Ultimate Big White Seabass Clips Ever - Watch Full Screen For Full Effect

This is a compilation of some of the larger white seabass I have on film. None of them were speared, although I clearly could have shot most of them. I've tried to use the clearest clips, being that the compression blurs the others so much. The last clip is undoubtedly the largest WSB ever captured on film as far as I know. The fish it's following is your typical 40 - 45 pounder. The big one has to be somewhere in the 90 - 100+ pound range. Never, ever shoot a fish from the surface. It is totally unsporting and as cowardly an act as you can perform. What a pathetic end it would have been to that glorious fishes life. If you can't take the dive without scaring the fish off, you don't deserve it. Freedive spearfishing is the most admirable and conservation minded way of hunting in the world. Represent us well and respect your prey. Enjoy the video.

[@Balonishell]

This is just epic. Your ethics and respect are so on point. Truly an inspiration and a talented free diver. Thank you for sharing your opinion about taking wsb from the surface.

[@ensenadaspearfishing8440]

Épic vídeo bro

[@stamz80]

I don't know you are or what you do, but this is just about one of the most respectable vids i've seen here on youtube.

[@keithangler]

I love it for the shots you Did Not Take. A true sportsman. l appreciate the love for the sea and the creatures in it.

[@MONKNER]

His book is still one of the best ever written on the subject as it actually occurs. When you read it you get a really good idea of what the experience is actually like. And if you've actually done it, you have a real appreciation for how accurately he captured it. There is nothing like hunting WSB. It never gets old, it's always crazily exciting in your imagination as you hunt. Your mind is constantly trying to stay focused, knowing the slightest wandering of thought could blow everything.

[@MONKNER]

Glad you like it. If you really want to see things like this, do this: Don't shoot any WSB under 40 pounds. Start there. After you get a 40, move the bar up to 50, after a 50 move the bar to 60, after 60 move it up to 70, which is rare of course. Let everything swim off that is in the ten pound range you've already landed. You'll be absolutely amazed at what you learn and see if you hunt this way. Imagine all the clips I wouldn't have if I would have shot the first fish I saw.

[@MONKNER]

Thanks, friend. Glad you like it. I have a lot of really good footage, only problem is, most of the time when you see a big WSB the water is dirty. I had to use some of the clearest clips, otherwise with the compression it would be hard to see anything. I'll have to see if there's a way I can work around that so I can make another one.

[@OneGiantLeapMedia]

This is an AWESOME compilation - Nice work, man!

[@DrBillBushing]

Fantastic footage. I've only seen two and filmed just one of those, but I dive on SCUBA so they are usually long gone by the time I get near. Appreciate your respect for these magnificent fish. I've only eaten them twice.

[@neravairathethird]

Thank you for not shooting the huge sea bass! Far better to let its offspring fill the sea. I wish every hunter had your principles.

[@MONKNER]

This is in California. They do look a lot like Jewfish, but they are super jumpy and very difficult to approach. In California it's the most prized fish to hunt while freediving. That's the thing that makes the video so appealing to people. You rarely see anyone pass on them if they get a chance to shoot one. To pass on really big fish like many of these is unheard of. Then to have it on film, astronomical.

[@patrickiskool12345]

No, it's not illegal. Most people, including myself, would drool over those fish, and would pull the trigger, because it's not often that we get an opportunity to shoot a seabass, since they are so elusive. Passing on a possible world record white seabass takes a lot of self discipline, and shows lots of respect to the fish.

[@FreshWaterFishSlayers]

this is Awesome

[@manubea29]

Belle vidéo, c'est appréciable de voir des chasseurs avoir du respect pour la mer et ces animaux magnifiques.

[@Frankpro1]

@MONKNER Thank you for doing so. Too many of your fellow spearmen don't have the restraint and respect you give towards the WSB.

[@MONKNER]

Thanks. And no, I didn't take any of them, although many are clearly over 60 pounds. Once I've landed a fish over 65, I just leave them alone until I see one over 70. It gives me great pleasure to swim with the big ones, knowing I could take any one of them, but instead to let them live. The "Passing on Massive White Seabass" clip fish is over 65. I really struggled with that one, but now I have it forever. And the 90 -100 pounder.....One of these days.

