Hole Hunting 101

Article contributed by Fin + Forage’s Charlie Robinton

Other Hunting Techniques to Learn:
Agguato (Stalking), Aspetto (Ambushing), Interacting with Fish and Reef vs Blue Water

Important note: This article pertains to hole hunting in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest where primarily targeted species are healthy populations of lingcod, rockfish and cabezon. In other parts of the world hole hunting techniques may be viewed as unethical and potentially damaging to fisheries. It is vital to do your homework so that you understand the target species, fishing regulations and local ethics before engaging in spearfishing or practicing any technique in a new region.

Hole hunting is an exciting spearfishing method that can produce incredible results anywhere in the world where there is bottom structure. Here in Central and Northern California it is how many spearfishers learn to dive. It can be practiced as shallow or as deep as a person is able to hold their breath, and in both cases can potentially lead to a wildly surprising catch. The concept is simple: wherever there is reef, rock structure or rubble on the bottom, this structure creates cracks, crevices and caves that certain types of fish love to use as hiding spots. Often times the biggest, baddest members of these species will create a “den” deep within a reef or rockpile. Hole hunting is the process of diving to the bottom and methodically investigating these cracks, crevices and caves looking for fish. It requires patience, endurance, and some specialized gear, but the payoffs can be incredible.

Equipment

Apart from basic diving necessities, there are a few items that are particularly useful for hole hunting. To be successful you will need the right speargun, a good underwater flashlight and preferrably a floatline for spot marking.

Spearguns

Choosing the right speargun for hole hunting is important because a speargun that is too long and/or powerful will be difficult to maneuver on the bottom, dangerous to fire in confined spaces and potentially damaging to your shaft. You will need to take into consideration the fish you are targeting and tailor your choice accordingly, but the general rule is to use as short of a gun as possible that has the power to take the fish you are after. A short gun will be much easier to work with in tight spaces, and often times the fish will be close enough that range isn’t a concern. The gun only needs to be powerful enough to achieve sufficient penetration. Make sure to choose an “open muzzle” (no plastic/metal bridge over the shaft) style gun, as shooting in confined spaces can mean your shaft will sometimes not exit the barrel before striking a fish or rock, and the impact can cause serious damage to the shaft or muzzle if you are using a closed muzzle gun. In the Northern California area, most spearfishers use guns from 60-90cm for this kind of work due to the often murky visibility and the generally smaller fish we are after. In places where there are truly large fish such as snappers and grouper species, a gun in the 90-120cm range may be more appropriate. 

Lights

A good underwater flashlight designed for diving is a very important tool for hole hunting. A durable, bright light with long battery life will allow you to see far back into the caves and crevices where fish like to tuck themselves. Look for a light with at least 500 lumens and 1.5 - 3 hours of battery life on its most powerful setting. A switch that you can easily operate with one hand is a plus. The light should be compact and ideally made of aluminum so that it can withstand being constantly scraped and smashed into the rocks while you are diving. Rechargeable batteries are also desirable. There are many lights on the market that fit this description, and it cannot be understated that you get what you pay for. Spending a little extra on this vital piece of equipment will come back to you in the long run with a reliable light that will last you many years and bring home countless memorable catches.

Float Lines

A float line is a strong, flexible, buoyant line spearfishers attach to their gun. Float lines serve many purposes depending on the conditions, the type of hunting and the species pursued. In Northern California and other areas with limited visibility, float lines are most useful for marking areas on the bottom and keeping track of dive buddies. When using a float line this way it is important to choose one that is a bright color such as white or yellow so that it is easy to see in all conditions. Most spearfishers will clip one end of the line to the handle of their gun and leave the other end trailing, sometimes attaching it to a small float or dive board to carry fish and extra equipment. Ideally, the length should be about as deep as you are comfortable diving and no more. Extra length will have a tendency to get in the way and tangle. Float lines are another piece of equipment where quality matters. It can be tempting to make your own out of a piece of rope or purchase an off-brand discount product off the internet, but a few dives with one of these poor alternatives will help you realize why it’s worth it to spend the extra money on a quality line. Most lines that are not coated in PVC or vinyl are prone to tangle and get caught on the reef which can be very dangerous for a diver. A line that is strong, durable, slick, floats well and is easy to see is invaluable, while a line that is weak, snags easily and is constantly tangled is at best a nuisance and at worst a potentially deadly trap.

