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

If you’re new around here, every first Thursday of the month I send out the DIVER email. What’s that, you ask? Let me break it down for you:

The D.I.V.E.R. Email

Destination • Interesting • Video • Environment • Record

Destination

Block Island, Rhode Island

Block Island is a 10 square mile pork-chop shaped piece of glacial detritus that sits about 10 miles off the Rhode Island coast. 

It's known for two things: clear water and big stripped bass. Hence the allure for us spearos.

But, the North Atlantic can be unpredictable, so understanding the local conditions is crucial.

And the currents? Well they’re strong. For best results time your dives with the tides.

Don't forget to check the local regulations, especially for striped bass, as Rhode Island has specific rules about sizes and limits​​.

Interesting

How Virtual Spearfishing Tournaments Work

Compared to their in-person counterparts, there aren't that many virtual spearfishing events. But that's changing! With the emergence of platforms like Fishing Chaos, online fishing tournaments are becoming more and more common.

When we switch from in-person to online, there are a few differences.

Length > Weight

A normal spearfishing competition will have weigh-in stations where competitors compete for the heaviest fish. Online tournaments rely on the length of the fish to be the deciding measurement.

This is done by measuring the fish with a measuring tape and providing photo or video evidence as proof. When logging your catch, you MUST submit the photo or video to whatever platform the event uses.

Longer Time Frame

This is potentially the main benefit of taking a tournament online. There are so many factors that go into a successful day of spearfishing: water viz, weather, time on the water, etc.

When a tourney is online, it can run over multiple weeks or even months. Allowing more people to compete and safer spearing conditions.

Larger Spearing Area

Another benefit of keeping it virtual is that it allows people from all over a region or state to participate. When a tournament is in-person, you have to start at the same location and weigh in at the same location, which obviously drastically reduces the radius you can spear.

Upcoming Virtual Spearfishing Tournaments

• Online Freshwater Spearfishing Tournament

• Florida Spearfishing Tournament

Video

Vice made a great film about Tim McDonal a few years back. Click the photo

Environment

3 Ways To Act More Sustainably

You don’t need to find the cure to coral bleaching or global warming to be a friend of the planet.

For most of us, it’s the simple things we do every time we interact with nature that makes the biggest difference.

Focus on small, everyday actions for conservation and sustainability.

Tread Responsibly:

• Explore nature without harming it; avoid disrupting wildlife and plant life.

• Stay aware of your surroundings to minimize ecological impact and keep your favorite spots secret. Looking at you Instagram heros…

Know Your Targets:

• Understand local laws and the breeding cycles of animals you're hunting or fishing.

• Be mindful of the ecological roles of your targets, like how removing too many predators can harm an ecosystem.

At Home:

• Practice "Freezer Management" to avoid wasting game or fish.

• Plan and consume your catch responsibly, minimizing waste and promoting sustainability.

And hey, maybe pick up some floating trash if you see it!

Record

Hogfish

Weight: 24.5lbs / 11.1kg

Spearo: Bruce Elliott Mock Jr

Location: North Carolina, US

Date Speared: 8/3/2017

The Story:

I hope you enjoyed this months DIVER email!

PS - We’re searching for great spearfishing stories. Any stories of your own that you'd be willing to tell? Respond to this email and we’ll send over a short questionnaire!

Want to share this newsletter with your friends? Here’s a link that you can send them!