In this episode of Spearfactor, I chat with my good friend Cody Drawdy. Cody shares his story with us about how he got started in spearfishing on the East Coast of American where he had to deal with sharks and 2’ of visibility. We also talk about some of your spearfishing trips to Guam and Baja, and the things we learned in those places. Enjoy!

NOTES:

Introduction and Background

02:53:-23:22

How we met on social media

27:52-28:00

Lobster Season 

13:00-37:30

Ethical Diving

38:00-57:00

Stories and Traveling (Baja and tips)

57:00-1:32:40

Closing

1:33-End

Sponsors for this podcast included:

1. Akason Cameras 

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1583785&u=2550967&m=89945&urllink=&afftrack=

Did you enjoy this? 

If so, please share this podcast with your friends! Thanks for listening and be sure to follow SpearFactor at:

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube, and Reddit.

If you would like to support the show?

 Go to the supporter page at https://www.patreon.com/the_spearfactor

 Your donation helps keep the show going with editing and production cost. 

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime!

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

#spearfishing #spearfishingpodcast #spearfactor #onedropspearfishing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Spearfactor, I chat with Nick Watkins from Spearchannel. Nick shares with us how his brand, Spearchannel, began, where he wants to take it, and how he plans to achieve success with it. He also shares with us some of his struggles as the brand develops and attempts to reach future goals. Additionally, we discuss his own beginnings into spearfishing while growing up in south Florida. Nick shares with us his recent travels to Panama and Bahamas, and some of the shenanigans that occurred while on these trips hunting Yellowfin tuna. I hope you enjoy!!

Contact Nick:

IG @spearchannel

FB Spearchannel group page

NOTES:

Introduction Spearchannel the brand

05:53:-09:52

Issues with developing Spearchannel

09:52-13:00

Monetizing and the direction of Spearchannel 

13:00-20:30

Next step for Spearchannel 

20:30-30:00

How Nick got started

30:00-31:40

Types of fish and conditions where he lives in Florida 

31:40-39:35

Diving with sharks and stories

39:35-47:15

Trips to Bahamas & Panama, lost fish stories

47:15-54:04

Hunting Yellowfin

54:04-1:01:01

Team Trips 

1:01:01-1:03:50

How to Progress in Spearfishing

1:03:50-1:07:10

Best way to have Snapper

1:07:10-1:10:15

Closing & Contact Information 

1:10:15-END

Sponsors for this podcast included:

Kimera spearfishing Promo: SpearFactor for 5% off.

Los Bigotes Apparel

Hotrod Spearguns 

Akaso Cameras Promo: akaction10

OneDrop Spearfishing

Did you enjoy this? 

If so, please share this podcast with your friends! Thanks for listening and be sure to follow SpearFactor at:

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube, and Reddit.

If you would like to support the show?

 Go to the supporter page at https://www.patreon.com/the_spearfactor

 Your donation helps keep the show going with editing and production cost. 

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime!

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

#spearfishing #spearfishingpodcast #spearfactor #onedropspearfishing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I speak with Brian Fern and Allen Yangco from Longfins Spearfishing. These two gentlemen truly define what the term giving back to the community means. Longfins originally started out as a online diving store that Allen started, but it failed. This failure didn’t discourage Allen from continuing on with the Longfins brand. He felt that the failure was a blessing in disguised. After seeing many of the divers in their area not diving safely as well as several diving related deaths including 4 of Allen’s friends, he and his friend, Brian Fern, decided to continue with Longfins by holding spearfishing seminars for the youth of Kauai. The goal was to share their over 50 years of knowledge and experience with the kids of Kauai to teach them how to ethically hunt and safely dive for fish. The seminar is free and everyone is encouraged to attend. 

