EPIC Canadian Spearfishing! 🇨🇦

EPIC Canadian Spearfishing! British Columbia
This trip took my appreciation of our coast to a whole new level... DAMN IS BRITISH COLUMBIA BEAUTIFUL!
We were living the cold water diving dream as we embraced the spectacular marine life and golden kelp amongst near crystal clear water. Kelp Greenling, lingcod, rockfish, seals... You name it! Come along for another Vancouver Island, BC underwater adventure. You won't be disappointed!
Bickerton Co: bickertonco.com/
Thanks goes to Divingsports.ca for helping me out on my adventures!
Check out East 2 West Freediving! www.east2westfreediving.ca
Support my adventures on Patreon! www.patreon.com/pnwsamson
Please like/subscribe and leave a comment if you enjoyed the content!
Music:
Tiko Tiko - Against All Odds
Jake Soffer - From Sea to Sky
Southern Call - Black Motorcycle
Captain Qubz - I Want More
NM - Alone
Dizzy - Monkey Buisness
Joseph B Paul - Why
Southern Call - Cactus Flowers
#vancouverisland #pacificnorthwest #pnw #snorkeling #spearfishing #freediving

[@dexterfreediver]

That viz!! Awesome video man, one of your best.

[@hankthediver]

I’ve been diving for a while now and you are inspiring me to start spear fishing, too cool to pass up.

[@PNWSamson]

It's a lot of fun. I just go to see the wildlife most of the time, bringing home dinner is the added bonus!

[@Hoojo]

I just found your channel. Seriously quality content brother. I'm an Vancouver Islander born and raised, it's awesome to see these places. Respect.

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks dude! Happy to share. Honestly, it's too amazing not too. So many people have no idea how accessible and amazing our ocean is. And that you don't need to dish out $5000 on scuba gear to enjoy the same views. Freediving and snorkeling can be just as rewarding. I love it.

[@cmcmillan22]

Same! Always wondered about spear fishing here!

[@AquaticMonkey]

😍😍😍 that viz!!! Incredible man!

[@PNWSamson]

Right?! Hopefully it sticks around into next week!

[@sebf8]

Thanks for making such great content

[@PNWSamson]

My pleasure man! I really appreciate the tip. It all helps out greatly. Cheers!

[@backspace0071]

This is truly EPIC! Love your message at the end lol Please keep making these awesome vids and let the hypocrites be jealous ;) Spearfishing is a great way to connect with nature and appreciate what nature offers. I will learn freediving soon, hopefully after passing AIDA 3, I can try spearfishing myself. Your videos keep me pumped lol

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks so much! Sorry for the late reply. And totally true, people who have never gone into the ocean try tell me what to do... They don't have that same level of appreciation and understanding that we do that's for sure. It's the ultimate way to connect with mother nature and the food that ends up on the table. Good luck on your journey, it's an exciting one!

[@NorthernScavenger]

This is awesome! We don't have a spearfishing scene in Nova Scotia, but this gets me hyped to one day check out the west coast waters

[@PNWSamson]

Nice dude! I'm from Nova Scotia. I've yet to dive back east. Can't spearfish but I'd love to see some blue fin tuna or even a great white in Canadian waters. On the bucket list. If you're ever on Vancouver Island, reach out!

[@codywise8114]

Amazing video my dude! We're sailing through the inside passage from AK this month and this inspired me to get a bunch of gear and try it out!

[@TaylorGraeme]

Great video! I grew up in Qualicum, brings back memories..Let me know if you ever plan a trip to Todos Santos, we can shoredive for grouper, pargo, sierra, and amberjack!

[@PNWSamson]

Damn that sounds amazing! Maybe I'll add that spot to the list. Cheers!

[@GoldVP...]

