Spearfishing for Skin and Scuba Divers (Diversification Series) [Paperback]

Steven M. Barsky (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0941332594 | ISBN-13: 978-0941332590 | Publication Date: May 1997

Which would you rather do — go to a supermarket and buy a tasteless fish, or go diving and catch your own fresh fish? Written for the novice who wants to get started in underwater hunting, this book contains basic information on choosing the right gear and deciding where to hunt. Also includes information on secret techniques, fish species, accessories, and conservation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you want to get into spearfishing and be successful, this book is a great place to start. -- Sea Technology Magazine

Product Details

• Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Best Pub Co (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941332594
• ISBN-13: 978-0941332590
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #330,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Scuba

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete book for beginners, September 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Spearfishing for Skin and Scuba Divers (Diversification Series) (Paperback)

The book covers different aspects of freediving and scuba spearfishing. As usual, it contains a section about spearfishing and freediving gear, accessories as well as a little history. It includes also some uncommon information, like oil platforms diving.
However the main strength of the book are the chapters about the fish species, spearfishing techniques and about maximizing the freediving abilities. There are whole chapters about types of fish and about where to find them - these give quite a lot of information about main game fish, their range of presence and habits. Particularly, I like two chapters about developing the spearfishing technique and about maximizing the freediving abilities. It says a lot about main threats of the sport, how to avoid them, explains the basics of the freediving physiology and points out several tips useful in making the spearfishing activities safe and pleasant. Everyone can also learn also about staying fit for freediving.
The book also treats about the ecology, security and ethical aspects of the spearfishing sport.

I like the small format of the book, you can easily take it with you on the fishing trip. The drawing's quality is good, but on the other side almost all of the photos are far too dark and you can't see much on some of them. Several pages and the cover got partially apart before finishing the first reading...

So, generally the book gives a lot of information and many answers, including the ones I couldn't find in other spearfishing titles for beginners. I recommend the book to every newcomer to spearfishing, if you just want to get only one title to learn about the sport - go for it. You will probably have to buy several books to learn about whole spectrum of issues, but this book in my opinion is perfect to start with. I think it is worth buying, it will be useful for more advanced sportsmen and on beginner's level - as the book is addressed to - it is a complete, five stars title.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK but not great, March 22, 2007

By 

Kevin Lynds (San Diego, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spearfishing for Skin and Scuba Divers (Diversification Series) (Paperback)

If you are going to spend the money on a book regarding spearfishing, spend the extra money for "Bluewater Hunting and Freediving" by Terry Maas. It has much more info that this book.

This book is elementary at best.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, March 29, 2009

By 

P. Cross (Carmichael, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spearfishing for Skin and Scuba Divers (Diversification Series) (Paperback)

Although this book has some decent pictures the writing and analysis is below average. Writer appears more interested in underwater photography. His coverage of spearguns borders on the flimsy. He appears to have little actual experience in this area. Book is only 133 pages. 1. I saw no pictures of author with fish. 2. Written in third party format. Appears to be commercial diver or instructor. 3. Speargun coverage lightweight, knowledge of powerheads insufficient. Nothing on shark defense. 4. Seems to condone not using safeties on guns. 5. Does not use own equipment in book but refers to borrowed spearguns, etc.. 6. Appears to own little or none of his own spearing equipment. Written from the reporter, photographer point of view. I recommend looking elsewhere.