During the show, the boys share numerous stories of bad and good dive buddies, sharks, recovering fish from caves, and ethnical fish hunting. Allen shares a story about when he was diving near a bay with monk seals when a huge tiger shark came at him. Allen did not see the shark but his buddy quickly intercepted it and saved Allen from an attack. Additionally, Brian shares a story about when the current picked up so bad on the reef that he and Allen had to shoot their shafts into the reef in order to avoid getting swept out to sea. 

This episode is full of tips to make you a better and safer diver. If you would be interested in attending the seminar or want to put a one yourself in your local area, feel free to contact the boys at @long_fins on IG.

Brian Fern @solid.ink

Allen Yangco @aloha_spear_it

NOTES:

Introduction and Longfins the brand

04:15:-09:04

Ethical Spearfishing

09:04-22:50

How to dive safe

22:40-25:00

Spearfishing seminar for Youth

25:00-31:20

Diving for GT/Ulua

31:20-40:10

Build the community with kids for safety

42:15-49:55

Diving with sharks and stories

49:55-1:03:00:

Goals for Longfins

1:03:00-1:08:34

Real life situations & Safety tips (recovering fish, weighting tips, currents)

1:08:34-1:29:55

More details about the spearfishing seminar

1:30:00-1:36:00

Closing & Contact information

1:36:00-1:38:29

Sponsors for this podcast included:

Kimera spearfishing Promo: SpearFactor for 5% off.

Los Bigotes Apparel

Hotrod Spearguns 

Akaso Cameras Promo: akaction10

OneDrop Spearfishing

If you would like to support the show?

 Go to the supporter page at https://www.patreon.com/the_spearfactor

 Your donation helps keep the show going with editing and production cost. 

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

#spearfishing #spearfishingpodcast #spearfactor #onedropspearfishing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I speak with veteran diver and dive boat Skipper Dan Walsh. Since the 1970s, Captain Dan has operated dive boats such as the Bottom Scratcher, and Spirit of Adventure for spearfishing’s elite pioneers. He was there filming when Terry Maas shot his record bluefin tuna at Guadalupe Island, which is one of the most popular moments in California’s spearfishing history. He’s explored the Baja peninsula in its’ entirety a few times over and has dove remote stretches of the coast that I have dreamed about diving for years. But besides Baja, Captain Dan has traveled the world filming, freediving, scuba diving, and hunting places like Dangerous Reef, Australia and tiny islands in Micronesia. His presence at most of these places was requested in order to film for show like Shark Week on the Discovery channel and various other nature shows. 

One of the things that caught me off guard about Captain Walsh was how truly humble he was during the podcast. With almost 50 years of experience on and around dive boats, you would think that he would be more than justified to have a hint of an ego. Not the case, which is probably why he has been able to learn and share so much information with us.

Facebook: Buddy Walsh

NOTES:

Introduction/Early days

02:22:-09:45

Running dive boat stories, Cortez Banks, etc.

09:45-15:50

History of Bottom Scratcher

15:50-22:00

The evolution of the dive industry & divers

22:00-28:30

Terry Maas and diving Guadalupe Island stories

28:30-40:40

Diving San Clemente Island

41:10-45:15

Favorite diving in the world: Baja

45:15-53:00:

What makes a good boat captain

53:00-58:32

Boating tips

59:00-1:07:34

Funny new diver stories with sharks.

1:07:34-1:16:10

Closing Advice

1:16:10-1:19:35

Sponsors for this podcast included:

Kimera spearfishing Promo: SpearFactor for 5% off.

Los Bigotes Apparel

Hotrod Spearguns 

Akaso Cameras Promo: akaction10

OneDrop Spearfishing

Did you enjoy this? 

If so, please share this podcast with your friends! I hope that you guys can relate to the show and learn that we are more similar than different in so many ways. I hope we all can learn to enjoy the ocean and then, protect it.

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube and Reddit.

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime!

