Spearfishing Puerto Rico

Written by: Captain Alberto Jimenez

Dive into the exhilarating world of spearfishing, a sport that takes you beneath the crystal-clear waters of Puerto Rico. This underwater journey is a thrilling blend of athleticism, patience, and connection with nature. Puerto Rico, renowned for its diverse marine life and accessible deep waters, offers a spearfishing experience that stands out in the Caribbean. Learn, grow and become one with the sea while hunting safely and sustainably with Curate Fishing in these tropical waters.

Essential Gear for Spearfishing

When preparing for your spearfishing adventure, you'll need some essential gear. This includes a speargun, dive mask, snorkel, fins, weight belt, and dive knife. While not a necessity in the Caribbean's balmy waters, a wetsuit can enhance heat retention on lengthy dives and provide protection against coral and jellyfish, as well as when handling large fish. Many spearfishing charters —be sure to inquire in advance. Curate Fishing focuses on safety first, so we require a certain level of spearfishing or freediving experience.

Breath Hold and Freedive Spearfishing

Breath hold spearfishing, commonly known as freediving, is the method preferred by most recreational anglers. This practice has gained immense popularity and offers a unique way to experience the ocean. If you're keen to improve your spearfishing skills, consider enrolling in a formal freediving class, which covers topics such as equalization, diving techniques, blackout safety, and the underlying physiology of the sport. Freediving courses are readily available in Puerto Rico for those looking to enhance their skills.

What depths does spearfishing typically take place in? For reef dives, spearfishing depths depend on the reef’s location. When spearfishing near the shore, spearfishermen only need to dive 10-15 feet with breath holds of 45 seconds to 1 minute and a half. For offshore reefs, sometimes divers need to reach 50 feet of water with longer breath holds between 1 and 2 minutes.

Open water or blue water spearfishing usually takes place in 10-40 feet of water while swimming above sea mountains that are 200 - 1,000 feet below water. Chumming helps bring up the target species. Breath holds for open water spearfishing range between 45 seconds to 2 minutes, with extra calm and patience providing hunters with the cleanest shots.

Expert Spearfishing Tips

The biggest learning curve for new hunters is the hunting mindset. Nothing in the ocean moves fast unless it's trying to eat. Most new hunters tend to have a bad habit of chasing their target species and will rarely be successful. Starting with a pole spear will make better hunters as they learn the art of stalking fish strategically earlier in their career.  For example Dropping directly on top of a target species is a mistake, starting 20+ feet away and slowly using the reefs and rocks to shield most of your body and slowly grabbing rocks to get closer will most likely result in a shot. This is known as the “agguato” technique. Fish don't like to be stared at either shielding your eyes or not looking directly at your target will also increase the likelihood of getting a good shot. Another common mistake with beginners is not grabbing the fish immediately or as fast as possible. Spears tend to tear out or predators will eat a tangling fish. Grabbing fish by the middle part gills is the best way to subdue a fish and also makes it easy to stick a knife in its brain to dispatch it humanely. 

Transitioning into the hunter mindset is a crucial aspect of spearfishing, and often the biggest challenge for beginners. Remember, in the ocean, nothing moves quickly unless it's hunting. New spearfishers often make the mistake of chasing their target species—try to avoid this. Starting with a pole spear can help cultivate strategic stalking skills. Utilizing the "agguato" technique—this involves approaching a target species from a distance of 20+ feet, using reefs and rocks for cover, and avoiding direct eye contact with your target—increases the likelihood of a successful shot. Fish can feel your presence and your stare - so we use a technique that involves shielding your eyes or not looking directly at your target to increase the likelihood of getting a good shot. When you've made a successful strike, remember to secure your catch quickly to avoid losing it to predators or due to a spear tear. Finish off your catch humanely by sticking a knife in its brain, and hold it by the middle gills for control.

Puerto Rico: A Premier Spearfishing Destination

Puerto Rico is one of the top destinations for various types of fishing, from deep sea fishing to open water spearfishing, thanks to its clear waters, diverse marine life, and easy access to deep water. From reef fish to pelagic species, the opportunities for spearfishing are abundant.

REEF SPEARFISHING SPECIES IN PUERTO RICO

The coral reefs around Puerto Rico host a variety of sought-after species. These include dog snappers, rock hind groupers, hogfish, mutton snappers, cubera snappers, ceros, and king mackerels. Yellowfin groupers and black groupers, while less common, are highly prized spearfishing targets and live in the waters of Puerto Rico. These species pose a challenge to hunters and offer delectable meals post-hunt. The best time for reef spearfishing is during the summer months when the waters are calm and clear. Depths for these hunts range from 20 to 80 feet, with flashers and chum often used on deeper reefs to attract fish for a better and closer shot.

