CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA FISHING FIELD GUIDE
Underwater Hunter Course: A Full-Day Spearfishing Introduction off Carmel-by-the-Sea
An 8-hour, instructor-led private spearfishing course that teaches speargun handling, fish ID and ocean hunting tactics — this guide orients you to what to expect and how to prepare.
Underwater Hunter Course: A Full-Day Spearfishing Introduction off Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Off the coast of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Odyssey Freediving runs an immersive, 8-hour private spearfishing course that blends classroom preparation, beach-based dry drills and a guided ocean hunt so you learn the full arc of being an underwater hunter.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Speargun Handling, Rigging and Fish ID
The course covers speargun handling, rigging, loading and fish identification plus California regulations and knife skills for cleaning and processing your catch — everything you need to hunt responsibly.
Guided Ocean Hunt and Practice
After beach drills you and your instructor select a dive site and spend a 2–3 hour ocean session hunting together so you can apply tactics, aim and retrieval under expert guidance.
Catch, Cook or Come Back Free
Collected fish are cleaned and prepped during a shore-side session; you may take your catch home or join a catch-and-cook meal, and the operator offers a free repeat hunt if nobody—student or instructor—shoots fish.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
You begin with self-paced online eLearning, then meet on the beach Saturday at 8 a.m. for a full day of dry practice—rigging, aim drills and retrieval techniques—before choosing a local dive site and spending a focused 2–3 hour ocean session with your instructor. After the water you return to shore for knife-work, fish prep and a review of what you learned.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should pass.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring swimsuit and towel, a low-volume mask and J-tube snorkel, an open-cell wetsuit, long fins with socks, weight belt & weights, and dive socks and gloves as listed in the gear requirements.
Speargun, float line, knife, catch bag and float are provided as rental items; personal freediving gear is expected but available to rent if needed.
Photo/video package add-ons are available and participants have access to equipment purchase discounts.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course?
The course is an 8-hour introductory class.
When and where do we meet?
The full-day meeting is on Saturday at 8 a.m. on the beach.
What happens if nobody shoots fish?
Odyssey Spearfishing’s rule is that if no one, including the instructor, shoots fish, you may come back to hunt again for free.
Can I keep or eat any fish we catch?
After the dive you may take your fish home or join the group for a catch-and-cook meal.
Is a photo or video option available?
A photo/video package add-on is available for participants.
What gear is supplied versus required?
Speargun, float line, knife, catch bag and float are included as rental items; personal freediving gear is required (and available to rent).