Ryan Ulrich
Managing Editor
Swimming, volleyball, and surfing are ideal pastimes for Mira Costa students. For Costa sophomore Trey Mahan, the thought that comes to mind is spearfishing.
Click here to see photos of the fish Mahan has caught.
Mahan started spearfishing at the age of 13 after being inspired by watching YouTube videos of the sport. Spearfishing is categorized as the act of catching fish by impaling them with a spearhead which is usually deployed using a spear gun or a Hawaiian sling which is a spear that is manually released.
A speargun, as explained in the video above contains a trigger mechanism while a Hawaiian sling is catapulted using your thumb and a rubber cord. Mahan has used both tools while spearfishing.
“I surf a lot and love the ocean so I am constantly trying to find activities that I can do in the water,” Mahan said. “I started watching YouTube videos and I eventually got a Hawaiian sling, and tried it out.”
Click here to go the the Rife spearguns website.
Mahan generally goes spearfishing during the summer time when he has less school work, but he still manages to go at least once a month during the school year as well. Mahan claims it’s a fun activity to do because you get to explore the ocean surroundings while still concentrating mentally and physically.
Click here to shop for a Hawaiian sling.
“It’s a difficult activity with a lot of gear involved,” Mahan said. “I generally drive to a spot, hike down to the beach, put on my gear and stay in the water for around three hours, all of which can take up a whole day.”
In the initial stages of this hobby, Mahan used a Hawaiian sling, however now he uses a Rife brand speargun. Mahan generally fishes in Palos Verdes, or at one of the many secluded beaches in Malibu. However, Mahan also fishes when he goes on family vacations to tropical destinations which have coral reefs that can be ideal for catching fish, according to Mahan.
“When I go on family vacations it’s usually to tropical destinations to surf,” Mahan said. “These places, like Hawaii, are really good for spearfishing and have plenty of good tasting fish.”
When he is spearfishing, Mahan generally tries to catch fishlike spearheads, sand bass, and trout. After catching a fish he will filet it at the beach and then cook it accordingly, depending on whether or not the fish needs a lot of seasoning.
“If I get a fish that tastes good by itself I will cook it with lemon or maybe pepper, but if it’s a bad tasting fish i will most likely fry it with bread crumbs,” said Mahan. “If I catch a lot of fish I sometimes give some to my neighbors or my friends so they can try some.”
Mahan plans to continue spearfishing and will be going on a family vacation to Hawaii during spring break where he plans to spearfish. He says, he hopes to continue the sport in hopes of exploring the ocean and catching an abundance of good tasting fish.
“I hope to catch a lot of fish in Hawaii,” Mahan said. “Overall I mainly want to have a fun time in the ocean though.”
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