Monterey Intro to Spearfishing Course in Carmel
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should have moderate fitness capable of swimming and diving in ocean conditions for several hours.
Overview
Learn essential spearfishing skills with professional guidance in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Spend a full day mastering techniques and enjoying a hands-on ocean session.
Monterey Intro to Spearfishing Course
Underwater Hunter Course
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Dive into the thrilling world of spearfishing with this comprehensive 8-hour class! Learn essential skills like speargun handling, fish identification, and underwater tactics, all under expert guidance. Enjoy a hands-on ocean session, and savor your catch with a group meal or take it home. Experience the adventure of underwater hunting!
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. An video call is hosted with your instructor on the Friday afternoon before the course begins to go over academic learning.
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
Practice Proper Speargun Safety
Always handle your speargun with care and follow instructor commands to ensure a safe experience underwater.
Know the Local Fish Species
Familiarize yourself with fish identification to ensure sustainable and legal catches.
Prepare for Cold Water
Wear a wetsuit appropriate for Monterey’s cold Pacific waters to stay comfortable during ocean sessions.
Stay Hydrated and Bring Snacks
Keep energy levels up throughout the long day by drinking water and bringing light snacks.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Sea otters often spotted in kelp beds
- Gray whales migrating along the coast seasonally
History
Carmel Bay has a rich history of fishing communities and was long used by the indigenous Ohlone people.
Conservation
Odyssey Freediving emphasizes sustainable fishing practices, respecting local marine regulations to protect ocean ecosystems.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Monterey
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Wetsuit (5mm or thicker)
Keeps you warm in Monterey’s chilly Pacific waters for prolonged underwater activities.
fall specific
Spearfishing Mask and Snorkel
Provides clear vision and breathing ease while diving during the ocean session.
Dive Gloves and Booties
Protects hands and feet from cold and rocky surfaces in colder months.
winter specific
Waterproof Dive Knife
An important safety tool for freeing gear or handling catches responsibly.