Spearfishing Spearfishing Environments and Conditions 2

Question 1

What term describes the practice of spearfishing for pelagic species such as mahi-mahi, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna far from any reef or bottom structure?

Accepted Answer

Blue water hunting

Answer

Blue water hunting refers to freediving in open ocean targeting pelagic species that roam the mid-water column, far from any bottom reference.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of chumming (berleying) when blue water spearfishing?

Accepted Answer

To attract pelagic fish by releasing scent and blood particles that form a trail

Answer

Chumming disperses fish parts and blood into the current, creating an olfactory trail that draws pelagic predators up to the surface where divers can engage them.

Question 3

What are the two primary functions of a dive float and float line when spearfishing in open water?

Accepted Answer

Marking the diver's position for the safety boat and securing a shot fish to prevent escape

Answer

The float makes the diver's underwater location visible to the safety tender, while the float line allows a speared fish to be tethered at the surface while the diver recovers.

Question 4

What is a thermocline, and why should open water spearfishers be aware of one?

Accepted Answer

A distinct layer where water temperature drops sharply, which pelagic fish often concentrate along

Answer

A thermocline is an abrupt temperature boundary between water layers; pelagic species often school along thermoclines where temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are ideal.

Question 5

Why is having a dedicated surface safety person (tender) in a boat considered essential for open water spearfishing?

Accepted Answer

The tender monitors the diver's float, can immediately respond to shallow water blackout or shark encounters, and retrieves the diver quickly

Answer

Open water has no fixed reference points or bottom to rest on; a tender watching the float can respond within seconds to a blackout or shark attack, situations where seconds determine survival.

Spearfishing Practice Test

Spearfishing Practice Test

Spearfishing Spearfishing Environments and Conditions 2