Spearfishing in Florida in 2022 (How-to, Laws, Big Guide)

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Huge Florida spearfishing guide to help beginners spearfish within the law and successfully.

There’s something really underwater caveman about spearing fish underwater that goes way beyond hunting on land or fishing any water.

Spearfishing in Florida is legal in saltwater, but there are many fish that are prohibited from being taken by spears. This is your complete guide to spearfishing in Florida, pay attention to the details! Bookmark this page or download the full guide in PDF here!

How To Start Spearfishing?

I started with a Hawaiian sling spear and a snorkel mask. I lived close to the beach, so I’d just walk down and jump in. Later I bought fins for my feet because they help a LOT to help you get down and stay down. A weighted belt would be quite helpful as well so you didn’t expend so much energy and oxygen getting down to the bottom and staying there.

Fish you can spear (see which ones are legal and which are not) are probably down around the bottom if you’re spearfishing just off the beach or around some boat docks on a saltwater canal.

With the gear above, slip into the water quietly and take a peek at what is swimming around you. There might be something within reach immediately, as fish don’t always move quickly to put some distance between you and them. Most do, but it’s worth a look!

Jacks in a school are a prime spearfishing target.
Can you legally spear these fish? You have to become an expert on identification when you spearfish.

I usually swim on top of the water for a while until I find a spot where I can see fish below. Wait. Here are the steps I usually follow when spearfishing.

STEP #1 – PUT YOUR GEAR ON! Put on your mask, weight belt, and fins. Hold your spear in your hand. The easiest rig is a long metal spear with about a foot-long rubber tubing in a circle at the non-prong end of your spear.

You might crank the spear back in a ready position if you feel lucky and something is right around you as you get into the water!

STEP #2 – SCOUT THE AREA. Float around and head toward some structure or rocks. Anything that might hold fish. If you’re on the beach or in the shallows you might target sheepshead, snapper, flounder, Jack, or a black drum.

All of these are good eating to me, but some people think Jacks taste a little strong, a little oily. They’re fine, try ’em! Note – the best inshore fish you’ll ever eat is a sheepshead, so if you see them… you know.

STEP #3 – SUBMERGE WHEN YOU SEE A FISH YOU CAN SPEAR. That’s not the only time, also submerge when you see something you can check out where fish may hide. Fish love hiding in and behind things.

When you get down to their level you can sometimes see them. It’s the thrill of the hunt. Our caveman brains go crazy in this mode. We were made for this. Take your time and line up your best shot. Keep trying, it gets easier!

STEP #4 – AIM CAREFULLY AND REALIZE, YOU’RE GOING TO MISS OFTEN! You’ll miss a lot when you first get started. Sling spears are tough to aim at first and it will take some practice.

Some people use the 3-prong spears (I did), but you’ll have to be quite close to the fish you’re spearing because the sound of the three-prong spear coming through the water is quite loud compared to a single-prong spear. Try both if possible and see which you prefer.

The single-prong spears go a lot further and a lot quieter. Once you learn to aim it, you’ll spear more fish.

Speargun aiming at Florida fish underwater.
Aiming with a spear gun is much easier.

Once you get a spear gun, your aim and accuracy will increase considerably!

STEP #5 – GET THE FISH TO THE SHORE! Once you successfully spear something, get it into the shore quickly before the blood attracts sharks. Once sharks get the blood in their system, they may nip at YOU too. This is a good reason to swim with at least one buddy when you go spearfishing.

STEP #6 – KILL IT. Using a long thin blade, stick the brain with it or cut the gills so the fish bleeds out and dies quickly. Don’t let the fish suffer too long.

Where Is the Best Place to Start?

A saltwater canal would be a good place to start spearfishing. There are lots of fish you can spear legally like snapper, black drum, and sheepshead. You should protect your feet when snorkeling or spearfishing in Florida because there are oyster beds and junk in the water in the canals that will cut up your feet real quick.

You can also try just off the beach as long as nobody is fishing close by. Nothing like getting a hook in your ear.

Keep in mind, you have to check your licensing requirements below, and not all fish are in season all year round, so you’ll need to check the fishing seasons charts we have below too!

What Kind of Spearfishing Gear Do You Need?

Spearfishing with 3-prong gig spear underwater.
A long-handled 3-prong gig even without a rubber band sling can be effective for some fish.

If you want to get started quickly and cheaply, there isn’t a lot you need to get started. We’ll cover the essentials below, and really all you need is a sling-spear (Hawaiian sling spear) which you hold in your hand to launch with surgical rubber tubing and some goggles or a snorkeler’s facemask.

Those are the two essentials. Here are some recommendations.

