For you adrenaline-seeking fishing enthusiasts who want to step up your game in the hopes of getting extreme, try your hand at spear fishing.
The two main setups you can use are either a spear gun or a Hawaiian sling. Once you decide whether or not you want to spend the extra cash for a spear gun, the next essential tools necessary to complete your task will be goggles, snorkel, flippers, and if you choose, a diving knife.
The first thing you need to know about spear fishing is what is legal. Usually, people will go after Sheepshead, Black Drum, Snapper and other fish that you can legally gig. For a list of species that are legal, check with your local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or pick up an Outdoor Annual.
Once you understand the laws and practice shooting and swimming around, it is time to pick the spot. I prefer the Packery Jetties, but the Port Aransas Jetties and the Lexington Jetties will also produce plenty of fish, primarily Snapper.
If you are fortunate enough to get offshore, head for the rigs and swim around cautiously, letting the fish come to you because they will be curious.
When fishing the jetties, you need to be mindful of the current, boaters and their wake, waves and the sharp barnacles that will be attached to the rocks. Try to stay close to the rocks while still being positioned comfortably away from them so as to not come into accidental contact with them.
When deciding which side of the jetties to spear fish on, keep in mind that the clarity of the water and the ability to maneuver through calmer waters play a huge factor.
When you finally get the gear, spot and mechanics down, you need to spear a fish. Try and aim for the gills so that the shot will instantly paralyze the fish and leave it in as little pain as possible.
After every fish speared, bring it to the surface and put it in an ice chest or on a stringer.
Blood attracts sharks, so don’t attach the stringer to you unless you are feeling really lucky, in which case you should buy a lottery ticket instead. Be careful and always bring a buddy because spear fishing can be dangerous.
That’s all for this week – good fishing . . .
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