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

#spearfishing #spearfishingpodcast #spearfactor #onedropspearfishing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I speak with Paul Rodriguez from Hot Rod Spearguns. While Paul is a sponsor for the show, he truly is one hell of a spearfisherman and speargun builder. During the show, we spend a lot of time talking about the right speargun for the right conditions, and his new hybrid travel speargun. I am really excited to share Paul’s travel speargun with you all because I believe it will change the spearfishing community as a whole. The speargun itself breaks down smaller than a set of dive fins, making traveling easier than ever with your equipment. Currently, available in 120-130cm lengths. The shaft is a Mori shaft which breakdown as well. I have personally tested this speargun in Baja, and at home here in Southern California. I’ve even done some pool testing with it myself. The motivation of this travel gun comes from all of Paul’s travels where the ability to pack light was a necessity. Additionally, we discuss how important it is to travel in order to become a better all round diver and hunter.

Lastly, Paul and I discuss hunting big Dogtooth Tuna over 100 pounds. He shares some of his tips, and insane stories about determined fish ripping themselves in half in order to escape from his shaft. 

This episode was fun to make and I hope you guys will enjoy it as well!

Website: www.hotrodspearguns.com

Instagram: @hotrodspearguns

NOTES:

Introduction/Background

03:22:-07:55

Why use a pole spear

11:44-17:00

Spearguns Choices

17:00-24:23

Hybrid Travel Speargun Development and more..

24:23-40:00

Current situation, future travel and why traveling is so important to become better.

40:00-45:00

Favorite Fish to hunt, Dogtooth Tuna Stories

45:00-57:40

Dogtooth Tuna Tips

58:25-1:07:05

Collision with whale

1:07:05-1:15

Sponsors for this podcast included:

Kimera spearfishing Promo: SpearFactor for 5% off.

Los Bigotes Apparel

Hotrod Spearguns 

Akaso Cameras Promo: akaction10

OneDrop Spearfishing

Did you enjoy this? 

If so, please share this podcast with your friends! I hope that you guys can relate to the show and learn that we are more similar than different in so many ways. I hope we all can learn to enjoy the ocean and then, protect it.

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube and Reddit.

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime!

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I speak with Carlos Suarez. He is the creator of the Freedive Hunter Spearfishing game. He is also originally from Cuba where he learned to spearfish. We discuss his early days of diving in Cuba as well as the equipment and techniques they used there. Some of these techniques he share I have never heard of before such as tying a rope to a diver then pulling them up once they reached half way from ascending on dives over 100’ in order to save oxygen. Most importantly, Carlos shares with me his main reason for creating spearfishing video games which is due to his inability to dive now due to a medical condition. His passion and love for fish, especially Trigger fish, is all reflected in the game. Every aspect of the game has special meaning behind it and you can hear it in his voice with he speaks with me. It was great to speak with Carlos and I am really excited to share his story with you!

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.FreedivingHunter.com (here there are links to buy the game on the App Store, Google Play and Xbox)

Facebook: Freediving Hunter or @SpearfishingGames

Instagram and Twitter: @Strongbox3d

YouTube: Freediving Hunter: Spearfishing the World

Background

03:35:-07:55

Equipment used in Cuba 

07:55-10:37

Targeted Species

10:37-12:51

Dreaming about Diving and his blackout

12:51-19:25

Rigging gear and techniques in Cuba

19:25-28:00

Passion and Reason Why He created the Freedive Hunter Video Game and why Trigger fish are special to Carlos.

28:00-57:40

Most Memorable Fish

57:45-59:45

Shark Stories

1:00:25-1:05:45

Closing

1:05:45-1:07:10

Sponsors for this podcast included:

Kimera spearfishing Promo: SpearFactor for 5% off.

Los Bigotes Apparel

Hotrod Spearguns 

Akaso Cameras Promo: akaction10

OneDrop Spearfishing

Did you enjoy this? 

If so, please share this podcast with your friends! I hope that you guys can relate to the show and learn that we are more similar than different in so many ways. I hope we all can learn to enjoy the ocean and then, protect it.

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube and Reddit.

