Client Adventures: From Zero to Spearo
At Xico Dive Shop the only thing more exciting than helping you find your perfect fit, is seeing where you go with your gear.
We love to see your photos, videos and hear stories of your underwater excursions. Nothing makes us happier than when our clients pop by just to share a chat. Whether it's your latest catch or deepest dive we want to see all your adventures!
As your favorite dive shop in Playa del Carmen it's important for us at Xico Dive Shop to support the community of underwater adventurers. We are starting a new series where we share our clients stories, accomplishments and incredible moments.
If you have photos or videos using gear that you purchased with us we would love to feature on our website or social media. Gain exposure for your skills and connect with other sea lovers. Just tag us in your posts @xicodiveshop or send your photos and videos by Whatsapp +5219843151175 or by email boutique@xicodivecenter.com.
The Spearo
Today we are talking to Ryan Thomas, a Canadian local in Playa del Carmen who has recently undertaken the dramatic transformation into a Spearo.
File footage: Barjack and Trigger Fish photo credit: Ryan Thomas, 2025
What is a “Spearo”?
Well the word "spearo" comes from spearfishing and is a colloquial term used to describe someone who practices spearfishing as a hobby or lifestyle. It is a community driven word, with a casual vibe. It is a shortened version of spearfisher that has a friendly and insider tone, which shows that you are part of the culture.
For example you might stop by the shop and say:
There were a bunch of spearos out at the reef today.
Do you have any carbon fins for us spearos?
Do you have any mask's that are a favorite among hardcore spearos?
Spearo Philosophy
A Spearo lives by the guiding principles of sustainability and ethical hunting. Which includes using only freediving techniques hunt and not scuba. Spearos will typically invest in specialized quality gear like spearguns, long fins, low-volume masks, and camo wetsuits. They understand the importance of quality equipment when you are engaging in a high performance sport. Most importantly a Spearo is part of the spearfisher community that shares stories, spots, gear advice, and safety best practices.
The Gear
Aropec Camo Blue 2mm Spearfishing Gloves
When we first met Ryan he visited us looking for a pair of gloves, and we hooked him up with the Aropec Camo Blue 2mm Spearfishing Gloves.
Not only do these gloves come in a beautiful blue camo print, they are made of 2mm neoprene with an Amara palm inside for extra protection. Amara is a type of synthetic suede which offers coverage from scrapes, cuts, bites and coral. With wide elastic Velcro closure and camouflage design, these gloves are perfect for fishing in warm waters. These gloves provide camouflage and pair perfectly with the Aropec spearfishing suit.
The next time Ryan came to Xico Dive Shop he realized that more than protecting his hands he needed to be seen. He was in search of a Torpedo Buoy, since we didn't have them in stock, we did a custom order, and now stock a variety of styles today.
Bonassi Torpedo Buoy
The Bonassi Torpedo Buoy and hooks were next on this Spearo's shopping list. The Bonassi Torpedo ensures that you stay safe while free diving, swimming and snorkeling by making you visible to boats, jet skis and other watercraft. The torpedo buoy has several hooks underneath which are great for hanging your tools and catch, while in the sea. The Bonassi Torpedo Buoy has been a bestseller among spearos and snorkelers alike.
Double Ended Diving Hooks
While hooks might not be one of the first things you think of when you think of spearfishing gear, they are an essential tool in the spearos kit. At Xico Dive Shop we offer a variety of hooks in different sizes and styles. They are great for organizing your gear and you can use them for securing your catch to the buoy while you continue hunting.
Aropec Camo Blue Spearfishing Wetsuit
The AROPEC 2MM CAMO BLUE SPEARFISHING 2MM WETSUIT is a must have for every stylish Spearo. Designed with the three pillars of spearfishing stealth, comfort, and durability, this suit features a prinked (chest) loading pad, that provides padding and grip for easier speargun loading, reducing bruising and wear over time. The Supretex kneepads add extra protection when kneeling on rocky reefs or crawling into tight spaces, without sacrificing flexibility.
Not only does the blue camo print look great but it serves a bigger purpose. It is specifically designed to blend into the shifting blues and reef patterns of the underwater world to camouflage from fish. The 2mm neoprene thickness of this suit offers the right level of insulation for tropical to temperate waters. The two piece style is a favorite among spearo's as it is easier to get in and out of allowing for greater mobility.
Suunto D4 Freediving Dive Computer
Now on sale for only $7000 MXN, the Suunto D4 Freediving Dive Computer is a spearo's lifeline underwater. When diving, the D4f displays your current and maximum depth and calculates dive time and surface intervals for you, allowing you to fully concentrate on exploring the underwater world. When you are training you can use the apnea timer to improve your breathing technique. After the dive, you can explore the details of your dive from the logbook.
Neoprene Socks
After experiencing a few painful saltwater sea blisters on his feet, Ryan stopped by to complete his outfit with some neoprene socks. We tried a few styles to get the perfect fit and ultimately he decided on the Mares Classic 3mm Dive Socks.
At Xico Dive Shop we have a full variety of socks to protect your feet from blisters, scrapes and stings.
The Catch
On his lastest visit to Xico Dive Shop, Ryan shared some pictures of his latest catch, a barjack and triggerfish.
