Hotties in the Bahamas Part II: How To

Don’t trust her.
She’s good with kids, smiles a lot, and looks good in a bathing suit.
She also happens to be a determined underwater hunter and doesn’t take it very well on the odd occasion that a fish eludes her.
Over the course of the week we were in the Bahamas, I watched Lisa Rollins transition from just trying to get fish, into actually hunting them.
There is a difference. You can go out with a spear gun and power around the reef or wreck and chase down something in most cases. Fish will scatter and on occasion will take a look over there shoulders on one side or the other to offer you a running away shot but this is not hunting. There will always be dumb ones that don’t move or wait too long to run for cover that you can pull a shot off on.
In the Bahamas, most people that are diving there are making the transition from diving with Tanks and Guns to Freediving and Pole Spears or Hawaiian slings.
Your bottom time is limited, your range is cut to less than a quarter of what is was before.

Its time to get tactical and think a bit more into your diving and turn yourself into a Hunter.

1. Blend in

You need to be able to get close to the same fish that you are hunting back home but you are going to have to think more into it. Get yourself in the mindset that you are supposed to be there, and fish are supposed to come close to you. Get a Camoflauge wetsuit and when you are heading for the bottom don’t be frantic, if the fish isn’t right underneath you angle to the bottom and lay there, “Like a Turtle” or shark or Sting Ray but don’t be a predator, be a friend or something neutral that won’t scare them off.

2. Slow down

You are freediving, time is of the essence. The less you work the more you achieve when holding your breath. Spend 2-3 times longer on the surface then you do on the bottom. When you are kicking down, as soon as you can freefall, do so. Save your energy your breath hold will increase.

3. Choose the Right Gear

Having the right pole spear makes a big difference. I prefer a 8-9 ft one that is fast and still has plenty of punch. The Carbon fiber ones on the market will all snap if you don’t take care of them and the aluminum ones will bend and the fiberglass are usually too short but all can be effective if you take the time to learn the advantages and disadvantages of whichever you own. Shooting Pelagics with a 3 prong fiberglass isn’t going to work and I can promise you will snap your carbon fiber one if you shoot a grouper that is heading into a hole and don’t stone him…

4. Shoot to Kill

You don’t have the luxury of long shots or high powered guns so you are going to be up close and personal. Even with the best pole spears and with a hawaiian sling you aren’t going to be able to get any power or penetration over 10 feet away. On any fish, you need to be looking for a stone shot, in the head. Any fish over 10 lbs and you are going to have to be close, 4-6 feet for any luck at all, and anything over 25 lbs it has to be a shot to the head.
If you don’t stone your fish they are going to take off with your gear so choose your battles wisely and don’t take low percentage shots. If it is a big fish, let him run he will hole up or battle him right then and there and risk tear off or broken gear. Your choice it depends on the situation.

5. Be Realistic

Are you realistically going to be able to land a 25lb Permit in 100 ft of water with a Hawaiian sling or a Pole spear? I like to think big but even if you stone them their momentum is will likely carry them to the bottom with your gear and lose both.
Chose your shots.
If your max freedive depth is 50ft and you shoot 25 lb Mackerel as it swims by on the drop off from 60-100ft, you aren’t going to get him. Let him go.
If you are in 50 feet of water and shoot a grouper in a labyrinth of caves and all you can see is his tail when you shoot through a 2 inch hole and there is no other entrance within 10 feet you just lost both the fish, valuable time, and your gear.
Make smart shots. It takes time to land fish with a sling and pole spear and if you spend all your time chasing Cuberas and Freeswimming fish that never stop or tend to deeper water you are going to waste your day with nothing at the end to show for it except lost gear and frustration.
Dive as shallow as possible, shoot fish you can handle, and shoot to kill.

Remember! Bahamas Spearfishing tips
1. Blend in
2. Slow Down
3. choose the right gear
4. Shoot to Kill
5. Be realistic

Dive gear on this trip courtesy of Riffe International
Riffe Spearfishing gear
Mask (Naida amber lens)
Snorkel (Stable snorkel for towing behind boat)
New Riffe Composite Fins
Blue Cryptic Rashguard with hood (part of rashguard full body cover up)
8 ft Riffe Three Prong Pole Spear
6 ft 3 prong Pole spear (fiberglass)

Good Size Mutton Snapper and average Bahamas Hogfish ready for Ceviche