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Spearfishing guns?

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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Hey y'all, hope its going well.

I made this thread wondering what spearfishing guns you guys use and what you recommend. Ive gone spearfishing with my buddies a little bit over the summer, but since they are all older than me and moving to college, I'm gonna need my own gun. So Im wondering what you guys like to use. I wanna keep it fairly cheap but want a good gun. Also ill just be spearfishing in lakes and rivers in Idaho so the fish won't get bigger than like a big carp or something like that. Thanks guys!

p.s. i know its still winter but just want to keep my eyes out in case of sales! lets keep praying for snow and happy shredding!
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Mar 4 2015 10:54PM
36 4
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
Hawaiian sling all the way man, keep it natural
Mar 4 2015 10:59PM
5 1
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
byuboundHawaiian sling all the way man, keep it natural


Looks fun actually. But i might want an actual gun I'm not sure yet but they are cheap. Thanks for the info.
Mar 4 2015 11:04PM
1 0
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TinyTigers
Posts: 484 - Karma: 213
Pneumatic spearguns are sick, they're on the higher end and have lots of power, but for carp in Idaho probably overkill. I'm a huge fan of Hawaiian slings, you could get one online for cheap or make one yourself. Pole spears with a nice band are also a lot of fun. I like these two options cause spearguns take time to reset. As far as a cheap gun, check out JBL. I had one for a while and it worked well. Bands broke after a while though, but not a huge deal.
Mar 4 2015 11:04PM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
TinyTigersPneumatic spearguns are sick, they're on the higher end and have lots of power, but for carp in Idaho probably overkill. I'm a huge fan of Hawaiian slings, you could get one online for cheap or make one yourself. Pole spears with a nice band are also a lot of fun. I like these two options cause spearguns take time to reset. As far as a cheap gun, check out JBL. I had one for a while and it worked well. Bands broke after a while though, but not a huge deal.


How do you think the mini and carbine mini would do? Kinda fits my budget. Not looking to go over $100 really.
Mar 4 2015 11:09PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
http://www.makospearguns.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=MPP2GR

Pretty cheap....and I have heard these are great. Definatly worth looking into. Also never buy JBL...they are super shitty
Mar 4 2015 11:10PM
1 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 51260 - Karma: 157,382
Mar 4 2015 11:11PM
1 0
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TinyTigers
Posts: 484 - Karma: 213
Just buy extra bands. Gonna have to get close to the fish too, they don't have much range.. but still fun! Pick up a Hawaiian sling tho, you'll do better with it than a carbine.
Mar 4 2015 11:12PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
TinyTigersJust buy extra bands. Gonna have to get close to the fish too, they don't have much range.. but still fun! Pick up a Hawaiian sling tho, you'll do better with it than a carbine.


Yeah Im looking at them and they seem super fun. Which one should I get tho? and are they all like 6 feet?
Mar 4 2015 11:15PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
TinyTigersJust buy extra bands. Gonna have to get close to the fish too, they don't have much range.. but still fun! Pick up a Hawaiian sling tho, you'll do better with it than a carbine.


I would say the opposite actually....I absolutely hate slings. I prefer just being able to load up and swim with a carbine.
Mar 4 2015 11:19PM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Hmmm guess theres advantages to both. I have a question tho, I'm looking at hawaiin slings and the size is 5 feet which is fine, but then it says 1/4" 17-4 SS. Is that talking about the spear head?
Mar 4 2015 11:21PM
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TinyTigers
Posts: 484 - Karma: 213
1/4" spear diameter
Mar 4 2015 11:47PM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Profahoben_212I would say the opposite actually....I absolutely hate slings. I prefer just being able to load up and swim with a carbine.


TinyTigers1/4" spear diameter


Thanks to the both of you k+. Hopefully more opinions will find their way here, I'm not gonna buy unless I see a killer price, then ill just wait til summer gets closer.
Mar 4 2015 11:49PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088
Wong guns are supposed to be among the best. http://wongguns.com/

Spearfishing is among the top sports I would like to get into.
Mar 4 2015 11:51PM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
iFlipWong guns are supposed to be among the best. http://wongguns.com/

Spearfishing is among the top sports I would like to get into.


Too bad Im not gonna pay more than $100
Mar 5 2015 12:00AM
0 0
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
.lenconToo bad Im not gonna pay more than $100


Sorry but you won't get too much with only $100. Those makos I posted start at $150 and are fairly cheap for a gun. The only one close to $100 is the JBL mini Carbine. I have used this for a while, and honestly it is so much better in the long run to just save the extra money.