File footage: Barjack and Trigger Fish photo credit: Ryan Thomas, 2025
Barjack
The barjack (Caranx ruber) is a sleek, fast, and common reef fish found in the waters around Playa del Carmen. It's a familiar sight to freedivers, snorkelers, and spearos and can be both a target fish and a reef companion. They are typically 30–50 cm (12–20 in), but can reach up to 70 cm (27 in). They are known for fast, aggressive swimming and are often seen trailing stingrays or larger fish, hoping to snag prey they disturb.
They are a moderately challenging fish for spearfishers to hunt. The meat from barjack is mild, white and fleshy making it is great for grilling or ceviche. Just be aware that in some areas barjack may carry ciguatera toxin; a naturally occurring marine toxin that can cause food poisoning in humans when they eat certain reef fish that have accumulated the toxin.
Triggerfish
In the Caribbean and much of the Atlantic, triggerfish are native, ecologically important reef residents. While they’re not invasive, they are abundant and can be bold, tough, and unforgettable. Many of divers have suffered the wrath of a territorial triggerfish. They are a challenging and rewarding target for every spearo. Providing delicious white meat that is firm, sweet, and clean-tasting it is excellent for ceviche, tacos, or grilling. Their tough skin and armor-like scales that require a sharp tip and solid shot placement. They are strong fighters with powerful teeth, so watch your fingers.
As triggerfish has a clean and delicate flavor it holds up beautifully to citrus curing in ceviche. Here’s a simple, fresh, and spicy Mexican-style ceviche recipe that lets the fish shine.
Triggerfish Ceviche Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb triggerfish fillet, skinless and boneless
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 8–10 limes)
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced or diced
- 1–2 serrano chiles or jalapeños, finely chopped (adjust to heat preference)
- 1–2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 ripe avocado, cubed (optional but delicious)
- Salt to taste
- Tostadas or tortilla chips, for serving
The Pearls of Wisdom
Ryan shared with me that spearfishing isnt a sport that he went looking for, but something that he felt a calling for in his body. He gets pleasure in the sustainability and connection that comes with hunting his own food and of course the enjoyment of a fresh homemade ceviche.
When asked what advice he would give to new or aspiring spearo's this was his advice.
Seven Spearo Secrets
1. Invest in high quality gear: You’re going to be catching your own food, and out in the water for hours at a time. You don’t want things breaking in the water (trust me).
2. Prepare to be frustrated: Let go of the need to catch fish right away. Enjoy the process of learning, and just being out in the water.
3. Learn the ethics of hunting: Do research in advance around sustainability and hunting practices. Educate yourself about coral and ocean health, learn what fish to catch, in what season, and how to “harvest” them with the least amount of potential suffering. Youtube is a great resource to learn what you need and best practices. He recommends studying Ikejime (活け締め) or ikijime (活き締め) a technique originated in Japan of hunting fish that maintains the quality of its meat. It involves the insertion of a spike quickly and directly into the hindbrain, slightly behind and above the eye, thereby causing immediate brain death.
4. Start slow and grow: You do not need to start out with the biggest speargun, as a beginner, you likely don’t need anything bigger than a 100cm gun. In spearguns, "100 cm" refers to the length of the barrel, measured from the handle to the muzzle, not including the shaft. This measurement is a key way to classify spearguns and helps determine how powerful, maneuverable, and accurate the gun will be. A 100 cm gun is often considered a perfect all-around length for warm-water reef spearfishing providing a balance of power, range, and control. 75–90 cm are considered more maneuverable, better for caves, low vis, or hole hunting. Whereas110–130+ cm offers more power and range, suited for blue water and large pelagics. At Xico Dive Shop you will find a full range including 75, 90 and 100cm Mares Spearguns.
5. ALWAYS bring a knife: a knife isn’t just gear it’s your lifeline. In an emergency, you might need to cut yourself free from a stuck or tangled floatline, shooting line, or bungee. Quickly and cleanly kill your catch using a brain spike (ikejime-style) or knife to stop suffering and preserve meat quality.
6. Know your limits: It is best to go hunting with a friend but if you do intend to go alone, be conservative. Don’t push your breath-holds. No fish is worth your life… read that again.
7. Target practice training: Ryan recommends doing pool training before you hit the sea. One of his hacks is to use a foam cooler for target training. If you have access to a large enough pool, you can buy a foam cooler, and use the top as a target for target practice. Take the top off the cooler, cut some holes in the bottom and attach some weights, and let it sink to the bottom of the pool. Then, making sure the length of your line won’t allow the spear to hit the pool wall, dive down, and do target practice at different distances on the cooler lid.
If you are looking for a spearo buddy you can connect with Ryan on Instagram @RyanThomasTIL. For all your spearfishing needs Xico Dive Shop has you covered, and if there is something we don't have in stock we can always do a custom order for you, like we did when Ryan was in need of Torpedo Bouy.
All of our inventory is up to date and available online at xicodiveshop.com. We offer same day local delivery within 10 km for orders placed before 4pm, and next day shipping for orders anywhere in Mexico. For those local in Playa del Carmen we are open daily from 9 am-8 pm and always here and ready to help you with all your questions!
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