst it is true that having a family and spearfishing might seem impossible, it’s actually a lot more achievable than you might think. There is a few small tweaks that you can make that will really help to maximize your time in the water:
1. Support your partner
Your partner’s happiness needs to be priority number 1. Because after all, who else is going to watch your kids from dusk to dawn on a Sunday while you head out diving? I do everything I can to help my partner do her sports/hobbies as much as possible (CrossFit in this case), this might mean picking the kids up from school or helping them to get ready in the morning while she goes to training. The main takeaway is to make your partner feel like they are supported in what they love because it will always come back around.
By prioritizing your partner’s happiness and assisting them in pursuing their passions, you’re fostering an environment of reciprocity that enables you to pursue your own pursuits, such as spearfishing.
2. Prioritize Spearfishing (over all of your other sports and hobbies)
Firstly, you have to drop the notion that you will have enough time to go spearfishing and still do all of your other sports and hobbies.
You want to go spearfishing more? Well then spearfishing needs to be priority number 1 (ok well after your partner and family).
This might mean having to quit JiuJitsu, stop surfing and even cut out meeting the boys at the pub on a Friday night. Anything that remains will need to be tangential and spontaneous. Instead of spending 2 hours at crossfit each time I go to training I will squeeze in a quick 30 minute park workout each week. Remember: your time is limited so make sure to use it wisely.
I have always loved the idea of learning to Kitesurf, but the reality is it would take away 1 day per week and I would need to choose between Kiting and Spearing (of course spearing wins for me).
Two family men doing what they love
3. Do the Mahi (work) to get the Mahi
Spearfishing is a lot of work, you are up at the crack of dawn and back sometimes as the sun is setting. I don’t know about you but I usually just want to go straight to sleep after a big day out. Well it’s time to “pucker up buttercup” because there is stuff to do: gear to washdown, fish to prep, a car to unpack. Don’t expect any help from those close to you. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and do the mahi, this might mean not finishing until late at night and having a terrible post-spearing headache the next day.
A sunset fileting session followed by a drive home in the dark, all for the love of diving
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, juggling the demands of family life and a passion for spearfishing may appear challenging, but with a few strategic adjustments, it’s more achievable than it seems. The key lies in fostering a supportive partnership that values each other’s interests and endeavors. By prioritizing your partner’s happiness and assisting them in pursuing their passions, you’re fostering an environment of reciprocity that enables you to pursue your own pursuits, such as spearfishing.
Moreover, it’s crucial to reshape your priorities and acknowledge that to fully embrace spearfishing, certain sacrifices may be necessary. This means letting go of other sports and hobbies, recognizing that time is a limited resource. By committing to spearfishing as a primary focus, you’re making the most of the time you have, and any remaining activities become supplementary and spontaneous.
Lastly, spearfishing entails significant effort, from early mornings to late nights spent cleaning gear and prepping fish. It’s a testament to the dedication required to balance the thrill of the sport with the responsibilities of everyday life. While it may involve hard work and late nights, the satisfaction gained from a successful day out on the water makes it all worthwhile. Ultimately, with thoughtful adjustments, a supportive partnership, and an unwavering commitment, the seemingly impossible task of reconciling family life with a passion for spearfishing becomes a reality.
About the author:
Rhys Clay is a family man, Spearo, YouTuber (No Viz Adventures) and Surfer from the Sunshine Coast in Qld, Australia. Rhys loves spending time in the water and bringing home a feed for the extended family. Rhys has recently launched a niche spearfishing product business called Jolly Roger Spearfishing, you can check them out here: jollyrogerspearfishing.com.au
Todays interview is with Brad Corbett, aka @zulus64! In celebration of world friendship day, Shrek sat down with local legend Brad in a closed-for-the-day Adreno Aspley store to chat about spearfishing! Brad is a regular out in the ocean and has hunted some awesome fish, he gives us some of his tips on being a better hunter and how good dive buddies = more fish. Being ex-military and an ex-corrections officer, Brad has a good sense of risk and risk management, hear stories of some close calls where being in the water with a buddy made the difference between life and death. All this and more in today’s episode, let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Todays interview is with Ollie Craig, a hardcore hunter and full-on frother who “makes Bear Grylls blush and Chuck Norris cry.” He’s a passionate great spearo born and bred in New Zealand, he loves what he does and tackles adventure head on. In this podcast we discuss topics like spearing in South Africa, shooting Striped Marlin, smackin’ big Kingy’s, plus loads more of local knowledge that Ollie has crafted, created and acquired over the years of his spearfishing career. Ollie is the founder of Primal Pursuit on Youtube which is STACKED with frothy content and a respectable following. if you haven’t already gone and checked it out it is HIGHLY recommended. Giving the audience raw content of action packed adventures and a true insight into the spearfishing lifestyle that not too many are brave enough to accomplish!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:10 Hardcore hunter, full on frother, welcome Ollie Craig.
06:28 How did you get started? who got you into spearfishing?
As a hunter on a guided hunt, you become an integral part of the natural ecosystem, pitting your skills and instincts against the untamed challenges of the wild. From the exhilaration of tracking your prey to the deep satisfaction of a successful hunt, the experience is truly extraordinary.
This comprehensive guide will explore the ten essential factors contributing to a successful guided hunting trip. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a beginner, understanding and incorporating these key elements will greatly enhance your hunting experience.
1. Hunter’s Checklist
A successful hunting trip starts with thorough preparation. Create a hunting essentials checklist of items to ensure you have everything you need for hunting. The checklist should include hunting licenses, permits, tags, and any legal documentation required for the specific location. Familiarize yourself with the hunting regulations and seasons to ensure compliance.
2. Choosing the Right Hunting Gear
Having the right hunting gear is crucial for a successful trip. Invest in high-quality equipment such as camo clothing, boots, a hunting backpack, a reliable hunting knife, hunting binoculars, and a sturdy rifle or bow.
Consider the terrain and weather conditions to select the appropriate gear. Take spearfishing, for example. Each spearfishing equipment is very subjective, depending on the intent and environment one is hunting. So is hunting on land.
Don’t forget essentials like a reliable knife, binoculars, and a range finder. You will need to invest in high-quality hunting gear when you’re hunting as you want to ensure that your gear is reliable, as good equipment will make things easier for you.
3. Navigation Tools
When exploring unfamiliar territories, reliable navigation tools are essential. If possible, carry a map and compass, a GPS unit, a rangefinder, and a detailed map of the hunting area. These tools will help you navigate dense forests and challenging terrains and ensure you can return to camp.
4. Illumination – Flashlight and Headlamp
As a hunter, you may find yourself in low-light situations, especially during early morning or evening hunts.
Make sure to bring a high-quality headlamp and flashlight will help massively in this situation. They will assist you in setting up your hunting spot, tracking game, and safely navigating in the dark. Also, do not forget to pack extra batteries for backup.
5. First Aid Kit – Your Safety Net
Safety should always be a priority during any hunting trip. Accidents and injuries can happen, so packing a good first-aid kit is crucial. Stock it with bandages, antiseptic ointments, pain relievers, medical tape, and prescription medications you may need. Familiarize yourself with basic first aid procedures as well.
You should also be prepared with your own repair kit if ever any equipment breaks down. Duct tape is one of the most underrated pieces of equipment a hunter can have.
6. Communication Tools
Stay connected with your hunting companions and the outside world, especially in emergencies. Carry a reliable two-way radio or a satellite communication device. These tools allow you to communicate with your group, call for help if needed, and receive important updates.
7. Adequate Food and Water
Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during a hunting trip. Pack lightweight, high-energy snacks and meals like granola bars that are easy to prepare and won’t spoil quickly. Carry an ample water supply or invest in a portable water filtration system to ensure a clean water source throughout your journey.
8. Shelter and Sleeping Gear
A comfortable and reliable shelter is essential for a successful hunting trip, especially if you plan to stay overnight. Consider options such as tents, hammocks, or bivvy sacks that protect from the elements. Invest in a warm and insulated sleeping bag to ensure a good night’s rest.
9. Survival Tools
In unpredictable situations, having survival tools can be a lifesaver. Include items such as fire starters, waterproof matches, a multi-tool, a lightweight tarp, and emergency signaling devices. These tools can help you build a fire, create a shelter, and attract attention in case of an emergency.
10. Knowledge and Skills
No hunting trip is complete without honing your knowledge and skills. Educate yourself about the target game species, their behavior, and their habitat. Practice shooting regularly to enhance your accuracy and proficiency. Continually improve your hunting skills through workshops, training programs, and learning from experienced hunters.
Even if you have the best tools and kits, you are in big trouble if you lack the knowledge and experience to use them. Always remember that your kit should include the necessary skills in hunting, such as basic navigation, familiarity with floras and faunas around the area and basic gun skills.
Just like spear hunting, where you have to learn how to properly do breathing while diving, hunting on land is fairly similar as proper skills and techniques are required from aspiring and even veteran hunters.
Ethics of Underwater Hunting vs. Guided Hunts
The ethics of underwater hunting adventures and guided hunts can vary depending on various factors. In the case of underwater hunting adventures, responsible divers should prioritize species preservation and refrain from targeting endangered or protected marine creatures.
On the other hand, guided hunts must abide by laws, respect hunting seasons, and adhere to established limits to maintain sustainable populations. Guided hunts should prioritize ethical practices such as clean kills, proper handling of game, and the utilization of harvested animals.
By participating in land hunts, underwater hunters can support wildlife management initiatives, promote sustainable hunting practices, and actively contribute to preserving terrestrial species and habitats. This diversification of hunting experiences allows for a well-rounded understanding of ethical hunting principles, fostering a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecosystems both above and below the water’s surface.
Conclusion
A successful hunting trip requires careful planning, the right equipment, and adherence to ethical hunting practices. So before going on your next hunting expedition, consider the things we discussed in this post and apply them when you go hunting.
Info Night: Whitsundays Spearfishing Retreat 6-10 August 2023
We had our info night for the upcoming Whitsundays Spearfishing Retreat with Noob Spearo and Salt Sessions! We invited a bunch of the Noob Spearo community to join us for a zoom call to find out more about the spearfishing and sailing retreat coming up in a month’s time! All your questions + all the details you need to know about the trip: when to arrive, what gear to bring, where exactly to go, what type of diving we’ll be doing, the target species we’ll be chasing and everything else you wanted to know!
Today’s interview is with the legendary David Ochoa! If you don’t know his name PLEASE go have a look at his instagram and youtube channel, you will not be disappointed! Some of the most epic spearfishing footage you will find, David has made a name for himself as a world class spearfishing guide and cinematographer. He was on the show 8 years ago and today makes his comeback to the Noob Spearo podcast with an update on his life, spearfishing stories and his epic camera and film work! Hear all about spearfishing around the infamous Latham island, his camera gear and editing workflow, making a living off of something he truly enjoys and so much more! Do yourself a favour and go check out this video on youtube of his trip to Latham island!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
02:55 Patron Curly voice message
12:55 Welcome David Ochoa!
15:15 David is a force in the spearfishing world
18:05 Making a living off of something you truly enjoy
23:00 Spearfishing as a currency
26:35 A FROTHING instagram
29:20 How do you plan a spearfishing trip?
36:30 Video editing workflow
42:05 Social media and mental health
44:05 Infamous Latham: tell us about it!
50:10 Sharing knowledge and tips vs keeping info private
53:40 Warm up spearfishing to prepare for big fish
56:10 I’m a 25m diver – can I hunt dogtooth around Latham?
59:25 What is the appeal of Dogtooth Tuna and social media?
01:10:40 Tragedy in Florida
01:16:30 Video editing, story telling and cutting footage: filming vs diving
If you’re a spearfisher, you know there’s something electrifying about that moment when you dive off the boat and submerge yourself into the mysterious deep blue. Your heart is racing, adrenaline is coursing through your veins, and your senses are tuned to the undersea world like never before.
But did you ever stop to think that these spearfishing and boating adventures serve not just as a source of fun but also as potent boosters for your mental health?
The Mental Health Voyage: Boating, Spearfishing, and Well-being
Imagine this: You’re on a boat, the sun is shining down on you, and the vast, calm sea surrounds you. There’s the faint smell of salt in the air, and a gentle breeze is ruffling your hair. There’s something inherently calming about this scenario, isn’t there? This is the benefit of nature exposure. Being outdoors, especially on or near water, can greatly help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Taking the plunge into the water for a bout of spearfishing also means you’re diving headfirst into a powerful physical workout. Swimming works your entire body, and spearfishing amps up the intensity. You’re improving your physical health, sure, but this also translates to benefits for your mental well-being. Regular exercise is known to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and boost your mood. So, as you’re lining up that perfect shot on a tricky fish, remember: you’re not just working your muscles, but your mind as well.
Spearfishing isn’t just about brute force, though. It requires a high degree of skill, precision, and patience. You need to stalk your prey, move without startling it, and time your shot perfectly. This can be seen as a form of active meditation, requiring focus and calm. Each successful catch can also give you a big boost in self-esteem. After all, outwitting a wily snapper or landing a massive grouper isn’t easy!
One of the best things about boating and spearfishing is the social interaction. Whether you’re part of a dedicated spearfishing crew or just occasionally heading out with a few buddies, these shared experiences can strengthen your social bonds and combat feelings of isolation. There’s nothing like the shared excitement of a good catch or the collective effort to land a challenging fish to promote teamwork and camaraderie.
Last but not least, boating and spearfishing are all about adventure and exploration. Every trip is a new experience, whether you’re discovering a new dive spot, encountering unusual marine life, or mastering new spearfishing techniques. This sense of adventure and novelty can stimulate your brain, making you happier and more satisfied.
So, the next time you’re out on the water, remember: every dive isn’t just a thrilling hunt; it’s also a dive into improved mental well-being. You’re not just landing fish, but a boost to your mental health, too!
Stay tuned for our next section, where we’ll discuss how we can enhance this experience with a bit of fun and humor. After all, a good laugh can be just as beneficial as a good dive. Keep those fins ready!
Riding the Waves of Fun and Humour
Spearfishing and boating may be adventurous activities, but that doesn’t mean we can’t mix in a little fun and humor. In fact, a good belly laugh can be just as therapeutic as a long swim in the deep.
Laughter is often referred to as the ‘best medicine,’ and for a good reason – it decreases stress hormones and increases the number of immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to diseases.
But how can you incorporate fun and humor into your spearfishing and boating trips? Let’s dive into that!
Making a Splash with Boating and Spearfishing Games
Next time you’re out spearfishing, consider introducing a little competitive spirit. Let’s kick things off with a ‘Biggest Catch’ competition. Set a challenge to see who can spear the day’s largest fish. The bragging rights alone will be worth the extra effort!
