My first speargun? Help deciding...

[MarineMammal]

Hello spearos, I am a long time diver but noobie spearfisherman. I've shot several fish with my polespear (7', paralyzer) in the Santa Cruz/Monterey California area and it's been great fun and eating!!

Last week I was fortunate enough to encounter a 30"+ halibut and shot it only to have it violently free itself and dart away. That's when I realized that it's time to seriously get into this sport and upgrade to a speargun.

Only problem is I don't know squat about spearguns!! Someone please help this noobie make a good decision!!

I'd like to spend under $200, my main quarry will be rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, halibut, sheephead and possibly some striped bass, white seabass and harbor seals (j/k). I'd like to be able to tackle fish up to 36"-48" but would still like to use it for hunting smaller rockfish as well.

Any suggestions?

 

[DIVERHERB]

I use a A.B. Biller 48 S.S. that so far has been great for anything I shoot. It has never given any problems and the cost was below $200. I also have a A.B. Biller 24 that I use for shallow depths. I converted it from 2 bands to 3 bands to help penetrate sheephead and trigger fish. I also use 3 bands on the 48. I guess its more a personal preference than anything else.

 

[alewar]

I'd like to spend under $200, my main quarry will be rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, halibut, sheephead and possibly some striped bass, white seabass and harbor seals (j/k).

Do you really hunt harbor seals?

 

[MarineMammal]

Yeah I love that blubbery harbor seal meat. Mmm Mmm good! But seriously, no. Thats highly illegal.

 

[DIVERHERB]

I am told that it sorta tastes like manatee when you barbeque it. Is that right?

 

[White Knight]

I'd stick with an AB Biller or JBL models. Minimum 38 inch and maximum 48 inches. Too short and you lose power and distance, too long and you can't get close enough to the cod.

 

[MarineMammal]

38-48" got it! Thanks white knight.

I guess AB Biller and JBLs are the most common and widely used guns, but what about those Mako railguns? They have a spiffy website, but what are they really like? Worth it? Anyone used one?

Also wood or aluminum?

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I give the Mako guns 2 thumbs up. Sold the last of my 3 Biller guns this year after using the Mako guns (if that helps).

Mako has the very best price and value of any gun on the market because it is coming from the manufacturer directlly to you. I use them for both freediving and scuba hunting. Excellent quality and super good customer service.

 

[Apecks]

I have just bought myself a picasso rail gun - very impresssed with it so far.

 

[T2medic]

Pelaj makes a good one, Kanji 1300. Good length and in my opinion, just as acurate as a Rob Allen. The Hammerhead Evolution is also a great choice. Both of these guns have available slip-tips and are a great value. Best gun out there though when you can set aside $600 to $700 is the Riffe Metaltech, Gulf-rigged.

Check out spearfishingheadquarters.com, at least thats where I got mine.