Spearfishing in Okinawa

[Tanimaga]

I have been an avid "spearo" for many years on Okinawa. Initially got into it thru a local friend of mine who became (and continues) to be my teacher.
He has always preached stealth and the need to keep things low key.. always hide the guns, dont let people see you entering the water with the gear, etc...
Lately though, lots of active duty peeps are hitting the water..
Showing off the guns, hitting populated dive spots, pulling out certain critters that have seasonal restrictions. This has led to military attempting to tighten the noose on spearing here.
Japanese fisherman (and their unions) are territorial with their waters and are also watching closely.
It really ticks me off with these guys..little respect for the area..little respect for others. They seem to think they are pioneering the sport that was old well before they discovered their weewees.

Just Ranting...

[DoctorP]

I seem to remember sitting through a class where the military said it is against their regulations to spear fish on Okinawa. (I may be wrong) I always wonder why people insist on going agaist regulations...or at least in your case (of the young ones) being so public about things and drawing so much attention to ones self.

[Boost]

I seem to remember sitting through a class where the military said it is against their regulations to spear fish on Okinawa.

What I was taught was that it was against regulation to spear fish while scuba diving, however it was permissable while snorkling. I guess the lack of an air tank strapped to your back gives the fish a fighting chance to get away.

[Eyeball]

Don't konw if you have seen this but I do think that some things a spelled out clearly here.

http://www.saltwater-fishing-okinawa.com/charters.htm#Laws

Enjoy.

[Tanimaga]

Spearing with tanks is illegal. Freedive spearing is ok, but the use of a gun (with trigger mechanism, as opposed to a hawaiian sling with no trigger) is a grey area. On Marine Corps bases, I do believe spearguns are allowed, but must be kept in the armory. Air Force? The rules seem to come and go with the tide. I have yet to see anyone come up with a reg in writing. In any case, if you catch a fish..you can't sell it unless you belong to a Japanese Kumiai (union).

The base rules don't bother me..they can come up with whatever they want to. Their lack of education and understanding on the subject always leads to the same "We aren't cashing in on this..lets just ban it" mentality.
Any kid can go to a fishing shop and purchase a speargun. Apparently there is no concrete restriction on the gear.

It's the welps that are going to ruin it for the guys who have kept things on the "lowdown" for so long. I suppose in their young lives, they haven't had sufficient opportunities to prove themselves and crave the attention. Unfortunately, they seem to be getting the wrong type.
There are lots of talented spearfishermen/women around..the best ones you never hear of.

[Asshat]

There are lots of talented spearfishermen/women around..the best ones you never hear of.

Even international competition winners from other islands. ;)

Simply stay on the down low. The ones playing "sea hunter" will eventually go back to where they came from, or loose interest.

Hint...go further out, go deeper.

[P_chan]

I've never heard of it being illegal, but I've heard that you can't do it in certain areas. Such as madea point, you can't spear fish there.

[Tanimaga]

Maeda has always been unofficially off limits due to the number of tourists and scuba training. Now it is officially off limits.

[blacktulip]

Where do you go spear fishing?

[capnbilly]

Here is the link for specific information:

http://www.saltwater-fishing-okinawa.com/charters.htm#Laws


We, Saltwater Fishing Okinawa, hired a Japanese Interpreter to go with us to the Coast Guard, Fisheries Department, and the main Police Station, so that there would be no misunderstandings, or gray areas. They asked us to help get the word out to the English speaking community. Several Japanese have been busted in the Sunabe area for spearfishing with "underwater guns", and some for selling / bartering fish. You don't have to take our word for it, but the information posted on our website is accurate and up-to-date. :cool:

[Tanimaga]

Where do you go spear fishing?

Ah...no spearo would give up a spot.

Captain Billy,

Thanks for the info.. my partner actually worked for the Coast Guard until recently, and pretty much mirrors what your site says. Unfortunately, too many kids are displaying and bragging about many of the things listed. Warnings from me have been essentially "whatever". Maybe nature just needs to take it's course, and a few extra grand will find its way into the Japanese economy from these boys.