Not feeling competitive? Try a ‘Scavenger Hunt’ instead. Before you jump in, everyone writes down a fish species common to your location. Then, each diver has to snap a picture with each type of fish during their dive. You might be Spears, but remember, this is a catch-and-release kind of game. Just take a photo, no spearing involved!
If you’re looking for a serious challenge, how about a ‘One Breath, One Shot’ competition? Who can make the most accurate shot in a single breath? This game will test your breath-holding skills and shooting accuracy all at once. Remember, safety comes first. Only attempt this if you’re confident in your breath-hold abilities and always have a buddy watching over you.
Spearfishing Jokes to Keep the Laughter Afloat
Who said spears don’t have a sense of humor? Here’s an arsenal of the best puns you can share with your buddies on your next trip, sure to bring a wave of laughter to your boat. Remember, a shared laugh can be as exciting as a shared catch.
“Why don’t fish play basketball? Because they’re afraid of the net!”
“Why are fish so smart? Because they live in schools!”
“What did the fish say when it swam into a wall? Dam!”
“Why do spearfishers make great musicians? Because they’ve got perfect ‘piercing’ pitch!”
“What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh!”
“What do you call a lazy crayfish? A lobster!”
“Why do fish like to know how much they weigh? Because they have their own scales!”
“What do you get when you cross a banker with a fish? A loan shark!”
Feel free to reel these out during your next spearfishing adventure, and remember – the more you share the laughter, the more unforgettable your trips will be! After all, a day without laughter is like a day without diving – it’s just not as good!
Incorporating fun and humor into your spearfishing and boating trips not only enhances the overall experience but also promotes mental well-being.
Crafting Unforgettable Adventures
A boating or spearfishing trip is never just about the catch – it’s about the whole experience. And with a few creative ideas, we can make that experience even more memorable. This not only adds to the joy of the moment but also provides a lasting positive impact on our mental health.
Ever thought of turning your spearfishing trip into a themed adventure? Themed trips could be a fun way to add an extra layer of excitement to your expeditions. Themes can be based on anything from a specific type of fish to marine movie characters. Imagine having a ‘Barracuda Bonanza’ day or a ‘Finding Nemo’ spearfishing adventure! The added element of dress-up or specific goals will surely make for some fun and laughter.
How about a photo contest? Spearfishing offers some spectacular underwater photography opportunities. Why not make the most of them? Set a theme or leave it open-ended and see who can capture the most stunning, fun, or unusual photo during the trip. You could even share these on social media to engage with the wider spearfishing community. This can enhance the sense of camaraderie and connection, which in turn, promotes mental well-being.
But why limit ourselves to the water? The boat ride to and from your spearfishing location can be just as fun. Consider introducing boat games, such as ‘Sea Life I Spy’ or ‘Marine Trivia,’ to keep the energy and laughter flowing.
Remember, it’s not always about the size of the catch; it’s about the size of the smiles, and the depth of the laughter shared among friends.
Conclusion
Spearfishing and boating are not just thrilling adventures but voyages into a world of improved mental health. They offer us a chance to bond with nature, connect with friends, challenge ourselves, and have a whole lot of fun. So, the next time you pull on your wetsuit, remember: every dive is a dive into not just the beautiful deep blue but also a dive into happiness, stress relief, and a healthier mind.
Spearfishing can be tough on the body – so the more physically prepared we are, the better. As both a strength coach and an active spearo myself, I know when I feel physically prepared, my mental game in the water is better too!
We require a certain amount of strength, movement and fitness to load our gun, fin for hours at a time, get in and out of a boat, pull up the anchor, rock hop, pull in fish etc…
The right type of strength training program will have many benefits for spearos including helping us to dive longer, recover better, avoid injuries and dive safer.
However, the wrong type of training can negatively affect our diving and contribute to injuries.
As spearos we need to train smart!
We need to use an exercise program that will have a carry-over to our sport. One that strengthens the whole body, especially the muscles used when spearfishing.
We need to work on things such as leg endurance, upper body and core strength. Having a full range of movement is also beneficial to us. A good exercise program will also include stretches and mobility exercises to help us move better, which will help us dive more efficiently and avoid injuries.
There are even stretches and mobility exercises we can use to release the muscles around the chest and ribcage to promote better posture which will help us breathe better, enabling us to take a fuller breath and increase our bottom time!
I’ve drawn on nearly 20 years experience working as a strength and conditioning coach and my experience as a spearo to design my “Spearo Strength Program”.
This program can be done at home or gym with minimal equipment.
Below are four of my favourite exercises from my Spearo Strength Program that I know, if done regularly, will help you in the water.
BACK AND AB STRETCH
This is a great exercise which will help to correct a hunched back (bad posture).
This type of posture’s the norm these days due to our ever increasing sedentary lifestyles or by doing the wrong type of training.
Posture’s important because it can affect how efficiently you breathe and bad posture will cause many injuries including back, neck and shoulder injuries. All of which can keep you out of the water, cost you lots of money at the physio, chiro or doctor or even lead you to the surgeon’s knife!
BACK AND AB STRETCH VIDEO GUIDE
SUSPENSION STRAP ROW
This exercise will strengthen your upper back and bicep muscles. These are some of the main muscles used to load your gun, pull up an anchor and to do freestyle swim stroke.
HOW TO PERFORM THE SUSPENSION STRAP ROW | VIDEO GUIDE
SUPINE LATERAL BALL ROLL
This exercise will strengthen your legs, back and abdominal muscles and get you strong in all three planes of motion which is important for full body strength and injury prevention both in and out of the water.
This is also a great exercise to use If you have an injury, such as a back or knee injury, because you can strengthen these areas without putting too much load through your joints.
HOW TO PERFORM THE SUPINE LATERAL BALL ROLL | VIDEO GUIDE
BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUAT
This is a great exercise that’ll strengthen all of your big leg muscles used for finning. (glutes, hamstrings, quads and hip flexors).
We use this exercise to develop leg strength and endurance.
This exercise will increase strength and muscle around the knees which will help to prevent knee injuries.
HOW TO PERFORM THE BULGARIAN SPLIT SQUAT | VIDEO GUIDE
Today’s interview is with Nick Anastasia, aka @teamseamonkeys from Hawaii! Most people think of long boat trips and hours out to sea when they think of “blue water” spearfishing. Nick does his blue water spearfishing from the shore! The unique topography of Hawaii means that within a hundred meters from the shore, you can be in hundreds of meters of water! This brings its own dangers of massive current and swell, but also brings along a whole host of blue water pelagic fish! If Yellowfin, Bluefin and Dogtooth Tuna are considered by-catch, you know you’re in a good spot for spearfishing! Hear stories of epic hunts around Hawaii, close calls far out to sea, some awesome Hawaiian underwater photographers and spearos, blue water hunting rigs and gear and so much more. Go give @TeamSeaMonkeys a follow on instagram for some epic content, guarantied to make you froth!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:35 Welcome Nick from Hawaii!
06:00 What are you doing in Japan?
08:25 Spearfactor podcast, the Hammer & French Polynesia
Today’s interview is with Eckart Benkenstein from Salt Sessions! Today is all about Southern Bluefin Tuna: how to hunt them, how to land them, how to bleed and care for them and most importantly: how to get the best seafood out of them! Caring for your catch taken to the next level as we also talk about dry aging, ceviche, 99 Spearo Recipes and so much more! Eckart runs some awesome spearfishing and freediving retreats and he has a few trips coming up soon in and around Australia as well as a massive trip to South Africa for a spearfishing and safari retreat! Visit saltsessions.com.au to find out more and book your spot! There’s even rumors of Eckart and Shrek teaming up for a Noob Spearo and Salt Sessions spearfishing retreat soon! Check the links mentioned below and contact Shrek to tell him you’re interested!
Today’s interview is with Dr Kelsea Albert, multiple world record holder, multiple time USA and World champion huntress and at her core, a frothing speara! Apart from her life saving medical work, she has a huge passion for sustainable hunting. She firmly believes in the value of “one shot – one kill” and has spent her life improving her craft to become an extremely effective hunter. Hear stories of how her husband asked her out on spearfishing dates, the perfect poke bowl, tales of her world record Seabass hunts and some new and unique ways to attract fish! Thanks so much for being on the show Kelsea, it’s great to see someone so passionate about hunting! If you could take one thing out of this episode: treat your fish the same way you would a deer!
Today’s interview is with Glyn Sadler! He is part of a group of friends that decided to row across the Atlantic ocean! We chat all about preparing for a massive trip like this, spearfishing off a row boat and how his time in the military has helped his spearfishing. Mental health is a huge talking point, rowing for weeks on end with 3 other men in a tiny boat is going to push you to a place you probably haven’t been before, Glyn has some great thoughts on how to overcome some mental challenges. We also talk about using the bathroom out on the sea and some of the hilarious stories that come with that!
A special Happy Birthday to Glyn’s son Harry and his wife Sarah!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:25 Welcome Glyn!
06:35 Your military background, spearfishing and ocean rowing
12:00 Mental health
14:40 Useless people
18:00 Resilience and the reality of rowing across the ocean
30:05 Great struggle brings great victory
33:40 A hard reset for your mental health
39:00 How did the bathroom work?
42:10 Spearfishing and ocean rowing
45:05 Tell us about your boat!
52:15 Tell us about this race and the sponsors!
01:00:55 @Adventures_Per_Mare – rowing and spearfishing the UK coast
01:08:40 Fitness
01:12:15 Australian visitor out on the Atlantic
01:20:40 Spearfishing in Northern Wales
01:25:20 4.4lb Mullet
01:28:20 Spider crabs in the shallows and diving with your kids
01:33:50 99 Spearo Recipes and harvesting food from the ocean
My wife makes these sensational Fillet o Fish knock-off burgers that absolutely destroy the Golden Arches version. Not only do you know exactly what is going into them but you can relive the nostalgic taste and everyone else in the family (nearly everyone) enjoys them too. Trust me, Fake Fillet o Fish Burgers are a dead-set crowd pleaser:) Here is her recipe! – Shrek
Main Ingredients
Fish (cut into thin portion size square shapes. I used Spanish Mackerel)
Vegetable oil (for frying)
Brioche bread rolls
Lettuce
Cheese
Batter
200g /250g Flour
X1 egg
250ml-300ml Lemonade (add until you have a pancake type batter consistency)
Sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste
Tartare sauce
½ cup Capers
Dill
Salt and pepper
½ cup Gherkins
Lemon and lemon rind
1 ½ cup Mayonnaise
Method
The tartare sauce: Pour mayonnaise into bowl. Chop up capers, dill, gherkins and place into bowl. Add salt, pepper, lemon and lemon rind to taste and mix well. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
The batter: Put the flour, egg, lemonade and salt and pepper into bowl and mix well. Place in fridge to keep cold if not using straight away.
Pour enough oil for shallow frying into wok (or fry pan), place on medium to high heat. You can test the oil with a little batter, if bubbling when placed in the oil is ready.
Dip each piece of fish into the batter and coat well. Place battered fish into oil and cook on both sides for a few minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Place on cooling rack or plate with paper towel. Sprinkle with salt.
To assemble burgers, spread a generous amount of Tartare sauce on bottom bun, followed by lettuce, a piece of crispy battered fish and a slice of cheese. Enjoy!
Tips
Batter is best when really cold. Placing in fridge until ready to use is helpful or placing two ice cubes into batter when using.
If you have the oil cooking on high the whole time it will burn the batter.
Today’s episode is a chat about the revolution that is ChatGPT! Does AI have a place in spearfishing? Do we still need freediving and spearfishing courses run by humans or will AI take over? We’ve enlisted the helpful and exciting conversation of Trevor Ketchion and James Sakker! We even had a few Patron guests join us as we ask ChatGPT questions about spearfishing and react to them! The top 10 ethical concerns, ChatGPT vs Google, who is the best spearo, where are the best spots, hyperventilation and so much more! We also ask the most important question: Who has the most luxurious beard in spearfishing? Listen til the end to find out the answer! Massive chat that’ll no doubt stir up some controversy, let us know what you think about this!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
07:25 Welcome James and Trevor!
10:30 What is ChatGPT?
12:30 ChatGPT vs Google
16:10 Hyperventilating
21:25 10 Biggest ethical concerns for spearfishing: 1: Overfishing
26:40 2. Impact on non-target species
31:45 3. Habitat destruction
37:10 4. Ecological imbalance
44:20 5. Poaching
47:15 6. Endangered species
52:55 7. Human safety
53:45 8. Cultural appropriation in spearfishing
57:35 9. Contribute to invasive species
01:02:20 10. Unethical practices (scuba??)
01:06:15 Who are the best spearos and who have the most luxurious beards in spearfishing?
01:10:10 James, you had a rough spearfishing run!
01:13:50 Patron guests
01:15:00 Trevor’s poo story from the Inter Pac’s
01:20:30 What does ChatGPT think about spearfishing?
01:23:45 What’s coming up on Catch It Grow It Cook It?
Today’s urgent interview is with Sam Wild from South Seas Spearos! Diving and filming Great White Sharks in the water is not for the feint of heart, Sam has had some amazing experiences with them! An extremely talented cameraman and spearo, his skills are being put to great use following his mates around and filming their epic adventures chasing amazing fish! Learn a bit more about Sam and his past, get some insight into filming and producing South Sea Spearos and hear what it’s like to dive with Great White Sharks! He also runs, with his father, the MAHI Spearfishing store which sell some real nice floats, perfect for going up against those one in a lifetime fish! If you haven’t yet – check out their Youtube and prepare for the froth!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:15 Welcome Sam!
06:45 Lobster hunting in NZ
11:00 Filming spearos underwater
14:10 Growing up in an alternative community
17:20 Tall poppy syndrome and Facebook groups
24:40 EDH – your partner!
29:25 What’s it like diving with Great White Sharks?
36:20 Cage diving
43:55 Fishery regulations
49:40 A memorable hunt or experience in the ocean
52:45 Dive safety
56:00 Your favourite or most interesting species
01:02:45 Scary experiences
01:07:05 Paper Nautilus
01:08:55 South Sea Spearos = Meat Eater
01:10:40 Almost getting speared BY a marlin
01:15:25 Pranks
01:22:10 Mahi Spearfishing
01:27:15 How do you manage your mental health being so popular on instagram?
01:30:25 Future plans and where can people find you?
Today’s urgent interview is with Sonny Kaeo Landon-Lane highlighting a potential game changing fisheries ban for spearos in Tasmania! The Sand Flathead, Striped Trumpeter, Bastard Trumpeter and the Banded Morwong are all at risk of being completely banned for spearos – are spearos the reason for their decline? How can I get involved and stop this ban from happening? All this and some juicy details about Tasmania spearfishing and dive conditions!
Tom Yum soup usually uses prawns as the main protein but octopus works a treat as an addition or as an alternative. Octopus can turn tough if overcooked. Freezing them for a week helps tenderize them.
