approaching fish

[snice]

hi, in my few expeditions in the last weeks i've started to get abit of a hang of this sport but obviously i still have much to learn. Ive caught some combers and wrasses but otherwise nothing special. Ive encountered a number of breams as i went along however ive noticed that that large fish tend to be very careful around people. The moment i attempt to approach one they often speed off without giving me the change to come within shooting range. Is there a particular way i should go about it? Ive tried to blend in with the environment however that doesn't seem to work, and where i use baits such as rizzi to lure them, they ignore it whilst the smaller fish rush like crazy to get a piece of the action. Any suggestions?

[Granitu]

let me explain you from the very basics..... no man can run and reach a fish.... we can do only up to 2.5m/s in the water with fins.... a fish can do 15m/s if in danger....

so trying to get a fish in an agguato manner is very difficult and requires experience rather than practice.

trying an aspetto on the other hand may yield some results but it depends on the fish and the ability to attract them near you... patience is the key and a fish or two you will catch mate

if i were you, i would begin with some aspetto, making sure you are in a spot were there may be some activity and waiting for your chance. pelagic fish like amberjacks and "strill" come very near to an aspetto and in my opinion with a good apnea they are easy preys. they can be very rewarding especially at this time when they will be over the 1 kg mark

[charlie]

when doing aspetto first you must hide yourself very well so the fish will see you only when you dive;try to dive with the sun behind you because the sun light will reflect on the mask glasses;when you see a fish try not to look direct in her eyes because the fish will see your eyes moving and will be nervous ana then goodluck

[fabrizioviper]

there is another technique for catching sea bream , its called in tana , it means u catch them when they go for shelter under rocks . for this tech u need to use a short gun i.e 75cm, 60cm , or fiocina. though u can find rocks that u can work well with a 90 or a 100 cm gun. u will also need a good torch that u can count on .

[snice]

cool thanks alot for ur advice. Ill be sure to try some techniques u suggested. Ive been trying aspetto but my buoyancy and breathing problem is abit of an issue. i think i need weights and as for holding my breath i guess its just practice. i just about manage to hold my breath for like 40 seconds if im not moving so for that matter it aint easy to maintain an aspetto when i find a good position. btw caught an eel yesterday, turned out to be not such a bright idea when u have a trident head, it took me like 10 minutes struggling to get the thing off. That fish is a hardy fellow

[LapsiBoy]

Not only is it hard it very dangerous...its very slippery and if his head comes close to you he will bite and believe me you will hurt becaue wherever he bites he doesnt let go !a very painfull experience

[snice]

definitely! there are even videos on youtube of ppl losing their fingers to those beasts. Im always wearing gloves so hopefully nothing bad will happened, in any case i have no intention of fooling around with any marine life which looks or is known to be dangerous 

[Seahunter]

i just about manage to hold my breath for like 40 seconds if im not moving

I don`t want to sound negative, but with 40 seconds of static apnea, it`s nearly impossible to catch any fish.

[charlie]

spice don't use excess weight around your waist because as time pass it will get you tired and remember that at aspetto many depends on the fish if she wants to come at your firing range

[snice]

would you kindly recommend the best way to extend one's respiratory capacity underwater?

[Simon G]

training training training. the way i train is static apnea at home and alot in the sea in shallow water the marco bardi book has helped allot if you can read italian i can lend it to you (send me a message)

[snice]

thanks mate but i dont know italian all that well. In anycase im quite sure ill find something on the internet to get me going. Are there are there any basic things i should learn which you could suggest at this point?

[Klaws]

snice,

I've caught fish from the surface, without even an apnea. 40 seconds is ample time to catch fish from shallow waters. As i understand, u are new to the hobby and trust me the apnea is not the problem in your case. Approaching the fish is the hardest part. you need to become one with the environment and not try to impose yourself. Chasing a fish will never work. you need to do everything slowly. Not wasting energy in your movements will make your movements less suspicious to the fish and make you waste less breath. As strange as it may sound, spearfishing must be done with grace

PS Small fish (combers and the like) are ok for the first few times to maybe practice a shot but they should be left alone by spearfishermen. Apart from ethics, a shot will always scare the bigger fish away. Shots are the only moment we are actually imposing our presence and should be kept to a minimum.

Good luck,

Claudio

[Arti2]

There are sometimes where you have to follow a fish Klaws, sometimes I succeeded but many a time they go away.

[Klaws]

well ok sometimes following the fish may be the only option or a desperate attempt before it vanishes from sight. however it is clear that our friend here is new to the hobby and was taking the wrong approach. My intent was to guide him to the right approach. Then as we all know everyone has his own techniques...

Claudio