Hey there, spearos. This is The Stone Shot, your weekly dose of spear content (and maybe some fishing, but we try to keep it below the water line)

Here’s what we have for you today:

• Don’t Sweat The Technique: …but know which one’s to use.

• Weird Fish Of The Week: Cookiecutter Shark

• Spear-cation Destination: Southern California

• Video: Octopus or kangaroo?

The Question

What Technique To Use: Aspetto or Aguatto?

Aspetto and Aguatto are two popular approaches when spearing near the ocean floor. Sometime’s you’ll use a combination of both, sometimes you’ll shoot a fish on the decent and won’t need either.

Nevertheless it’s important to have knowledge of both! And remember that spearfishing requires a deep understanding of your environment, and that includes the behavior of the fish you're targeting.

The Aspetto Technique: Stalking with Precision

Aspetto, which means "to wait" in Italian, is a spearfishing technique that emphasizes patience and precision. It's the art of blending in underwater and waiting for your target to come within shooting range.

Key Principles of Aspetto:

1. Blend In: Aspetto demands you move smoothly and gracefully through the water. Get to the bottom, find a hiding spot and blend in. Avoid jerky movements that might spook your prey.

2. Study Your Target: Before diving in, study the specific fish species you're after. Different species exhibit distinct behaviors. Understanding them is crucial to predict their movements and reactions.

3. Maintain Eye Contact (But Not Directly): As strange as it may sound, looking away from your target and keeping them in your peripheral vision is a key Aspetto technique. Fish can sense when you're staring at them, so keep your eyes on the periphery and appear less threatening.

4. Be Patient: Waiting calmly and observing is the essence of Aspetto. Patience increases the chances of getting within shooting range. Rushing can result in missed opportunities.

5. Perfect Your Buoyancy: Correct buoyancy is essential for a successful Aspetto dive. Being too heavy or too light can ruin your shot. Find the right balance.

The Aguatto Technique: Chasing with Agility

Aguatto, on the other hand, is a more dynamic approach. It involves actively pursuing your target, mimicking the behavior of another fish to get close enough for a shot. This technique is ideal for species that are generally more curious and less skittish.

Important - Aguatto draws inspiration from the Aspetto technique, combining the patience and precision of Aspetto with calculated and strategic movements.

Key Principles of Aguatto:

1. Move with Purpose: Aguatto is about strategic movement. You'll need to approach your target with deliberate, but not overly aggressive, actions. Instead of relying on powerful kicks, use your hands to glide quietly across the bottom, ensuring minimal disturbance.

2. Stay Focused: While you need to keep an eye on your target, you don't have to avoid direct eye contact like in Aspetto. Predatory vibes can attract curious species.

3. Timing is Everything: Aguatto requires you to seize the right moment for a precise shot. Patience is still essential, but it's mixed with an element of surprise.

4. Adjust Your Buoyancy: Just like in Aspetto, maintaining correct buoyancy is crucial for an Aguatto dive. It helps you control your movements more effectively.

Which Technique is Right for You?

Now that you've got a glimpse of both techniques, you might wonder, which one should you use? The answer depends on the type of fish you're targeting and your personal style.

However, remember that there are always exceptions, and successful spearfishing often involves combining elements of both techniques based on the situation. The key is to adapt to the behavior of your prey and your surroundings.

Weird Fish Of The Week:

Cookiecutter SHARK

Don't be fooled by its small size (around 20 inches or 50 cm) and quirky name. This small shark is vicious.

It preys on a variety large predators, including whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, and rays.

How does it catch its prey? It uses suction to attach itself and then starts biting. Its upper teeth act like an anchor, while the lower ones get to work, creating a circular bite – hence the name "cookiecutter."

To make things even stranger, this shark has a distinctive cigar-shaped body and is exceptionally bioluminescent, using its glow to attract potential meals.

Spear-cation Destination

Southern California

We started this newsletter by posting in the Southern California Spearfishing Facebook group. So some of the readers won’t find today’s destination all that exciting.

But we’ve grown a lot recently and we thought it would be nice to show others how great SoCal is for spearos!

Rocky reefs, Blue Water, Kelp, Paddies, Islands... Southern California has it all. While winters can be a bit slow, once the water temperature hits 62 degrees, the spearfishing action heats up!

Many spearos flock to Southern California in pursuit of one prized catch - the elusive White Seabass, often dubbed the 'gray ghost. They’re known for their delectable, flaky meat and impressive sizes.

SoCal Target species: White Seabass, Yellowtail, Mahi Mahi, Halibut, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Spiny Lobster

Spearfishing Videos From SoCal

• White Seabass @ Catalina Island

• Halibut and More

• Bluefin Tuna Bonanza

Video

This incredible footage was captured at a depth of 3 miles – a journey into the Pacific Abyssal Plains.

The video shows a Bigeye Jellyhead jumping around like a kangaroo on the moon.

That’s it for us! We’ll see you back here next week.

PS - We’re in the search for great spearfishing stories. This could be crazy experiences in the water, unique spearing methods or exotic spearfishing trips.

Any stories of your own that you'd be willing to tell? Respond to this email and we’ll send over a short questionnaire!

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