Spearfishing using the coulée technique is a natural underwater hunting method where the diver glides silently along drop-offs or into open water without kicking. While it may look simple, mastering this approach requires skill, precision, and an understanding of fish behavior.

A diver descending vertically toward the seabed can easily be spotted by fish, causing them to flee. The essence of the coulée lies in discretion and control. By gliding smoothly and predicting fish reactions, hunters can approach without being noticed.

Definition of the Coulée Technique

The coulée technique consists of descending headfirst, much like a dive, toward fish observed from the surface. At first, the diver kicks gently, but once a certain depth is reached, natural negative buoyancy pulls them down quietly.

This method allows the hunter to approach from above and behind, exploiting the fish’s blind spot. It is typically practiced in clear water and at greater depths, ideally with a longer band-powered speargun.

How to Perform the Coulée Technique

1. Preparation: Stay relaxed to maximize fluidity and mobility. Adjust your weighting so you don’t sink uncontrollably.

2. Descent: Begin with a discreet duck dive and descend vertically. Hold the speargun alongside your body, tip pointing downward. Kick smoothly at first, keeping one hand near your mask for equalization and to shield your eyes.

3. Spotting: Observe fish behavior, depth, and positioning to adapt your approach angle.

4. Shooting: Bring your speargun forward with your arm bent. If the fish starts to flee, accelerate slightly with a few kicks. Extend your arm smoothly and release the shot at the right moment.

5. Ascent: Avoid wasting energy pulling the fish up by hand. Instead, use your reel and ascend calmly to the surface.

Challenges of the Coulée Technique

• Requires mastery of the duck dive.
• Good buoyancy and underwater comfort are essential.
• Discretion and smooth body control are key.
• Descent must be efficient without scaring fish.
• Shooting opportunities are often limited to shorter ranges.

Advantages of the Coulée Technique

• Natural, instinctive hunting approach.
• Surprises fish by exploiting their blind spot.
• Useful for transitioning into ambush (agachon) or hole hunting.
• Can target both small species (bream, dentex, dorado, scorpionfish, turbot) and larger pelagics (tuna, bonito, barracuda).

Expert Tips for Mastering the Coulée

Choosing the Right Speargun: Since most shots are taken from a distance and at awkward angles, a speargun longer than 100 cm (ideally up to 120 cm) is recommended. Balance power and accuracy by selecting between a roller speargun or a pneumatic speargun, with shafts ranging from 6.5–7 mm depending on target size.

The Wetsuit: A black wetsuit is most effective in deeper waters, where reduced light helps you remain hidden.

Weighting: Since the coulée is practiced at depths over 10 meters, use lighter weighting to benefit from natural negative buoyancy without descending uncontrollably.

Mastering the coulée requires hours of practice to achieve smooth movements, effective buoyancy, and precise long-range shooting. A well-executed coulée can often lead to an ambush or a follow-up shot at a fish that hides in a hole.

Hole Hunting

Many divers may not realize they have already practiced hole hunting during their underwater excursions. This technique involves searching for fish in their hiding spots, such as crevices, ledges, and rocky outcrops. A solid understanding of underwater terrain and fish behavior is essential for effective hole hunting. Like other spearfishing methods, it takes practice and experience to master.

The Importance of Terrain Awareness

Successful hole hunting depends on a keen sense of terrain awareness. With countless hiding places underwater, hunters must learn to identify the right features among rocks, slabs, crevices, and wrecks. The goal is to recognize which fish species inhabit which type of shelter and understand their habits—whether they use the hole temporarily or as a permanent refuge.

Developing this awareness requires curiosity, strong observation skills, and a good visual memory. For example:

• Sea bream prefer narrow crevices.
• Moray eels hide in darker holes.
• Mullet are often found near rocks with multiple openings.

What Does Hole Hunting Involve?

In hole hunting, the diver inspects cavities, rocks, and ledges where fish hide. Stealth is less critical compared to other techniques, but once near a hole, discretion becomes essential. The hunter must also master a variety of movements, sometimes acrobatic, to approach fish without alarming them. Ideally, the approach should be from above or the side rather than head-on.

The Ideal Hole Hunting Scenario

1. When spotting a fish under a rock, analyze the structure and block exits with your speargun. If several fish are present, mark the location.
2. Wait briefly at the entrance to target any hesitant fish.
3. Approach by gliding without finning to avoid stirring the water.
4. Place one hand gently on the rock and position your head at the hole entrance. Keep your speargun back to avoid frightening fish.
5. Aim carefully—estimating the spear’s trajectory is tricky and requires practice. Always identify the species before shooting and avoid protected fish.
6. Once a fish is hit, act quickly: remove the speargun, slide your hand along the line to the spear, and secure the catch. For large fish, hold it against your chest while surfacing.

Essential Tools for Hole Hunting

Because most hole hunting targets smaller fish, standard setups may be too powerful. Compact and precise tools are better suited:

• Short speargun (50–70 cm): Ideal for maneuvering in narrow spaces. A de-spearer can be used to free stuck shafts.
• Small pneumatic speargun (75 cm): Combines compact size with strong shooting power.
• Five-pronged spear (gaff): Secures fish effectively and minimizes disturbance.
• Large trident: Useful for bigger fish, especially around wrecks.
• 6.5 mm spear: A versatile choice, durable enough to withstand contact with rocks.

Advantages and Challenges of Hole Hunting

Advantages

• Accessible and enjoyable, even for beginners.
• Enables targeted retrieval of fish.
• Can be practiced in shallow waters.
• Does not demand long breath-holds.
• Wide variety of potential catches, including moray eels, conger eels, wrasses, scorpionfish, sea bream, and occasionally bass, golden bream, or mullet.

Challenges

• Requires clear water for visibility.
• Poor lighting conditions at depth.
• Risk of equipment issues (snorkel snagging, spear stuck in rock, etc.).
• Requires knowledge of fish habits and underwater environments.
• Approach must be discreet—never head-on.
• Overfishing risk: limit catches in the same area to maintain sustainability.

Final Thoughts

With the right tools and terrain awareness, hole hunting can be a rewarding technique that yields frequent catches. It is especially well-suited for beginners but demands respect for the environment. Avoid overfishing, and return to the same spots only after sufficient time has passed to ensure the ecosystem remains balanced.