Legendary spearfisherman Art Pinder made history with his underwater achievements.

But Pinder, who died Tuesday morning at his home in Palm Bay at 84, never had that as his goal. Growing up in Miami, spearfishing was a way to provide food for his family.

Along with older brothers Don and Fred, Pinder was a spearfishing pioneer. Despite using what is now considered primitive equipment, Pinder shot a 7-foot sailfish by Fowey Light and also speared a 10-foot tiger shark and a 587-pound goliath grouper while freediving.

"He lived quite an interesting life," said Sheri Daye, who wrote the 2009 biography "Art Pinder: King of Sling," a nickname referring to the gear Pinder used, which consisted of a short tube with a band, or sling, that shoots a free spear.

"There'll never be another Art Pinder, that's for sure. He was very respected in the spearfishing community."

Pinder and his brothers won the 1954 National Underwater Spearfishing Championship and in 1955 he and Fred appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. At 54, Pinder and Don Delmonico won the 1983 U.S. National Spearfishing Championship.

He also modeled swimsuits for Jantzen and appeared in television commercials, which led to his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. He was also a pilot, an island resort owner, a TV show host and a professional boat captain, even though he often got seasick.

Pinder is survived by his wife, Alice, and his daughters, sisters, nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were pending. In lieu of flowers, Pinder requested that donations be made to Twin Palms Center for the Disabled in Boca Raton.