I'm so late...let's watch!!! 🍻 Butterfly World??? You drove right past my house, on the way to Coombs!!! Literally 75ft from the highway haha!! ❤ Yes edited, because it's taken me an hour to watch this vid, while tending to fam, but wow clean crisp video, excellent harvesting, and yes...those who buy fish from grocery stores, usually come from fish farms, all over the world.....get them out!! Fresh, and nothing but!! Cheers 🇨🇦 🍻

[@PNWSamson]

No way! Beautiful area. That butterfly world is for sale! I wish I had 2 million at my disposal haha. And that's just it, people who make those comments do so out of concern. No hate from me, I just like to educate them.

[@GoldVP...]

@@PNWSamson I'm actually surprised it's open. About 5yrs ago they were going to close down, so knowing it's still going is great. Ya I've lived at my place for over 7yrs, and it's like being in a city with all the traffic, and ambulances almost hourly haha

[@user-rk8bv8sz1j]

Just spent a week fishing for these species at nelson island. Wish I could've seen under the water like you did tho, incredible video!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! And no doubt! I bet it was still a blast though. Such majestic fish to view underwater. And super tasty as well. Best of both worlds! Thanks for the comment! 🙏

[@WildWaterWomanLisa]

Unreal conditions! Great video buddy - thanks for sharing!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! Let's go diving soon. I wanna catch the Salmon in CR!

[@KelpWolf]

Makes me want to get in the ocean soon. Nice video, I would love to dive up there!

[@PNWSamson]

Do it! Always a good time. And yeah, we have some amazing waters. Where are you from?

[@michelebknight]

Puns A+ Such beautiful captures of the kelp forests👌

[@PNWSamson]

Haha cheers! Gotta bust out the dad jokes.

[@sharethelove5034]

It’s soooo beautiful I could just cry. ❤ thank you Chris. The great thing is selective fishing.

[@PNWSamson]

It is isn't it? Cold water diving is where it's at. So beautiful. And yeah, spearfishing looks brutal from the outside looking in but we care more for our environments than the vast majority. Or at least the people I dive with do.

[@janamel7]

Love all your videos and this one was truly epic. Thanks for posting all your footage. So fun seeing your adventures, fishy views (and good eats) ❤

[@PNWSamson]

I'm really happy to hear that! This was one of my favorite trips in a while. Having that break, although I wanted, made me itch to get in the water. The wait was worth it!

[@PNWSamson]

Although unwanted*

[@erinlpalmer8410]

Bud, the custom gun is wicked!!! Glad this was the dive you got to pop it's cherry on 🤟🏻

[@PNWSamson]

Haha for sure! Brett is such a dope guy. I hope the video made him proud!

[@bickertonco]

@@PNWSamson Thanks dude, stoked for you to use one.

[@AlaskaBoys]

That’s some great visibility👍👍 there.

[@PNWSamson]

Dude, epic. I wish I was there right now!

[@IntuitiveIQ]

Nice video. Reminds me of diving in the kelp beds in California. Now I’m in Thailand and getting into Spearfishing here. 😁

[@PNWSamson]

Wicked! I'm sure it's just as beautiful in other ways. Hard to beat kelp though!

[@atop147]

Just subscribed brother! Solid content. Really shows the beautiful water of BC. Thanks dude.

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! So many people have no idea how phenomenal it is. We are definitely lucky!

[@abcd-jq1sy]

Amazing shots, both camera and spear

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers! The conditions were something else. I love big schools of fish amongst kelp.

[@xerxes_ysz]

Love your channel, Chris! I just moved to the central island two months ago, have only done a handful of dives, and haven't found a site like this. Indeed breathtaking!

[@PNWSamson]

The west coast of the island is where it gets amazing! I don't see too much kelp between Campbell River and Victoria. I don't think I see any around Nanaimo. Don't get me wrong, diving around Nanaimo is awesome in its own way, but the life you see on the west coast is incomparable.

[@xerxes_ysz]

@@PNWSamson Damn can't wait to pay a visit to the west coast! Might start off with Tofino

[@taeyeonhahn90]

Love this update

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! Happy to be with the family again. 🙂

[@mikewtull]

I only just started dropping crab traps off of my paddle board, and now your videos have got me wanting to spear fish/dive for crab!! I'm heading to East 2 West today for some recon.

