The Great White Hunter

I suppose it's possible to reach an age where you have experienced every new thing there is to try. I hope I never reach that age. I've always thought that if the sun is up you need to get your lazy ass out of bed because you might miss something important. I'm always on the lookout for new places to go and for new things to try.

Well... I found something new! Spearfishing.

Our trusty guide picked us up from the Cozumel Palace promptly at 8 in the morning the Tuesday before Christmas and took us to the northern end of Cozumel Island. After a brief introduction on how to free dive, clear your ears, handle and aim the spear gun, and safety concerns, we started out.

After and hour or so, we drifted near a reef and a large triggerfish appeared from behind a reef about 30 feet down. I took a big breath and dove, clearing my ears once and then forgetting everything else. It was just like our guide Leo explained: When you're on a fish everything goes out of your mind and you focus only on the fish. That was my experience exactly as I kicked downward and focused on the fish.

You're supposed to convince the fish that you are just out for a swim and mean it no harm, otherwise they turn and swim away. As I got close the fish turned to swim away, apparently not buying my, "I'm not not here to shoot you" routine, but it was too late. I had reached the sweet spot where I was close enough to shoot, but not too close to scare the fish away.

I pointed the spear gun and squeezed the trigger, letting the spear fly.

Enjoy the picture!