Master Spearfishing in Carmel-by-the-Sea: An Immersive Ocean Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should have moderate swimming ability and be comfortable diving in open water.
Overview
Dive beneath Carmel-by-the-Sea’s waves and learn to hunt like a pro with the Private Spearfishing Course. This 8-hour deep-water experience blends expert instruction and ocean practice, capped by a catch-and-cook meal or free second hunt if you miss out!
Private Spearfishing Course
Underwater Hunter Course
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About This Adventure
Dive into the thrilling world of spearfishing with an 8-hour introductory class! Learn essential skills like speargun handling and fish identification, then practice in the ocean under expert guidance. Enjoy a catch-and-cook meal or take your fish home. Plus, if you don’t catch anything, you can hunt again for free!
Learn to Spearfish Under Professional Guidance
Duration
8 Hours
About
An introductory spearfishing class designed to teach you all the necessary skills while providing the full experience of being an underwater hunter.
Topics covered include:
- Speargun handling
- Rigging
- Loading
- Fish ID
- California Regulations
- Underwater Hunting Tactics
- Knife Skills for cleaning and processing fish
Course begins with online eLearning to study necessary info to prepare. Study at your own pace to learn the information you'll need to succeed when spearfishing.
Saturday is a full day meeting on the beach at 8 am to dry practice speargun rigging and handling, tactics, aim, and fish retrieval. After skills practice we will select our dive site and head into the water.
You'll work with your instructor as a guide to help you find and hunt fish during a 2-3 hour ocean session. After our fish are collected we will go back to shore and cover knife skills, fish prep, and review what you learned.
Odyssey Spearfishing has a rule that if no one, including your instructor, shoots fish, you come back to hunt again for free!
After the dive you have an option to take your fish home, or join the group to enjoy a catch and cook meal.
DIVER REQUIREMENTS:
- Freediver Certification from a Recognized Agency
- Personal freediving gear (available to rent)
RENTAL GEAR INCLUDED:
- Speargun
- Float Line
- Knife
- Catch Bag and Float
- Photo/Video Package Add-On Available
- Equipment Purchase Discount Available for Participants
What to bring
GEAR REQUIREMENTS:
- Swimsuit & towel
- Low Volume Mask & J-Tube Snorkel
- Open Cell Wetsuit
- Long fins & Socks
- Weight belt & Weights
- Dive Socks and Gloves
Adventure Tips
Prioritize Safety with Proper Speargun Handling
Always follow instructor guidance on speargun use to ensure a safe experience both for you and others in the water.
Learn to Identify Local Fish Species
Knowing which species to target helps preserve local ecosystems and enhances your success during the hunt.
Prepare for Ocean Conditions
Check local tide and weather reports before heading out to ensure calm waters during your spearfishing session.
Use Eco-Friendly Gear
Choose gear and practices that minimize impact on kelp forests and marine wildlife to protect this delicate environment.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- California sea lions
- Garibaldi fish
History
Carmel has a long history as a fishing and diving community, with spearfishing traditions dating back decades along this part of the California coast.
Conservation
The course emphasizes sustainable hunting practices to protect fragile kelp ecosystems and local fish populations for future generations.
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Adventure Hotspots in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Spearfishing wetsuit
Provides warmth and protection while diving in coastal Pacific waters.
summer specific
Mask and snorkel
Essential for clear underwater vision and breathing at the surface.
summer specific
Fins
Boost maneuverability and diving efficiency in kelp forests and rocky reefs.
summer specific
Dive knife
Useful as a safety tool for entanglements when navigating dense kelp areas.
summer specific