How to Make DIY Spearfishing Targets for Pool Practice

One hour of target practice in a pool can teach you more about your speargun and your shooting technique than an entire season of spearfishing. If you find yourself missing shots, lacking confidence at distance, or wondering why your groupings are off, pool practice with a proper target will give you answers fast. Maybe you're shooting low, maybe your shaft is bent, maybe your gun kicks harder than you think — a few shots at a target will reveal everything. Here's how to build a simple, effective spearfishing target in about 10 minutes with cheap materials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYozOvcnge8

Materials You'll Need

You only need three things to build a target that works great and holds up to repeated shots. Rigid foam board or foam flooring tiles work as the target face. You'll also need 3/4" PVC pipe for the weight bar along the bottom, and some rope or heavy line to secure everything together. Total cost is usually under $20.

Step-by-Step Build Process

Start by poking holes about one inch from the bottom across the foam board. Take your PVC pipe and secure it to the bottom of the foam using the rope or line by following the steps in the video above — the key is keeping the rope tight so the pipe doesn't shift. Then run additional rope through the PVC pipe and tie the two ends together with a simple overhand knot. Finally, grab your weight belt to use as an anchor at the bottom, and you're ready to shoot.

Why Pool Practice Matters for Spearfishing Accuracy

In the ocean, you rarely get the chance to analyze what went wrong with a missed shot. The fish is gone, and you're left guessing. Pool practice removes all the variables — current, visibility, adrenaline — and lets you focus purely on your mechanics. You'll quickly learn your maximum effective range with each speargun, whether your shafts are flying true, and what adjustments you need to make to your aim point at different distances. Even experienced spearfishers benefit from a pool session before the start of each season to shake off rust and verify their gear is dialed in.