[@bigbenelisbe]

This is so beautiful monkner...please! more!

[@MONKNER]

I'm glad to see there are some guys that get it.

[@silleiro]

Castas de un verdadero cazasub. mis respetos. disfruté con las imágenes

[@sbsphire]

Those fish are practically just screaming "shoot me!"

[@freedivingdan]

I really enjoyed watching this video!

[@Winethepooh1]

Wow! That was a beautiful video. I was terrified I was going to witness you spearing one. I came to this site after watching California Gold and saw the man who caught the world record white sea bass. I have never eaten white sea bass, but will definitely try it next time I'm out.

[@MONKNER]

You won't regret it. You'll see more than you ever have before. Good hunting!

[@MONKNER]

I hunt for food as well. In hunting this way you pull the trigger less, but when you do they are really nice fish. I dive an average of 125 days a year, 3 - 4 hours a dive and probably shoot about 6-8 WSB and about a dozen halibut. And my freezer is packed all year long eating fish three nights a week. If you just hold off for the big ones, it's way more rewarding in every way. You shoot less and see way more.

[@MONKNER]

It's always nice to hear there are other divers that "get it". Most are so convicted by the footage they burst into flames. :)

[@KyleDodder]

thanks i wont sleep for a month now!

[@inshanity84]

Awesome video!

[@MONKNER]

That's just like watching the olympics and saying how easy it is to do what they do. What you're not understanding is how rare this kind of footage is. That's why I posted it. They don't let people just sit there in their presence like this. It takes years of practice and a hyper-ethical stand that is second to none. Typically I will shoot about 6 fish out of 150 days of diving a year. If you knew what went into it you would be embarrassed at your comment.

[@modelleg]

@MONKNER Here in the east we have striped bass which also benefited from the ban on commercial netting. Whenever I see videos of White Seabass I think of Carlo Eyles. He must be a god to western freedivers.

[@MONKNER]

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. The music is "Enya", album "Watermark", song "Cursum Perficio". Haunting, just perfect for gliding through the murky kelp, never knowing what's coming around the next corner....

[@MONKNER]

Thanks, friend. I appreciate your comments.

[@Cubanistico]

Pretty good video, very nice filosofy.

[@echo1er]

Whats the feeling you have when you get close to the fish.

[@Spearomen]

great video!

[@modelleg]

It's amazing any of those noble fish are left.

[@pierreyaldo3212]

Holy shit....I have so much respect for you

[@spearchuckermf493]

thats so badass

[@TERRORIZERRRR]

I don't give a shit! I would have shot the bastard from the surface 3 fucking times if I had to. You don't see lions or other predators saying hey don't kill that impala or gazelle because they won't have a fair shot of escaping! Fuck that bullshit I'm trying to feed my family dammit! Good video though.

[@MONKNER]

Funny you should ask. It's a long story, but to make it super brief, the day before, I blew a filming opportunity on a 60+ pounder that I was 5 feet away because I assumed it was on camera. I just got the tail. So this time when I saw a big fish coming, I made sure I only looked through the viewscren to make sure I got it. The 40+ pounder I watched with my eyes, then I fimed the big one from the screen. Took a half hearted dive after it swam by and spooked it. When I downloaded the video........

[@The_Walking_Man]

Hey I really respect that you only shoot from underwater, I see your point about shoooting from the surface and it not being like the hunter/prey that nature would encounter. I love spearfishing and have never seen anything like your videos in the water. But how on earth could you possibly give up the chance at a WR sea bass just because you happen to be on the surface when you saw him? and if you dove down you would have scared him. I just don't know how well I would have restraint like that

[@flatr0ck]

I really respect not surface shooting fish. I do the same, but for the not-so-pure reason of not wanting the fish to make a beeline for the bottom (60-90 ft) before it starts its run. With regards to the last fish, I must ask, what is the full story. There is no way I would let a pb pass under me without trying to get a shot later. Did you wait for it to pass and do a drop to the bottom to hit it from below?

[@fishmunger123]

dope video

[@normos11]

I found myself screaming "SHOOT!!! SHOOT!!!" great vid

[@bigbenelisbe]

you are my hero....:,)

[@OceanCouncil]

Respect!