The soup is easily made but if Tom Yum paste is readily available, use it. Octopus can be caught wading in rock pools or freediving reefs and weed beds. They can be tickled out of their caves with a spear disconnected from the gun.
Deryck Tan with Perth Octopus
Ingredient List
350g (12oz) whole prawns
750ml (3 cups) water
125ml (0.5 cups) chicken stock
3 slices galangal*
3 lemongrass stalks, crushed
5 kaffir lime leaves, crushed
2 chillies, preferably birds eye
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 octopus, cleaned and if desired, cut into bite sized pieces
120g (4oz) mushrooms, preferably oyster
1 tomato, diced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 tsp sugar
3 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp lime juice
Coriander (cilantro)
* The best substitute for galangal is to use 1 tbsp fresh ginger root with 1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
Method
Shell the prawns
Place water and chicken stock in a pot
Add prawn heads and shells, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilies and garlic*
Simmer for 10 minutes
Strain the broth
Add mushrooms, tomato and onions to the broth and simmer for 4 minutes
Add prawns and octopus and simmer for 1 minute
Add lime juice and adjust the taste to suit
Garnish with coriander
If Tom Yum paste is readily available, make the soup with it according to instructions and then add the mushrooms, tomato, onion and octopus
Deryck Tan is an uber talented Gyotaku, seafood cook and passionate spearo residing in Perth, Australia. Check out his Gyotaku studio and buy a copy of 99 Spearo Recipes while you’re there!
Hot smoking fish is easy once you get a few things nailed, and should be embraced and not avoided. Brining greatly improves the texture and taste of any smoked fish. Keep it simple with an easy salt brine for just one hour.
Serve the finished smoked spanish mackerel hot with vegetables, with salad or in a wrap. It’s always great. When cooled and refrigerated the smoked fish will keep for at least a week so can be used in a multitude of dishes until you can get out to dive again!
Ingredient List
2kg (4.4lb) spanish mackerel fillet
1 cup (300g) salt
6 cups water
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 handful hardwood sawdust
Method
Make a brine by mixing the salt and water, making sure all the salt is dissolved.
Cut fish into 20mm (1In) medallions, leaving the skin on.
Soak fish in brine for one hour, make sure it is fully submerged.
Remove the fish from the brine. Pat it dry and then sprinkle on brown sugar and rub it into the medallions.
Place the medallions in a hot smoker and cook for 18 minutes then turn off heat (Consult the how to Hot Smoke fish section for more details)
Leave fish in the smoker, without removing the lid, for another 8 minutes
The smoked fish is then ready to serve, or remove and cool to use later.
James Sakker was the spearo chef behind this creation (and many others). James is Mid-North NSW coast veteran spearo who has a YouTube channel full of his adventures chasing donkey Lobster, shooting class Jewfish and all delivered with class banter and commentary. Subscribe to his channel Catch it Cook it Grow it
Interview with the Legend Crew of the Stradbroke Weekend Spearing Course 2!
Today’s interview is with the awesome crew from our 2nd Stradbroke weekend spearfishing course! Hear from some of the legends that joined us for the 2nd round of spearfishing and freediving courses that Shrek and Keiren ran. From Noob Spearos to experienced spearos getting formal qualifications, adults to young kids – everyone had a great time, learnt new things and improved their abilities! Best of all was getting to prepare, cook up and eat our catch less than 100m from where it was shot. We hope you enjoy!
Today’s interview is with Alexey Vlaskin & Landell Archer, founders of Divebud: a new technology to improve on the concept of a dive watch! Have you ever got lost in the moment while at the bottom of the sea? Ever been at the end of your breath hold but then that fish you’ve been looking for shows up? This can quickly become a recipe for disaster! Divebud aims to eliminate this worry! It is a programmable device that can analyze, set alarms and track your performance underwater. Been down for too long? You’ll get a beep to remind you. Been on the surface for long enough? It’ll beep and tell you! We LOVE innovative products like this, no matter what your stance on using technology in diving is, we 100% support creators like this.
Have you used a Divebud? Let us know what your experience was!
Today’s interview is with Øystein Sundland from the Havkontoret Norwegian Spearfishing Podcast and we talk all things Norway spearfishing! If Norway wasn’t on your bucket list for spearfishing destinations, now it will be! Cold water, big fish, bigger sharks, night diving and some amazing scenery for when you surface, Norway is a semi-hidden gem in the spearfishing world! Hear some stories and get info from a local Norwegian spearo about the spearfishing in Norway, what gear you need and what fish you can expect to encounter. Øystein runs a Norwegian spearfishing podcast called Havkontoret, if you speak the language then here is an amazing resource for you! Have you been diving in Norway? Let us know your experience in the comments!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:25 Welcome Øystein!
07:50 Tell us about the Havkontoret podcast and how you started spearfishing
11:45 What is the vision for your podcast?
13:30 Norwegian fish farms
17:15 What is the spearfishing scene in Norway like?
18:55 Dill and Scallop pasta
22:30 Halibut! What is it like hunting them?
27:40 Massive Monkfish on little Christmas eve: how to hunt and cook Monkfish
36:45 Your family has some freediving and fishing history
40:50 The spearo lifestyle
44:55 Hunting using the tidal currents
49:30 Keeping spearfishing spots secret
50:25 You have some awesome podcast guests – the Turbot King! And other fish species to hunt in Norway
Did you know that spearfishing almost became an Olympic sport? Spearfishing came close to being recognized as an Olympic sport in the 1960s, but unfortunately, it never actually happened.
Spears have been used for fishing since the stone age. Like anything else, freediving or spearfishing requires discipline and perseverance to get better at it.
Becoming a proficient spearo requires a great deal of training, practice, and experience. Another thing you need to master as a diver is your breathing. Proper breath hold is essential while remaining underwater.
This article offers tips on holding your breath longer when spearfishing and explains the benefits of proper breathing techniques for a spearo.
Proper breathing techniques are essential when free diving or spearfishing because they can affect your body’s physical performance if done incorrectly AND more importantly can kill you (hyperventilation directly causes shallow water blackout and is one the greatest risks to a spearo). Consistently practicing dry-training exercises can help you hold your breath longer while spearfishing.
If you want to know more about improving your breath-hold, check out freediving questions answered by Adam Stern. You can also read more below to learn tips on holding your breath longer.
Another primary concern for freedivers is dehydration. A freediver can be at risk of dehydration due to overactive sweat glands. These overactive sweat glands can make divers sweat profusely in a wetsuit. As a diver, it is crucial to stay hydrated before going underwater. We recommend Aqualyte, an Australian made product tailored for people who pursue high exertion/high dehydration activities like spearfishing. Noob Spearo are an affiliate for Aqualyte so the GOOD news is;
You get a discount! Use the code: NOOBSPEARO at checkout to save
Tips to Improve Your Breath-Hold
If you want to improve your breath-hold time, do it gradually. Be careful to avoid overdoing it, and proceed at a comfortable pace. Remember to relax and allow your breathing to return to normal (tidal breathing) if you feel dizzy.
Try these tips if you want to hold your breath longer than your usual.
1. Try practicing your breath-hold at home.
You can practice breath-hold dives in your own home by practicing dry training. This training allows you to practice freediving breath-hold from the comfort of your home.
You can practice the three parts of a breath-hold dive while lying in bed or on your sofa. Learn how to practice full breaths, breath-up (cadenced breathing), and recovery (hook) breathing.
2. Exercise regularly to improve your cardiovascular fitness.
Remember that the lungs are an air tank and can only hold so much air. Although your lung capacity is determined by genetics (and how flexible your rib cage is), you can increase it through cardiovascular training.
Cardiovascular exercises are the best way to improve your overall fitness. By practicing some exercises while holding your breath (think safety!), you will develop the ability to hold your breath longer and improve efficiency. Prolonged cardio exercise can help you build lung capacity.
3. You can hire a coach or a professional instructor.
If you are interested in freediving, look for a local training center and check out their courses. When you learn freediving, not only will you be able to enjoy the sport yourself, but you’ll also be part of a community of active freedivers.
Freediving is a lifestyle and an enjoyable sport. Investing in an excellent coach is key to becoming the best freediver you can be.
Importance of Proper Breathing Techniques When Diving
Our lungs have an incredible ability to adapt during exercise. When the need for oxygen rises, our lungs expand and take in more.
Breathing training can teach you to take in more and if you practice O2 exercises, you can extend your hypoxic threshold and make your body use oxygen more efficiently.
Blood oxygenation happens when oxygen enters your body during inhalation and is carried by the blood to every part of your vital system.
When oxygen gets into your bloodstream, it travels to cells all over your system to create energy and sustain your body. Proper breathing techniques are not only important for swimming or diving but also for everyday life.
Muscles need oxygen whenever physical activity is involved, so we tend to breathe heavily and rapidly when running or walking. This is caused by increased CO2. Your tolerance to CO2 can also be improved with training and you can learn to understand the urge to breathe in your own body through training.
Another benefit from proper breathing techniques is that it can help you release tension when exhaling while swimming. This release helps you swim more efficiently and conserve energy, making every stroke count. When you resurface after a dive and have finished recovery breathing, allow your body to return to normative breathing – we call this tidal breathing. Your breathing should be easy and relaxed, exhale away any tension and enjoy the benefits on your next dive.
As you can see, breath control and understanding is important and beneficial for spearfishing. It is one of the most basic things you can focus on to improve your proficiency for spearfishing.
However, always remember that mastering your breathing techniques requires time and dedication. Don’t be in a huge rush just to improve your breath-hold, learn to hunt with whatever your capability is now and enjoy the journey.
Be patient and work persistently. It may take you years to master proper breath control and relaxation, but what you learn during your training can make a big difference in your spearfishing journey.
Today’s interview is with Adam Sellars from The Pressure Project! Freediving instructor, spearo and all round legend Adam Sellars joins us to chat about the instructor side of freediving courses and how he teaches and trains new and already experienced divers to be safer and more effective. He had a natural talent and excelled at freediving deep, far deeper and earlier than he should have! These ‘mistakes’ taught him valuable lessons that he can now share and teach to his students. Hear about freediving in the Kilsby Sinkhole, how to convince your friends or partner to go spearfishing with you and some banter from the 2 legends, Shrek and Adam!
Today’s interview is with Francisco Loffredi from Rio De Janeiro! A life time in the water and a culture that celebrates spearfishing has shaped Francisco and the way he dives today, from his early days being a commercial spearfisherman to his development into competition and trophy spearfishing, we chat about the reasons that he’s changed his approach, how competition and sport fishing can actually help keep the sea healthy and some of the hilarious stories he’s had a long the way! An absolute legend with the consistent spearfishing performance to back it up, you are going to learn a lot from him! If you speak Portuguese then check out his podcast: Sangue No Convés! We chat everything from diving super deep to spearfishing super shallow, how to land big fish and the in’s and out’s of commercial spearfishing. Thanks for being on the show mate!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
08:45 Welcome Francisco from Brazil!
10:15 Tell us about spearfishing in Rio de Janeiro
12:35 Trophy spearfishing and your approach to spearfishing
14:30 Shooting from the hip, being prepared when the opportunity arrives.
16:50 Headshots and penetration – how and when to perform a proper headshot
25:05 What are the prevailing currents?
27:00 Spearfishing deeper than 30m
32:40 Hunting extremely shallow
34:20 Cheating and nefarious behavior for competitions
29:55 Spearfishing and diving with your son
39:40 What is the Rio spearfishing culture?
41:30 Confronting the spearfishing ignorance in the public: facts vs narrative
46:55 Debating anti-fishing people, sport fishing could be the answer
52:15 Seaspiracy review
54:05 Cagarras marine park
57:55 Most fish are good to eat, tell the story of fishing
01:00:40 Hired by a top restaurant in Rio
01:06:30 Seafood is a huge passion for you, what are some memorable recipes?
01:13:45 Your favourite species to hunt and how to hunt Grouper
01:16:35 Do you have problems with sharks in Rio?
01:18:40 Tough or scary situation
01:24:00 What dive gear is in your bag? Tell us about your Cressi gear!
01:28:45 What other Brazilian dive gear do you use?
Today’s interview is with Keiren Limpus & Our Crew over on North Stradbroke Island for the inaugural 3 day spearfishing and freediving course! Shrek, Keiren & 8 other Noob Spearos spent the weekend right on the seaside to learn how to spearfish, get their PADI requirements and get fully immersed in the spearfishing lifestyle with likeminded people! Hear the guys thoughts and experiences from the weekend and how it has affected their spearfishing, taking theory and putting it into practice – right off the back garden! With fresh inspiration from 99 Spearo Recipes, we ate well! Thanks to everyone that joined us and made this possible!
Interview with Ben Dunford, Richard Gomes & Anthony Fraser
Today’s interview is with Ben Dunford, Richard Gomes & Anthony Fraser of the Spearo Hangout Podcast in the UK! If you’re a spearo in the UK, you need to listen to this podcast! The Spearo Hangout is a UK spearfishing podcast where you can find out everything you need to know about UK spearing and some of the awesome stories they have along the way! We chat about spearfishing competitions, targeting specific fish, staying warm and the dive conditions in the UK! Thanks Ben, Richard and Anthony – 3 legends making the most out of the UK spearfishing community!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
08:15 Crikey! Welcome Ben, Richard and Anthony!
10:00 You have some absolute legends on your podcast
11:30 How did you guys start a spearfishing podcast?
15:45 Anthony: the punching bag of the podcast!
21:50 Ben, tell us about your spearfishing competitions!
23:40 Criticism for spearfishing competitions
26:40 Buying your first spearfishing gear
33:25 You guys had a good end to spearfishing in 2022
36:50 Competition ethics and fishery pressure
43:05 Why is commercial fishing so disliked in the UK?
51:50 Let’s talk cooking! Salt and vinegar chippies and crumbed fish nuggets
56:20 How do you cook Mullet?
01:00:10 Filleting small fish
01:06:20 What’s your proudest hunt/catch so far?
01:10:35 Wetsuits and staying warm
01:13:45 Memorable fish and cheeky dive buddies
01:23:40 Scary stuff: 3 biggest risks in UK Spearfishing
Today’s interview is with Ben Hohnke, founder of Hohnke Outdoors! A frothing spearo and land-based hunter with an entrepreneurial mind, listen in on his journey through spearfishing from being an absolute Noob Spearo to now. He has several recipes in our 99 Spearo Recipes book and has created some amazing spice rubs that you can order for seafood, white meat and red meat or game. We have a good chat about taking “trash” fish, better ways to harvest abalone and have a good discussion about the influential spearos that helped Ben improve to the spearo he is today, as well as the concept of “Gatekeepers” and the role they play in new divers getting into the sport. Go visit HohnkeOutdoors.com and see the awesome products they have and go subscribe to their Youtube channel as well!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
01:30 Old Man Blue voice message
Welcome Ben Hohnke from Hohnke Outdoors! Who are you and where do you come from?