Blue wATER SPEARFISHING SPECIES IN PUERTO RICO 

For those seeking a bigger challenge, blue water spearfishing in Puerto Rico offers the chance to target pelagic species like wahoo, tuna, and mahi-mahi or dorado. This activity is not for everyone—it entails endless hours of drifting in the open ocean, waiting for split-second opportunities to hunt. Sharks are common offshore, so being calm and comfortable around sharks is a natural part of blue water spearfishing. The peak season for blue water spearfishing is during the winter months, with wahoo being a favorite target. Rincon and Palmas del Mar are particularly popular destinations for targeting wahoo and other pelagics.

PUERTO RICO SPEARFISHING REGULATIONS

The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) in Puerto Rico enforces strict regulations known as "Vedas Puerto Rico" to promote sustainable spearfishing. These regulations include closed seasons for certain species and limits on catch quantities. Familiarize yourself with the latest rules before you embark on a spearfishing trip. All necessary permits are covered by the cost of the trip with Curate Fishing.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council shares a document covering fishing regulations that states that spearfishing while snorkeling is allowed in Puerto Rico. It is currently permitted to spearfish in Puerto Rico without a license in federal waters. That said, there are specific reefs and regions in Puerto Rico that are considered natural reserves and are designated “no-fishing zones” that do not allow fishing or spearfishing. It’s important to work with local guides such as Curate Fishing who respected these regulations.

SPEARFISHING With curate fishing

Embarking on a spearfishing journey in Puerto Rico presents an adventure of a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned freediver or a beginner eager to learn, the sport offers a unique way to connect with the vibrant marine life that call these Caribbean waters home. As we respect the ocean and the life it holds, we prioritize responsible spearfishing and safety as a part of our trips. With the perfect blend of thrill, skill, and respect for nature, your spearfishing trip in Puerto Rico is bound to be an unforgettable experience. As you return to shore with your catch of the day, you'll carry not just the memories, but also a deeper understanding of the ocean and the life within it. Please feel free to reach out to Curate Fishing for more information and to discuss if your background in freediving or previous spearfishing experience is a fit for going out on a spearfishing adventure with us.

common spearfishing questions

Can i spearfish from the beach?

Yes, it’s possible to spearfish from the beach or shore, as well as open water spearfishing which is done offshore. When spearfishing from the shore, it’s important to know where there are reefs, structures or rocks that can attract target fish species. Species that can be targeted when spearfishing near the shore include various snapper and grouper species, hogfish, and occasionally king mackerels. As a beginner, it’s best to practice beach or shore spearfishing prior to attempting to spearfishing in open water.

How deep do you need to dive when spearfishing?

When spearfishing near the beach or shore, divers will need to reach 10 feet to 15 feet of depth in order to reach reefs or the ocean floor. In open water spearfishing, divers should be able to dive even further, usually 20 feet to 40 feet of water. Occasionally, open water spearfishermen will dive over 60 feet of water when targeting certain species.

What are the risks from spearfishing?

It’s important to take safety precautions when spearfishing - these include diving with a partner, using the right equipment, picking safe locations, and understanding your skill level and comfort when diving. Shallow water blackout is a risk that divers must understand. This occurs when a diver loses consciousness underwater due to a lack of oxygen and can be avoided with proper breath-holds and knowing your limits. Injuries can also occur due to entanglements with fishing lines, or unsafe use of sharp objects such as spears or fishing knives. At Curate Fishing, we hold the highest safety standards when spearfishing.

how much does it cost to spearfish in puerto rico?

Spearfishing in Puerto Rico can cost between $1,000 to $2,000 per day depending on the length of the charter, the region you select and the overall experience you are seeking. Half day spearfishing experiences can cost $750 - $1,250 while full day experiences can cost $1,250 - $2,000. Open water spearfishing will typically cost more than reef spearfishing closer to shore. Prices will also vary if you need to borrow spearfishing equipment or if you bring your own to the spearfishing charter.

The importance of spearfishing experience

In forums about spearfishing in Puerto Rico, it is evident that the most important topic is that you must have prior experience prior to spearfishing in the ocean. This is due to safety and the risks associated with long breath holds, rip currents and spearfishing gear. We recommend practicing spearfishing techniques in a pool, chartering spearfishing experts prior to going alone and watching experienced free divers and spearfishermen on Youtube and other platforms.