The posts from SB leading up to this thread.
whats the point of freeshafting? isn't it just for small fish that can't get away with your spear? I take it you knew you were going to stone him?
I posted one of the three pics that shows shot placement.
I disagree about the amount of skill involved. What these guys do is go to where the fish is at their leisure. Sometimes the fish thinks it's safe and they have all the time in the world to shoot it at point blank range. Sometimes it's in a wreck or a hole, with the fish having nowhere else to go and sometimes not even wanting to go thinking it's safe. Sometimes they're blinding it with flashlights. Also no one ever knows that they're going to stone a fish. These freeshafting guys will never tell you the amount of fish and shafts they lose. I also disagree about the increased range and speed of a freeshaft, if there is a difference it's not enough to make a difference.
These guys don't care about the shaft and a hurt fish that's just going to die in some hole later. They just live for the rush of sticking the shaft in a big fish. It's irresponsible and disrespectful to not have a line on the gun, and only possible in deep water when scuba spearfishing. Think current, anything less than perfect vis, and having to go back up for air soon after the shot. The fish are impressive and it's interesting to see how big they can get, but I don't celebrate those catches. Wait till you freeshaft on scuba one day and then tell me if you feel like you've achieved something.