[@PNWSamson]

Nice dude! Yeah, it's definitely a fun and rewarding time. I hope you find the equipment you're looking for!

[@stephenbrody2717]

Very cool vid man, it’s 3am i could not sleep found this and now I really cant go to sleep. 😂 great visibility and a lot of life under the kelp. In the Bay Area we don’t see nearly that much when we urchin and abalone dive. Always love San Juan’s and Vancouver island. We won’t all move up at once. Hopefully. Great new gun. Can’t wait to see more vids from you bro

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks Stephen! You guys have great white sharks to worry about too right? That mixed with bad visibility would have me a little freaked out haha. Especially while spearfishing. We don't always have conditions like that and depending on the area, big schools of rockfish are a rare sight. But we definitely had it good that day! I'd love to make it down to California one day and explore. Hopefully some kelp left by the time I do!

[@afulhouse]

Great video, made my day. 😎🇨🇦☮️

[@PNWSamson]

No way! Happy to hear that. Thanks! 🙏

[@jettwilliams2535]

Awesome vis, awesome video Come here to from nz

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers! NZ? No way. I didn't think I'd have people viewing from there. New Zealand is on the list, it looks amazing!

[@Westcoastchillout]

Sick man!! love it! From a lower mainland local!

[@PNWSamson]

Wicked dude! I'm in the lower mainland 50% of the time. Good times!

[@justsomeguy6474]

Processing is part of the game and is rewarding in itself.

[@PNWSamson]

Couldn't agree more!

[@susanlane6663]

Sure glad I just found your site !

[@PNWSamson]

Awesome! Happy you like it. ✌️

[@FlossyRoxx]

The kids are getting so big!!!

[@PNWSamson]

I know! Makes me happy/sad. Let's dive soon! Working my 7/7 shift!

[@bickertonco]

Great video as usual, buddy.

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers dude! Thanks for the gun!

[@howardlashbrook8500]

I just subscribed to your channel and I love it thanks for sharing

[@PNWSamson]

I appreciate the sub! The adventures are a blast, I'm happy people find value in the edits. Cheers!

[@MikeSmith-qq7gw]

loving the music selection for these videos. Added cactus flower to the playlist

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! Honestly, sometimes the most time consuming part is finding a song that goes with the vibes. Happy to know the searching pays off!

[@vancity2349]

Congrats man on a great video show casing the PNW waters and sea life. You were pumped before your big toe got in the water lol...so glad the vis was clear, love the seals too...

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers! And that I was haha. The break, although unfortunate, gave me a new found appreciation of our waters. Going on that dive was icing on the cake. Doesn't get too much better around here!

[@jordansanwald1728]

Damn bro

[@PNWSamson]

Epic eh! Such a fun day

[@spencerrolls]

Epic video. Loved seeing the kiddos and that water clarity was unreal.

[@PNWSamson]

Haha thanks, I love when they tag along. And no doubt, the visibility was next level.

[@backroadmonkeys1622]

Pretty inspiring buddy. I go up to Rugged Point, Side Bay, and Brooks often with my RIB and want to get into spear fishing.

[@PNWSamson]

Wicked! Those would be beautiful areas to explore. Spearfishing is amazing, rewarding and sustainable. You definitely appreciate the fish you catch that's for sure!

[@marlonprieto9803]

Niceee Spearfishing

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers dude!

[@stephenchrist1575]

As usual, your vid is bomber! That viz was unreal!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks bro! And we totally lucked out. I wish I was back there as I type this!

[@marshallbrowne5371]

Great size Ling for eating.

[@PNWSamson]

100% it didn't last long!

[@dru0338]

Great video... Man, i need to get in the water. Weekends in the summer load up for me. Took the dog for a walk on the beach last week and the viz looked incredible..

[@PNWSamson]

Get in man! The sea is good for the soul. I hear ya though, life can get hectic.

