Spearfishing off a kayak
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Diving
Forum Name: Spearo's Corner
Forum Description: Free-divers & spearos chat about their sport
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=92403
Printed Date: 16 Jun 2026 at 1:15am
Topic: Spearfishing off a kayak
Posted By: CBSenior
Subject: Spearfishing off a kayak
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 6:29pm
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Who does this, how do you set up your kayak? What are the benefits? Any pics would be appreciated, thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: TheSnapperWhisperer
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 6:57pm
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I do. I have a scupper pro. In short:
I attach a small grapnel anchor on a line winder (buy from all good spearfishing stores) and clip this to the front so I can leave the yak where I am diving, on about 12 metres of light rope.
I use the standard rear well for my dive bag, clipping it in.
I attached a large dive flag (buy a large flag at least A3 size and attach it to a standard kayak flag base).
I have some stretchy bungy lines clipped to some extra rings I attached to the top of the hull, and I clip my spear under some of those when travelling (always connect to float line as well in case it falls out).
I put my dry bag in the front hatch with clothes, first aid kit, headlamp, duct tape, handheld VHF, cellphone. I also have a waterproof case for my iphone which I use.
You need a paddle leash, and a bungy line that holds the paddle secure when yo are not on the boat.
I bought a kayak sail which is choice for fun but certainly not essential.
Benefits are it is a much nicer way to get out diving, peaceful out on the waves or in the early morning gliding over the shallows watching the fish and stngrays beneath you etc ... you don't need a mate to help launch a boat, you can launch almost anywhere, most dive spots are within easy kayak range but a long swim from shore, low running costs, you don't need a grunty tow car, you will enjoy the paddling for paddling's sake and for fitness, also you can take plenty of gear like lunch and drinks and even a tent and sleeping gear if you want.
Need I go on?
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http://www.facebook.com/TheSnapperWhisperer
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Posted By: CBSenior
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 7:02pm
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Sounds primo, me and my brother use to a lot of land base fishing via kayaks and was tossing up using them for spearing now. Any chance of a pic?
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Posted By: Snoop
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 7:27pm
What the Polespeary Whispererrer said..,
Spearfishing using a kayak is choice. I've used a variety of SOT kayaks for spearfishing. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want in terms of set up - which is part of the fun.
I pretty much don't use an anchor at all now - don't even pack one. I paddle to a likely spot then clip off a 10m rope floatline by stainless steel snap lock to the bow and clip off the other end to my weight belt keeper and tow the yak when hunting. Can tow with a couple of fingers it's that light on the water. If an interesting area is uncovered I either clip off my floatline to some kelp stalks or anchor it under a rock then hunt freely using my reel gun
Everything gets clipped off or stowed when using a kayak. Great option for exploring new areas and increases your range. Very productive weapon of choice
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Axemen Spearfishing... "Putting the crap back into elite"
www.axemenspearfishing.co.nz
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Posted By: e.m.p!
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 9:18pm
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same here, I'm set up like TSW and use a profish 400. it's a real stable platform and no problem to get on or off. You may want to look into investing in a cooling bag/ rear well cover to keep your catch fresh. (I usually drag a lure on a light rod for Kahawai, but don't tell). Once you got your initial setup you most likely want to add a fish finder - really helps to find weed lines, structures, etc.
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Posted By: harrison
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 9:22pm
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How do you find it diving off a kayak in high current areas or more than 1/2m swell? Just for curiosity sake
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Posted By: Johnny Watson
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 9:26pm
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mint i just got me a profish 400. looking forward to spearing off it . used to fish off one and the fish dont even know you are there !
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Posted By: TheSnapperWhisperer
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2013 at 10:51pm
Haven't been out in big swell- usually means the diving is cr@p anyway in terms of snapper. Is fine in 30 knots and a wind chop but have not tried in an area with much fetch. Much over 30 knots and it is very hard to paddle these tugs in a strong head wind.
Stability is not an issue I think the barges used by fat fishos are prolly too wide, hence slower. Still, you don't usually have to go far, so you can have a good time on most yaks.
Gearing up and getting on/off are really simple technique. I did it with no experience and it was just totally cool and fun.
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http://www.facebook.com/TheSnapperWhisperer
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Posted By: CBSenior
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 6:40am
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These are probably stupid questions, but you obviously paddle in your wetsuit, and then put on your fins etc when you arrive? In the water or on kayak etc, thanks
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Posted By: TheSnapperWhisperer
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 6:46am
Always wear the long johns. A short paddle (1 km or so) is ok in a suit, but if going some distance I put my suit jacket on before I get in the water. It is much easier to paddle without a wetsuit on. Wear a rash vest and a wind and waterproof shell on the way, or a thermal top in mid winter. Do tie stuff on to the boat before getting into your suit just in case you tip over.
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http://www.facebook.com/TheSnapperWhisperer
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Posted By: tobe yak
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 7:34am
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What the TSW said, I use an old Prowler 13 with out the rudder. Not great in cross winds tho, you use one arm alot to stay on track. Clip everything on that you treasure. I like a stretchy bungy as a shock leader for the anchor. I generally beech the kayak if i find a good place.
