SPEAR FISHING 101

Spear fishing is a new activity that I'm really beginning to enjoy. I bought a spear several years ago in Australia when I was backpacking with Dan Bidne, but didn't really have much opportunity to use it until I arrived here in Indonesia. The biggest hindrance to spear fishing is water clarity, it's much harder to spear a moving target when you can't predict it's movement. Last week I was really lucky; the water off our main beach turned clear for two or three days in a row! I was only able to get a mask and snorkel for one night, but managed to get three fish (yeah they weren't huge, but they are getting bigger). I was especially excited to see a really nice parrot fish that was about 4-5 pounds, but it wasn't meant to be since it's favorite hangout was underneath a huge rock. Every time I attempted to get him, he would retreat into his cave where the spear could not reach, and then it would tempt me by coming out as I surfaced to breathe. Some fish are really easy to spear. I don't know what kind of fish they are, but they are either daredevils or just plain crazy. I have had several of them come and nibble at the end of the spear! They are way too tiny to be worth spearing, so I "usually" ignore them, but I have been known to get trigger happy...sometimes things look bigger underwater! Today I was lucky and found my first lobster. I happened to see two antennae sticking out from under a rock, so I reached down and pulled the lobster out...to bad he was only three inches long...I tossed him back in the sea to get bigger. Next week Carmen and I are going to be on our R&R and we plan on going to Sabong Island for a break. Apparently it is one of the best diving areas in Indonesia, so we are excited to go with a diving team and refresh our skills. Until next time...