The JBL i bought when I was in your boat was an aluminum one. the trigger is horrible the safty is rough the line is just some stringit frayed from its own clip in 2 or 3 shots. its got no cocking pad amd i personally dont like how they attach the bands ,,if one gets off center its a MAJOR PITA to get it sorted out on land let lone in the water.
A pole spear is great for exploring around its always there reloading is a matter of just holding it and sliding your holding hand foward. they are way cheap also. as i said above if a grouper rocks up u can get in there and work him. you can use it to guide a lobster out of a hole. I even use mine to anchor myself in a current to take a pic or observe somthing. By just sticking it into the sand. Also if you are buddy diving for pleasure you can use it as a pointer showing a boddy corals , fish , inverts ect.
Lets face it spear guns are just plain cool and fun. I would say definatly buy a 4ft pole spear and a spear gun. Dont skimp on the spear gun As Scott Zeagle said above check out the hornets! on also the line release on a hornet or biller is a nice mechanism , on a jbl its just a tention clip the hornet and biller come with plastic coated cable the jbl is string.