Sling might be your best choice at that price. But I really suggest just saving up the extra $50.
Mar 5 2015 12:08AM
0 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Profahoben_212Sorry but you won't get too much with only $100. Those makos I posted start at $150 and are fairly cheap for a gun. The only one close to $100 is the JBL mini Carbine. I have used this for a while, and honestly it is so much better in the long run to just save the extra money.

Sling might be your best choice at that price. But I really suggest just saving up the extra $50.


Alright thanks m8. How do you think the normal carbine would do?
Mar 5 2015 10:22AM
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
.lenconAlright thanks m8. How do you think the normal carbine would do?


Well if you are paying the $150 for a carbine by JBL....I would just suggest getting a Mako. They are much nicer. But I had a buddy who used a JBL carbine for a little while. It worked fine, and he had much better luck with JBL than I did.
Mar 5 2015 11:53AM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Profahoben_212Well if you are paying the $150 for a carbine by JBL....I would just suggest getting a Mako. They are much nicer. But I had a buddy who used a JBL carbine for a little while. It worked fine, and he had much better luck with JBL than I did.


Alright I'll look into Mako as well. Which model do you recommend
Mar 5 2015 12:00PM
0 0
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
I'm threading this because I kind of want rover into it. We bow hunt for carp up here which is a super fun time
Mar 5 2015 12:03PM
1 0
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
.lenconAlright I'll look into Mako as well. Which model do you recommend


Look at the predator pro 2. They are a great gun. Make sure to get the open muzzle and the mini shark fin. The mini shark fin makes a huge difference. Another great thing about mako is that you can choose the length of your gun for free (up to 70cm I think), and you can choose the type and amount of bands.
Mar 5 2015 12:09PM
1 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Profahoben_212Look at the predator pro 2. They are a great gun. Make sure to get the open muzzle and the mini shark fin. The mini shark fin makes a huge difference. Another great thing about mako is that you can choose the length of your gun for free (up to 70cm I think), and you can choose the type and amount of bands.


What size is best? And amount of bands?
Mar 15 2015 3:35PM
0 0
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gapersarefriends
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 4,269
all my friends who speargun use riffe guns, but i'm assuming a gun for the pacific is probably overkill for carp
Mar 15 2015 5:07PM
0 0
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
.lenconWhat size is best? And amount of bands?


Depends on where you are. my suggestion would be to go out to your lake/river on a calmer day and see how clear it is. Then make a decision based on that. You don't want a gun you can't see the end of, but you also want to be able to hit the fish without spooking them.

Majority of the time the more bands the better. but the more bands you have the longer it will be to load. And along with the gun length...too much can be overkill...you don't need your spear shooting off into
where you can't see.
Mar 15 2015 6:09PM
0 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Profahoben_212Depends on where you are. my suggestion would be to go out to your lake/river on a calmer day and see how clear it is. Then make a decision based on that. You don't want a gun you can't see the end of, but you also want to be able to hit the fish without spooking them.

Majority of the time the more bands the better. but the more bands you have the longer it will be to load. And along with the gun length...too much can be overkill...you don't need your spear shooting off into
where you can't see.


I was thinking about 60cm. After that they add cost to length. There's one spot that really good but it's kinda shallow in spots. So if I miss I wouldn't want the spear to hit the bottom. But yeah I'd want to be able to reload somewhat quickly, but it won't matter too much.
Mar 15 2015 7:05PM
0 0
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fresh_prince
Posts: 993 - Karma: 11,910
ski pole with the basket taken off
Mar 15 2015 9:13PM
7 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Bump. Leaning towards Mako. Im gonna buy soon since the snow is melting off and summer is on the way. Just want some more opinions. What bands should i get on the Mako for Carp/blue gill here in Idaho in lakes and rivers?? Thining about 60 cm length
Mar 22 2015 11:25PM
0 0
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088
.lenconBump. Leaning towards Mako. Im gonna buy soon since the snow is melting off and summer is on the way. Just want some more opinions. What bands should i get on the Mako for Carp/blue gill here in Idaho in lakes and rivers?? Thining about 60 cm length


If you shoot bluegills or other game fish you will be breaking the law. In Idaho it is legal to spear carp, suckers, tench, and northern pikeminnows. Game fish, such as bass, bluegills, trout, salmon, pickerel, walleye, etc, are illegal to spear.
Mar 23 2015 12:20AM
2 0
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
iFlipIf you shoot bluegills or other game fish you will be breaking the law. In Idaho it is legal to spear carp, suckers, tench, and northern pikeminnows. Game fish, such as bass, bluegills, trout, salmon, pickerel, walleye, etc, are illegal to spear.


