Spearfishing Buying Guide
« Back to Buying Guide IndexFreedive Spearfishing
Do you like diving? Do you like the thrill of the hunt? If you answered "yes" to both of these questions, then why not take up spearfishing? There are many varieties of spearguns on the market and the options can begin to feel overwhelming.
While shopping for spearguns, remember that the ultimate responsibility and success of the hunt rests on your shoulders.
Safety
If your speargun makes a great deal of noise, you are very likely going to scare your prey away. When deciding on which speargun fits your needs, make sure it boasts of a quite mechanism. Also, make sure your speargun's safety is enabled at all times, unless you are actively shooting the gun.
Style
Pneumatic Guns
Pneumatic spearguns are frequently seen as the workhorse of the spearfishing world. They use air to force the spear out of the gun, through the water, and into the game. The advantage of a pneumatic gun is that it has immense power for its size. The drawback to phuematic guns is that they are also seen as being high maintenance and lose power the deeper you go.
Band Guns
Euro-band guns were designed for people who hunted smaller fish. Because smaller fish are very agile, spearguns for this sport were designed to be fast and very accurate. The effective range of a euro-type speargun is approximately three times the spear length from the tip of the gun.
Multiple-band wooden spearguns are used to hunt larger game. This style of gun is a bit slower, but packs a bigger punch than do the euro-band spearguns. Many divers who hunt fish in very clean waters need the additional range that a multiple band wooden gun gives them.
An important note about band guns: Bands can wear out and become very hazardous. Make sure bands are replaced before they deteriorate and create a safety issue.
Size
Contrary to initial some people's original instinct, a speargun's size is dependent primarily on the visibility underwater, not the size of the game being hunted. The cleaner the water, the longer the gun is required for a successful hunt. The one caveat to this rule is when you hunt in non-open water, such as caves, that limit the space you have to maneuver in. In a tight spot, the last thing you want is a ridiculously large gun - you can successfully shoot cave prey if your gun can't fit in the hunting area.
Game size does not completely escape the equation when determining a gun's size. To successfully bring down a larger fish, you'll want a longer and more powerful gun. Taking down smaller fish requires less gun, thus you can use a smaller and less powerful speargun.
Trigger Action
A smooth trigger action is crucial when firing a speargun. A trigger that is temperamental or that jerks as it is depressed, If you have to fight your trigger, your are very unlikely going to maintain your proper aim.
Noise
While fish tend to be a curious bunch, they also tend to be a skittish creature. A speargun that creates a great deal of noise is very likely detrimental to the success of a hunt. The quieter the gun, the better!
Buoyancy
Be aware of the speargun's buoyancy. Many speargun manufacturers add weight to their guns to reduce the recoil affect, which is a plus for many hunters. The drawback to a weighted gun is they are more likely to sink than are positively-buoyant guns.
Line
Without a line, your speargun is basically useless. Once your spear is expelled from the gun, you need to be able to retrieve it--hopefully, with a fish attached to it. Shooting line should be thin to limit the amount of drag in the water, but it should also be strong enough (300 lb. minimum) to avoid breaking and being but by bones and sharp hazards in the underwater environment.
Tips
There is a wide variety of tips and barbs available to people who use spearguns. They types and styles needed vary based on the prey and water conditions. The same tip used to hunt a tuna in clear water is not the same tip you should use to hunt smaller fish in a cave or in murky water.
Spearfishing Accessories:
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Floats & Flags
Using a float on your gun's line allows you to easily locate your spear, even in kelp beds and seaweed, and it helps you retrieve your bold (and prey) if the fish tries to hide in a hole or crevasse.
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Tip Protector
When storing your speargun and tips, place a tip protector over the tips to keep them and you from un- wanted damage.
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Slings Sleeve
Store your slings in a protective sleeve to keep them away from light and air, which can both diminish the quality of your bands.
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Laser Pointer
When you've spotted THE fish for you, use an underwater laser pointer to show your dive buddy exactly which fish is in your sights.
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Spare Bands/Sling
Speargun bands wear out; if a less-than-optimal band is put into use, it can create an incredibly dangerous situation. Replace your bands on a regular basis to make sure you and your diving party are safe.
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Fish Stringer
Use a fish stringer to gather your day's prizes without dropping any and leaving them behind for a lucky gull or crab. Simply string your fish on the line to keep them together and safe-and-sound until you're ready to put them into a cooler.