[capnbilly]

Actually, I would rather not see anyone get busted for fishing illegally in Okinawa. That's why we have been working so hard to get the word out to everybody, including the Legal Offices on the bases. Maybe the bases will let me give a voluntary awareness class to help keep people out of trouble.:thumbup:

[Asshat]

Actually, I would rather not see anyone get busted for fishing illegally in Okinawa. That's why we have been working so hard to get the word out to everybody, including the Legal Offices on the bases. Maybe the bases will let me give a voluntary awareness class to help keep people out of trouble.:thumbup:

And maybe a class to keep non-kumiyai boats off of the prefectural piles.

[capnbilly]

I've got my permits, had to go through hell and high water to get them too. Don't really appreciate the other boats just going out there willy nilly and doing what they want.:thumbdown:

[Sex Wax]

I just got a new spear (hawaiian sling) for the summer. As far as I know, you can still spearfish at Kyoda, a little north of Onna. Anyone hear anything different?

[Sex Wax]

Alright. I gots my Spear Gear ready to go. Lets hit the water, catch some fish, then Grill them and drink beer on the beach.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o169/AshMiller1972/speargear.jpg

notice I said to chug Frosty Malt Chilly's AFTER the spear fish'n was done.

[P_chan]

IDK but my buddy used to pull some good sized parrot fish from the north/northwest side of Kouri Island.

[Sex Wax]

IDK but my buddy used to pull some good sized parrot fish from the north/northwest side of Kouri Island.

You know where he went? Here's a little map:

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o169/AshMiller1972/kouriisland.jpg

[P_chan]

He used to go all around the island but he camped out near "Kanst Terrain" dive spot and that's where he pulled most of his fish. IIRC you just took one of the little farm roads on that part of the island and it leads you right to the beach. It can get kinda deep during high tide, I'd guesstimate around 25 feet at high tide.

[TheLastDon]

Can be dangerous over there too, be careful.

[P_chan]

Yeah I went snorkeling there during a mild surf and it was a pain in the ass at low tide. When high tide came it was easier to get in and out but the current was a little swift.

[Sex Wax]

I'm kinda looking for a new spot centrally located. I used to go out just past the Awase Comprehensive Park, by a little construction yard, but I got ran off last time I went. And people have complained if I go out in between Toguchi Beach and Torii Station. I was looking for somewhere closer than Nago or Tokashiki. Does anyone know any other good spots in the south central area? Somewhere in this area:

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o169/AshMiller1972/okinawa.jpg

[P_chan]

Why do people complain if you go between toguchi and torii beaches?

[Sex Wax]

Parking. I dont have a 4 wheel drive, so I have to park back by the farmers fields. When they are back there working, they tell me not to park there. I used to park by the big rock at the end of Toguchi, but last time I went down there, they had the little road to it chained off.

[billhilly]

I'm kinda looking for a new spot centrally located. I used to go out just past the Awase Comprehensive Park, by a little construction yard, but I got ran off last time I went. And people have complained if I go out in between Toguchi Beach and Torii Station. I was looking for somewhere closer than Nago or Tokashiki. Does anyone know any other good spots in the south central area? Somewhere in this area:

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o169/AshMiller1972/okinawa.jpg

SW,

This is the same area I want to spear in too. If you find a good spot, please post or PM me. I love going up north, but it is hard to do in a day trip during the week.

[Takako]

I'd recommend staying away from the dive spots. Kadena Marina between the flight line is ok. A few taman, parrots and others. Off of Torii is good for Taman.

[Sex Wax]

I'd recommend staying away from the dive spots. Kadena Marina between the flight line is ok. A few taman, parrots and others. Off of Torii is good for Taman.

You are allowed to spear off Torii Beach? Or do you mean off a boat out by the reef wall?

[Takako]

You are allowed to spear off Torii Beach? Or do you mean off a boat out by the reef wall?

I've speared off there many times with no problems. I usually park on the far south/left near the helipad/grassfield area, where the model airplane guys set up on the weekends. Does that make sense? There's a little road to the south/left of the helipad/grassfield that runs down towards the beach. Its next to a sugarcane field.

Head out towards sea and go North. There's a nice set of reefs in about 5-15 feet of water. Hit the sandy parts for Taman.