Depending on where you dive there will be a number of different ways to help blend in to your surroundings and thereby make fish more apt to come closer.
There is one fish in the world that I have the most respect for as much as I despise it at the same time. If you can hunt Mu, you can hunt 99% of the fish in the world. If you can hunt Mu well… You are waaaaaay ahead of the curve and need to go ahead and keep your secrets to your self and dive safe and share fresh fish with your buddies when they aren’t getting any.
To hunt Mu which is the Hawaiian name for a fish that is most similar to a Porgy in the United States, A Sargo in the Mediterranean, a Big Eye Sea Bream in Australia and the South Pacific, and Snapper in New Zealand. The Mu however is much much smarter than any of these due to fishing pressure and their natural conscience which apparently is always nagging them to stay the hell away from anything with a pointy spear and pee soaked wetsuit. Good advice.
Mu hunters generally make an approach to an area where there are fish in a round about way to not only disguise themselves but also to pique the interest of the fish. They find a good rock or depression in the bottom to hide behind which blocks there body from the fish and the longer you can hold your breath the more interested the fish will become and closer they will be drawn to you.
For fish that are cagey, ie. sketchy or skittish, you need to use your surroundings to blend in and make it seem as if you are supposed to be there.
photo by Brad Thornbrough
The wetsuit pattern on the Riffe Cryptic was designed based on this picture which is a Grouper you’ll find in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans that blends in so well it is mind blowing. That same pattern breaks up your outline mid-water as well as on the bottom and on the surface all adding to the diminishing of the fish you are hunting good sense. You are tricking them after all.
If you know where the fish are going to be, use the bottom to block your approach to the spot and sneak quietly and SLOOOOOOWWWWLY to where you want to be. The slower the better.
You are convincing the fish that you belong so take your time there is no rush. If it takes more than one dive then so be it. Better to make 4 unsuccessful dives that you can’t get a clear shot on than to blow your chances by pulling the trigger when they are still 20 feet out and facing away, a low percentage shot.
So learn from the Mu hunters. I’m not going to spoil the fun of learning how the pro’s do it as I still want to get invited back to Hawaii. If you are wanting to be a better hunter though, remember this:
Slow down
Use your surroundings to block and hide your body
Always keep a good field of view
Act like you are supposed to be there and the fish will be convinced of the same.
Wait and take high percentage shots(Ritchie Zacker wants you to shoot them in the ass so he can make fun of you later but you don’t want to risk scaring away the school by blowing it early so be patient.)
