Speargun Models and Sizes - Which to Choose?

[Dr. Jay]

Sorry, I've only seen a little on spearguns mentioned on this board. I guess I want to take a little more than pictures ;).

I've done some searching on speargun specs, and come up with:

- Wooden guns are more positively buoyant, and more silent
- The longer the shaft, the greater the range

On that note, does anyone have any recommendations for spearguns? So far I've looked at JBL, Riffe, and AB Biller. All are nice I guess. I live in FL, so something that can get me around most of the state would be nice. Plus something I can also use while freediving would also help. I'm not massive, but I can throw some weight around :D

Got any suggestions on a good speargun to start off with? I'm hungry!

[Bob3]

What size critters are you planning on whacking, and how often are you going to be going out?

The 3 guns you mentioned are all decent, with the Riffe being the Cadillac.

For Keys diving, I have a JBL Sawed Off Magnum, the gun only gets used a couple-few times a month. If it were getting used much more often, I'd have gone with a Riffe.
JBL has a new line out that uses heavier wood, it's less bouyant.

[Stone]

Dr Jay,

You may be interested in visiting Spearboard (http://www.spearboard.com).

I have a JBL sawed-off woody, and my wife has a JBL woody 38 special. Both of these guns are adequate up to legal amberjack (28 inches to the fork) size.

[Walter]

I have two, a Biller which I've used for many, many years and a Riffe which I've had for almost 2 years now. Both are almost neutral in the water. Aim is different, I was used to the Biller and had to adjust my aim down for the Riffe. The Riffe is quieter so you lose fewer who move when they hear the gun fired. I've had a trigger fail (since replaced) on the Biller. When the trigger fails it fires. FredT tells me the Riffe trigger won't fail, but if it does it fails by not firing. Are you interested in free shafting? If you are, the Riffe is not for you. Most of my hunting buddies free shaft and use Billers.

[joens]

what is "free shafting"?
Joens

[Walter]

Free shafting is not having a line attached to your shaft. Some prefer it because they feel the fish will feel the line and put up more of a fight.

[joens]

thanks I am just getting into spearfishing and I dont know a lot of the stuff yet.
Joens

[Walter]

May I recommend reading The Last of the Blue Water Hunters ?

[joens]

sure I will order it I have been reading a few books on the subject Thanks.
Joens

[joens]

Walter once bubbled...
May I recommend reading The Last of the Blue Water Hunters ?
Any idea where I can find a copy I thought I remembered seeing some on some of the websites I buy from but I looked and they didnt have it.
Joens

[joens]

never mind I found it on amazon.com
joens

[Dr. Jay]

Bob3,
I'll probably only be able to go out a couple-few times as well. Price is kind of a concern too, and from what I gather the Riffe is a little more expensive. I'm looking at gettin' me some medium to medium-large fishies. Nothing too monsterous. I don't feel like being dragged under a reef ;)

Stone,
Thanks for the link!

Walter,
Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll check it out. The free shafting idea sounds nice, but it seems like you might loose a few shafts here and there. Can this get expensive?

I guess with the three models I chose I wouldn't be shooting myself in the foot (except with the Biller, I guess :eek: ). I'll try to troll some local dive shops and hold some of these things. Maybe one of the three mentioned will just 'fit' well.

[pchelp]

They make a great all-around gun, easily switch from line shaft to free shaft, or the reverse. Good trigger mech, great muzzle, etc. Check out http://www.spearfishingspecialties.com for more information.

I use their "Rhino" (48"), which features a very protective covering that takes lots of abuse. Their "commercial" versions are hard to beat.

They will stop most anything you are likely to meet (with a well placed shot):) .

[Amphibious]

You want to learn about spearfishing? go where the pro's are ->

www.deeperblue.net

I've been spearfishing for 12yrs, on 3 continents and have never found a better resource of information. I learn something new there everyday.

Omer? Riffe? JBL? Rabitech? RobAllen? Picasso?

yup - they're all discussed there. and Many Custom/Hybrid weapons.

Willer

[SM Diver]

Walter once bubbled...
Free shafting is not having a line attached to your shaft. Some prefer it because they feel the fish will feel the line and put up more of a fight. Walter, hate to correct you, but that's not why people free shaft. Free shafting has become VASTLY more popular on Florida's Gulfcoast, especially with the popularity of the Commercial Gun made by Spearfishing Specialities.

The logic behind freeshafting is this:

1. Safer to diver (and to other divers who may be down with you);

2. If you become an excellent shot, a line should not be necessary, as you learn to "stone" or "brain" fish with regularity;

3. Greater range, not being connected to a line;

4. And, cited most often as the reason for free shafting: SPEED. Quicker to reload and take another shot.

Some free shafter have acquired sufficient skill to free shaft larger fish, such as amberjacks and cobia. I have done this, and if you don't stone the fist, it's is a major pain "running" after him and getting control. Some guys can routinly hit an AJ and turn out the lights right away.

By the way, Riffe is now apparently recognizing the increasing popularity of free shafting, and has started making an optional "enclosed track" for it's guns, which permit free shafting a Riffe. I would point out that Jay Riffe told me, "If you bend your shaft, your done" for that dive.

To the original question: There are two guns I primarily use. First, I have a Riffe Metal Tech 3 line gun. I use it in primarily two situations: 1) The bottom of the ledge or structure is deep (e.g., 130 ft or more), and I don't want to have to swim to the bottom to get my shaft; and 2) I am planning on targeting amberjacks only. I might also use it if I know the stucture has a very deep lip, or has cave type holes that would make retrieving an injured fish difficult.

My second gun, and the one in use 90% of the time, is a Spearfishing Specialties Commercial Gun w/ spare shaft. I use this for free shafting fish. The negative on this gun is it's expensive (around $500 - $600). But that's about the only negative, and I think for this area of the country it's hard to beat, IMO. It's all a matter of preference.

Scott