In SD you just have to buy a fishing lisense, but trout are still illigal. OP Definately look into it, $250 minimum in SD and no fishing/hunting for a minimum of 1 year is never fun.
Mar 23 2015 12:27AM
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088
Profahoben_212In SD you just have to buy a fishing lisense, but trout are still illigal. OP Definately look into it, $250 minimum in SD and no fishing/hunting for a minimum of 1 year is never fun.


I did check. That's why I said "In Idaho." In most states it is illegal to take game fish with a spear.
Mar 23 2015 12:43AM
1 1
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
iFlipIf you shoot bluegills or other game fish you will be breaking the law. In Idaho it is legal to spear carp, suckers, tench, and northern pikeminnows. Game fish, such as bass, bluegills, trout, salmon, pickerel, walleye, etc, are illegal to spear.


Profahoben_212In SD you just have to buy a fishing lisense, but trout are still illigal. OP Definately look into it, $250 minimum in SD and no fishing/hunting for a minimum of 1 year is never fun.


iFlipI did check. That's why I said "In Idaho." In most states it is illegal to take game fish with a spear.


Thank you for your heads up. Before I made that post last night I looked up "game fish in idaho". Bluegill never came up when I searched, but if they are illegal, I'll stay away. I know plenty of places with trash fish, but I just didn't see the blue gill.

Is there a link to where you found this? I can't find where it says bluegill is a game fish.
Mar 23 2015 10:49AM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
.lenconThank you for your heads up. Before I made that post last night I looked up "game fish in idaho". Bluegill never came up when I searched, but if they are illegal, I'll stay away. I know plenty of places with trash fish, but I just didn't see the blue gill.

Is there a link to where you found this? I can't find where it says bluegill is a game fish.


Nvm just found a link, guess I wasn't looking hard enough. But man I wish they were legal. I have such a good spot where I could be like Jesus and feed all of NS with fish!
Mar 23 2015 10:52AM
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profa_212
Posts: 8624 - Karma: 32,379
iFlipI did check. That's why I said "In Idaho." In most states it is illegal to take game fish with a spear.


Huh I was under the impression it was legal in most states....well you learn something new every day!
Mar 23 2015 11:07AM
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SteezOnSkis12
Posts: 907 - Karma: 1,446
Mar 23 2015 4:10PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Bump. Still troubled on band size
Mar 25 2015 12:46PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
.lenconBump. Still troubled on band size


.
Apr 3 2015 12:46AM
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slamdunk
Posts: 186 - Karma: 857
Over here people are slowly coming round to roller guns, they're popular already in Italy and Greece. The advantage is a 75cm roller has similar power and range to a 95-100cm normal banded gun, so you can pack as big a punch in a smaller gun. The only con is some people grumble that it adds time loading the band underneath the gun also but I think that's nonsense, you need to take time on the surface anyway to breath up.

I would also recommend an enclosed track gun, a buddy uses one and he could thread a needle with it, it's so accurate.
Apr 3 2015 6:03PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
slamdunkOver here people are slowly coming round to roller guns, they're popular already in Italy and Greece. The advantage is a 75cm roller has similar power and range to a 95-100cm normal banded gun, so you can pack as big a punch in a smaller gun. The only con is some people grumble that it adds time loading the band underneath the gun also but I think that's nonsense, you need to take time on the surface anyway to breath up.

I would also recommend an enclosed track gun, a buddy uses one and he could thread a needle with it, it's so accurate.


Thank you for the response kind sir, k+

Bump for more info tho
Apr 9 2015 10:01PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4702 - Karma: 8,727
.lenconThank you for the response kind sir, k+

Bump for more info tho


check out reddit.com/r/spearfishing, it has a pretty active community of spearfishermen that can probably answer any questions you might have better than a bunch of skiers hahah
Apr 9 2015 10:06PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
RedPandacheck out reddit.com/r/spearfishing, it has a pretty active community of spearfishermen that can probably answer any questions you might have better than a bunch of skiers hahah


Ill check that out! Thanks for the info, k+
Apr 9 2015 10:08PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Bump. Confused on what bands to get.
Apr 26 2015 11:48AM
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DayMan
Posts: 4702 - Karma: 8,727
I don't really have anything constructive to add to the thread but I just got back from Costa Rica where I did a bunch of spearing and it was sweet. Got some yellowtail, a blackfin tuna, and a grouper.
Apr 26 2015 1:33PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Bump. I want to get a camera so I probably won't get a fancy gun, looking to get a hawaiin sling now. Any recommendations?
May 30 2015 1:40AM
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