I found I was fed up with trying with a rod, hoping I was in the right place at the right time, going for the right fish with the right bait set at the right height etc. At least with spearfishing you can get in there and see what you want to shoot, then it’s just a question of being able to hit them!

I started with a pneumatic gun – there are those who still prefer the traditional gun with bands that you have to strain to load, hoping you don’t catch your fingers. Pneumatic ones are just loaded by pushing the spear in until it clicks and is cocked, and I would recommend them for beginners. I’m still waiting to see and hit a bass, but have caught mullet, wrasse and pollack.