[@dru0338]

@@PNWSamson Litterally can feel the day wash off me when i do!

[@PNWSamson]

No doubt!

[@KingArthurFleck]

Brilliant

[@PNWSamson]

Cheers King!

[@user-md4rb3mt8b]

Its always good how a bit of light, even in shallow water, brings out the lost filtered colours. Don't let the righteous get to you man nor how their evs f the environment. Great vid thanks.

[@PNWSamson]

Haha so true, thanks man. And agreed, a little light goes along way. Those colors definitely popped. Cheers 🥂

[@tideover]

Profesh AF ! 🤙

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks brother!

[@selfpsydiver]

Hello from Belarus.

[@PNWSamson]

Hello from Canada!

[@urgrandmascar]

Love it man! 👍

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! 🙏

[@Wandersailing]

Dream dive right there 🙌

[@PNWSamson]

100% man let's get out!

[@DUDE72341]

sweet footage....great content!

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! I'm just the middle man. The diving was phenomenal!

[@petrhermanadventures9509]

I miss the ocean. I like how you throw in a bit of your family life. My family won't pose for anything public.

[@PNWSamson]

We gotta dive/collab sometime man! I'd love to get into the ocean one day with you. Haha my kids are 3 and 4. I'm sure they will be running from my camera soon enough lol.

[@petrhermanadventures9509]

@@PNWSamson Yeah I agree, we should. I would like to come over and see some herring spawn next year. Been a long time since I played around in Seymour Narrows too.

[@PNWSamson]

@@petrhermanadventures9509 totally. I have an airbnb. Give me enough notice and I can block off some dates!

[@stevejohn]

this is unreal. I just started crabbing by hand this year off our sailboat. I need to try free diving and spearfishing

[@PNWSamson]

For sure! Crabbing is awesome too though and a great entry level way to learn to breath hold harvest. You are already well on your way!

[@anonymuz_guy9820]

Super cool footage!

[@PNWSamson]

I appreciate that! Happy you enjoyed it.

[@SaltwaterSean]

Awesome as always

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks brother!

[@quinnculver]

Nice. In Hawaii I'm complaining about 10-15 meters of viz.

[@PNWSamson]

Haha, we call 15m vis "Hawaii vis." I guess everything is relative!

[@chantalrochon3566]

Amazing BC❤😊

[@PNWSamson]

Totally! Can't beat it!

[@TheBowhunterinNB]

I live in NewBrunswick and have been fighting with regulations here to allow spear fishing but it’s illegal as of now . Great video brother

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah, so dumb. It's legal here but very restrictive. Basically no spearfishing in fresh water and many salt water species are off limits. What makes me mad is New Brunswick can export a few hundred million in crab each year but you can't hold your breath and dive for one for dinner. So backwards... I'm from NS originally, I'd love to dive on the east coast one day.

[@PNWSamson]

Lobster not crab*

[@stanf9898]

Salute. :)

[@PNWSamson]

Haha I finally got you covered!

[@dungenesscrab]

Dove nor cal over 20 years and never had visibility like yours... 😢

[@PNWSamson]

That's a bummer. It's rare but it's like that a few times a year. Not often in the summer. I've seen some epic footage from Not Cal though!

[@jordansanwald1728]

The Ling cod or the gun ? Hahahaha

[@PNWSamson]

Haha that was funny. The vibes payed off!

[@stevejones924]

Your channel makes me want to go diving again. I did Scuba but I like these surface supply units out now. One to 30' would be great Question: Is LingCod the same taste as our Fish 'n Chip's cod?

[@PNWSamson]

Do it man! And yeah, they seem like a happy medium between scuba and freediving. I've yet to try one but they look cool. Our fish and chips? I'm assuming you mean British Columbia? You can order fish and chips made with lingcod. You most likely have had Ling fish and chips if you've eaten them in the PNW in the past.

