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Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught
Grow Your Knowledge
“Join our exclusive Spearfishing Master Classes, podcast, and exclusive diving content powered by Bret Whitman’s SpearFactor—the ultimate resource for spearfishing enthusiasts! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned diver, these classes are designed to elevate your skills and deepen your understanding of the sport. Drawing directly from the knowledge shared on the SpearFactor podcast and Bret's 25 years of experience, you’ll benefit from expert advice on everything from breath-hold techniques and selecting the right gear to advanced hunting strategies for targeting various species.
Each episode features insights from top guests who have appeared on SpearFactor podcast offering you access to the same valuable tips and expertise that have shaped many successful divers. Whether you're looking to fine-tune your technique or take your spearfishing journey to the next level, these master classes—backed SpearFactor is your gateway to becoming a more skilled and knowledgeable diver”
Late-Spring Yellowtail in California: Schools Pushing North and Where to Find Them
California yellowtail are stacked at La Jolla and the Coronado Islands and pushing north toward Catalina and the Channel Islands. A current snapshot of where the schools are, how they are behaving, and where the next 2-4 weeks of season are heading.
Bret Whitman
1 day ago3 min read
El Niño 2026 Update: What California Divers Are Seeing and What's Coming Through Summer
El Niño-driven warm water has reshaped California's spring 2026 season. Where conditions stand now, what's arriving early, and what divers should plan around through summer.
Bret Whitman
2 days ago5 min read
Reading Swell Forecast Models for Divers: WW3, NWW3, and Coastal Forecast Tools
Understanding swell forecast models is the difference between calling trips correctly and showing up to blown-out conditions. The major models divers should know, how to read them, and how to combine multiple sources for the most reliable picture.
Bret Whitman
4 days ago4 min read
Are California Marine Protected Areas Working? The Data, the Debate, and What Expansion Means for Divers
California MPAs cover 16 percent of state waters and have been in place since 2012. The 2022 ten-year review showed mixed results, with limited spillover evidence. What expansion proposals like the Point Loma kelp closure would mean for divers, La Jolla, and the future of California spearfishing access.
Bret Whitman
6 days ago11 min read
Why California Kelp Is Disappearing: Urchins, Pollution, and the Truth About Diver Impact
Sea urchin barrens and Tijuana River sewage are devastating California kelp forests - not recreational spearfishing or diving. The science behind the decline, and the real solutions: sheephead recovery, urchin culling, and binational cleanup of the Tijuana River pollution flowing north into Imperial Beach and Point Loma.
Bret Whitman
May 218 min read
Spearfishing Kelp Paddies: Bluewater Tactics for Yellowtail, Bluefin Tuna, and Dorado
Drifting kelp paddies offshore are floating fish magnets - yellowtail and dorado work the up-current side, bluefin tuna sit in the down-current shadow. How to spot a productive paddy, follow the current line to find more, and approach without spooking the fish.
Bret Whitman
May 205 min read
Sushi-Grade Fish from a Spearfishing Trip: The Boat-Side Processing Protocol
Restaurant-quality sashimi from a spearfishing trip starts on the back of the boat, not in your kitchen. The on-water processing protocol that lets you drive home stress-free with sushi-grade fish ready to fillet and serve.
Bret Whitman
May 196 min read
California Dive Report: Week of May 16-22, 2026 (Weekend Blown Out, Mid-Week Recovery)
Weekend new moon WSB window got blown out by a late-spring weather system. Strong NW swell, heavy onshore wind, and a thick marine layer shut down most planned dives Saturday and Sunday. Here's the recovery forecast and where to dive Tuesday through Friday.
Bret Whitman
May 186 min read
Leopard Grouper (Cabrilla) Spearfishing: The Sea of Cortez's Year-Round Target
Leopard grouper - cabrilla - are one of the most consistently catchable spearfishing targets in the Sea of Cortez. How to identify them, where they hold, and how to take them efficiently.
Bret Whitman
May 183 min read
Moon Phases and Spearfishing: How to Time Your Hunts Around the Lunar Cycle
Moon phases drive tides, fish behavior, and feeding patterns. How divers can use the new moon, full moon, and quarter moons to plan productive spearfishing days.
Bret Whitman
May 177 min read
Spearfishing Thermoclines: How to Find Fish at the Temperature Break
The thermocline is where warm surface water meets cold deeper water - and where many predator species stage to feed. How to find it, what fish hold there, and how to hunt them.
Bret Whitman
May 164 min read
Spearfishing San Diego: A Region-by-Region Breakdown from the Border to Oceanside
Spearfishing San Diego: a region-by-region breakdown from the Mexican border north to Oceanside. Where to dive, what to expect, and how to pick the right spot.
Bret Whitman
May 1311 min read
Red Tide and Spearfishing California: When to Dive, When to Skip, and How it Impacts Fish
Red tide kills viz, can make you sick, and changes where fish hold. How to spot it, when it's safe to dive, and what to do if you encounter a bloom mid-trip.
