Stealth in the Keys: Freedive Spearfishing & Safe Apnea with Alex Pedera

In this Florida Keys special, host Joe Cocozza sits down with longtime local waterman Alex Pedra to talk pure freediving spearfishing—no bubbles, no tanks, just breath-hold, skill, and precision. From Key Largo to the Marquesas and the Dry Tortugas, Alex breaks down how he hunts grouper and snapper on iconic wrecks like the Eagle, Duane, and Bibb… all on a single breath. You'll hear how proper apnea preparation, streamlining, and using gravity instead of kicking lets him glide silently to 70+ feet, and how his father "push-starts" his deep dives to save precious bottom time. Alex also shares a slick low-light trick for peeking into wreck holes—closing one eye on the surface to preserve "night vision" at depth. The conversation dives into why freedive spearfishing is one of the most selective and sustainable fishing methods, avoiding bycatch, monofilament, and damage to the reef. Alex and Joe also hit the serious side: shallow water blackout, why you never dive without a buddy who can match your depth, and why proper freediving training, gear, and mindset matter just as much as fins and a gun. Along the way, they touch on the strong European freediving scene, books like Umberto Pelizzari's freediving manual, and the role of the Underwater Society of America in competitive apnea, finswimming, and spearfishing in the U.S. If you're into freediving, spearfishing, or sustainable hunting underwater, this episode will make you want to grab your long blades and head for the Keys—safely. Tags (SEO for freedivers): freediving spearfishing Florida Keys freediving breath-hold diving apnea sustainable spearfishing techniques shallow water blackout safety Umberto Pelizzari freediving European freediving scene Underwater Society of America