11:05 Where did you grow up and start spearfishing?
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Today’s interview is with Wally Galli! An ex-South African, owner of GT Diving and Marine living in Port Hedland, he tells us the stories about meeting future legends like Rob Allen, some memorable dive trips he done over the years like St. Lucia and a bit on his part of helping Robbie Peck when he got attacked by that Bull Shark. We also hear about some of the history of the NW Spearfishing Club, how he helps get new spearos started, spearfishing competitions and making diving and spearing his business. Wally is unable to hide the passion in his voice when he speaks about diving and spearing, if you’re ever in the area make sure you pay him and his shop a visit!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:35 Welcome Wally Galli! Where did you grow up?
08:10 St. Lucia spearfishing
09:50 Do you miss South Africa? Meeting Rob Allen
11:10 Rammed by a Great White
14:25 Tell us about your shop: GT Diving!
15:35 Helping Robbie Peck after he got attacked by a shark
18:15 The shark attack seems to have made business quiet
20:35 The coldest Spring into Summer in Port Hedland
22:30 Port Hedland spearfishing and the NW Spearfishing Club + competitions
25:55 I am a complete noob and I walk into your shop: what do you do to get me started?
28:00 There’s always a spot on my boat, just bring your dive gear and we split the fuel between everyone
33:30 Taking on and teaching Noob Spearos
35:50 Everyone needs to know how to operate the boat
39:00 Carbon vs plastic fins
41:05 Support your local dive shop!
43:00 Where can people find GT Diving?
47:10 Thank you for taking time to be on the show!
Today’s interview is with Robbie Peck, survivor of a 3m Bull Shark attack off Port Hedland! On a day with a few unusual things lining up, Robbie was retrieving a fish off the bottom when he got smashed by a 3m Bull Shark! What followed was a harrowing story with some excellent dive buddies who undoubtedly saved Robbie’s arm and life! We chat in detail about the attack, the swim back up to the surface, the boat ride back to port and doing it all with his 4 year old son there with him! Robbie’s response and attitude after this is undoubtedly going to help save someone else’s life somewhere down the road. We also chat about diving around Port Hedland and even talk about some recipes!
Here’s a story that we can all take something out of! Where’s your first aid kit?
Important times:
00:13 Intro
08:55 Welcome Robbie Peck, survivor of a 3m Bull Shark attack!
09:30 Tell us about Port Hedland
12:00 So you’re a Kiwi? When did you move?
13:20 What was the experience of being attacked like?
18:10 Unusually aggressive behaviour by the shark
21:00 What did you do in response? Immediate first aid.
23:05 Literally the one day that you took the tourniquet off the boat!
25:00 The trip back to land
26:45 Surviving for my family and being in this situation with my 4 year old son
30:15 What happened when you got back to the boat ramp?
37:55 Why do shark attacks get so much media attention?
40:40 4 things that were different on the day
44:00 Sharks learn fishing and spearo behaviour
45:05 What did the shark do after it bit you?
47:20 Bite Club and chatting with fellow survivor Rick Bettua
49:30 “I knew the risks going into their domain” – open this can of worms!
53:30 Artificial reefs and the benefits they bring
59:00 Will you go back to spearfishing?
01:03:40 Not having a tourniquet actually saved my arm
This recipe comes from David Kirkpatrick a man famous for saying (and I quote), “I’m just a guy frying up some squid”. David has spent considerable time chasing Squid in Melbourne and now Western Australia. One tip for hunting squid while spearfishing is to dive bomb them. The alternative style of approaching from on the same level can be difficult. They are also susceptible to coming in to inspect their speared colleagues, so leave your prey to dangle and your mate may take one for himself. Enjoy Davids Peri Peri squid recipe – it looks the goods!
Today’s interview is with Adam Stern and Ben, Max & Don from Spearo Kids NZ! Adam Stern is back again, spontaneously laughing and giving us some awesome new info coming out of the freediving world., Spearfishing’s effect on personality, physiology, your mental and emotional state and even your bloodwork can be profound! Next up we have a catch up with Ben, Max and Don: The SpearoKids NZ crew! We chat about some of there highlights since last speaking to them, new PB fish and the latest from their competition careers!
The last episode for 2022, it’s been a massive year! Here’s looking to an even bigger one next year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year spearos!
Here is a mint recipe from my youngest brother Joash in New Zealand. Pāua is a special treat for most kiwis and so people usually have their own go-to recipe for making the most of them. If done wrong, Pāua can be tough as a gumboot so if you want to get it right and avoid this, follow a recipe (or method for tenderizing) that works for you. – Shrek
Serves: 3 people
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Above left: Pāua shell (image:stuff.co.nz). Below left: Pāua or Abalone attached to rock (image: New Zealand Geographic). Right ingredients for Curried Pāua Recipe
Today’s interview is with Bert and Joel as we round off our WA trip. More great fish but this time with a lot more sharks! We had such a good day out spearing, everyone landing great fish and Joel and Shrek checking off new and target species. They put some new Old Man Blue gear to the test, trying out their impressive new prototype weight vest! Some sad and scary stories of knots letting you down, getting taxed and hurting some innocent gear. What a great trip with Joel, Bert and Rory! Will they ever find the lube?? Have a listen to find out! Also, a massive thanks to @Deryck.Gyotaku for his amazing print of Shrek’s Baldchin Groper!
Today’s interview is with Bert, Joel and Rory! Crystal clear water and some A-grade diving is in order for today as Bert, Joel and Rory show Shrek around the picturesque WA water near Exmouth! Shooting fish and eating it an hour later, finding huge crays in familiar structure, dealing with sharks and good stories from day 2 of our WA trip!
Today’s interview is with Bert Keulder and Joel Roberts around the fire, having a few brews and chatting about spearfishing! These are the moments where life makes sense, out on the beach around a fire with good mates and great conversation. Listen in and hear about our day and Shrek’s first experiences in the WA ocean! Beach launching boats, Estuary Cods, crayfish diving and so much in between! This is just day 1!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:50 Welcome to the campfire with Bert and Joel!
07:40 Big GT moment
11:05 Spearos are a type of person
13:15 Welcome Joel!
14:20 Day 1: WA conditions
16:30 Beach launches
23:30 Spearo boats
26:20 Bert loves putting people on fish
31:25 Spearfishing brings a sparkle to your eyes
37:00 Kite surfing when it’s windy
40:50 Crayfish diving!
45:45 Estuary Cod can be divisive!
49:55 We had a great day, tomorrow will hopefully be better!
Today’s interview is with Vin Rushworth! Captaining a research vessel for Fisheries in WA, records keeper for the AUF and an inanely talented spearo, here is a diver with a lot to learn from! He has years of experience in the water on the more scientific side of things, giving him a really good insight into the fish species around him. Shooting massive fish, submitting a record fish, tagging and taxidermy, this one is stocked full of actionable info! A few technical glitches but overall a great chat!
05:40 Welcome Vin! Tell us about AUF record keeping!
07:50 What is a species that has surprised you and how do you tell the age of fish?
09:10 Spearfishing records: how do I submit a record fish?
14:05 Identifying fish
16:50 What do you need to do when you shoot a record fish?
19:00 Rising sea temperatures bringing in different species
22:40 What gear do you use to hunt big fish? Floatlines and reels
24:55 Eating quality of a big Cobia?
26:55 How did you cook your Cobia?
30:10 Preparing for the Inter-Pacific Spearfishing Competition
32:50 Hunting and cooking Baldchin Groper
34:15 Boating fails, anchoring rules of thumb and boat lights
38:10 Tagging fish, crays, whales, sharks and etc!
42:40 Dealing with the risks of shark attack: warning signs
49:45 Scary stuff: cave diving for crays
59:10 Buddy diving system and new divers
01:02:10 Funny stories!
01:04:50 Dead battery! Fish taxidermy
01:10:50 What dive gear do you use?
01:12:50 Outro
How to taxidermy a fish skull (by Vin Rushworth):
1. Flesh removal
Over cooking the bones when getting the flesh off seems to lock the yellow of the oil in more. The more you manually clean up or macerate off in water the better the end result seems to be. I prefer a very light boil to baking. Pros use KOH. Take heaps of photos as you pull it apart for reference on reassembly.
2. Degrease
When I originally read up on it everything said to use dawn dishwashing detergent as the degreaser. It is excellent at removing grease and oil but also gentle. It gets used on birds after oil spills etc. You can’t buy Dawn in Australia but apparently it is sold as the brand “Fairy” and is the exact same. I have used the lemon coloured one successfully. I put the cleaned up jaw/skull in a bucket of warm water with a heap of fairy and leave it to soak. I check it once a week and swap the liquid out if it is cloudy or smelly. I gave the last one over a month. Some pros use acetone, MEK or unleaded but these all have their complications for the hobby taxidermist.
3. Whitening
Do not use bleach! I use peroxide to whiten the bones before assembly. You can get it in bulk from large pool stores or chemical suppliers for not too much. Don’t leave it in the concentrate to long as it is harsh on the fine bones. Monitor closely and transfer into water
4. Assembly
I use a combination of superglue and hot glue gun and depending on the join occasionally some hidden wire. To make the posture and angle right place, you can use the hot glue, then after you’re finished easily remove the ugly excess. The photos you took at the start will make your life a lot easier here.
Today’s interview is with Barry Paxman! The legend himself, the creator of Aussie Reels, he’s been spearfishing for 60 years and has some epic stories to share from his time out in the water. From some scary shark stories to the thrill of hunting Wahoo and even the story behind his iconic mask, this will be a good listen! This interview is stuffed full of Noob Spearo community questions, get valuable knowledge and wisdom from a spearo that’s been at it for 6 decades and still going strong!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:40 Welcome Barry! You’ve been spearing for 65 years!
08:00 Diving in dirty water and dealing with shark attacks, first aid and shark populations
17:40 Noob Spearo community questions: how do you deal with buck fever?
21:00 How do you get back in the water after a forced break?
23:30 Your iconic mask!
26:35 What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in spearing?
29:25 You have a particular love for hunting Wahoo
37:35 Tell us the story of your Aussie Reels
43:30 What gear did you start out with?
47:30 Weight belts
49:00 Tangled in shooting line
50:25 How do you subdue a big fish?
52:50 Trigger discipline and rubber band choice
56:40 Muzzle wrap
57:50 Belt reels
01:00:55 What do you do when you get to the end of your reel line?
01:02:40 Shooting a Marlin
01:04:30 What is your favourite piece of gear and what all is in your dive bag?
01:06:40 Do you use a cray bag like a SeaSac? Tell us about your crayfish species
01:09:00 How do you cook your crays?
01:12:15 Baldchin Groper and Parrot fish
01:14:25 How do you keep the stoke alive for 60 years? What does your dive crew look like?
01:16:00 Family spearfishing
01:18:45 Spearfishing role models
01:21:10 Building a boat
01:23:40 WA people like driving long distances, do you like boating long distance too?
Today’s interview is with 2022 Australian Spearfishing Champions Bryson Sheehy and Tim McDonald! Get an inside look into a national spearfishing competition from the winners of this year’s championship! The allure of competition spearfishing is captured well by their thoughts here, the appeal of planning and executing the perfect day and making some awesome memories! Listen to stories from the 3 day event and some of the memorable fish they encountered before and during the competition. They also give us some of their top tips for scouting, finding new ground and hunting efficiently for a competition – shooting fish on the way to and from spots! Some mega diving here, enjoy it! We hope this inspires you to enter a spearfishing competition!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
02:50 Welcome Bryson and Tim: the 2022 Australian Spearfishing Champions!
03:50 When did you decide to enter?
05:40 Team mate mentality and competition rules
09:30 Hunting the Maori Sea Perch
10:20 Why we love spearfishing competitions
13:20 Day 1: Fitzroy Lagoon
16:20 What did you get on day 1?
20:10 Hunting massive Red Mouth Rock Cod in dark caves
22:50 Planning and strategy
27:05 Mental approach to diving
35:15 What makes your team click?
41:00 Understanding fish behaviour
44:15 Why do you love competition spearfishing?
45:35 Tips on exploring new ground
47:40 Time management: things to consider
55:50 Scouting: to shoot or not to shoot
58:50 Diet and warm up tips for competition days. Dealing with cramp.
01:01:05 If I can’t equalize – I am dehydrated.
01:07:10 Day 2: Lamont Reef – shooting fish while swimming to spots
01:08:40 Finning hard and diving strong: how?
01:13:10 How to dive quietly and hunting in the shallows: don’t break the surface
01:18:25 Day 3: when do you feel fatigue?
01:22:30 The fish of a lifetime that got away
01:26:10 You both love your Riffe spearguns
01:28:50 Massive dives getting awesome fish
01:30:25 Searching for the massive Maori Sea Perch
01:33:45 What was it like finding out you won?
01:385:35 You two like the pairs competition format
01:42:10 How do you feel about the next generation of spearos and divers?
01:45:40 Social competitions at clubs
01:48:50 Extra things we forgot!
01:51:45 It was a massive team effort!
01:54:50 Shooting 3 Striped Boarfish with Daniel Mann
Today’s interview is with Josh Halley aka @Souls_Untapped from the Shetland Islands! Describing your dive spots as “Sub-Arctic” doesn’t always spur the most enthusiasm, especially from those used to tropical waters! Josh makes it obvious that braving the cold IS worth it! An almost unheard of spearfishing destination, The Shetland Island’s form an archipelago well north of Scotland and make for some beautiful diving when conditions work out. Get an inside scoop on life and spearfishing from The Shetland Island’s with Josh, aka @Souls_Untapped!
Today’s LIVE interview is with Daniel Mann and we are cooking seafood at Adreno Brisbane! Join us for tips and tricks from Daniel as we process, cook and eat some amazing fish! From carpaccio, ceviche with a mystery species to reverse butterflying and BBQing fish! This is the audio of the night, the video does it far more justice. We will post that as soon as it’s ready! Sit back, relax and get hungry with us as we get a seafood cooking masterclass from a legendary spearo and chef!
Here is the LIVE STREAM from instagram part 1 & part 2!
Live Interview with Ben Eckert, Adriana Barnes & Trevor Ketchion at Adreno Brisbane
Today’s interview is live from Adreno Brisbane and is with Ben Eckert, Adriana Barnes & Trevor Ketchion and we talk all things freediving safety as it relates to spearfishing! Today we get a masterclass from 3 people with a wealth of knowledge and are horribly overqualified on this subject. Staying safe in the water, how to be a good boaty and keep your buddies safe. What should be inside your first aid kit? Should you contact your local coast guard or sea rescue when you go out? Tips on how to stop bleeding, keep your buddies safe and save your friend’s life. An essential set of skills, leave any questions you have in the comments!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:50 Hello and welcome to the show!
05:40 Welcome Ben! You are quite an accomplished freediver!
19:30 Q&A for Ben: peeing in your wetsuit, nutrition and hydration for spearfishing and when to draw the line
26:05 Adriana Barnes, you are a paramedic and a really accomplished speafisher
29:30 What can spearos do to get better at safer diving?
31:40 We can’t normalize blackouts or LMC’s
35:40 Trauma while out at sea, what now?
38:30 How to use a tourniquet
44:00 What should be in our first aid kits for spearfishing?
49:45 Q&A for Adriana: critical info to keep track of, getting dragged to the bottom by a massive Kingy, blood type and signs to stop diving for the day
01:02:20 Trevor! Tell us about boating safety: when is it not safe to go out?
01:03:50 Checking in with the VMR or Coast Guard
01:07:00 How do you predict the weather for boating?
01:09:20 Easy shortcuts for reading the weather: swell and wind
01:10:30 Which apps do you use?
01:12:15 How do you operate a boat?
01:17:20 Activating an EPIRB
01:19:45 3 things to teach a new boaty
01:22:00 Q&A for Trevor: How far to stay from your divers, leaving the engine on or off, difficult decisions and conversations, VMR and EPIRBS and vessel sizes
01:29:30 Trevor’s 9 Mile experience getting lost at sea
Live Interview with Michael Heitzmann & Ben Eckert
Today’s live interview is with Michael Heitzmann & Ben Eckert of the Brisbane Bullsharks! We talk all things Brisbane spearfishing, gear and training! Both are extremely talented divers in their own right, tonight we host a live interview and Q&A at the Brisbane Bullsharks pool! Loads of info about Brisbane spearfishing, spearing Kingfish, choosing and using gear, dealing with sharks, finding spots and so much more! Which speargun should you get? What’s the best way to load it? How do you handle it underwater? Another in our series of live interviews, we hope you enjoy it and hope you learned something! If you have any more questions for Shrek, Michael or Ben, put them in the comments!
Check out the club and get involved through their facebook group!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:10 Welcome!
04:20 Thanks for having us Michael! What are we doing tonight?
06:05 Hello Ben! How are you involved with the Brisbane Bullsharks?
07:25 Shrek’s spearfishing story.
09:22 Michael, how did you start spearfishing?
13:10 Ben, how did you start?
16:00 Boat diving is big here, the Bullsharks have influenced spearfishing culture in a big way. How to be a bad guest.
23:15 Shrek took Michael out on his first boat dive! Be brave and tell your buddies when you’re not comfortable!
25:35 Kingfish spearfishing tips.
27:10 Deep diving.
29:00 Let’s talk gear! Spearguns! What are they, how do they work and what should I get?
34:15 A float line is your friend!
36:15 What are the advantages for a shorter or longer speargun?
37:15 Pool training for spearfishing!
40:00 Diving without your speargun and in marine reserves is hugely helpful!
41:15 Safety while spearfishing – shallow water blackout.
49:05 Good buddy diving is more worth it than you think! A simple way to do it better.
50:55 Diving with too much weight. How much do I need?
55:05 Q&A from the audience!
55:30 Float recommendations for a Noob Spearo
57:00 How do you handle your gun on the bottom? What do you do with it?
01:00:10 How do you find spots? Google Earth and Navionics
01:04:40 Warm up for spearfishing, how do you warm up your diving?
01:07:40 Dealing with sharks: what do you do when you see sharks? When do you get out?
01:11:00 Double bands: which do you load first?
01:13:00 How do you investigate a headland without spooking fish?
Today’s live interview is with James Sakker and we go through the top 20 spearfishing YouTube channels as voted by the Noob Spearo Community on Facebook! Spearos get to see the world through a very unique lense and sometimes they bring a camera along with them so we can join them on their adventures. Although hugely underrated and underexposed, these spearos have made some amazing videos, some that can compete with professional filmmakers! So here is us getting all these names together so you can watch them!
Today’s episode is a full video, so be sure to check it out on YouTube if you have only listened!
Today’s live interview is with Captain Aaron Young, aka @KeyWestWaterman and @DibsOnBottom_Adventures and Youtube and Instagram! You probably know him from his amazing Youtube videos from out in the Florida Keys, he joins us to talk all about his home, spearing, running charters and getting Noob Spearos into the water! Great info for targeting and eating Wahoo, how to brain and bleed fish, dealing with sharks and line management. If you find yourself in Florida, pay him a visit and get out spearing with him! www.dibsonbottomkeywest.com
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:45 Welcome Captain Aaron Young!
04:40 What are the Florida Keys?
06:40 Living in Mangroves
08:25 How did you get into the business?
09:50 Commercial spearfishing and fisheries management in Florida
12:15 Tell us about your charters! Where did Dibs On Bottom come from?
17:00 Mangrove and Cubera Snapper
18:00 ID fish, how to identify fish in a new place
23:35 Common advice for Noob Spearos
26:10 Teaching and instructing
29:05 How long does it take to become a competent water-person?
31:50 Spearo licence
35:00 Wahoo! Tell us about it!
38:00 Wahoo recipe
40:35 How do you target Wahoo?
45:50 How do you deal with sharks?
49:00 How to kill a fish: how do you brain a fish?
This is a quick (1 min) story from a member of the Noob Spearo Community. Certainly gives you some ideas about working as a Police Diver!– Shrek
Hi mate, I’ve been meaning to send these to you for ages. This will make me the undisputed poo story king!
I was a member of the AFP’s Police Dive Squad for about 7 years back in the late 90s to mid 2000s. These pics are of me looking for a sawn off shot gun that had been used in an armed hold up. The crooks drove past a sewerage treatment plant and the Detectives thought the gun might have been thrown in one of the settling ponds.
I was on overtime, so I had to take one for the team! That said, the air was a lot cleaner and smelt a lot better inside the suit than it did for the boys watching!
I was wearing a chem suit which bloody filled up with air and from memory, I had to wear 40-50 pounds of lead to get me to the bottom. It was so viscous that fins were pointless. I just had to drag myself along the bottom doing arc searches.
The saying I was up to my neck in shit doesn’t do it justice. I was literally in deep shit! 6 meters deep!
Shrek “What a cool gig – besides the pooventures of course. Dead bodies decomposing would be rough too I guess?”
Body recoveries were the downside to the job and unfortunately, I was involved with a few. Almost all our diving was in zero visibility and the adrenaline pump you get when you find the body in that environment (by feel!) is something I never want to experience again.
Fortunately, we never had to recover one that had decomposed too much. Unless a body is weighed down well, the gasses that generate inside as decomposition starts, floats them to the surface within a matter of days. The warmer the water, the quicker the process. Divers aren’t usually required once they are on the surface. Water Police take care of that (or they did back in my day).
Today we celebrate a huge milestone: episode 200! We contacted a bunch of old guests to see where they were now and how their spearfishing has progressed, what they’ve learned since and what’s new in their lives since they were on the show. Who would have guessed a small spearfishing podcast would have reached this point – over a million downloads, thousands of followers and a huge vibrant community of like minded people who all love spearfishing! Here’s to keeping the stoke alive for the next 200 episodes and beyond!
From Shrek, Brandon, Pat and Livia – a HUGE thank you to everyone that listens and supports the podcast! Here is Captain Dan’s episode #92
Today’s live interview is with Gunther Pfrengle at Adreno Sydney! An absolute legend in the spearing community, spearfishing for almost 5 decades now, he has had more than his fair share of action out in and on the water. From spearing a 282kg tuna on camera to powerboat records going full steam in thick fog, dealing with sharks to competing in the deepest ever spearfishing competition in Greece, Gunther has had a few exciting experiences! Learn what drove him to get into the water and what kept him there for all these years. Pranger vs flopper, dual weight systems, competition spearing stories and tips and so much more. Have a listen and let us know what you think!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:50 Welcome Gunther, your reputation proceeds you!
04:50 Growing up in Bundeena
05:25 Early start in the water
07:30 Starting competition spearfishing 1973 and being in a club
11:00 Reality of commercial abalone diving
15:00 Scary story and how spearfishing saved 2 lives
20:30 Sydney to Hobart powerboat record
22:20 Full throttle through thick fog!
24:50 Underwater vertigo and blackouts: what is it like going to the edge?
26:30 How do you draw the line? When is too deep?
28:50 Tragedy strikes and close calls in the early freediving competitions
33:20 Freediving vs spearfishing: Adrenaline changes the game
40:00 The value of competition diving
43:25 Shrek is your partner for his first ever spearfishing competition: what does he need to know?
45:13 Using 2 weight-belts: a harness and a weightbelt
47:10 Where do you attach a dive knife?
49:10 What is your strategy for competition scoring? What do you target first and where do you go first?
53:50 Code brown stories
55:15 Spearo community and friends: what makes a good dive buddy?
56:25 Floats and flags
58:35 What is in your gear bag? Pranger vs flopper
Today’s interview is with 6 of the Central Coast Sealions! Several ex-presidents, the current president and a bunch of super stoked spearos join Cam and Shrek as they chat all things Central Coast diving and how being involved in a club has made a huge difference. Get an window into the inner workings of a spearfishing club from the guys that do it, organising comps to getting noob spearos into the water to being a good boaty, today’s conversation is an interesting one! Tips for diving the headlands, predicting weather conditions, being a good boaty, how to disguise your photos to hide the location and some hilarious stories from the guys who’ve been diving out there. Lots of laughter and some really actionable info, let us know what you think in the comments!
Today’s interview is with Simon Horvath! If nothing else, this episode will convince you to join a spearfishing club! The wealth of knowledge, opportunities and lessons you get through being in a club is a sure way to get better at spearfishing and have a great time doing it. A club will help get you through that first year, teach you things you would have otherwise taken years to learn and ultimately make you a better diver. Another important benefit is being connected to the voice of spearfishing in your area. With so many stories about new protected areas essentially making spearfishing inaccessible and illegal, having a connection your local government to have your voice heard as a spearfisherman is extremely important. Simon has been playing this role for the Central Coast spearos and been a voice for fisho’s and spearos alike.
Go find out about your local clubs and join! If there are none, consider starting one yourself!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:45 We are midway through our journey, today we make a visit to Simon Horvath!
04:25 Lovely rainy weather
05:10 Central Coast Sealions spearfishing club
07:15 Hawkesbury almost lost 90% of their fishing
10:05 Spearfishing makes you acutely aware of your environment
Today’s interview is James Sakker! It’s day 3 of Shrek and Cam’s East Australian Coast trip and they are chatting with James Sakker! Whales and sharks become a big talking point with loads of stories of encounters and tips for dealing with them yourself. Also some bonus tips for hunting Mackerel and drift diving! Lots of laughter and great stories!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:55 No lobsters were harmed in the making of this podcast!
07:50 Day 3 on our mission
09:30 You picked an amazing time to come, not
10:55 Big whales and a baby whale
14:25 Tail slapped by a whale
15:40 Scariest whale story
17:40 Diving with Dodgy and a Bull shark!
22:10 Cam’s shark encounter
25:15 How should you handle sharks when you shoot a fish? Keep eye contact, roar or make a loud noise underwater. You’re big, be aggressive. Except Bull sharks.
30:40 Sharks have strict hierarchies, especially Great Whites. A smart shark is a cautious one.
32:10 Encounters with aggressive sharks
35:00 Poking sharks away and a mate getting bitten
41:10 Tagging Great Whites
42:40 Great Whites throughout the world
44:45 Is it blood or movement that attracts sharks?
46:20 Alternatives to poking
48:15 Thoughts on the swimmer taken in Sydney, very unusual behaviour
50:30 Tiger sharks and Dogtooth Tuna
53:20 Cobia
54:20 What is your diving range at home?
56:25 Drift diving = accuracy matters more than time
*a quick caveat from Shrek: Freediving and Spearfishing can be highly complimentary however knowing how they are different is essential so that you can spearfish safely. Freediving is holding your breath in controlled environments with close supervision. Spearfishing is most often done in the wild where your only safety device is your buddy. Because of this, freediving one time to a specific depth in a controlled environment does not correlate to spearfishing. You should not spear anywhere near your physical capabilities so that you always have a margin of safety. Fatigue and sustained diving all day also need to be factored into safe diving as well. Having said all this, freediving courses offer very practical benefits for spearos such as; how to conduct a rescue, streamlining, equalization, understanding of physiology and more. Just don’t expect or try to emulate performance freediving while you are spearfishing. The journey to greater depths takes time, experience, wisdom and opportunity with attentive dive buddies. There is no rush!
Back to Cam’s Experience
Recently I completed my Level 1 Freediving course with Adam Sellers of The Pressure Project and Eckart Rasson of Salt Sessions Freediving at the Kilsby Sink Holes in South Australia.
Whilst Kilsby is a spectacular place to dive for its crystal clear fresh water, it does have a limited feasible diving depth – unless you want to tech dive with the right equipment into the caves. Not recommended for a Freediving novice.
However, at the end of our course a few of us went on a secret mission to really test our newly acquired skills.
During this particular descent I was committed to only two things and neither included a ‘depth’.
The first: Can I equalise? The second: Am I comfortable? If the answer to both was yes, then I’d keep going, but if anything felt wrong then it was time to abort and turn back.
Well, after a significant ‘breath up’ and the support of some extremely capable and experienced friends, off I went, trying to make everything as streamlined as possible, finning efficiently and not looking down.
The next part was the hardest, trying to stay relaxed, ‘without’ trying to stay relaxed, because the more you think about it, the more instinct kicks in and logic says why the hell are you doing this? Turn back! It’s highly counter-intuitive.
Before I knew it, with all the above in mind and the consolidation of a week’s worth of very deliberate practice under significant professional supervision (read: don’t try this at home), I was hitting the point of becoming negatively buoyant: where you no longer have to kick to force yourself down. You’re so deep that the weight on your belt is now pulling you towards the bottom and you’re not going to float. You’re sinking… sinking, equalising, trying to relax without trying to relax.
It’s getting colder, darker and the line that you’re attached to with a wrist band is starting to ‘wizz’ as you pick up speed.
Everything is going well but it’s colder, darker and the wizz is becoming louder, but so are your thoughts, much louder… should I be getting to the bottom soon? What if I’m going too quickly? Do I have enough oxygen to get back up?
Shit… Equalise… Relax… Ah! Look down!
Can I see the weight attached to the bottom of the line? This hole in the middle of a paddock in the middle of nowhere is deep and I’d like to be found even if I don’t come up. Illogical I know, as I’m attached to the line itself. It seems like forever that I’ve been on this descent, far longer time-wise than I’ve been before.
What do I see?
Nothing… just the line disappearing into the very dark, very black abyss. Maybe it’s time to throw on the brakes, but, before I do, can I equalise? Am I comfortable? Yes. Yes.
Ok, keep going, let gravity do the work. The whole time during this dive I’ve realistically done nothing, just the decision to do it and a few kicks, the work has 99% all been in my head.
But no wonder, right? Your brain is trying to tell you with every one of its alarm bells to turn the hell back, you’re going the wrong way, oxygen is in the opposite direction, stupid! But the other half is saying nope, adventure lies below.
Which is what I love about it. A challenge, going places physically and mentally that most people wouldn’t dare or, realistically and understandably, even consider. But hey, why are we here, right?
I decide to have one last look before calling it, just in case it’s only a few meters away, because man, despite my commitment to those two questions I know myself and I know I’d be pissed if I was only ‘just off’. And… there it was. A tennis ball attached to the end of the line followed by a 4kg kettle bell.
So much excitement but so little time to enjoy it. I’d made it to the bottom, I held onto the line and had a look around. Trying to forget about the pressure I can feel and the overwhelming need to breathe (go on, hold your breath now).
There’s really not much to see. Not a lot grows without light but it was great to see it, the bottom, all the same, instead of hearing about it from others that had seen it and you just have to imagine. No more imagining for me. Must be great being an astronaut.
Then reality kicks back in, you’re only half way there kiddo, you need to get back up! The ascent is much the same but you now have hope and familiarity instead of fear and the unknown. You’re on your way to safety and your friends at the top, plus oxygen too. Talk about a one sided relationship you totally take for granted.
You’re on your way finning upwards but you have to work for it. It’s getting lighter now too and much warmer than you thought it was at the beginning. Probably on account of how damn cold it is down there, but those uncomfortable temperatures fall down the priority list when others, like breathing, take over in the hierarchy.
I see my safety buddy at about the half way mark, arguably the most dangerous part of the dive as it’s the most prone to shallow water blackouts. Adam escorts me to the top as I pick up speed and I become positively buoyant again. I burst to the surface where I grab hold of the buoy and everyone made sure I was ok.
Everyone has a happy but relieved look on their faces as you’ve come to the top safely, then the look of anticipation and serious nods as they wait for you to give the ‘okay’ sign: an indication that you’re in control and not about to pass out. This is followed by ‘hook’ breathing actions that you employ to get oxygen back into the blood stream as quickly as possible. These are also called ‘recovery breaths’ and are useful and good practice for spearfishing as well.
Despite it being a joyous occasion, safety, friends, oxygen, the show isn’t over yet and the danger hasn’t left the building.
Eckart looks at my dive watch and looks away with a bit of disappointment mixed with concern and a wry smile. So does Adam, followed by Isaac. I pull my wrist to look at it as my excitement rises but Adam grabs it and holds my arm down, trying to hide his emotions whilst at the same time looking after my wellbeing and encouraging more recovery breaths. Now isn’t the time for any unnecessary strain on the body, just breathing and recovery!
It’s only a second later that I understand why, my heart is smashing my chest. It almost feels as though people might be able to see it through my wetsuit. He tells me not to smile and tries to calm the excitement on the surface between us all. Telling me to just relax with his arm around me like you might a child that’s just tripped over and needs some support before they take that massive breath and start howling. It’s weird but comforting. No one else seems to think it’s weird, it’s just part of it. You’ve literally just touched new limits and you’re pretty vulnerable physically, so no wonder.
A minute or so passes and I’m allowed to look. Everyone is focused on my reaction. I read the watch face and in massive, extra large text it says… 35.3m!
The biggest smile runs across my face, as it does for everyone else, there are more friends on the banks looking over that have already heard how deep it was, as the Chinese whispers worked as efficiently as they do behind the scenes when I was recovering. Everyone is yelling and splashing the water.
This is great! I can hardly breathe. I feel as though I’ve had a rock put through my chest and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
This was one of the best days of my life! – watch our video of the trip to South Australia below!
10 Ocean Camping Tips And How To Make It More Interesting
Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. But if you’re used to camping in an RV or in a tent near your car, trying something different can add excitement to your next camping trip.
Shrek and Mark filleting up fish while camping on North Stradbroke Island
Ocean camping was always one of the most popular ways to camp. It offers a great opportunity to get away from everything and enjoy the sounds and smells of nature.
Spending a night by the ocean can be a wonderful experience. And during the day, plenty of activities keep you busy: from swimming and fishing to simply exploring the coastline. Here are a few ideas on what to do while ocean camping:
1. Try spearfishing
Spearfishing is a great way to get up close and personal with the fish in the ocean. It can be a bit challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a gratifying experience. Make sure to check the regulations in your area before you go spearfishing, as there may be certain areas that are off limits.
If you are new to spearfishing, plenty of instructional videos and articles online can teach you the basics. It may seem daunting initially, but with some practice, you’ll be an expert in no time!
2. Go on a nature hike
One of the best things about camping by the ocean is that there are often beautiful hiking trails nearby. Make sure to bring your camera to snap pictures of the stunning scenery. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting wildlife, too- you never know what you might see!
Daly/Luscombe family nature hiking
For an even better experience, bring your dog along with you! It’s a great way to build wonderful memories and connect with nature. Make sure to pack some high-protein treats for your pup to keep his energy levels up, and you are good to go!
3. Collect shells
One of the most classic beach activities is collecting shells. It’s a great way to relax and take in the beauty of your surroundings. Who knows, you might even find a rare shell! If you’re feeling creative, you could use the shells to make some artwork or jewelry.
Depending on the tide and the camping location, you might even be able to find some sand dollars. Be sure not to take too many, though- it’s important to leave some for other critters that rely on them for food.
4. Go surfing or paddleboarding
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try your hand at surfing or paddle boarding? It’s a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the ocean waves. Just be sure to heed the lifeguards’ warnings and always stay within your skill level.
If your beach has a lot of people, surfing or paddleboarding can also be a great way to meet new friends! Don’t be afraid to talk with someone while you’re waiting for the next wave.
5. Go fishing
Fishing is another great way to relax and enjoy the ocean views. It’s also a great activity for the whole family- even small children can enjoy the fun! Just be sure to check the local regulations on what kind of fish you’re allowed to catch, and always throw back any that are too small.
Troy and Shrek – first fish for him! Shovelnose caught and released
Fishing is also a great opportunity to try out different cooking methods. If you catch a big enough fish, you could cook it over an open fire for a truly unique camping experience.
6. Have a picnic on the beach
One of the best things about ocean camping is that you can enjoy all your meals with a view of the water. Pack a picnic lunch or dinner and enjoy it on the sand while listening to the sound of crashing waves. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring.
If you’re feeling extra romantic, you could pack a candlelit dinner for two. Just be sure to clean up after yourself when you’re finished- no one wants to find leftover food in the sand!
7. Explore tide pools
Tide pools are a great way to get up close and personal with the animals that live in the ocean. Be sure to check the tides before you go, as you don’t want to be trapped by the incoming waves.
Many tide pools are home to hermit crabs, sea stars, and other interesting creatures. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about the different animals that live in the ocean. Just be sure not to touch or disturb anything- remember, these are their homes!
8. Go on a whale-watching tour
If you’re lucky enough to be camping near whales, why not go on a whale-watching tour? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t soon forget. Tour boats often leave from nearby towns or cities, so be sure to do some research in advance.
Just be sure to dress warmly, as it can often be cool out on the open water. Binoculars are also a good idea to better view the whales.
9. Try your hand at beachcombing
Beachcombing is a great way to find interesting treasures washed up on shore. You never know what you might find- shells, sea glass, or even a message in a bottle! It’s a great way to relax and take in the beauty of nature.
Just be sure not to take anything that isn’t yours. Many people enjoy collecting things from the beach, so leaving some for others to find is important.
10. Go for a swim
Of course, one of the best things to do while ocean camping is to go for a swim! Just be sure to check the local regulations on where and when you’re allowed to swim. Some beaches have specific areas designated for swimming, so it’s important to follow the rules.
If you’re not a strong swimmer, be sure to stay within your depth and always wear a life jacket. Swimming with a friend is also good, just in case you get into trouble.
Ocean camping is a great way to enjoy all that the beach has to offer. By following these tips, you’re sure to have a safe and enjoyable trip. Just be sure to leave the beach cleaner than you found it- we want to be able to enjoy it for many years to come!
Interview with Tom Sandstrom, Angus Knox and Cameron Wise
Today’s interview is a little different, join Shrek and his good mate Cam as they go on a spearfishing road trip down to Sydney! Today we are in the Moonee Tavern in Coffs Harbour after a day of spearing, having a few brews, a good meal and a great chat with mates! Shorediving, breaking in new wetsuits, cooking tips and what conditions you can expect when diving around Coffs Harbour. Join Shrek and his mates in the pub after a day of spearfishing!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:05 Welcome everyone!
07:00 New wetsuits
10:25 Shorediving in Coffs Harbour
11:30 Abalone: size, how to find them and how to cook them
13:50 How is your seafood game?
16:20 Cooking fails
17:30 Mushy Kingfish Pastrami
19:25 Dry-Aging
21:45 Icing fish
24:45 Smoked Mullet
27:35 What conditions can we expect diving here?
31:50 Too cold for Kingfish?
33:30 Tips for shooting big Kingy’s
36:45 Hunting Parrot fish and Dhufish
40:20 Do you wear a GoPro?
43:25 What are the best months for diving here?
44:40 How can someone start diving in Coffs Harbour? Coffs Harbour Spearfishing Club!
Today’s interview is with Kevin Glen former owner/operator of Mantis Spearfishing, a friend of Forrest Galante and the only guy to shoot a Marlin in California! An engineer and innovator in the spearfishing world with countless awesome stories of him and his mates out in the water! From shooting and losing a Sailfish in Durban to tracking down Yellow Tail and Sea Bass in the Channel Islands, he is a great source of information and knowledge in California. Hear some of his stories in the water, the journey of learning to spearfish and the stoke of doing it with great friends. Be sure to check out Mantis Spearfishing and grab their last stock!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:50 Welcome Kevin! Tell us about this Marlin!
10:10 You engineered a dive float?
13:50 You have an unusual spearfishing story with a bunch of famous friends!
15:55 Setting the record straight on the record Sea Bass with Forrest Galante!
18:55 What’s the spearfishing community like there?
20:10 Wind and swell conditions for the Channel Islands
21:35 Urchin barons
22:05 Sheephead eat urchins
26:05 Mantis Spearfishing – tell us about it! The Roller Muzzle
30:10 What does your spearfishing look like these days? Good dive buddies?
33:30 White Sea Bass
34:50 Vermillion Rock Cod
35:45 Do you think your fisheries are well managed? MPA’s, 30-30 and conservation
40:00 Big hearts, well intentioned but completely disconnected from the real world
42:55 What’s your favourite species to hunt? Halibut, yellow tail and sea bass
44:55 How are you tracking yellow tail down?
46:15 Using bait fish
48:05 Half Moon bait fish
51:45 Memorable fish
54:10 Fighting the fish – how much tension is right?
56:25 Tough/scary situations
01:00:25 Reels vs floatlines
01:02:15 Jewfish, Mulloway or Kabeljou sounds
01:03:45 Designing gear
01:08:20 We need more people like you!
01:12:00 What’s in your dive bag for the Channel Islands? 5mm wetsuit, weightbelt, knife, Scorpio Carbon Fibre fins in Pathos foot pockets, Mantis Spearguns
XTAR D26 Whale Review | LED Diving Torch for underwater foraging/hunting
“Overall, this has been one of the best dive torches I’ve used. It’s bright, durable and easy to secure.” – Cam
Cam lives and dives mainly around Sydney although him and I have dived in Victoria and South Australia using this torch. I asked Cam to put together a review based on the hectic use he has given it chasing mainly Eastern Rock Lobsters. Here is the rest of what he had to say. – Shrek
In particular, the brightness of the XTAR D26 Whale is great, and is probably the best dive torch I’ve used for both brightness and illumination. It has four brightness settings, getting up to a strong 1100lm, which can apparently reach up to 310m on land but also makes a solid effort under the water.
The torch has what it calls the “unique side switch (patented) and power indication”. The power indication light is a really handy warning tool. The light is green normally, but it turns to red when it is between 25% and 5% and then flashes below 5%. The locking mechanism of the side switch takes a little bit to get used to. You need to hold the switch down and then twist it to the left 90 degrees to lock it in place. While locking systems are good so you don’t bump it in tight spaces, this one can be a little hard if you need to use it with one hand or a thumb if your other hand is otherwise occupied (such as reaching for a cray).
At almost 300g it is a bit weightier than most, however, I actually don’t mind that and it doesn’t impact much as soon as you’re in the water.
The lanyard/wrist strap that’s included is actually really good. It might not sound important, but the length of it is long enough to be able to stow it and the toggle doesn’t slip when locked, so you can keep it tied to your wrist without worrying. This is important when it’s not in your hand, as you often can’t feel it through your wetsuit or glove.
The quality seems to be great and it has been relatively maintenance free. I’ve been using it for over a year now without any issues of corrosion or any water appearing to get into the working parts. However, there are two spare O-rings included in case you need them.
A fun addition is that it also has a standard tripod screw hole, which allows it to be fixed to items such as a dive photography system, a handle, or a wrist mount.
Tech specs
Four brightness settings up to 1100lm: 60/200/600/1100
Colour temperature: 6000K
Beam throw: 310m
IP rating: IPX8
Material: Anodized aircraft 6N01 aluminium alloy
Dimensions: 155mm x 46mm
Weight: 293g (including battery)
Battery: 18650/18700/26650 Li-ion batteries (26550 5000mAh rechargeable battery was included in the set with a charger)
Run time: up to 48h on low or 2h on “turbo” (1100lm)
Max diving depth: 100m
Spot light angle: 5 degrees
– Cam
Here’s a vid of Cam and Shrek using the dive torch in South Australia
Today’s interview is with Rodney Pacitti, aka RoKKiT KiT on Youtube! Today is a gold mine for all things spearfishing and Youtube! Rodney has a successful Youtube channel with almost half a million subs that started off with kayak fishing adventures all the way to solo camping, catch cook videos. He tells us about his channel’s success, how he started it, the tips and tricks he uses, how he films and advice for beating the algorithm! Give his channel a follow and let us know what you think of the interview! Rodney makes a living making these videos, be sure to give them a watch and see what he’s getting up to. What Youtube advice did we miss? Let us know!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:25 Welcome Rodney! You were requested!
04:30 Tell us about your Youtube channel!
08:25 Kayak fishing
10:40 Kayak diving
12:00 Where do you go kayaking?
14:00 The fishing lifestyle
15:40 How do you film your trips?
18:55 Acting vs real life
20:35 Youtube inspiration
23:55 Your job as an entertainer
25:25 The Youtube algorithm and how to beat it
32:20 What success have you seen from your channel? Are the millions of views paying off?
37:00 What other tricks and tips do you have for your channel?
39:40 Using analytics
42:00 How do you measure your success?
43:50 Best time to post: 7am Saturday morning Sydney time
46:35 What tools do you use to make these videos?
50:35 Dealing with internet trolls
53:40 Dealing with the fame
57:05 Sydney spearfishing – how, when and with who?
01:01:50 Boat diving?
01:03:00 Gold Coast Freedivers pool training
01:05:45 How often are you diving?
01:07:40 What big challenges do you face in spearfishing?
Today’s interview is with Paul Rodriguez of Hot Rod Spearguns! A well traveled spearo that has a passion for making great spearguns, he gives us his best advice on designing and building a speargun and he lets us in on a special project he’s busy with… a travel speargun! It breaks into 2 parts for easy travel and fits back together into a powerful and effective speargun to take with on holiday! All this and more! Is Cobia the best eating fish? Or is it African Pompano? Maybe it’s the Jobfish! Some robust conversation and interesting insights into the different types of spearfishing in different parts of the world. Also, some great advice for hunting Dogtooth Tuna! Enjoy the episode and let us know what you think!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:30 Hello and welcome Paul!
05:25 You have invented a travel speargun that comes in two parts? How did this come about?
08:55 How do you build your spearguns?
10:40 R&D in spearfishing is long and expensive. How do you protect your IP?
12:55 How does the speargun join back together?
15:35 Mono or dyneema? What length and how strong?
18:30 Line management and avoiding muzzle wrap
22:00 Simplicity is your friend – form follows function
27:20 Tell us about your spearfishing story! Where and how did you start?
29:40 What is the best all-round speargun size?
32:20 Roller’s throw the shaft far but lack penetrating power. What do you think?
34:30 Old school vs new school mentality
37:10 Where are you spearing these days?
37:37 Tell us how you process Cobia?
40:30 Palm sugar for ceviche and smoking fish changes the game
43:10 Rubbers/Power bands – what do you see?
44:40 Most consistent setup uses 14mm bands
49:00 What is a species what you love to target? African Pompano
50:45 Besides the thermocline, what else do you use to target them?
52:40 What are you looking for in weather? Water temp and wind
56:05 As you’ve traveled over the world, what things have you learned about planning a trip to go spearfishing?
58:05 Spearfishing in the Philippines
59:10 What’s the most special fish you’ve ever lost?
01:00:25 Green Jobfish is the best reef eating fish
01:07:05 Tough or scary situations
01:11:30 Having good dive buddies is the most important dive gear
01:13:20 Good buddy diving is also great fun
01:14:10 Funny stories
01:18:22 What’s in your dive bag? JBL Mask, white snorkel, Waihana wetsuit, medium to soft blades, Garmin Mach 1, handbuilt dive knife, Travel Hybrid 120 speargun
01:23:44 Gyotaku is a great way to memorialize special fish
Today’s interview is with Captain Bly, owner and Captain of Lineage Charters and the craftsman of Captain Bly Spearguns! A well accomplished spearo who builds spearguns and runs what sounds like amazing fishing charters! Learn about the mighty Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna and how to hunt them, how he assists spearos to be better hunters in his local waters and some great tips on aging and caring for your fish to make it taste better! All round tons of great info and good conversation about spearfishing charters, spearguns and getting the best eating out of your catch. Be sure to check out Captain Bly on instagram and his websites: lineagecharters.com and cptbly.com!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
06:15 Welcome Captain Bly! How did you fall in love with the ocean?
07:50 Your passion for making spearguns
10:55 What changes have you made in your speargun designs?
12:15 Instinctive aiming
14:15 Ballasting, testing and salt water
18:10 Injury from a big recoil
20:15 You’re a veteran, how has that impacted your spearfishing?
21:30 Lineage Charters
24:15 Are people open to learning and taking your advice? Learning things the hard way
26:00 Bluefin story – don’t give up!
28:40 Common struggles and advice you see
30:55 Bluefin Tuna are an interesting species, tell us about them
32:20 What is the season for Bluefin?
34:49 What about Yellowfin?
36:40 PB Yellowfin: just under 300lb – tell us the story!
37:50 These fish are tough, they can survive a lot – catching a tuna on a line with a speargun still attached to the fish!
Captain Blys Refrigerator for fish and game. Dry ageing fish fridge
39:40 What do you think of the freediving side of spearfishing?
41:25 Weighting is different for different types of hunting
43:50 Hunting Halibut
44:20 The fear of dropping your weightbelt
47:45 Maui funny/scary story
49:30 Taking hydration out in the water with you
50:05 Night time lobster diving – surge pushing you into the rocks
51:00 What’s your advice for shallow, rocky lobster diving?
54:40 Dive flashlights – what’s your advice?
56:50 Are you using a cray loop? Only hand diving in California
58:00 What technique do you use to get a tough lobster out of its hole?
59:00 Your ocean is particularly beautiful and full of life
01:00:20 Tell us about Lineage Charters!
01:03:25 I’ve shot a 100lb tuna, what is your process of caring for the catch?
01:07:35 How do you process a tuna?
01:10:00 It’s about the journey
01:11:25 Aging fish works – Dry aging masterclass!
01:14:05 Hanging the fish
01:15:15 You had some shoulder surgery! How did you recover your dive fitness?
01:17:05 Do apnea while doing exercises to build up your anaerobic fitness
01:18:50 The Escapade!
01:21:05 The best float: Ocean Hunter 3 Atmosphere
Today’s interview is with Yianni Barthelmess, multiple recipe contributor and all round frothing spearo from Shellharbour NSW! Drawing from his dad’s love for the ocean, he has really turned his life into an ocean inspired one! A talented chef as well, he has submitted several recipes to 99 Spearo Recipes and has a bunch of catch cook videos on his YouTube and Instagram! Get some actionable gardening tips, practical chef skills and some awesome advice for dealing with sharks! We talk everything from food to gardening for seafood, sharks, shorediving and more! Listen in and let us know what you think!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
05:30 Welcome Yianni Barthelmess!
07:15 Are you a professional chef?
08:40 Growing a lot of food
11:55 Rain and fish stocks
16:25 How did you start spearfishing at 7?
17:55 Traveling and spearfishing
19:25 What did you learn about spearfishing in a new place?
21:20 How do you find fish?
23:50 The need to be efficient
24:25 Lessons to spear by
26:40 Boat vs shore diving
28:55 Walk us through a dive day!
31:50 The physiology of spearfishing
35:55 Have you logged or cataloged your experiences?
38:15 Raw fish is very popular right now but they are hesitant
39:30 Raw fish safety precautions
40:45 Kingfish raw
42:55 Fermenting foods
44:35 Tell us about your garden! The Noob Gardener Podcast!
45:25 How do you start a garden for seafood?
46:15 Be a soil farmer
48:10 Fish cleaning bench
48:55 Pests
53:20 Tell us about your recipes!
57:20 99 Spearo Recipes
01:00:20 Overcooking fish
01:02:35 Smoking fish
01:04:00 What else draws you to spearfishing?
01:05:45 Encounter with 2 Orcas
01:07:20 Scary stories
01:09:10 Shore diving and sharks
01:10:30 Tips for dealing with sharks for new divers
01:21:05 Who are your favourite dive buddies?
01:25:10 What’s in your dive bag? 2mm in summer, 5mm in winter Cressi wetsuit, Rob Allen Sparid 110 and homemade timber spearguns, Rob Allen Cubera mask, Cressi plastic fins for shore diving and DiveR fiberglass fins for boats
Today’s interview is with Chris Adair from Bottom Dwellers Freediving in British Columbia and we talk everything cold water freediving and spearfishing! Depending on who you ask, “cold” water can mean different things, but when we talk about the cold water that Chris deals with, it’s not messing around! Learn some great tips for getting better at diving in sub 10 degree C water, staying warm and comfortable and about some of the awesome initiatives he runs where he partners with First Nations People communities in remote locations and introduces them to spearfishing and freediving! Learn some great tips and how he is giving back to those around him in such an awesome way!
Photo by Jeremy Koreski
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:45 @DeepWaterDreamin Patrick Ryan voice message
06:05 Welcome Chris Adair! How did you get into freediving and spearfishing?
07:40 You teach freediving professionally
08:25 Bottom Dwellers! We mostly hunt bottom dwelling fish.
11:20 Hunting on the bottom is it’s own technique to learn
12:45 Tell us about Bottom Dwellers Freediving!
Photo by Jeremy Koreski
15:00 Tide to Table / Freedive Harvesting courses
19:05 Foraging in cold water is magical
20:30 Diving seasons
21:20 You have some great photographers
24:30 You have some great community initiatives you run with the First Nations People, tell us about it!
29:25 What is day to day life like in these remote communities?
32:20 Where can people learn more about the Warrior Leadership program? www.bottomdwellers.ca
“This delicious crowd pleaser of a recipe is perfect for when you are having a few guests over and want to put on a good feed. We have used a coastal fingermark in this exact recipe here but you could try whichever whole fish you’d like. One whole fish around that 45cm mark will happily feed 2 people, top it off with some nice fresh greens as a side and your onto a winner. We hope you guys enjoy this dish just as much as we do, cheers!” – Jordan Hunter@the_hunter_downunder
For the fish
Medium whole fish, filleted and cut into chunks. Keep the frame for presentation
Tapioca flour
Rice bran oil – for shallow frying
3/4 cup of soy sauce
3/4 cup sushi seasoning
2 Tbs ginger, grated
Use the soy sauce, sushi seasoning and ginger to marinade the fish frame and chunks. Leave in fridge for 1-3 hours.
Heat oil in pan, coat marinated fish frame in tapioca flour. Shallow fry. Repeat with marinated fish chunks.
Place cooked fish chunks on the frame for presentation.
Chilli tamarind dipping sauce
1/2 cup coriander, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 long fresh red chillies, coarsely chopped 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 shallot, thinly sliced
4cm piece fresh ginger, grated
2 Tbsp tamarind concentrate
1/3 cup shaved palm sugar
1 Tbsp fish sauce
1-2 tbsp water
Blend coriander, garlic, chilli and salt to a paste in the nutri bullet. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and stir-fry the paste for 1 minute until aromatic. Add the shallot and ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add tamarind, sugar and fish sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves.
Lime and coriander drizzle
Juice of 1 lime
2 Tbsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp grated ginger
1 Tbsp garlic
1 chilli, chopped finely
1/4 cup of coriander, chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
4 cubes of palm sugar, finely chopped
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
All ingredients in a pouring dish, mix well and let sit for 30 mins to infuse.
Today’s interview is with Eric O’dea of the Backcountry Hunters (BHA) and Anglers and Eric Keener of Fin and Forage! We chat everything 30/30, MPA’s, conservation, hunting and how they all connect. We also have a great chat about the upcoming Catch and Cook comp with Fin and Forage, the BHA and Messermeister. A spearfishing competition mixed in with masterchef with a beach cleanup and urchin culling event with prizes for each different category, this is a great idea and we can’t wait to see this comp happen! You can visit this link to find out more!
Follow Fin and Forage on Instagram and YouTube to get all the latest content they make and hear all the news about this comp!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:25 Hello and welcome Devin and Eric!
05:30 The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers: what is it and why is it important?
08:00 Hunter and conservationist
12:10 Growing up with deer in your garden
14:25 Eric Keener from Fin and Forage, reintroduce yourself!
18:50 30/30: What is it all about?
21:50 What happened in NSW?
26:35 What is your advice to the everyday spearo?
30:35 Citizen science: iNaturalist and how to get involved
36:25 Food changes mindsets and perceptions
41:15 The Catch and Cook Comp! Tell us all about it!
43:25 Beach cleanup prizes
47:00 What are you doing with the urchins you’re collecting?
51:00 Who are the legends that made this possible? Fin and Forage team, Ryan Gentry, @CutProfessor
52:00 Lots of big sponsors and massive prizes!
53:10 The infamous Valentine Thomas story!
58:55 Was your trip succesful?
01:00:25 Devin, do you and Eric ever dive together?
01:01:25 The most fun you can have with your spearfishing friends
01:02:30 “I don’t regard nature as a spectator sport” Discuss!
01:05:20 Belonging in a place you don’t belong
01:06:25 Go to FinandForage.com and on Instagram to find out more about the competition!
Today’s interview is with Samuel Mumford, the frothing Cornish Muso spearo living down under! Growing up in Cornwall, he started spearfishing, frankly by punching them with a blunt speargun. Have a listen to the episode to hear his experience with the Mike Tyson Speargun! From almost getting drowned by a crab to the infamous Cornish Sea Turtle, he has some great tips for hunting fish like Dhufish and Mangrove Jack and has a lot of knowledge other spearos can learn from. With a great attitude and a clear and obvious love for the ocean, we think you will enjoy today’s episode with Samuel Mumford!
Today’s interview is with Jamie Ryves from Norfolk Island who now lives in Vanuatu! Originally a chef, circumstances meant that work was hard to come by which caused a shift in his lifestyle. He now lives on a smaller island around Vanuatu and goes spearfishing twice a week to support his family! He takes some unbelievable footage, if you have any interest in big game fish like Dogtooth Tuna, this will be your new favourite source of video! Stunning conditions, excellent tips for hunting big Dogtooth and personal stories of Samba’s and Shallow Water Blackouts and how he is a safer diver because of them. Check out one of the most underrated YouTube channels around!
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Important times:
00:13 Intro
02:50 Hello and welcome Jamie! You are from Norfolk Island?
03:55 You live the spearo life and take amazing footage
05:25 The currents are a mystery
06:05 Where did you grow up?
07:50 You are a chef? Are you still cooking?
10:05 You are a specialist Dogtooth Tuna hunter! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fijsU8Goxig)
13:30 You have an underrated youtube channel
15:15 Have you thought about guiding?
16:45 What capacity do your charters have currently?
19:00 You get a wide range of species, which are your favourite?
23:10 Tell us about a good hunt
26:25 You were a bodyboarder too, but spearfishing came easier
28:55 You use a floatline but you have shot a few with a reelgun! Tell us about your gear for hunting them
31:30 What are common Dogtooth hunting problems?
38:30 I need to visit you!
40:10 PB’s and sharks
44:05 How have you studied the sea conditions?
46:05 So you have some extreme structure, tall sea mounts and volcanic rock drop off’s
47:25 How long do you need to stay there for a good trip?
52:20 Freediving in spearfishing: what is your position?
58:00 What about scary stories? Samba’s and SWB’s
01:09:10 How do you train your buddies to dive safer?
01:12:30 Wayne Judge
01:16:55 Funny stuff!
