Speargun Target Practice

[Belzelbub]

Another quick question. We're using a JBL 38 special. It has what I would call "slots" for multiple bands, but I don't see anyone using all the bands. What do people normally do? Just use one?

I normally use just one band. Loading a 2nd band is rare, but might do it if a fish is staying just out of range. Mostly, the 2nd band is a spare. When loading the band, load it to the first slot. That way, if you need to add the 2nd band you can.

The only times I've seen someone I dive with regularly use multiple bands is when he was recovering from a shoulder injury. He then used a thinner than normal band, so used two to get the usual power.

What do you mean flashlight and pointed knife (I know what they are, but do you mean put them together some how?)... closing the gap and stoning means "stabbing / killing / finishing"? Line kit?

Lots of divers attach a flashlight to the front of their speargun. Looking at the JBL you posted, it might be possible, but I can't really tell how much room you have under the muzzle. Mine came with a spike on the end, but I followed the advice from @CuzzA in this thread and added a small section of picatinny rail. Picatinny Rail Flash Light Quick Disconnect for Speargun
The flashlight is for peering into crevices, under ledges. By mounting on the speargun, you don't need an extra hand to hold a flashlight.

The pointed knife is just like a dive tool. However, since many dive knives are blunt tip, they don't work as well for spearfishing. The pointed knife is in case you don't stone the fish, and need to stab it in the brain to end the fight.

Closing the gap means just that. Getting closer to the fish so you have a shorter shot.

Stoning the fish means you don't need to stab/dispatch the fish. The shot was perfect and the fish just stopped. No fight whatsoever. Have a look at some of the YouTube videos by Dan McMahon and the crew. Lots of examples of the fish just stopping.

Line kit. Looks like your JBL came with a line. Most do. A lot of the shooters in this area freeshaft. I don't know if that's the case up north. Freeshafting works great for bottom fish, but not for fish up higher in the water column. So, I actually have a line kit on my speargun. It's mostly not used, but there if needed. I use the Evolution shafts and Evolution line kit from Speargods.com. They are local to me, but can ship to you. This kit is the slickest I've seen, and allows you to quickly convert from free to lineshaft without reloading.

 

[CuzzA]

I would add if you dive in swift currents you'll also want to lineshaft.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Thanks guys... you both ROCK.

The JBL is already setup with a line attached to the shaft, and I would think I'll / we'll stick with that for a bit just to get used to it. I can see it now though.. give him freeshafts and he'll lose them all, lol.

I would add if you dive in swift currents you'll also want to lineshaft.

That is when the gun and shaft are connected. Correct? That is how the JBL is setup now.

Sometimes there's current, sometimes the viz is less than 10'.

 

[Belzelbub]

The JBL is already setup with a line attached to the shaft, and I would think I'll / we'll stick with that for a bit just to get used to it. I can see it now though.. give him freeshafts and he'll lose them all, lol.

Yeah, that happens. I've lost a couple over the years, but mostly it's pretty rare.

That is when the gun and shaft are connected. Correct? That is how the JBL is setup now.

Correct. With lineshaft, there is a simple mod that it looks like you can do. Get the speed load kit by Ocean Rhino, or something similar. Essentially it's a loop of a rubber band zip tied to the band. With most double wrap line systems, you load the shaft, pull a single strand of the line back and wrap first around the release, then around the horn at the muzzle, back around the release. At least I think that's how it goes, it's been a real long time since I did it that way.

With the speed load kit, you grab both strands of the line (one attached to the spear, one attached to the muzzle) wrap around the release and bring up to the muzzle. The rubber band in the speed load kit hooks on the horn. Much quicker this way.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Found a better picture of what I'm working with;

Is the speed loading kit one size fits all? Ocean Rhino Speed Loading Kit

 

[Belzelbub]

Found a better picture of what I'm working with;

Is the speed loading kit one size fits all? Ocean Rhino Speed Loading Kit

Yes, that's the kit I was thinking of. It comes with the line and everything and you can just cut the line to the length you need after crimping the connections.

View attachment 726072

Looking at this picture, I'm not positive the the speed load kit would work. This one looks like the line is wrapped along the side instead of underneath. I believe the bottom side in this picture has a groove carved into the wood to wrap the line instead of the horn on the guns with a separate muzzle.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Yes, that's the kit I was thinking of. It comes with the line and everything and you can just cut the line to the length you need after crimping the connections.

Looking at this picture, I'm not positive the the speed load kit would work. This one looks like the line is wrapped along the side instead of underneath. I believe the bottom side in this picture has a groove carved into the wood to wrap the line instead of the horn on the guns with a separate muzzle.

It's a stock picture I found online. I'll take real pictures when I get home.

I looked up how the speed loading kit works... If I can't I'll be a little let down not being able to do that. Ignorance was bliss

I also got a pole spear in the kit I bought (used)... I need to get that out and start practicing too... lots of nooks and crannies to use that on wrecks.

 

[Belzelbub]

It's a stock picture I found online. I'll take real pictures when I get home.

Understood. Seeing how the line wraps at the muzzle will help to understand what you can do.

I looked up how the speed loading kit works... If I can't I'll be a little let down not being able to do that. Ignorance was bliss

Thinking though it, it might not be 100% incompatible if the muzzle looks like I think it does. If there is no horn or some way to hook that loop near the muzzle, it might be possible to add one of these.

Line Anchor Spear Gods

Wrapping the line a few times will make you appreciate freeshafting that much more, so it's not all bad.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Understood. Seeing how the line wraps at the muzzle will help to understand what you can do.

Thinking though it, it might not be 100% incompatible if the muzzle looks like I think it does. If there is no horn or some way to hook that loop near the muzzle, it might be possible to add one of these.

Line Anchor Spear Gods

Wrapping the line a few times will make you appreciate freeshafting that much more, so it's not all bad.

Actually... I'm pretty content for now just learning little by little with what I have. I agree, having to start at the bottom isn't a bad thing.

Do people freeshaft in low viz? It makes sense (in my head) to do it in places like FL.. but when you can't see but 7', how do you find it?

 

[Belzelbub]

Do people freeshaft in low viz? It makes sense (in my head) to do it in places like FL.. but when you can't see but 7', how do you find it?

Probably not so much. You'd tend to lose a lot more shafts that way.