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Gold fish gatherer.
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Posted By: Davo
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 7:51am
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Big shark clip from a yak line to big kelp base used to work for me to anchor my old prowler 15. I used to have a bin that fitted snuggly in the back (bungeed down) that id throw the catch and floatline in. For v short paddles id wear my suit. For really long ones id load the nose of the boat with weight belt suit fins etc and get changed on shore when i got there. Rudders are a must down in welly with the wind! Take heaps of fresh water to drink...yak spearing is thirsty work! Hardest part i reckon is putting fins on on the yak when shore landing aint an option.
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Posted By: bokken
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 10:09am
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why do you have to put your fins on in the yak? I dont dive from a yak, but even on a boat I find there is more room in the water than on board to muck around putting your fins on. habit probably comes from lessons learned after forgetting some piece of kit and crawling around the boat with fins... a good way to annoy the skipper and other passengers
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Posted By: Davo
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 10:14am
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Aint no one to annoy on a yak mate...im a bit unco so putting long fins on in deep water is harder for me than whacking em on above the briney.
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Posted By: Nick.
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 7:40pm
interesting deviation.
I find it easier to put my fins on in the boat, then flip my legs over and get in, worst case, put them on when sitting on the edge of the boat, but its more unco than in it. getting back in I almost always make sure I am sitting on the back of the boat then take my fins and belt off, taking either off in the water just feels strange, I hate swimming without fins at the back of the boat, I feel like I have no control.
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Posted By: CBSenior
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 8:23pm
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How hard is it to fit your dive jacket then? Could be quite a balancing trick I would thought, I struggle standing on land at times
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Posted By: jacob22
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2013 at 8:44pm
Gotta keep track of your belt too as diving down to get it kinda sucks. It was all a bit of a yardsale the first couple of times I went out. Best to make a couple of practice runs in shallow sand
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Posted By: Snoop
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2013 at 8:57am
Everything gets "clipped off or stowed". Good idea to stow your wetsuit jacket, fins and weight belt in one of the hatches if possible. Flipped my kayak first mission out on the first wave, that's when I invented the rule! Run bungee or cord across the deck to clip your belt off or tuck fins under while kitting up. You get in the habit of doing this
Spearos need storage space - and most plastic SOT fishing platforms have TAC (Tackle Acquisition Syndrome) - way too much stuff on board that isn't necessary for us. What we need are large storage hatches and the ability to clip off gear. The more I look at the plastic fishing SOTs available, the more I come to the conclusion that shorter, simplier is better. If you want paddling performance for big missions (and kick-ass hull design) you'd spend the dollars on fibreglass
As for rough water, most spearos aren't targeting open water spots and are looking for protected calmer patches (lee of islands etc). We are blessed in NZ with plenty of coast line and tend not to have to work open water reef systems. Remember, plastic fishing SOTs - Viking, Ocean, Mission are NZ manufacturers (length 3-4.7m, beam 70-80cm, weight 25-35kg+, with most 30kg+) are designed to be stable for guys up to 120kg+ while sitting in open water fishing (how boring). Barracuda do an exceptionally light plastic at 18kg, 4m length and $3k. Viking and Ocean both offer Fish Pods (insulated), with the Viking Pod most likely to work as a converted fish plat. Most fish storage will be in the rear well behind the paddler (this is where an optional pod might fit), you can buy insulated fish covers if your not in the market for a pod. Advantage of a pod converted to Plat (I've converted my Perception Swing Kayak Pod to a Plat - 6 years and still kicking) is you can anchor up and use your plat - plus keeps your kayak and gear clean from fish goo
If you go a fibreglass fishing surf-ski (SA manufacturers include Stealth, Pinnacle, Kaskazi, there are OZ manufacturers, but mostly surf-ski design only) your talking highly aesthetically appealing hull designs, internal fish bins (potentially great for gun, fin and wetsuit storage), bigger dollars (3-4k+) and importing, but much better paddling and ocean performance (longer hull length 4.3-5.7m, narrower beam 60cm, lighter 18-26kg) - downside is lack of hatches (may require customisation), not able to kit up on board due to narrow beam, and the need to anchor or stow on the beach - fibreglass is tender around rocks and more than likely won't handle big impacts like plastic. So you may have to consider kitting up in the water. Just ask Bounty Hunter about that. I have fond memories of being chased back to our kayaks by a big hungry bronzie that Marcus had feed a blue moki to involuntarily. He had to unkit in the water next to his kayak, I sat my precious bottom in the kayak and hugged plastic
As TSW said, you typically are wearing your wetsuit pants and I'd add your booties (with dive knife always at the ready). Most SOT fishing kayaks have a wide beam (70-80cm) which is really stable for kitting up while sitting in the kayak. If you are concerned, you can put the legs either side in the water, or sit sideways in the seat with both feet in the water. Use sea water to "lube" up the wetsuit jacket and put on, take your time and don't panic. Tight fitting suits don't work well, so if you can cut back on the pies all the better.
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Axemen Spearfishing... "Putting the crap back into elite"
www.axemenspearfishing.co.nz
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