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime!

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

#spearfishing #spearfishingpodcast #spearfactor #onedropspearfishing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Healey

Welcome to episode #12 of the SpearFactor podcast with special guest Mr. Mark Healey. Mark is a world class spearfisherman, and one of the top big wave surfers in the world. He is a true waterman. If you don’t believe me just google it! During the podcast, we discuss the surf and dive industries, conservation, why we spearfish, diving at Guadalupe Island with white sharks, and much more. 

Mark is originally from the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. On the North Shore is where his dad first introduced him to the ocean at a young age. His love for the ocean grew very organically as his life progressed as well as his abilities in the water. Surfing in the winter, and diving during the summer was his usually routine and it did not take long before Mark was well known for his abilities and confidence in the water. At the age of 17, he turned pro at surfing which would send him traveling, surfing, diving, and make connections with watermen throughout the world. His friends and traveling throughout the world would help his knowledge of the ocean grow, and along with that growth so would his love for the ocean and protecting it for the future. Mark is very involved in his local community where he supports the Na Kama Kai, Hawaii Jr. Lifeguards, and Sustainable Coastlines organizations to help better Hawaii as a whole. 

Nonprofit organizations that Mark supports.

https://nakamakai.org

https://oahujrlifeguards.surfsignup.com  

https://sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org

 Projects Currently Working On: Mark now has his own company https://www.healeywaterops.com where he links clients up with unique experiences centered around the ocean activities throughout the world. In addition to this company, Mark also starting a YouTube channel called Strike Missions with Mark Healey coming out very soon. The main thing that I feel is really special about Mark is that he centers his life around living a sustainably. He truly practices what he preaches, and shares those ideas with everyone.

Topics

Intro and background 3:29-5:14 

Balancing Life Between Family & Sport 5:14-6:43

Main Projects Currently 6:43-15:17 

Differences in the Diving/Surfing Industries/Cultures 15:17-22:48 

Spearfishing Gear 22:48-30:26 

Tahitian Freediving Culture 30:26-35:05 

Know Your History in order to Progress 35:05–37:16 

Roller Spearguns 37:16-45:44 

Diving at Guadalupe Island with White Sharks 45:44–1:01:49 

How Traveling, Conservation, & Education Mix 1:01:49–1:05:18 

Diving Tips (Stretching, Diet, & Yoga) 1:05:18-1:09:59 

Future Plans 1:09:59-1:11:09 

Closing Statements 1:11:09-End 

If you would like to support SpearFactor, you can our visit Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/the_spearfactor  

Sponsors for this podcast included:

Kimera spearfishing Promo: SpearFactor for 5% off.

Los Bigotes Apparel

Hotrod Spearguns

Akaso Cameras Promo: akaction10

OneDrop Spearfishing

Did you enjoy this? If so, please share this podcast with your friends! I hope that you guys can relate to the show and learn that we are more similar than different in so many ways. I hope we all can learn to enjoy the ocean and then, protect it.

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

TikTok: the_spearfactor

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime! LEARN MORE SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 On this episode of Spearfactor today’s guest is spearfishing guide and adventurer, Mr. Chris Coates. Chris shares with us his experiences spearfishing in South Africa and beyond. We talk extensively about spearguns, dogtooth tuna, flashers, gear, slip-tips vs. floppers, accuracy issues and how to fix them, as well as trophy hunting and conservation. This episode was tough due to connection issues from USA to South Africa, but after some creative thinking, I was able to record one of the most informative spearfishing episodes yet! 