3 Types of Spears

Hawaiian Sling Spear

This needs a photo to explain, so I’ll refer you to a video that shows a guy using one. It’s a cool little invention. I wonder if Hawaiians really used something like this. They would have had to have strong rubber bands or tubing, so I think only from the 20th century forward did they have something like that.

I’ve queued up a video that shows exactly what a Hawaiian sling spear is and how to use it – Click Here >

Sling Spear / Pole Sling Spear (Recommended to Start)

A long metal spear at least 5 feet in length with a prong end of 1-3 prongs (usually). At the other end is a 20-30 inch long surgical tubing tied to a hole in the speargun usually with rope or heavy cord.

You operate the sling by hooking the thumb of your shooting hand through the loop and grabbing the spear with the same hand. Grab closer to the prong to crank back the spear. You shoot the spear by letting go of the metal spear. The spear goes forward quite fast. Hint, lower number of prongs = faster spear.

I used a sling spear very similar to this one below. A three-piece screw-together spear, but mine was around 6 feet long. This one is 5 feet. The longer you get, the further it will glide. 5 feet is fine as your’e getting started because your aim isn’t going to be good enough to shoot long distance.

A 3-piece screw together travel sling blade.
3-piece portable travel sling spear with 3 tips. Perfect for beginners. Click here to see if it is available at the store >

Check to see if this is available >


Speargun

This is what most people are familiar with because you’ve probably seen videos of spearfishers down 30 feet deep or more and spearing huge tuna, wahoo, grouper, amberjack, or some other amazing fish. Spearguns can use one, two, three, or four rubber tubes to help fire the metal spear faster.

Some spearguns have a spindle or reel that holds a strong line so when your spear goes out, it’s attached and you can retrieve your spear.

Ideally, your gun is buoyancy neutral, meaning just like you with your weight belt, your gun is not sinking or floating. Imagine trying to shoot your gun with one hand for a quick shot, and it wants to float up because your arm isn’t strong enough to hold it down! Below is an ideal speargun to start with.

Guns are expensive, you’re going to be surprised that most of them are over $250. The best ones are close to double that. Below is an entry-level gun that will help you decide if you want to spend $400+ for a professional wooden speargun as you become addicted to the sport.

Metal speargun for spearfishing under the ocean.
A metal gun with 2 bands, this is good for beginners. You can choose different sizes at this link >

This 42-inch metal speargun with 2 bands is a great starter speargun.
Check availability here >


Snorkel, Mask, Fins for Spearfishing

Scuba fins are great for spearfishing. Bodyboarding fins like Churchill’s will work to some degree but you should go with a longer fin to get more thrust with each kick. Below are perfect fins for beginners. Of course, if you already have short fins, use them to start.

Below is a package of snorkeling/spearfishing gear (other colors too) by HEAD. You may know them as making tennis racquets and other gear. This set got great reviews and it’s not too expensive. It’s probably best to buy the set instead of items separately so you save a bit of money.

Who knows if you’re even going to like spearfishing! (you will!) The neoprene heel strap looks extra comfortable.

Snorkel set including mask, fins, and snorkel.
Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Bag. All you need now is a spear or spearfishing gun. Check availability here >

Check Availability of this Set Here >


How Popular is Spearfishing Over the Last 18 Years?

The chart below from Google Trends shows that interest in Spearfishing (spear fishing) has decreased over time dramatically. I wonder if that is because of the ethical treatment for animals movement has taken hold. I really have no idea, but the data speaks volumes. Spearfishing is on a serious downtrend in the USA.

Florida Spearfishing Laws

Laws covering spearfishing in Florida saltwater and freshwater are extensive. Please pay attention to these laws, Florida State does not go lightly on lawbreakers when it comes to our natural resources like fish and other wild terrestrial and marine animals.

Remember to pay attention to WHEN you can spearfish. Fishing seasons for each fish are listed on these pages

Florida Atlantic Side Fish Seasons

Florida Atlantic Season fishing calendar.
Click to download the fishing seasons chart for Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Florida Gulf Side Fish Seasons

Florida Gulf Fishing calendar.
Click to download the fishing seasons chart for Florida’s Gulf coast.

How is Spearfishing Defined in Florida?

Spearing is catching or taking (harvesting) a fish by spearing, gigging, or bow fishing or with any device used to capture a fish by piercing its body.

Spearfishing is defined as the catching or taking of a fish using a hand or mechanically propelled single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by a person swimming at or below the surface of the water.

What Is Not Considered Spearfishing?

The spearfishing law does not include the taking (harvesting) of fish through the use of a hook and line, though the hook does pierce the body, there is a distinction between the methods used. Also different is snagging (snatch hooking) which is defined as dragging hooks through the water on a line which pierce the body of the fish.

What Tools Are Illegal to Use for Spearfishing?