01:18:25 Funniest friends
01:19:55 What gear are you using? Ruku fins, Aimrite wetsuit. 1 spare shaft. 2 reel guns and a double roller from Aimrite. Riffe bungee. Ocean Hunter and Riffe 3 atmosphere floats. Slip-tip spear
Today’s interview is with Matthew Novakovich, the man behind Ocean State Spearguns! Born out of seeing a need that he could fulfill, Ocean State Spearguns are hand-crafted timber spearguns that can be customized to your liking! Want a big mid-handle 5 band blue water speargun? Or how about a short speargun for low viz diving and shooting in caves? Matthew has you covered! Starting as a small hobby, he gave Cameron Kirkconnell one of his spearguns to test and he’s been making more ever since! Doing most of his diving in the usually dirty and cold Atlantic, he has learned a thing or two about making robust spearguns that work well and look good while doing it. Check out OceanStateSpearguns.com to see what he’s doing!
He has some great insights into barotrauma and has a story about how it almost ended his diving career but more importantly – how he responded. If you have a barotrauma and are being told you’ll never dive again then give the Divers Alert Network (DAN) a call! Visit their website Dan.org and view all of their medical info here! Not all injuries are permanent!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
02:30 Hello and welcome Matthew!
03:55 You have some nice fish over there like Tautog
Today’s interview is with Will Brunker of Aquagat! An innovator in the speargun world, Will has developed several unique and bespoke designs and components for spearguns! Colourful, tough and functional! He gave up his day job to go into making spearguns and components full time and has been making it work! We don’t talk much about his spearfishing journey but we sure do geek out about spearguns, from designing them to making custom and unique parts and everything in between. Today’s episode is a great one for anyone interested in making their own parts or gear. Be sure to check out Aquagat.com for all the great gear he makes!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:30 How to write a guest recommendation! Welcome Will!
06:00 You have made a lot of innovation with different materials
07:30 How did you start building spearguns and how do you do it?
09:30 Aquagat is a great name!
12:05 How long have you been doing this?
16:15 How do you manage the balance between work, family and spearfishing?
18:55 What does your spearfishing look like at the moment?
22:25 Mentorship mentality
24:45 Early lessons and experiences in the water
26:45 Dry training
28:05 Speargun accuracy and pool testing
31:15 How do you aim?
32:55 How long should it take to get used to a new speargun?
36:50 Taking your ego out of it
39:40 Let’s talk about your spearguns and components
46:00 Keeping your intellectual property safe and R&D
51:51 Buying cheap gear – the poor man pays twice!
54:30 Tell us about your reels, how many designs did you go through until it worked?
59:35 Do you get many Noob Spearos or mostly experienced ones?
01:01:50 “Where form meets function”
01:05:45 Who do you get your speargun inspiration from?
Today’s interview is with Forrest Galante! Explorer, TV personality, adventurer and spearo, Forest has a rather large resume when it comes to the outdoors, holding multiple spearfishing world records on speargun and pole spear! Having been on the Joe Rogan Podcast and besides his own podcast The Wild Times podcast, he is most well known for his TV shows where he travels to remote parts of the world in search of extinct and extremely rare animals. We are proud to say that his journey was hugely influenced by spearfishing, join us as we have a great chat about his connection to spearfishing and how that relates to the other work he does.
Important times:
00:13 Intro
03:08 Welcome Forrest Galante!
05:52 Wild Times Podcast
07:25 Handling large sharks
10:43 First Tiger shark interaction
13:15 We are still learning about sharks
15:10 You’re a HECS man and you’ve been on the Joe Rogan Podcast?
16:24 Extinct or Alive
18:25 Tell us about your adventures
22:15 The reality of working a job like yours
24:40 Your early work
27:30 Opportunity cost
29:30 You have 6 World Records, which stands out the most?
35:30 You seem to like hunting Wahoo, how do you hunt them?
40:00 Getting towed by a big fish
43:25 Bull sharks and Mako’s
48:10 California diving
50:50 Do you hunt with the meal in mind?
53:15 Spearfishing presents unique pressure on species
55:55 What is in your gear bag? 62 inch Diablo Speargun, HECS and Waihana wetsuits, Omer Stingray Carbon 25’s, Riffe mask and snorkel
01:01:45 What are the obstacles that you face and how do you overcome them?
Today’s interview is with ex-firefighter Tran Lawrence from Taranaki, New Zealand! Originally coming from a line of Vietnamese fishermen, Tran is a great example of someone who truly comes alive when he’s in the ocean. Apart from being a great spearo he is also a talented creator, check out his website, Ocean Protagonist, here! Have a listen as he tells us about growing up on the water, his connection with seafood and buying a yacht to go sailing all around New Zealand! He has some great stories from his years underwater. He is also passionate about the conservation side of being in the ocean, he has some great thoughts on that. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
“…stories, photos, videos and anecdotes from someone that hears the ocean when she calls and listens when she sings…..a love for the ocean through the eyes of a photographer, videographer, adventurer, diver, fisherman, sailor, refugee, firefighter, and father…”
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:24 Welcome Tran! You’re an ex firefighter?
07:00 The Taranaki lifestyle
08:20 Growing up and career
09:05 A big health scare
10:35 You represent a few brands, Catch Fishing, Splash Dive, Atlantis Dive, Ocean Hunter and Rob Allen New Zealand
12:00 You have some amazing content, how did you get into photography?
13:40 Sailing around New Zealand
15:55 How did you start spearfishing?
17:40 When did you realize that spearfishing was for you?
22:00 Diving in Taranaki is a special experience
23:10 Guide to catching Kingfish
24:15 Scarcity mindset and taking as much as you can
28:00 Have you introduced people to spearfishing
29:35 Swimming pool or trial by fire?
31:20 When you take Noob divers out, how do you guide and teach them? Instill the passion and respect for the ocean
33:00 Your favourite species to hunt
35:00 How has your conservation mindset evolved over your spearfishing journey?
37:15 Wine barrel smoker and smoking fish
42:25 You love to cook, walk us through a recipe
45:00 Using more of the fish
47:20 Sharks as a food source
49:10 Do you enjoy more involved hunts? The hunter mindset
52:35 Creativity and your journey into underwater photopgraphy
01:01:25 How can someone start in underwater photography?
Interview about Travel Spearfishing with Jerry Guerra
Today’s interview is with Jerry Guerra and it’s all about travel spearfishing. Ever watch a Daniel Mann video and think to yourself: “I want to travel to other countries and spearfish”? Maybe you’ve seen films like David Ochoa makes about his trips around the world filming the fish up close and personal. Or maybe you just listened to the previous episode about Palapas Ventana, traveling and spearfishing were made to go together! Doing your first big trip can be a logistical and planning exercise in patience, you don’t want to get to your dream destination and not have your fins or speargun! Jerry gives some great Noob tips on doing spearfishing trips, advice for international travel, navigating airports with spearguns, packing, charters and so much more!
Today’s interview is with Deryck Tan from WA. An Equine Dental and Veterinary Surgeon by day, mad spearo/gyotaku/cooking seafood chef type dude by… I suppose day too! He is an extremely talented artist specializing in the art of Gyotaku – making fish prints! What started as an interest quickly became an obsession, from experimenting with his first fish to now taking commissions. Have a listen to some of Deryck’s funny stories and lessons he has learned along the way and get some tips to get into doing your own gyotaku! Deryck is also great in the kitchen and is passionate about seafood, in particular the underrated species. Learn about tempra vs tempura, alternative fish species and get some insight into abalone and urchin cooking.
Have you also been inspired to make your own gyotaku? Tag Noob Spearo in your posts, we’d love to see!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:45 Welcome Deryck!
05:40 Tell us about yourself!
06:35 Cooking inspiration
07:05 Where did your passion for gyotaku come from?
19:53 What skills did you get out of your spearfishing course?
21:42 Tell us about your gyotaku! Tell us about the stamps
25:25 Who buys your artwork?
27:55 What materials are you using?
30:35 How to gyotaku: Thaw and clean fish, pat dry, use scrap rice paper to remove all the moisture especially around the eyes, dilute ink, paint fish with ink but NOT the eyes, get rid of excess ink (use cotton or material), Circle piece of paper to keep the eye protected. Put paper over fish and push it in. Pull it off, add details to the eye, add your stamp.
35:45 Difficult to gyotaku: crustaceans. How long do they take?
Today’s interview is with Tim Hatler & Brock Kennedy of Palapas Ventana in Baja, Mexico! Surrounded by amazing sea’s almost year round and with options for when the weather is bad, they have some of the world’s best spearfishing out there. They run spearfishing trips where spearos Noob and experienced alike can get in the water and have an opportunity to shoot potentially world record fish! Listen to the stories they tell from their many years running spearfishing trips, advice on booking and preparing for a trip and some of the fun you can expect! From riding Great White sharks to cruising in luxury, if you are wanting a memorable spearfishing experience, go look at Palapas Ventana!
Important times:
00:13 Intro
04:00 Welcome Brock and Tim!
05:35 Where in the world are you?
07:05 You have an ocean full of life
08:40 Introduce yourselves and Palapas Ventana
10:15 Tell us about your accommodation you have an offer
12:10 How does it work for international travelers coming to visit? Logistical issues
14:25 How long do you need to have a decent trip? 5 days of diving
15:30 February has the worst conditions, least fish
17:05 Trade winds
19:15 How remote do you travel on these trips?
20:50 Brock, how did you start spearfishing?
22:10 Scuba spearfishing
24:20 Coming from cold water to now having warm tropical water, how has that changed your spearfishing?
This post was made with the permission of Christopher Marsic, a new member on the Noob Spearo Community on Facebook who introduced himself with this story. I liked it so much, I asked him if I could share it on the Noob Spearo Vault blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! – Shrek
I live in Victoria (soon to be Mackay QLD) and I guess my biggest struggle was overcoming the conditions down this way to chase those rare southern gems.
In my early days of spearfishing 10 years ago I spent a lot of time diving Port Phillip Bay, which when I first started I thought was the best thing ever! I would jump in after work in horrible visibility 2-4m (on a good day where I lived) and would swim around for hours I started off like all spearos shooting the feared dusky morwong, but before long I worked my way up to bream and snapper and became pretty decent at getting onto the pinkies.
Most places in the bay I dived had an maximum depth of around 3m however I was super interested in the breath hold part of spearfishing so I started doing some research and that’s when I found the spearing down under magazines. I’ll never forget the first time I put one of those DVDs on and my jaw hit the floor … Watching these guys descend deep into the blue then shoot these monster fish really got me excited to get better at the sport.
After doing tons of research and learning about blackouts etc I decided it would be best to find a dive buddy so I headed to the forums back then you had to jump on a website forum there wasn’t fb groups those days that’s when I met one of my best friends to this date Jai KP and he basically introduced me to ocean diving and man that first dive in the ocean changed everything! I never wanted to dive the bay again! Little did I know this was a double edge sword.
Although there is good fish to be had here in Victoria it is very based on season and in that season you only get handful of days you can actually get in the water especially from shore. You gotta align our constant big swell, low wind and the right time of the year.
Don’t get me wrong;
– this didn’t stop me getting in the water all the time but it was hard going and not super rewarding for the beginner, so I turned my attention north, over the next few years I would dive locations like Bermagui, Eden and Townsville which made the motivation to get back into the water in Victoria super low.
I basically repeated this trend of going north and diving then coming back to Vic and basically only diving those perfect days until about 2 years ago when I took the plunge and bought a jetski and boy did that change everything.
I started becoming obsessed with getting a blue fin tuna the jet-ski I got was super capable and I soon found that as long was the wind was good it didn’t really matter what the swell was doing (within reason) I could get out to my favourite parts of Vic the South West. I proceeded to spend the next month chasing tuna seeing them time and time again but either the viz was really bad and I’d just catch a glimpse of them or they would just hang out of shooting range and pass me by.
But then it happened …
…it was towards the end of the day and I had basically called it on the tuna and headed in to an island for a bit of a look for crays and to get some footage of seals, but on my way in to the island the sounder lit up in 60m of water and I knew exactly what they were, I had the gun in the gunnel ready to go attached to my two Riffe floats which was then attached to the ski, I rolled off the side of the ski into the blue breathed up and swam down to around the 10m mark, as I was swimming down I was just surrounded by massive tuna it was absolutely awesome and super hard to keep calm I lined up one of the smaller ones that came in close as I had no idea how hard the fight would be and pulled the trigger.
Ever since that day I’ve been a lot better at finding the blues and it has reignited my love for spearing, I never imagined 10 years ago when I shot my first dusky that I would be shooting Bluefin tuna.
Absolutely love spearfishing and its journey that it brings and I cannot wait to start my new journey when I move to Mackay, Queensland later this year .
We are kicking off 2022 with Mike Kane, co-owner of Spear West, one of the best spearfishing stores in Perth and WA! We chat about all things WA spearfishing, joining a club and starting to spear at a late age, dive buddies, boats and driving for hours! Having always owned a boat, he had no shortage of opportunities to dive but starting later in life has given him a different perspective on spearing. If you are ever in WA near Perth you should stop by and give them a visit, you’ll have learned something new by the time you walk out!
Hello Shrek, my name’s Guilherme and I’m a Portuguese spearo. I was listening to your podcast with Josh Bollen and you guys were talking about cooking octopus. In Portugal we have lots and lots of octopus recipes and some tricks to cook them. Unfortunately I didn’t finish my submission for the cook book 99 Spearo Recipes but I still gave my support on Kickstarter. Anyway here are some tricks to cook octopus:
1. ALWAYS freeze them.
What makes the octopus so tough are it’s his muscles and when you freeze them you’re helping to loosen and break some of them down.
2. ALWAYS boil the octopus even before grilling them.
Here is how you boil them. Put water to boil in a pot with nothing more than a glove of garlic and a whole onion. Both without being cut up. When the water is boiling, get the octopus and start submerging it for a few seconds and take it out. Wait a few seconds and do it again like 3 times or so. Then you let it boil on a low heat for about 30-45 mins depending on the size of the octopus.
For some yummy Portuguese octopus dishes, search;
“polvo à lagareiro“
“arroz de polvo“
“pataniscas de polvo“
“alcatra de polvo“.
The last is also a traditional dish that we eat on Christmas. Let me know if there’s still a chance to submit a recipe! Thanks for all the great content keep it up!
Today’s episode is with the Sydney Spearo Chef Jai Gibbons! Talented and passionate about food, he has been cooking all his life and been in and out of many different kitchens around the country, picking up a treasure trove of knowledge and tips about preparing and cooking seafood! Jai has submitted an awesome guide to 99 Spearo Recipes that’s all about caring for your catch to get the best possible eating experience from it, we go in depth about that and the other tips and tricks he’s learnt in his career so far. What to do after you have speared and secured the fish, how to store, fillet and process the meat, how to choose the best knife for whatever job you’re doing and a big section on dry-aging are some of the big talking points in this interview. If you’re excited for 99 Spearo Recipes and are interested in cooking better seafood, this episode is for you! How to dry-age fish, fillet and process fish better and make better, more creative seafood dishes without the intimidation, enjoy it!
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35m on one breath…
– watch our video of the trip to South Australia below!