Find Chris on: 

Youtube @Coatesman’s Spearfishing

Instagram @coatesmans

Website: http://coatesmans.com

MAJOR TOPICS

Intro and background

2:30-6:25

Diving in South Africa

6:25-10:15

The gear he uses and why

10:15-14:53

Roller Guns

14:53-21:15

Great White Shark Stories

21:15-23:20

Spearfishing Goals

23:20-26:15

Trips, Past and future

26:15–34:09

Black Sea Bass Project

34:17-38:01

Conservation Topics, Biologist & Divers

38:01–45:30

Rigging Your Gear For Success

45:30–1:04:15

Trophy Hunting & Conservation

1:04:15-1:13:29

Crazy Stories

1:13:29-1:20:14

Spearfishing Charters

1:20:14-1:21:35

Future Plans

1:21:35-1:25:00

Choose Between Surfing Or Spearfishing

1:25:00-1:26:45

Closing/Contact Information 

1:26:45-1:28:24

Did you enjoy this? If so, please share this podcast with your friends! I hope that you guys can relate to my story and learn that we are more similar than different in so many ways. I hope we all can learn to enjoy the ocean and then, protect it. 

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube and Reddit. 

Until next time, I hope you land the fish of a lifetime!

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

→ Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast 

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

→ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Okamoto 

On this episode of Spearfactor today’s guest is Chris Okamoto. He is a marine biologist who works at Cabrillo Marine aquarium in San Pedro and he’s also one of the founders of www.spearingforum.com . The idea behind his form is to have a ethical and professional learning environment where veterans and beginners alike can share information. There’s a ton of information on Seabass, both Black and White, and crazy stories with great white sharks so I hope you enjoy!

Find Chris on Youtube and Instagram @oakpwr 

For more information on Cabrillo Marine Aquarium visit their Website at https://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org

Intro and background

1:50-5:40

Top Experiences Diving

5:40-9:30

Marine Biology and how it benefits your spearfishing

9:30-11:10

Hunting White Sea Bass gear and tips

11:10-21:35

Great White Shark Stories

21:35-35:22

Spearfishing Goals

35:25-37:19

Trips, Past and future

37:19-43:45

Black Sea Bass Project

43:45-51:31

Conservation Topics, Biologist & Divers

51:31-1:00:15

Why we don’t buy fish

1:00:15-1:02:20

Did you enjoy this? If so, please share this podcast with your friends! I hope that you guys can relate to my story and learn that we are more similar than different in so many ways. I hope we all can learn to enjoy the ocean and then, protect it. 

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor, Facebook Spearfactor Group, YouTube and Reddit. 

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

→ Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast 

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfactor

→ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the episode of SpearFactor, I speak with ear, nose, and throat Doctor Cyrus Torchinsky. Dr. Torchinsky currently practices medicine and lives in San Diego, California. He is original from Santa Cruz, California and attended UC San Diego Medical School, then traveled to Boston, Mass. for his speciality training as an ENT doctor. Dr Torchinsky shares his knowledge about various topics including common issues that both surfers and divers deal battle over the years. This episode has a ton of excellent information that will help a lot of us. It was an absolute pressure to have him on the show.

I hope you will enjoy!

1. Coronavirus

0330-0927

2. Top issues and how to fix them

09:30-21:04

3. Infections and What happens when it rains

21:05-25:30

4. Swimmer’s Ear/Fungal Infections and treatment

25:35-29:10

5. When to seek out at Doctor for treatment

29:15-30:00

6. Do's and Don’ts

30:00-33:10

7. Craziest thing you’ve seen

33:10-37:10

8. Best conditions for beginner surfers

37:10-40:20

9. Eustachian tubes Issues and new treatment

40:20-47:12

10. Ringing in your ear. Reasons and treatment

47:12-53:05

Follow Spearfactor:

Instagram @the_spearfactor

Facebook Spearfactor Group,

YouTube @SpearFactor

Reddit @SpearFactor 

LEARN MORE

SpearFactor is all about sharing information about spearfishing to enhance your experience in the ocean. If you are a new spearo, please checkout www.spearfactor.com for more information on targeted fish types and spearing. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

→ Podcast: https://www.Spearfactor.com/podcast 

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_spearfa...

→ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpearFactor

#spearfishing #spearfishingbaja #spearfactor #onedropspearfishing

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices