Question Advice on Speargun for a Friend (Honest)

[BoltSnap]

The wife of a buddy of mine wants me to help her pick out a speargun for his Christmas present. (Yep, she's a keeper.)

I believe that guys here should contribute to her some $$, she is the shinning example of a diver's wife. Her picture should be on mugs for divers.


What about this brand/type of guns?

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dfaspearguns.com

 

[100days-a-year]

I believe that guys here should contribute to her some $$, she is the shinning example of a diver's wife. Her picture should be on mugs for divers.


What about this brand/type of guns?

All Products

dfaspearguns.com

Half again or double some of the guns mentioned and no benefit for extra expense.
Then again we are trying to compare commercial hunters with a relative beginner and not everything I do will translate. Does any rec guy really need to reload in 15 seconds and carry 3 shafts?
A basic JBL or entry level Biller have probably killed more fish than all the rest combined and parts to upgrade if necessary can be added later.

 

[CuzzA]

Half again or double some of the guns mentioned and no benefit for extra expense.
Then again we are trying to compare commercial hunters with a relative beginner and not everything I do will translate. Does any rec guy really need to reload in 15 seconds and carry 3 shafts?
A basic JBL or entry level Biller have probably killed more fish than all the rest combined and parts to upgrade if necessary can be added later.

3 shafts on a deep dive with big fish has saved my butt. Especially on a big hog or ARS that wasn't stoned and needs a double tap and another fish comes in to investigate. Even in skinny water 3 shafts allows you to fill up the stringer quickly on a fishy spot.

I think it's important to remember most rec dives are day trips with a typically larger crew of guys. So being as productive as possible when underwater is advantageous.

As for reloading in seconds, it can make the difference on skittish fish, low viz and large reef bottoms where fish can quickly get away from you.

One of my favorite techniques on gags that absolutely won't let you close the distance is to launch a shaft in its direction. They will usually turn and move away about 10 feet and look back at the puff of sand and not be focusing on me. Meanwhile I've closed the gap and reloaded and put a shot on it.

 

[Belzelbub]

No way. SpearGods Evolution shafts are the way to go. The hyper link systems has that big bulky piece of metal sliding on it. Consequently they are more expensive, have more drag and cannot be backloaded.

Agreed. But, adding the little rubber band that comes with the speed load kit makes wrapping the line even easier.

I started with a Spearfishing Specialties made SeaHornet 52. That gun came with the speedload kit and a standard line shaft. Once I got over the fear of losing the shaft, I added a spare shaft holder and would carry the line shaft and load the free. Problem with this setup is that in order to shoot lineshaft, you’d first have to unload the freeshaft. Valuable time wasted.

Prior to Speargods Evo system, I got a couple of modified shafts and added a ring to the line on my Ocean Rhino RX5. Sounds similar to the hyperlink system. Single flopper shaft with a slide ring, but no spring clip. Worked well, but can’t backload the shaft due to the ring.

I’ve recently converted my RX5 to the Evo system, and modified the SeaHornet that my daughter now uses to use the shafts I was previously using. When it’s time to replace those, I’ll convert her gun to the Evo system as well.

 

[Belzelbub]

What about this brand/type of guns?

All Products

dfaspearguns.com

DFA is definitely interesting, but probably overkill for a first gun. As was said, I’d wager that more fish have been killed with JBLs and SeaHornet derived (AB Biller, Ocean Rhino, etc.) than anything else.

The DFA is an enclosed track gun. Benefit of enclosed track is increased accuracy, especially when using multiple bands. Using multiple bands can cause the shaft to bend as it’s fired. This uses energy as the shaft wobbles. The enclosed track prevents this, so it’s useful for additional range. Typical drawbacks to enclosed track are needing to use finned shafts and shafts must be muzzle loaded. The DFA snap track allows back loading, but still requires finned shafts. Finned shafts tend to be a bit more expensive, but not the end of the world.

I normally use a single band when hunting, so shaft whip is unlikely. I see the main benefit of the enclosed track is on those longer shots. I don’t currently need that. That said, DFA will be on my short list when it’s time to get a new gun. Probably about the time my youngest daughter starts hunting.

 

[BoltSnap]

Finned shafts tend to be a bit more expensive, but not the end of the world

Is this the only objection you have against finned shafts or is there more to it?

 

[Belzelbub]

Is this the only objection you have against finned shafts or is there more to it?

That’s my only objection to the DFA version, and it’s a fairly minor objection. The shafts seem to add only a few dollars over comparable shafts, but I’m not 100% positive which shafts the DFA takes, or if you have to buy them from DFA. The finned shafts aren’t a strong objection either, especially at a minor price increase. Availability of the shafts would be the bigger question. I haven’t looked into which trigger mech is used, hopefully it would be compatible with the more common types.

Price of the gun itself is about double what a comparable Ocean Rhino costs. That’s a more significant price difference.

I think it’s probably overkill for bottom fishing. However, I’m not necessarily opposed to overkill.

 

[DXHI]

I really like my ocean rhino… meets all the criteria you mentioned. I like it so much bought another one when the new deckhand dropped it overboard.
(Last dive of the day and only had 700 air left)

 

[mariner156]

I second the ocean rhino. Fantastic units