I've spearfished all over SoCal (PV, Laguna, SD) for many years before relocating to the east coast. What I learned was that you can take smaller fish with a large gun, but not the other way around.
My first gun was a JBL 38 Special as well. It was short and easy to load. I took sand bass, female sheephead, and small~medium halibut, rockfish, and a few calico bass with the gun. But, I've lost some nice fish (48+ inch halibut, 20+ inch cabezon) because the gun was underpowered.
Also, the trigger mechanisms on the JBLs will wear out if you use the gun alot (pretty common issue). When they do, the gun will frequently jam. My trigger mechanism began to wear/jam after about 18 months of weekly use. I've heard that the XHD series have a much more durable trigger mechanism.
I had much more success when I got a Riffe C3XS. It's a little long for SCUBA, but I used to do some spearfishing on breathhold as well, so it worked well for me. I'd load just 1 band when shooting from point blank into a hole, and use 2 or 3 bands when shooting something bigger or farther out.
The trigger mechanism on Riffes are nice.
If I were to ever get back into spearfishing in SoCal, I'd proabaly switch the stock 55" threaded shaft on my gun with a 50" hawaiian flopper and just use 2 bands (for easier management and smaller holes).
My first gun was a JBL 38 Special as well. It was short and easy to load. I took sand bass, female sheephead, and small~medium halibut, rockfish, and a few calico bass with the gun. But, I've lost some nice fish (48+ inch halibut, 20+ inch cabezon) because the gun was underpowered.
Also, the trigger mechanisms on the JBLs will wear out if you use the gun alot (pretty common issue). When they do, the gun will frequently jam. My trigger mechanism began to wear/jam after about 18 months of weekly use. I've heard that the XHD series have a much more durable trigger mechanism.
I had much more success when I got a Riffe C3XS. It's a little long for SCUBA, but I used to do some spearfishing on breathhold as well, so it worked well for me. I'd load just 1 band when shooting from point blank into a hole, and use 2 or 3 bands when shooting something bigger or farther out.
The trigger mechanism on Riffes are nice.
If I were to ever get back into spearfishing in SoCal, I'd proabaly switch the stock 55" threaded shaft on my gun with a 50" hawaiian flopper and just use 2 bands (for easier management and smaller holes).