Technique

A very experienced Northern California diver once told me that hole hunting is like an Easter egg hunt—you keep looking with the belief that every single spot is going to turn up a prize. There is some important wisdom here that gets right to the heart of the technique. All good hole hunters are extremely persistent. This type of diving requires a great deal of endurance. You go straight to the bottom and scrounge around, shining your light deep into as many likely areas as possible until you run out of breath and have to surface. After a sufficient surface interval you do it again, and again, and again for sometimes hours. On one hand, it is engaging and exciting, not knowing what you’ll find on each dive, anticipating that moment when your beam slides across the toothy jaw of a big lingcod. More often than not, there is at least something intriguing living in the hole. On the other hand, it can be both mentally and physically draining to make deep, long dives over and over and contort yourself into weird positions while clambering around on the bottom, pressing your face into the ground to peer into caves. At first, it may seem like an incredibly time consuming and inefficient way to hunt, but as you progress and begin to find fish, you will also begin to recognize subtle patterns and similarities that will help you in identifying likely hiding places. Experience takes some of the guesswork out of hole hunting, making the process more targeted and strategic.

Some Basic Tips

Dive slowly and thoroughly

When you are hole hunting it is important to make each and every dive count. Many beginners and even intermediate spearfishers have a tendency to “cruise” just above the bottom looking for fish or spots to investigate. This may seem like a more efficient way to hunt, but most of the time this behavior it just scaring fish and wasting valuable dive time. Go right to the bottom on every dive. That means belly on the rocks! Find a hole and look into it. Shine the light into every corner and crevice. Often times the mouth of the hole might look small but the hole itself could be much larger. Don’t just look left and right, make sure to see if the hole goes upward too. If there are no fish there, look for another hole and repeat the process until you need to come up for a breath. Look deep into every hole and be thorough. If the hole is large or deep enough consider making multiple dives to ensure you have investigated every inch of it. In low visibility, this is where having a floatline comes in very handy. Leave your gun at the base of the hole and swim up the line. When you or your buddy are ready for another dive you can follow the line right back to the spot.

Note the size, shape and orientation of the hole

As you progress and begin to find the fish you are looking for, always make a mental note about the characteristics of the hole. What size and shape was it? Was it a long crack, a small opening in a pile of boulders, a ledge or a big cave in a coral reef? The more fish you encounter of a certain species, the more you will learn about how to recognize their preferred hiding places. The orientation of the hole in relation to current or swell can also be important. Some species prefer their den to face away from swell and current, while others like to be facing into it. Every species will have a different preference, but with experience, you should be able to identify patterns if you are paying attention.

Look for marine life outside the hole

Some species will almost always be found near other species. A good place to start is with the predator/prey relationship. Marine predators will usually stay close to their preferred food source. When choosing a dive location, think about what it is your target species likes to eat and look for an abundance of that forage. In Northern California, a pinnacle with a bunch of perch and rockfish schooling around it is often a good indicator that there could be a big lingcod hiding down below. One tip we often give to newer NorCal spearos is to swim on the surface near the kelp line until you find a school of these fish below you, then start hunting the bottom structure.

Keep a log

Creating a dive journal with these key points in it will help you uncover patterns and develop the experience necessary to consistently identify good structure that holds fish. In addition to the details mentioned above, noting the time of day, tide, water temperature, visibility, wind, current, and any important observations will give you an invaluable resource that you can reference in the future. 

Dive Safely

Hole hunting can be dangerous if not done safely. Diving along the bottom and looking into tight spaces creates an inherent risk. Dive with someone you know and trust, and make sure to follow them closely when it is their turn to dive. Always pay attention to where you are and what is around you. Look out for dangers that could trap or entangle you, and err on the side of caution. Also make sure your gear is streamlined. Dive knifes sticking off your belt can catch on rocks, or a wrist mounted flashlight could get stuck if you reach your hand into a crack. If you plan to enter even slightly into an enclosed space such as a ledge or cave, discuss this with your buddy in advance and make a plan for them to spot you. Dive safely and you will be rewarded with years of amazing catches and fond memories.