Introduction
Many years have passed since the fish were deciding to die easily and in shallow waters. Times have changed and with them so has the behavior of the fish which now not only know what danger is but also know how they must react to avoid it. In this evolutionary course the spearo could not simply stand there callow. He also evolved adapting his equipment and movements, improving his performance and studying the behavior of the species he was interested in. The outcome? Chosen fish continue to decorate the catch of spearos who insisted and followed the way of times. However there is a technique that has changed slightly for many years now. Actually, because of the “special” equipment used, it counts many “enemies” in our time. Justly? I don’t seem to think so because it a very important part in the evolutionary course of a spearo. Maybe some of you may have understood already, but for the rest of you, the technique I am referring to is fishing in the caves.

The technique
Like many other activities in the sea, this technique also initially seems easy enough. It’s actually the movement of a diver towards the “house” of the fish and the spearing of it inside the cave. Things nevertheless may be deceiving. So while in the beginning the fish having only a few experiences, would seek shelter under the first rock they would find, many times leaving part of their body exposed, nowadays they know very well which cave to choose and how to behave in it. Some species actually, like the silver seabream, knowing the dangers that lurk in the dark of the caves, decide not to enter at all. This should not amaze us. Fish have shown that they have an ability to think and adjust their behavior accordingly. So now the diver must be careful about every move he makes before even diving. He must be observant and constantly on guard so as to spot a possible den (thanks to his experience) or detect the movement of a fish towards it. At the same time attention should be given at the details and signs like the nervousness of smaller fish in front of a cave or even the leftovers of fish that were eaten by potential prey. Approach should always be made discreetly. The objective of the hunter is to maintain the fish calm, something that may even allow more than one shot in the same cave. The gun and the glance (and sometimes the flashlight) should always be looking in the same direction since rarely will the fish remain motionless in the rocks. Finally, shooting ability from the side of the hunter must be more than good because in the confined space of a den and against large and strong prey, cursoriness may cost dearly.

The fish
Fishing in the caves may offer to the spearo almost any fish that moves lives and hunts close to the sea floor. Silver seabreams, brown meagres, saddled seabreams are very common with sharpsnout seabreams, flathead mullets and even European sea bass being also present. The gilthead seabream is an extra bonus since during specific dates it may gather in large and fearless schools, surprising the unsuspecting hunter. Of course all rock fish can be caught with this way of fishing. Surely between them the dusky grouper has a special spot but the other species as well like the golden groupers and white groupers, are probably pretty common. It is also important to refer to surprises. Except for the above, one can come across tasty lobsters, common seabream (!) or even more often, dentex!

Equipment
The equipment used in this technique is not very different from the one used in all the others, with the biggest differences found in the spearguns. Their length can be from 50 to 110cm according to the size and structure of the cave. The same goes about the shafts and rubber bands, which change according to the fish being hunted. So, one can come across 6mm shafts with one pair of 16mm rubber bands or even a 7mm shaft with 2 pairs of 17mm rubber bands. In general, the shafts should be equipped with one barb to avoid jams while the tip must not be very pointy because contact with the rocks is almost inevitable. Finally, the reel even on small guns is essential since it will help the diver return safely to the surface or in the case a fish has caved up. As for the rest of the gear, the fins should be long and have a nervous behavior (especially when fishing takes place in deep waters), the wetsuit must be comfortable and elastic providing the proper thermal protection, the mask can have a small internal volume while the socks and gloves summarize the equipment used. Yes I know, there is also the flashlight. I haven’t forgotten it. If you choose to use it, it must have small dimensions and an easy to use switch that mustn’t make any noise, something that in some cases can trigger the reaction of the fish (In Greece it’s use for spearfishing is illegal).

Safety
This way of fishing may be effective but it hides many and important dangers. They can be sorted out in three categories.
•    Extraneous factors: Here we can compile those dangers that can be spotted in the underwater environment like abandoned fishing lines / equipment. What the diver must always do, is look carefully around the spot he is upon searching, watching for anything that may tangle and hold him down. Also encounters with moray eels, scorpionfish, stingrays and other “dangerous” fish should also be faced with respect and the according attention.
•    Diver’s behavior: here we can place all the dangers that have to do with the behavior of the diver himself. From the bad choice of entering a narrow cave to the mistaken evaluation of depth and performance, the spearo must always keep in mind the fundamental safety rules.
•    Caved up fish: This is a subject that raises great discussion and that will be analyzed in a future article. When it occurs, one should always remain focused and calm. Of course the best way of facing such a situation is not allowing it to happen. So take good shots without cursoriness.

Closing this section concerning safety, it goes without saying that the greatest safety of all is the presence of a DIVING PARTNER or a team of people. Spearfishing cannot / should not be attempted without a diving buddy!



Epilogue
Fishing in the caves is one of the oldest techniques in spearfishing in the Mediterranean. It’s a dynamic way of fishing that can be applied on any form of sea floor and is often very affective. It is also a very important “school” for every spearo since it will help him approach fish, learning about their behavior and special ways. All of this of course, until he begins to hunt outside the dark of the caves. Things change then. The game passes onto another level and the fish reveal their true identity, outside, in the open water and not confined in the rocks. Then he might understand the objections about cornering a fish in its home. Thoughts and examinations that should come up in the mind of every aware spearo that respects himself and the environment.