aluminum or wood

[Chad Carney]

Of the two JBLs you mention, the Woody Magnum is about the right size for most of FL, as long as the visibility is not limited. It's 5/16" spear is also more appropriate than the 3/8" spear of the 450 Magnum. That gun is the equivolent length of the 60" Biller or SS Seahornet, probably best suitable for bigger fish on rigs or wrecks, certainly not hogfish, snapper and other average size reef fish. The detachable heads on the two JBLs will hold fish well, but will also be difficult to work with for reef fish.

For scuba, wood guns are more versatile for accessorizing than tube guns, easily accepting shaft holders, lights, line kits etc. They have no drawbacks when compared to comparable sized metal tube guns, other than the narrower tube guns which have easier swinging characteristics. These guns are more commonly used by freedivers.

Most of Florida has suitable bottom for freeshafting, a very effective way to spear reef fish. Many guns can be bought with a spear that can be fired free or rigged for line, both ways are very fast. This type of spear has a single flopper on a one piece pointed spear, which is much easier to deal with than detachables. Having a couple of spears for different purposes is often a good idea.

Other alternatives in the price point of the Woody Magnum, you picked would be the Biller 54" Special or Floridian; or the Spearfishing Specialties Seahornet 52". The Limited model by either company will cost substantially more, as would a premium wood like teak.

Some divers start with mid-priced production guns like these, and later move up to custom guns, when they see them being used by highly experienced spearfishers. Others skip that step and go with a well considered and popular custom gun from the beginning. Much like starting out with top quality scuba gear, they feel they will be better served by top quality and get the speargun first that they really want to keep.
Daryl Wong's guns are very popular to this type of diver.

I started long ago with an early Swimmaster gun (now JBL), but switched to wooden Seahornets very quickly. I have sold all but one of those and now have 3 Wong spearguns from 50" to 57".

If you have not already seen it, take a look at http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=130641

Chad

 

[Mandy3206]

For the type of hunting you describe, the woody would work well, after you get experience, you may want to modify it with other shafts, tips, ect.

I've been using JBLs (formerly Voits) for 27 yrs and haven't change brand yet, it's very cost effective and get the fish as the customs guns do.

In my island, allmost anywhere you can find JBL parts if you ever need them, in all those yrs I've replaced only bands, lines, shock tubing and a couple of springs from the mechanism.
If you rinse it after every dive trip and clean the inside of the pistol every season it will last for yrs and yrs, I use mine about every other sunday weather permiting.

I got a Saw-off Magnum XHD that my daughter use and a highly modified Competition Magnum XHD that have taken a beating without any problems for the last 8yrs and keeps on going.
Planning on getting the Woody 63" myself very soon and modifying it after a few expeditions.

My modified guns cost me less than 1/2 price of the customs of comparable size.

If you got the money and are sure you like hunting, then go ahead and get a custom, you won't be dissapointed for sure, but if starting in the sport, you may want to see first if you like it enough to sink $600.00+ in a custom and let it sit on the closet for months at a time.

For the last 5 yrs, I've been diving a lot +/- 100 dives/yr, but for some time the spearguns sat in the closet for entire seasons without getting wet, when needed again, just replaced bands, shocks and greased the mech and go fising without any problems.

Not sure if compatible, but if the internals of the Woody are the same as the Metal Guns, I may replace the Woody internals with the XHD due to the carbide inserts in these parts

 

[Mandy3206]

Here is the Modified Competition Magnum XHD last August in mid water column 55fsw bottom was at 75fsw, the Woody is +/- a ft longer