[@dylonswiatek]

PUN KING

[@PNWSamson]

Haha yeye 😎👑

[@yakoubbonnie]

recently stumbled upon your channel and love the videos man. I live up in Indian Arm, and was wondering how one gets started on something like this, checking out the local diving store site is a bit overwhelming - what wet suit and snorkel set would you recommend for a complete amateur?

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks, happy you're enjoying the content. Diving up the Indian Arm is my favorite spot around Vancouver. Up around Silver and Granite falls is beautiful. Hmm, yeah it can be a little overwhelming. I'd suggest going into the store and talking to the staff in person. Some manufacturers will fit your body shape better than others when it comes to wetsuits. Fit is the most important thing, but I'd go with a 2 piece open cell 7mm suit. The cressie and beauchat are really nice. Any simple snorkel will do and a low volume mask. Same deal, I'd try a few masks on to ensure you have a good seal. It can be a little stressful and expensive to buy all the gear but it's also super exciting. Once you have it and take care of it, it should last for years.

[@brianyxchen]

This is amazing content, appreciate the great clips! I went snorkeling a few times in the tropics and loved it! Where would I get started in doing stuff like this here? Visit a local Vancouver dive shop?

[@diadlo13]

If you go to Diving sports in vancouver they'll be able to answer all your question and help you get geared up. They used to be specialized in freediving gear. They have expended to also include scuba now but definitely still have really strong freediving roots.

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah! Diving sports would be a great resource for sure. Check out all the freediving groups too. Freedive BC, Vancouver Island Freediving, Spearfishing and Snorkeling, Snorkeling BC to name a few.

[@alandame3260]

Gotta collaborate with Ollie from primal pursuit. Show him our awesome water's

[@PNWSamson]

That would be dope! Daniel Mann's thing is to "dive everywhere." I should shoot him a message haha.

[@sand_shifter]

How about the sea urchin …. Can eat the roe is great 👍

[@PNWSamson]

Totally! I find them pretty rich, I can usually only eat half a one unless I make pasta. Super healthy too.

[@chasehong1944]

On Vancouver island does sea urchin fall under shellfish closures? Or is it kinda more like crab where it dosnt fall under that?

[@diadlo13]

Its just like crab they don't get closed like shellfish.

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah exactly, they are not filter feeders so all good. I wouldn't harvest them from some areas though. For example, near waste water treatment plants, etc.

[@321Phinney]

How do you mount your GoPro to the spear gun? Looks fantastic

[@PNWSamson]

I made a video on how! It's super easy. This video could be 2 minutes shorter haha. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpnbc4SCmK-JmNUsi=orW1va3OpW89c_zG

[@MrAaronjo]

Mannn I wanna learn how to spear fish. I’m a rescue diver but not sure where to go to get taught the basics. Any recommendations? I’m Vancouver based.

[@PNWSamson]

Well, if you're already comfortable in the water that's half the battle! There are a bunch of people around Vancouver and Vancouver Island who teach freediving. Oceanoid is who I received my training from. They are amazing. As for harvesting, I have an educational playlist that covers most of what you need to know. From there, just get some practice and experience freediving before you grab a gun and your set!

[@franciscosantos7741]

nice video, what is your camera?

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks! For the underwater stuff, insta 360 ace pro. Above water, Google pixel 7 Pro and Sony AX700.

[@kaelawhittingham6909]

Hi ive been a student at uvic for the last 5 years and I feel like I havent fully taken advantage of this gorgeous place to live. Is there a group I could go with to get started?

[@eaalbaan]

Check out @uvicfreediving

[@PNWSamson]

If you haven't been in the ocean I'd say you're missing out. Never too late! Check out Vancouver Island freediving, spearfishing & snorkeling on Facebook.

[@manderson7173]

Curious about how to make a neck weight 🤔

[@PNWSamson]

Hmm, there must be a KZbin video out there. You just need some lead shot, a bike tube, buckle and some electrical tape. Pretty straightforward I believe!