Bret Whitman
May 135 min read
Spearfishing the Carolinas: Grouper, Cobia, and the Gulf Stream Edge
A complete guide to spearfishing the Carolinas. Everything you wanted to know including fish species, spots, and conditions.
Bret Whitman
May 1210 min read
Negative Pressure Dives: How Freedivers Build Depth Tolerance Safely
Negative pressure dives let you train deep-water adaptation in a swimming pool. How they work, when to use them, and how to add them to your training without the depth risk.
Bret Whitman
May 125 min read
Hyperventilation in Freediving: Why It's Banned and What to Do Instead
Hyperventilating before a freedive feels like it helps. It actually masks the urge to breathe and dramatically increases blackout risk. Here's the science and the safer alternative.
Bret Whitman
May 115 min read
Flying With Spearguns: TSA Rules, Airline Policies, and How to Pack Your Gear
Spearguns can be flown - but only as checked baggage, only in specific packaging, and only if you know the airline rules. The complete guide for traveling divers.
Bret Whitman
May 105 min read
Giant Black Sea Bass: The Story of California's 500-Pound Reef Giant
Giant black sea bass were nearly wiped out of California waters by 1980. Forty years later they are coming back. The full story of California's largest reef fish.
Bret Whitman
May 107 min read
The Mammalian Dive Reflex: How Human Physiology Adapts to Freediving
The mammalian dive reflex is the autonomic adaptation that lets humans dive deep on a single breath. How it works, how to train it, and why it matters for spearfishing safety and performance.
Bret Whitman
May 95 min read
Iki-Jime vs. Standard Bleeding: Which Method Produces Better Fish?
Why Iki-jime is so much better for your fish than just standard bleeding?
Bret Whitman
May 85 min read
Trachea Squeeze in Freediving: Causes, Symptoms, and How It Differs from Lung Squeeze
Trachea squeeze is the freediving injury most often mistaken for lung squeeze. Different bleeding pattern, different cause, different recovery. Here's how to spot it and prevent it.
Bret Whitman
May 65 min read
Lung Squeeze in Freediving: Causes, Symptoms, Recovery, and How to Prevent It
Lung squeeze is the most-feared injury in deep freediving. Learn the warning signs, what causes it, how to recover, and how to train so it never happens to you.
Bret Whitman
May 64 min read
Building Your Spearfishing Gear Over Time: A 12-Month Gear Roadmap
Building your Spearfishing gear over time. A 12-month gear roadmap
Bret Whitman
May 54 min read
Spearfishing the Mariana Islands: Guam, Saipan, and the Western Pacific
A complete guide to spearfishing Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota — the CHamoru tokcha tradition, target species, regulations, conditions, and how to plan a Western Pacific trip on US soil.
Bret Whitman
May 310 min read
CPR and Rescue for Freediver Blackouts: What Every Buddy Needs to Know
Divers' spear gun floating by itself after diver blocks out.
Bret Whitman
May 33 min read
Spearfishing Etiquette: Not Burning Spots and Respecting the Community
Don't be that guy. Don't post pictures that expose spots.
Bret Whitman
May 25 min read
Southern California Spearfishing Forecast: May 2026
Southern California's forecast for May 2026.
Bret Whitman
May 16 min read
How Deep Can You Spearfish? Freediving Depth, Safe Limits, and How to Build Up Your Numbers
A practical guide to spearfishing depth: typical hunting ranges by experience level, what actually limits your depth, equalization techniques, safety protocols, and how to build up safely without blowing an ear or lung.
Bret Whitman
Apr 306 min read
Spearfishing Mozambique: Bazaruto, Tofo, and the Indian Ocean
Mozambique is one of Africa's premier spearfishing destinations, often overshadowed by South Africa but offering warmer water, calmer surf, and dramatic pelagic potential close to shore. A complete guide to Tofo, Bazaruto, Inhambane, and beyond.
Bret Whitman
Apr 3011 min read
How to Replace and Tune Your Speargun Bands: Latex Quality, Life Expectancy, and Power Tuning
Speargun bands are the engine of your gun. Every bit of power you put into a shaft comes from how well your bands store and release energy. And yet, bands are also the most commonly neglected component on any setup. Divers will spend $800 on a gun, $200 on a slip tip and shaft, and then run the same pair of tired bands for three seasons until they snap on a shot at a personal-best fish. This guide covers how to know when to replace bands, what to buy, how to install them corr
Bret Whitman
Apr 297 min read
Roller Spearguns Explained: Why Divers Are Switching and Who Should Buy One
Understanding the different types and of roller spearguns
Bret Whitman
Apr 296 min read
How to Stalk Fish: The Approach, the Stop, and the Shot
Most divers blow shots by moving too fast. The craft of hunting fish is built on slow approach, patient waiting, and a smooth trigger. Here is how to stalk calico, sheephead, white sea bass, halibut, and yellowtail in California waters.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2812 min read
CO2 and O2 Training Tables for Freedivers: How to Build Breath-Hold Safely
A complete guide to CO2 and O2 tables for freedivers and spearfishing divers — what they train, sample protocols, safety rules, frequency, and how table work translates to longer bottom time on hunting dives.
