If you enjoy fishing but you’re looking for a more active and energetic adventure, you may want to add spearfishing to your list of hobbies.
Speargun fishing, or spearfishing, combines the athleticism of freediving with the adventure and challenge of hunting. Spearfishers catch fish using specialized spearguns, and there are a few different varieties of spearfishing guns to consider if you’re just getting started in the sport.
What You Need to Know About Spearfishing
Speargun fishing requires a specialized license and knowledge of specific fish and game laws, rules that change from location to location. Make sure to brush up on any local laws to ensure your spearfishing trip doesn't end prematurely. Safety is also a hugely important goal in any type of hunting or fishing. Always remember to consider the location where you are hunting, and whether or not there are sight-seers, scuba divers, or snorkelers nearby.
Types of Spearguns
The two main varieties of spearguns for fishing are band-powered spearguns and pneumatic spearguns.
Band-Powered Spearguns
Band-powered spearguns use thick latex tubing to launch the spear. They fire almost silently, and their strength can be varied easily by using a different number of bands. They also provide the same level of power regardless of depth.Keep in mind that they are much larger and less sleek than a pneumatic speargun.
Pneumatic Spearguns
Pneumatic, or air powered, spearguns usually have a thicker spear encased in an internal barrel. A pump increases the internal pressure, which loads the spear and readies it for firing. The benefit of a pneumatic speargun is its relatively compact nature, meaning you never have to worry about rubber getting caught on coral or rock. Because pneumatic spearguns operate on compressed air, they lose power the deeper you go.
Proven and Reliable Spearguns
When selecting a speargun, it’s always smart to shop with an established, reputable company. Brands like Cressi, Salvimar, JBL, Seac, and AB Biller are known for their well-made spearfishing guns and attention to safety and detail.
FAQs
Do you need a license to use a spearfishing gun?
Licensing requirements for spearfishing guns vary from location to location. In some places, spearfishing is controlled by local fishing laws, so you just need traditional fishing permits. Most municipalities specifically dictate the species of fish you can spearfish and when, so make sure you do your due diligence.
What materials are used in spearfishing guns?
Spearfishing guns contain several common materials, including carbon fiber, aluminum, nylon, fiberglass, stainless steel, and latex. The spears themselves are usually composed of carbon fiber or stainless steel, while the gun is made of fiberglass or aluminum for strength and lighter weight.
Some types of spearguns feature rubber or latex bands for tension, while others use pneumatic pumping mechanisms to fire the spear.
How do spearguns work?
Spearguns use the tension in a stretched band or compressed air to launch a spear shaft through the water and into a target. To fire a speargun, you pull a trigger to release the tension built up in the band, or to launch the spear using compressed air. The spear fires through the water toward its target with minimal resistance.
How far will a speargun shoot underwater?
Most spearguns can fire as far as 10 to 30 feet depending on factors like water depth and current, and the spearfisher’s skill and experience. Narrow-diameter spears travel farther because they meet less water resistance while wider spear shafts usually have a reduced range.