[@DevilDawgx]

i looked this up and it inspires me to see a video with respect to such great fish. ive watched other videos and first chance they get they hit the lunker over and over untill its safe to say they beat it to death.p;s i love the music and im in music so can you tell me where you got it @?

[@MONKNER]

The super amazing part is that are more now than there have ever been. You can thank the inshore gill netting ban for saving them.

[@MONKNER]

That's what you call conviction.

[@MONKNER]

Glad to hear there are some real hunters around. You're right, surface shooting is for punks.

[@KelpStalker]

Are you handholding the camera? Great video and ethics that challenge most of us, thank you.

[@Spearomen]

perfect

[@koolshark29]

Belle vidéo, bravo ;-)

[@Mevangeli]

A lot of self discipline on display here

[@cameronwick]

man its creepy down there you got balls

[@BrotherBen723]

coming from a former crewman on the Outer Banks, we are just trying to make a living.

[@iamdodgerblue32]

Hey, I was wondering what time of day it was when you took this footage.

[@MassimoBaratto]

Bellissimo complimenti , ciao dall'ITALIA , TARANTO by BARATTO MASSIMO

[@Marco15499]

The video is nice. However, I don´t see the BIG difference between shooting from the surface or while diving. The end result is the same: seafood. If the size is legal and they are not protected, spearing one fish won't hurt the species.

[@xjinit]

"unsporting and as cowardly" really? Some people hunt to feed their families and themselves instead of for "sport" as you do. If I was lucky enough to see or find one from the top, you better believe I'm bringing food home. Please show me any animal in the kingdom with as much respect for prey as spear-fishermen. You have talent when it comes to finding them and not spooking them for sure but don't try to instill your interpretation of respect for prey by shaming others.

[@tjmines2546]

guess hes not allowed to have an opinion according to you

[@user-ln1up9xi4k]

You think you're so clever and brown the only one with an opinion is you pussiboi

[@elseoner2394]

It doesn't matter if you have to eat there's laws and there's certain things that are just cheating. Somebody could say that they had to eat and that's why they spot light a deer or shot an elk out of a car. If you can't do it with skill and legally then don't do it. And nobody is that hungry sorry. There's food banks food stamps and plenty of places to get dinners breakfasts and lunches all over the United States. I know, I was homeless. I still ate every day and I was literally sleeping on the streets

[@crankatorium]

@stamz80 why? is spear fishing white sea bass illegal?

[@MrBeerwizard]

Lmao what kind of gun is that!?!? it looks like a gun nailed to a giant plank of wood

[@MONKNER]

I'm sure you'll understand when I tell you that it's an ancient chinese secret. :)

[@MONKNER]

Because I already had fish in the freezer. Why would I kill another beautiful fish?

[@shaunsipos]

Capital "A" Amazing video! Thank you for showing that just because you see a fish doesn't mean you need to shoot it! I am new to spear fishing but, am addicted. Do you have any advice to a new spear fisherman?? I don't shoot from above.. always dive down to get the broadside of the fish and try to have patience. I have no problem with kelp and am curious where this is since I live in Los Angeles and you said it's in California. Any advice would be appreciated! [e-mail]

[@therealkk1]

You should have done it

[@805_diver]

Post some more footage!!!!!

[@jack_laplnt5691]

i cringed this entire video...Nice ethics man but godam just take the shot

[@BrotherBen723]

nothing but good things to say about TIm. Sorry you are so bitter

[@ibrasigma711]

This is totally shit

[@kcarabba]

Lame video

[@BrotherBen723]

get over it

[@markio2010]

As ethical as you consider those rules to be, Ask yourself whose rules are those? Your lack of tolerance and judgment towards others that don't do it your way it sure sets you apart. How about you take it further and get rid of the bazooka and take them with a polespear? Even better how about you just post for people to enjoy and save the comments. Now that would seem to be the humble spirit of a true harvester freediver to respect.

[@MONKNER]

A Riffe Islander is a bazooka? Passing on fish is unethical? Not shooting from the surface is what, too ethical? Striving for excellence is wrong? "Tolerance"? Seriously?