Spearfishing is an ancient and thrilling way of fishing that combines the excitement of the hunt with the beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a beginner eager to dip your toes into this exhilarating activity or an experienced angler looking to refine your gear, having the right equipment is non – negotiable. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the core and auxiliary equipment essential for spearfishing, exploring their features, advantages, and how to make the best choices. From the powerful spear guns that act as the “sharp weapons” of the underwater hunt to the seemingly humble yet useful slingshots, and the various auxiliary items that ensure safety and efficiency, let’s embark on this exploration of spearfishing gear.
Core equipment: Spear and slingshot
Spear gun: the “sharp weapon” of fishing
Spear gun is the iconic equipment of spearfishing, according to the power principle, mainly divided into pneumatic spear gun, slingshot spear gun and mechanical spear gun. The pneumatic fish gun uses compressed air to launch the harpoon, which has a long range and great power, and is suitable for catching large fish in the open sea. However, this kind of fish gun is expensive, requires special inflation before use, and the operation is relatively complex. Slingshot fish gun relies on the elasticity of the rubber band to launch the harpoon, the price is close to the people, the operation is simple, is the choice of many novices. The disadvantage is that the range is short, generally about 5-10 meters. The mechanical fish gun combines the advantages of the first two, and launches the harpoon through the mechanical device, which has high accuracy and power, but the structure is complex and the maintenance is difficult.
Slingshot: a portable alternative
In addition to spear guns, slingshots are also a common fishing tool. It is small in size and easy to carry, suitable for use in shallow or narrow waters. The firing principle of the slingshot is similar to that of the slingshot fish gun, which shoots the harpoon through the elasticity of a rubber band. Although the range and power of the slingshot is relatively small, it can still play an important role in close fishing. Moreover, the slingshot is cheap and easy to use, which is very popular with beginners.
Auxiliary equipment: Ensure safety and efficiency
Face glasses and breathing tubes: the “eyes” and “nose” of underwater exploration
The mirror can help anglers get a clear view of the fish’s movements and the underwater environment. When selecting a mirror, pay attention to its tightness and comfort, and ensure that it will not enter water underwater. At the same time, the lens of the mirror is best anti-fogging, so as to avoid the lens fog affecting the line of sight. The breathing tube allows the fisherman to breathe at the surface without frequently raising his head, saving energy and focusing on the underwater situation. The diameter and length of the breathing tube should be moderate, too thin pipe diameter will affect the smooth breathing, too long will easily lead to increased respiratory resistance.
Fins: Aid underwater mobility
The fins provide powerful propulsion underwater, making it easier for the fisherman to swim after the fish. Flippers are made of rubber, plastic and carbon fiber. Rubber flippers are soft and comfortable, affordable, but easily worn; Plastic flippers have high hardness, good durability, but slightly less comfort; Carbon fiber flippers are lightweight, durable and efficient, but they are relatively expensive. When choosing flippers, choose the right size and style according to your foot type and use scenario.
Wetsuit: Protect against the cold underwater
The wetsuit can maintain the body temperature of the fisherman, reduce the loss of heat in the water, and also provide a certain protective effect to prevent being scratched by underwater reefs, corals, etc. The thickness and material of wetsuits vary depending on the environment in which they are used. In warm waters, choose a thin wetsuit for increased flexibility; In cold waters, you need to wear a thick diving suit to ensure sufficient warmth. Common wetsuit materials are neoprene rubber, nylon and lycra, of which neoprene rubber has good warmth and elasticity, is a common wetsuit material.
Floats and fishing lines: The key to recovering fish
The float is used to mark the position of the harpoon after the spear is fired, so that the angler can find the fish that has been hit. At the same time, the float can also slow the fish’s struggle and prevent the fish from escaping. The fishing line connects the fish gun to the float, and its strength and wear resistance are crucial. When choosing fishing line, it is necessary to choose the appropriate line diameter and material according to the size of the target fish and the active waters. Generally speaking, nylon wire is cheap and has wide applicability; PE line has high strength, good wear resistance, and is more suitable for catching large fish.
Shark gear: The last line of safety
In the Marine environment, sharks are a potential threat. For their own safety, fishermen can carry some anti-shark gear. For example, sharkshield anti-shark whip, through the electric field generated by the current, drive away the shark, the effective distance is about 4-6 meters, but when using, pay attention to avoid electric to yourself and teammates. espear anti-shark gun, after pulling the trigger can generate electric field to drive away sharks, endurance of about 1.5 hours, effective distance 1-2.5 meters, can be used as a backup protection of anti-shark whip. In addition, there are sharkbanz anti-shark ankle bracelets/bracelets that use magnetic discomfort to repel sharks, but for shark raids, the effect may be limited.
Conclusion
Spear fishing equipment is the key to the success and safety of spear fishing activities. Anglers should choose the appropriate equipment according to their own skill level, fishing environment and budget. Whether novice or experienced, the right gear can enhance the fishing experience.
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