[@geordiecompton]

Generally speaking where is this reef

[@PNWSamson]

West coast of the island! 😁

[@ThatGuy-xd5fs]

Only 8k followers this is early into finding this

[@PNWSamson]

My growth has been slow. I think my channel is niche. All good though! I do it for the love of it.

[@ThatGuy-xd5fs]

@@PNWSamson keep making good content travel around get really clear water shots

[@PNWSamson]

Will do! Cheers

[@odoacredacalcutta5085]

could you shoot seals in BC ? how is the meat ?

[@PNWSamson]

Not in British Columbia, no. I believe first Nations can. I'd be concerned about their mercury levels. Probably sky high!

[@odoacredacalcutta5085]

@@PNWSamson I guess every animal in the ocean that is on top of the food chain and has a long life span has the same problem ? I know for sure also tunas have lots of mercury.

[@PNWSamson]

Yeah, exactly. And they eat lots of fish! They hunt seals on the east coast of Canada. They club baby ones. They must be low in mercury due to their age.

[@LearningOfOld]

What’s the thing around your neck ?!

[@PNWSamson]

Watch the video! Haha. I explain it at 4:05

[@d-monster4340]

Great footage but , your Chad speak is lengthy 😢. Best viewed on mute with CC on 😊 .

[@PNWSamson]

@@d-monster4340 thanks, not sure what you mean by Chad speak? I don't expect everyone to listen to everything I have to say so no worries.

[@sibijames650]

I thought spearfishing was illegal in Canada

[@PNWSamson]

It depends on the province. It's legal in British Columbia. Very restrictive in fresh water, somewhat restrictive in the ocean but we can still target most species.

[@sibijames650]

@PNWSamson what's the biggest species that you have which can be legally taken ?

[@PNWSamson]

@@sibijames650 technically a salmon shark. I've never seen one nor would I pull the trigger on one though. Halibut or lingcod. Halibut can be massive but they have maximum size restriction. Lingcod can reach 85+ pounds, the biggest I've shot was around 30lbs.

[@stevelloyd2581]

After diving 60+ yrs around Vancouver Island hate to report that the bottom fish are so fished out that your killing the future , diving is not about killing anything that moves, very politically incorrect

[@PNWSamson]

@@stevelloyd2581 It depends on the person. You can't tell me what diving is about... Some people dive commercially, some dive for photography/videography, some dive for research/education, some dive for conservation and some dive for food. I do all of the above. You seem to click and comment on my spearfishing content but have you watched any of my other videos? The clean up dives and beach cleanups I've coordinated with my friends? The video in which I found over 200 illegally set crab traps off Kitsilano beach? Probably not... Question, are you going on Facebook groups and hounding dive charters about rockfish conservation? Are you emailing bottom trawlers off the west coast of Vancouver Island about their destructive fishing practices? Do you yourself consume seafood? The only meat I consume is self caught from the ocean. No store bought seafood, no steak, no pork, etc. 99% of my diet is plant based. Congratulations on putting in 60 years of diving, that's awesome. Good for you. Please stop acting like I'm the problem. I do a f@#k load for the ocean and do my best to educate people on all the best practices on my channel. Spearfishing is selective and sustainable. I see a rockfish, I point, I shoot. I used to jig all day and catch a dozen before catching a lingcod. Every dive I go on I pick up lures and lines from the ocean's bottom. Again, I'm not the problem.

[@management2449]

Stop hurting the wildlife!

[@PNWSamson]

I'm harvesting for myself and family. I choose to source my protein sustainably from the ocean. Although I understand you care for wildlife, as do I, I prefer to know where my seafood comes from. If you want to take aim, go to a grocery store and educate people on overfishing. I am not the problem.

[@shanefoster6018]

So legendary love your channel #RESPECT #OCEANIC one day would love to get together and learn from one of the best #INSPIRATIONAL smash #LIKE and #SUBSCRIBE lets get this guy past 20k

[@PNWSamson]

Thanks brother! I'd be happy to take you out diving. I always appreciate the comments and support. Cheers!