Bret Whitman
Apr 278 min read
How to Kick Efficiently: Fin Technique for Freediving and Spearfishing
Master the hip-driven freediving kick. Learn proper biomechanics, common mistakes, ankle flexibility, and depth-specific technique to conserve oxygen, hunt silently, and dive deeper with less effort.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2611 min read
Spearfishing Snorkels: Why Freediving Snorkels Are Different
Why freediving snorkels ditch purge valves, splash guards, and dry tops in favor of a simple, flexible J-tube. A California diver's guide to picking the right snorkel, using it correctly, and knowing when to skip it.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2611 min read
How to Clean and Fillet Fish After Spearfishing: A Step-by-Step Guide
A complete guide to spearfishing fish cleaning: field care, bleeding and icing, choosing a fillet knife, step-by-step fillet technique, species-specific tips, parasites, storage, and quick-cook ideas.
Bret Whitman
Apr 249 min read
Breathe-Up for Freediving: How to Prepare Before Every Dive
The breathing sequence you do before a freedive determines how safe and productive it is. Learn the proper breathe-up protocol, why hyperventilation is dangerous, and how to dial in surface intervals, heart rate, and mental cues for every dive.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2414 min read
Spearfishing the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico: Caribbean Diving on a Budget
Skip the Bahamas price tag. The DR and Puerto Rico deliver warm water, clear visibility, and loaded reefs of hogfish, snapper, grouper, and lionfish for half the cost. Here's where to dive, when to go, what to shoot, and how to do it legally.
Bret Whitman
Apr 248 min read
The Stone Shot: Shot Placement for Instant Kills on Spearfishing
A complete guide to the stone shot in spearfishing: where to aim on yellowtail, white sea bass, calico, halibut, tuna, grouper, and lingcod for an instant, humane kill that preserves meat quality and keeps your fish off the reef and out of the sharks.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2311 min read
The Beginner's Guide to Spearfishing in California
New to spearfishing in California? Complete beginner's guide to gear, regulations, dive spots, safety, and building skills from your first dive forward.
Bret Whitman
Apr 229 min read
Lifetime Fitness for Spearfishing: Diving Well Into Your 50s and 60s
Decade-by-decade fitness, flexibility, and breath-hold guide for spearfishing divers in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. Train to dive for life.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2212 min read
How to Splice Spectra and Dyneema Shooting Line: A Complete Guide for Divers
Master the bury splice, Brummel lock, and long bury techniques that preserve up to 100% of your Dyneema shooting line strength. Hands-on guide for divers.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2111 min read
Advanced Freediving Equalization: Frenzel, Mouthfill, and Reverse Packing Explained
Advanced free diving equalization techniques: frenzel, mouth fill, reverse packing explained.
Bret Whitman
Apr 206 min read
Best Spearfishing Apps: Navigation, Species ID, Weather, and Logbooks
A working guide to the mobile apps California divers actually use on the boat and on the beach: weather and swell, bathymetry and waypoints, species ID and regulations, logbooks, tides, breath hold training, and dive computer companion apps.
Bret Whitman
Apr 2010 min read
Understanding Ciguatera Poisoning: Which Tropical Fish Are Safe to Eat
Ciguatera poisoning is a real risk for divers eating tropical reef fish. Learn which species carry the toxin, which regions are highest-risk, and how to avoid getting sick.
Bret Whitman
Apr 1910 min read
How to Choose Your First Speargun: A No-BS Buying Guide
First speargun buying guide for California divers. Band vs pneumatic, wood vs aluminum, 90cm length, shafts, bands, budget picks. No BS, just what works.
Bret Whitman
Apr 189 min read
The Complete Guide to Spearfishing Float Lines and Rigging
Complete guide to spearfishing float lines and rigging: bungee vs Dyneema, float types, terminal tackle, breakaway rigs, and setups for kelp, reef, and bluewater.
Bret Whitman
Apr 1817 min read
Spearfishing with a GoPro: Camera Settings, Mounts, and How to Get Great Footage
Complete GoPro guide for spearfishing: camera settings, mount options, color correction, battery tips, and the mistakes to avoid for great dive footage.
Bret Whitman
Apr 1613 min read
Spearfishing Point Loma and Sunset Cliffs: San Diego's Western Edge
Spearfishing Point Loma and Sunset Cliffs: thick kelp, rocky reefs, calico bass, white seabass, halibut, and San Diego's less-pressured coastline.
Bret Whitman
Apr 169 min read
Spearfishing San Clemente Island: California's Military-Adjacent Bluewater Playground
San Clemente Island offers California divers world-class bluewater spearfishing with 60-80ft visibility, yellowtail, white sea bass, and pelagic species off the southernmost Channel Island.
Bret Whitman
Apr 1512 min read
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