  • Powerheads – also called bangsticks or sharksticks. These are long sticks with a bullet (.22, .357, .45, 12-gauge, etc.) at the end which can be triggered by pushing the end of the stick into a shark or other animal considered a pest or danger to the person in the water. Note: bangsticks can be used for personal protection in Florida waters only, and never for harvesting any living species.
  • Rebreathers – these devices remove carbon dioxide from the exhaled breath of divers and allow them to rebreathe oxygen that was expelled and not used. This tool allows divers to stay underwater without bubbles, giving an unfair advantage when spearfishing, and is therefore illegal to use during the activity. Note: rebreathers are allowed to be used when collecting the invasive species, lionfish.

Is Spearfishing Legal in Florida Freshwater and Saltwater?

Spearfishing in freshwater of any kind in Florida is illegal. You cannot spearfish for saltwater fish in freshwater, or freshwater fish in freshwater. It is also illegal to possess a speargun in or on freshwater. Spearfishing is only legal in saltwater.

Which Fish Are Illegal to Harvest While Spearfishing?

Billfish (all species), Spotted Eagle Ray, Sturgeon, Manta Ray, Sharks, Atlantic and Spot Croaker, Bonefish, Tarpon, Goliath Grouper, Snook, Blue Crab, Nassau Grouper, Spotted Seatrout, Weakfish, Red Drum, Stone Crab, Pompano, African Pompano, Permit, Tripletail, Lobster, and families of ornamental reef fish (surgeonfish, trumpetfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, porcupine fish, cornetfish, squirrelfish, trunkfish, damselfish, parrotfish, pipefish, sturgeon, seahorse, puffers, triggerfish except gray and ocean).

What Fish Are Legal to Spearfish?

Believe it or not, there are some that are left that you can legally spearfish for. Amberjack, Lesser Amberjack, Banded Rudderfish, Black Seabass, Cobia, Hogfish, Grouper except for Nassau and Goliath, Mahi Mahi (dolphin fish), Snapper, Ladyfish, Catfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish, Mackerel, Barracuda, Red Porgy, Tilefish, Flounder, Sheepshead, Crevalle jack, Black Drum, Bluefish, Lionfish, Blue Runner, and Mullet.

What Areas Are Illegal to Spearfish In?

Some areas are off-limits for spearfishing. Have a close look at the restrictions below and plan your trip accordingly! The following applies to spearfishing – NOT bowhunting or gigging.

It Is Illegal to Spearfish:

  • Within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed.
  • Within 100 feet of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of the sea – except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1,500 yards from the shoreline.
  • In Monroe County from Long Key north to the Dade County line.
  • In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection, Recreation, and Parks. (Possession of spearfishing equipment is prohibited in these areas unless it is unloaded and properly stored.)
  • Volusia County- You may not harvest by spearing in Volusia County inland waters with the exception of flounder and sheepshead, and only by the use of a barbed spear with three or fewer prongs.

Can I Spear Grouper in Florida?

Yes in season and with the exception of Nassau and Goliath groupers.

Can I Spear Alligators?

A special license is needed for hunting alligators, and yes you can use a spear, bow, or gig. On private land, you can use handguns during daylight hours.

Can I Spear Pythons?

Pythons can be killed year-round on private property using firearms, decapitation, or captive bolt gun. There are also 25 public lands in Florida where you may kill pythons and other invasive reptiles. This page lists those areas.

Can I Spear Lobster?

No, lobsters are illegal for spearing and using an instrument that will crush or penetrate the lobster shell.

Cautions

Spearfishing is innately dangerous. You’re swimming around with a spear or speargun that could be faulty or you could have an accident and the gun could go off when you don’t want it to. Like firearms on dry land, keep your spear pointed in a safe direction at all times.

Never point it toward people or fish you don’t want to spear. Make sure your equipment is in top condition before you go on a hunt. Use good quality equipment, not cheap stuff you find at a drastic discount.

Sharks can be a real problem for people spearfishing so your best practices should include getting the bleeding fish out of the water as soon as possible after shooting one.

Bottom Line

Spearfishing is a lot of fun and can be enjoyed by teenagers and adults alike. There are many rules to abide by, but once you know them you’ll be free to pursue this amazing activity as often as you can. Below are some resources you can use to find out more!

Spearfishing Resources

YouTube Channels & Videos

Spearfishing Groups

About the Author

My name is Vern Lovic. I grew up in Pennsylvania fishing for trout in the streams and bass in the lakes. I’ve fished both coasts of Florida for more than a decade, but I’ve been primarily on the West Coast around St. Petersburg. I fish mostly from a Kayak and pier along with wade-fishing and shore fishing but I occasionally will go out on a boat with one of my friends.

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