Equipment Outfitters

Snorkeling is a pleasurable way to swim gently along the beach or in clear waters where fish and reefs are in view. The detail from the surface, or up close in the shallow areas, is what most swimmers equate with snorkeling. However there is a darker, deeper, and extreme type of snorkeling that few would consider doing without a tank, if at all.

Blue water hunters are a combination of freediver and spearfisher, and swim down slowly into the water, careful not to disturb any of the larger, and tastier, inhabitants. The diver must maintain a state of calm and heightened awareness in order to get a glimpse of the big fish they seek to catch. Quiet, methodical movements are the only way extreme snorkelers will avoid scaring their prey.

Better divers release the seal around their snorkels and fill their mouths with water to prevent any air bubbles from alerting fish to their presence. They must constantly swivel around 180 degrees to stay prepared for approaching fish, and the occasional shark. Incredible focus is required to notice oncoming fish and potentially unfriendly sealife in the distance before being seen, giving enough time to prepare for the shot. Divers keep a lookout for schools of bait fish that draw Larger predators, and hope for “the big one” to show up.

Divers can effectively lure fish closer by staying horizontal and looking head on as they approach. If the fish feel the diver is as small as his profile, they may become curious and seek a closer look. Other methods of luring fish include making croaking noises and setting bait or artificial lures.

Divers typically rise to the surface for around 45 seconds before submerging again, and try to stay down as long as possible, usually 60 seconds or more. They try to position themselves for optimum shooting when a fish is in the area. The best angle for a shot is downward and around 10-15 feet (3-4.5m) away. Quiet divers can blend into their environment and get close enough to be in range.

Divers carry an assortment of gear on each trip out, including a wetsuit, snorkel and mask, fins, and a hand spear or spear gun. Additional equipment includes a weightbelt, dive knife, gear bag, and backup items. A typical spear gun measures around 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8m) in length using 6-foot spears made from stainless steel. The butt end of the gun is weighted to afford the diver better balance and more control over the gun, as well as additional ballast to help them stay submerged. The ballast consists of lead shot which can be added or removed if needed.

Big catches

Extreme snorkelers do not generally seek out small prey, but are in search of larger stuff, in the 200-500 lb (90-270 kg) category. Blue- and yellow-fin tuna, black marlin, and other larger game fish separate this style of spear fishing from the tamer stuff. Many divers can tell stories of landing huge fish, only to be nearly drowned in the tow that ensued. It is therefore highly critical that the diver hit the target in the right spot and score a quick kill. Aside from the risk of a long battle while being towed, there is the very real risk of a physical confrontation with their catch, which can be a life or death struggle. Consider a 500 lb marlin coming full speed with its spear shaped nose pointed at you.

The sport is certainly not for the tame. It does, however, provide a new perspective on a sport that is relatively safe and rarely considered extreme.

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