Common Spearfishing Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Avoid Them

Every spearfisher makes mistakes early on — it's part of the learning curve. But some beginner spearfishing mistakes can ruin an entire dive day, damage expensive gear, or even put you in a dangerous situation underwater. The good news is that most of these errors are completely avoidable once you know what to watch for.

After years of diving and mentoring newer spearfishers, I've seen the same handful of mistakes come up over and over again. Whether you're gearing up for your first ocean hunt or you've been diving casually and want to level up, understanding these common pitfalls will save you time, money, and frustration. Here are the biggest spearfishing mistakes beginners make and exactly how to fix them.

Diving with a Foggy Mask

This is one of the most common spearfishing mistakes I see with brand new divers. They show up to a charter or beach dive with a brand new mask straight out of the box, jump in the water, and within seconds the lens is completely fogged over. A foggy mask makes it nearly impossible to spot fish, judge distance, or dive safely.

The issue is a factory film that coats the inside of every new mask lens. You need to remove this coating before your first dive. The easiest method is to hold a lighter flame to the inside of the lens and burn off the residue. You can also scrub it with toothpaste, though I prefer the lighter method since toothpaste can irritate your eyes if you don't rinse thoroughly. Once the factory film is gone, apply defog, baby shampoo mixed with water, or simply spit on the lens before each dive. Personally, spit has never let me down and it's always available.

One more tip: don't let saltwater dry inside your mask between dives. When you surface and remove your mask throughout the day, rinse it with a splash of fresh water and reapply your defog method before putting it back on. This simple habit will keep your lens crystal clear from the first dive to the last.

Incorrect Buoyancy and Weight Distribution

Getting your buoyancy wrong is one of the most dangerous and frustrating spearfishing mistakes a beginner can make. Being overweighted is exhausting and dangerous — you'll burn through energy fighting to stay on the surface during breathe-ups. Being underweighted means you'll struggle to get down and stay on the bottom, especially in the shallows where most beginners spend their time.

Here's a simple test for proper weighting: while breathing normally on the surface, you should float comfortably without kicking. When you take a half breath and relax, you should slowly begin to sink with your eyes settling just below the waterline. If you're sinking like a rock or bobbing like a cork, adjust your weight belt accordingly.

I adjust my weighting based on dive depth. For shallow dives under 30 feet, I add an extra pound so I'm neutrally buoyant on the bottom. For deeper dives past 30 feet, I drop that extra pound so I'm slightly more buoyant during the ascent back through the danger zone. A single pound may not feel like much on the surface, but it makes a massive difference at depth. Dialing in your buoyancy takes testing and patience, but once you get it right, your dives will improve dramatically.

Not Testing Your Spearfishing Gear Before a Trip

Taking untested spearfishing equipment on a dive trip is a recipe for disaster. I've seen it happen too many times — someone shows up with brand new gear they've never used, and within minutes something breaks, doesn't fit, or they have no idea how it works. A failed speargun band, an ill-fitting wetsuit, or an unfamiliar reel can turn a dream trip into a frustrating waste of time and money.

The fix is simple: test every piece of new gear before you rely on it. Hit the beach or a pool and run through your entire setup. Load your speargun, practice clearing your mask, test your floatline connections, and make sure your wetsuit allows full range of motion. Familiarity with your spearfishing gear builds confidence, and confidence makes you a better diver. I never take new equipment on a trip without bringing a backup, and neither should you.

Spending Too Much Money on Spearfishing Gear Too Soon

This is an easy trap for beginners to fall into. Walking into a dive shop with no experience and a full wallet is a dangerous combination. Salespeople mean well, but they're running a business, and it's easy to walk out with thousands of dollars in gear you don't need and might not even prefer once you gain experience.

The truth is, when you're new to spearfishing, you don't need the best gear — you need the right gear. Most spearfishing equipment choices come down to personal preference, and you can't develop preferences without experience. Before you buy anything, try borrowing gear from friends, testing different styles, and getting input from multiple experienced divers rather than relying on a single opinion.

There's also a massive market for quality used spearfishing gear online that can save you thousands of dollars. Start with borrowed or used equipment, figure out what you actually like, and then invest in the specific gear that fits your diving style. The money you save can go toward a spearfishing trip with properly dialed-in equipment you're comfortable and confident using.

Avoid These Mistakes and Dive Smarter

Every one of these common spearfishing mistakes is completely avoidable with a little preparation and patience. Prep your mask before your first dive, dial in your buoyancy with proper testing, always test new gear before a trip, and resist the urge to overspend before you know what you actually need. The ocean rewards divers who are prepared, patient, and smart about their approach. For more spearfishing tips and gear advice, visit SpearFactor.com. Dive safe and tight lines!