so im taking a class to get certified scuba soon and of course want to try spearfishing. the dive shop in town (im in south georgia) does have them, but for $400+, hawaiian slings and pole spears for much, much less. im not looking for anything too fancy, but don’t know what im looking for features wise either. not going after yellowfin tuba or anything crazy like that (yet???), but would like something capable of taking out either an amberjack, grouper, or cobia (season permitting). looking around online i keep seeing several options in the $150ish range. thoughts/recommendations?
Just my advice…get your certifications, and spend time diving first.
There’s a lot to keep track of when you start diving without adding the distraction of spear fishing.
Pitcher is right. Taking a gun down before you are a good diver has gotten people killed. Dive first, then matchup with some experienced spearos. I don’t let people carry guns on my boat until I see them dive first. I don’t care if they have 20 years of experience.
probably should have mentioned i will definitely not be going by myself in doing this and yes 100% agree get comfortable diving first before bringing the speargun. once certified, the dive shop im doing the class through does run spearfishing trips, which i will definitely be under close supervision the entire time. these will also be the same people that certify me and see how i handle diving before attempting spearfishing. should they decide im ready and if i feel comfortable, i will probably start with sea bass, sheephead, flounder, … to get the feel for it, but would later consider the bigger stuff. that being said im not necessarily looking to buy a speargun today or anything, but would like to know what im looking at so i can browse around and get something id be happy with and not just the first special i scroll by on amazon. thanks for the inputs!
Check out “One more chance Scuba” in Charleston.
He sells a combination of NOS and new scuba and spear fishing gear. He has a huge inventory and can order whatever you want. He seems to be cheaper than internet pricing on everything except tanks. He’s the cheapest in town, but I have a much cheaper source for tanks.
Make sure to do your research and get exactly what you want.
*** World Cat 266 SC ***
Mako speaerguns. Size depends on what you want to hunt.
The first main investment you should be looking for is a dive computer!
quote:
Originally posted by sluggerMako speaerguns. Size depends on what you want to hunt.
mako is definitely one i am looking at and am very much leaning towards this one.
http://www.makospearguns.com/Predator-Pro-3rd-Generation-Speargun-p/mpp3gr.htm
please correct me if need be for any thought process on what im currently looking at vs what id maybe want instead. again im not buying until im certified, but would like to be educated for when i do buy and become familiar with my equipment while snorkeling or free swimming before trying it with scuba.
length: looking towards the 100cm to have enough power for bigger stuff such as aj, grouper, … (when im ready), but not too big where its not maneuverable through a reef for say seabass, flounder, or grouper (when im ready). not locked into buying the 100 by any means so if bigger or smaller will be better im 100% open to it.
bands: twin 16mm - thought process is the double bands will be easier to pull back each band rather than a 20mm underwater (have absolutely no problem cocking a 150lb crossbow with no crank/cocking rope), able to use both bands for big fish, single band for smaller stuff or flounder on the bottom.
muzzle: thinking closed, but if the spear is locked in good and wont fall off the rail when maneuvering id be fine with open.
butt pad: yes, makes drawing it back a lot easier (ive shot a speargun from a boat at spadefish and the butt pad made it easy to cock back)
skinneej: definitely going to buy a dive computer among other gear and although not required for the certification class, id like to maybe get one beforehand (will also talk with the instructors about one before buying) so i can get used to and understand how to use it sooner rather than later. i fully understand that scuba will involve more than just getti
Just make sure to share some pics when you get it all set up!
Good luck! I’ve heard some really interesting stories about sticking cobia. I’m too chicken to attempt diving off our coast and bringing up a bag of “chum” with some of the sharks I’ve seen and caught. Gotta say I do respect all the divers we have on this sight.
“Why Bruce?”
fred…no shortage of the tax man at the fl/ga border either! 
although the one pictured is a big sand tiger, me and a buddy put a nice blacktip and a fair sized lemon on the sand just this saturday.
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Originally posted by OhioNavyNukefred…no shortage of the tax man at the fl/ga border either!
Looks like a group of friends having a lifetime moment! That’a a big one.
“Why Bruce?”
that one was 8 feet 8 inches and hit a small bait on the surf rod pictured! granted sand tigers are like pulling jabba the hutt across the sand when reeling them in with heavy gear, that one was definitely more fun on the surf rod even though it still only took about 10 minutes to beach it. the guy all the way to the right is actually from minnesota and the biggest thing hed caught before that was a pike. before going out i told him the things were after i could use a pike as BAIT. everyone had a turn at the reel, but im sure you can guess who got to grab it by the tail and attempt to haul it up once it was close enough to land it!
48" AB Biller is a cost effective starter gun as well.
I have a Mako Predator Pro railgun that I could get rid of. It is approximately 4’ in length. (I’d have to check further to get exact size) I used it on a vacation in the Keys for the week and have not used it since them. PM me if you are interested.
Get a ton of bottom time before you worry about fish sticking, especially off our coasts. You’re so in the zone down there you need to make sure you’re comfortable thinking about the things you should be thinking about (like running out of air, staying near the boat, etc.
Mako 110 is what I use. cock 1 band for smaller fish. you just stick flounder no need to shoot. 2 bands for larger fish. I been trying to do offshore dives every weekend. I have all my gear and 26ft boat. Diving has been producing a lot of fish for me.
Biller-JBL-Rhino/Sea Hornets start around $300 and are more versatile and durable than euro style guns and have shot more fish in the South Atlantic than all other brands combined.My 54" LTD AB Biller has about 5000 dives on it and is 13 years old.
quote:
Originally posted by Aunt TBiller-JBL-Rhino/Sea Hornets start around $300 and are more versatile and durable than euro style guns and have shot more fish in the South Atlantic than all other brands combined.My 54" LTD AB Biller has about 5000 dives on it and is 13 years old.
Or a JBL euro?
*** World Cat 266 SC ***
Built nice but the euro shafts are a PITA.
Many of the guys I know use a Biller mech and JBL muzzle and aluminum shower rod or stainless tube for the body.They kill a lot of fish and big ones.
Of course with modern seasons and limits,a polespear would work most times.