Episode Details

NSP:314 — KillShot, Deep Apnea & the Real Shark Shield Story | Ed Martin Ed Martin is one of those blokes who genuinely can't help himself — after years running a dive shop, guiding charters, and building timber spearguns under the KillShot brand in the Florida Keys, he bought carbon fibre fin company Deep Apnea, got involved in bringing Shark Shield back to market, and watched it all peak and crash at the same time. He's since closed the shop, sold the boat, moved 400 miles north to an 80-acre former turtle farm near Ocala, and is now running two manufacturing businesses out of separate buildings he's literally wiring himself. This episode covers the real Shark Shield story, hard-won business wisdom for anyone thinking about turning their spearfishing passion into a paycheck, and an in-depth breakdown of carbon fibre fin construction — including why "soft, medium, hard" is a terrible way to choose your fins, and what actually matters. If you're a spearo who thinks about gear and business, this one's worth a full listen. KEY TOPICS COVERED: Why Ed closed his Florida Keys dive shop and what the real cost of chasing too many opportunities looks like The Shark Shield saga — why the Freedom 8 never made it back to shelves, and where to get one now (Sentinel Ocean Systems) How Deep Apnea carbon fibre fins are made: hand layup process, resin management, and why less resin means better performance Fin stiffness selection explained properly — body weight, dive frequency, depth, and the static deflection test Ed uses to compare flex The flip flop chest loading pad hack: how to rig a full thong with dyneema for an adjustable, depth-stable chest pad Business advice for aspiring spearo entrepreneurs: exit strategies, profit margins, and why you need to know when to walk What's next for Deep Apnea and KillShot — CNC automation, doubling accounts, and the dream of destination spearfishing CONNECT WITH ED: Deep Apnea Freediving Fins: deepapnea.com — use code NOOB10 for 10% off blades KillShot Spear Guns: killshotspearguns.com Sentinel Ocean Systems (new Freedom 8 / Shark Shield stockist): sentineloceansystems.com NOOB SPEARO: Spearfishing Courses and Retreats: spearfishingcourses.com.au Instagram: @noobspearo Website: noobspearo.com Newsletter: noob-spearo.kit.com/floater PARTNER DEALS: Adreno Spearfishing: spearfishing.com.au — use code NOOBSPEARO to save $20 on orders over $200 Neptonics: neptonics.com — use code NOOB10 to save 10% storewide Old Man Blue: oldmanblue.com.au — use code NOOBSPEARO for a free vinyl filleting apron on orders over $300 Aqualyte Hydration: aqualyte.com.au — use code NOOBSPEARO to save 10% Dog & Gun Coffee: dogandguncoffee.com — use code NOOB10 to save 10% HohnkeOutdoors: hohnkeoutdoors.com — use code NOOBSPEARO to save 20%