Do you think underwater hunting looks exciting but have no idea where to start? Wondering if you are fit and strong enough, or is the jungle of equipment confusing? In this article, we answer the most basic questions and recommend articles where you can learn more about equipment and underwater hunting.
Links to relevant blogs are at the bottom of the article.
1. Do I have to be "fit"?
No. Freediving and underwater hunting suit most people as long as you are not afraid of water. Bad shape or high weight is not an obstacle, the sea is there for everyone and the important thing is to find the equipment that suits you. Technique comes with practice.
2. Do I have to be good at freediving before I can start underwater hunting?
Well... it is a big advantage to become safe in the sea and used to the usual freediving equipment before you hunt. Handling a harpoon is not difficult, but if you are completely new, it may be enough to practice diving, find calm in the water, practice lead belt drops and so on.
You save money by buying an equipment package with hunting equipment, and if you choose that, then leave the harpoon until you've got the hang of freediving.
3. I'm not very strong, will I be able to charge the harpoon?
Yes, you will, if you choose a harpoon that is suitable for you. The most important thing is the right technique, not big muscles, but if you are not that tall, you don't choose the longest harpoon, your arms have to reach the elastics in order for you to get them tensioned.
If you want a harpoon that is long enough for you don't have to replace it right away (it has to be a certain length if you going to catch swimming fish from some distance), but struggle with loading despite following the advice, buy some slightly longer fishing lines and use these until you get the hang of the technique.
4. Can I hurt me when I using the harpoon?
It is unlikely if you follow recommended safety rules and keep it in good condition by rinsing it in fresh water after the dives and replacing wearing parts (e.g. rubber bands and shock absorbers) as needed.
Never charge the harpoon on land and never fire into the air. The harpoon charges when you lie in the water. Most harpoons have a trigger guard (safety). Use this when you are not actively hunting, for example during transport stages between hunting sites. Have good agreements with the person or persons you are diving with so that you avoid diving in the same place at the same time with a loaded harpoon. Diving every other time is a nice rhythm when you dive close to each other.
String harpoons, which the vast majority of people use, are by definition a hunting tool. Compressed air harpoons are defined as weapons and must be treated accordingly, but this is not a type of harpoon we discuss in this article.
Photo: Aleksander Nordahl, ettpust.com
5. But what really is the difference between all these harpoons?
First of all, the length and what they are made of. The harpoon tube can be made of aluminum (the cheapest models), wood or carbon (the expensive harpoons). Wood and carbon are only needed when the harpoon becomes long because they are more stable, but if you have a large budget there is nothing to stop you from buying a shorter carbon harpoon. Most people manage for a long time with an aluminum harpoon.
The arrow is slightly thinner on the shortest models than on the longer harpoons. In addition, some parts are made of plastic on the inexpensive harpoons and metal on the expensive harpoons.
6. OK. But what other than harpoon do I have to have?
Good freediving line, belt hook, end piece for harpoon and a knife. This is a setup that is absolutely optimal. IN this video you see how this works.
All the knives we sell (under underwater hunting in the main menu) can be used to kill fish. If you want to catch bottom fish with a knife, you must have one of the largest knives, e.g. Sneaky Blade or Aqauatys 2 .
Photo: Aleksander Nordahl, ettpust.com
7. Then I need equipment. What do you recommend for me who has not hunted before?
If you lack everything, choose an equipment package. This saves you a lot of money. For most people, that's fine the basic package , then you get all the most important things and a reasonable but good harpoon. We also have more expensive packages, on this page you can see all the hunting packages.
Do you already have freediving equipment? A harpoon of 90 cm (e.g. Senior 90 or Predator 90 ) are best sellers in the budget segment. They are long enough for you to take most things.
If you don't have a "proper" freediving line but swim around with the thin black line that comes free with the basic buoy, then you need it signal yellow freediving line as well belt hook and end piece for harpoon .
Razor is a fine knife for killing fish. If you want to catch groundfish with a knife, choose Sneaky Blade or Aquatys 2 . These are larger than the Razor.
Photo: Hans Petter Haraldsen @hp_haraldsen
8. Ok, I'll buy equipment and get started. But how do I find good hunting spots?
Mainly, a success criterion is areas rich in current (e.g. under a bridge, in a strait or at a headland that juts out). You will find demersal fish preferably where there is a sandy bottom. It is important to acquire enough knowledge both about where the fish are easiest to find and how to hunt them (hunting techniques), so we recommend you read up on our blog articles (see links further down the page). If you know an experienced underwater hunter, take the first trips together. Nothing is better than getting guidance from someone who knows it before.
9. How can I practice so that I do not injure fish?
Practicing how to use the harpoon is very important, you have to get to know it before you start hunting. A good method is to use a milk/juice carton with some stones/sand/gravel in the bottom, attached to a buoy/inflator, so that it hangs neatly at a depth of a few metres, for example. You don't want to practice too shallow, as there is a danger that the arrow will go over water with great force.
Be inspired by Aksel Ørstavik's atmospheric underwater hunting videos :
In these blog articles you can read more about the various topics
Discover Underwater Hunting - An Introduction
Find out which harpoon is right for you in this article or read this guide which covers both harpoons, knives and slings.
Learn about how the harpoon is built, and about the difference between different types of harpoons in this article.
Watch a video on how to charge and wind the harpoon in this article .
Learn about different shooting techniques and where to hit the fish to avoid damaging shots in this article .
Learn about hunting techniques and hunting locations in this article .
See all the blog articles about underwater hunting on this page .
Do you need guidance on buying equipment for underwater hunting?
Get in touch via chat, post@frivannsliv.no or telephone 56 35 80 80, we are here to help :-)
