Pole spear vs Speargun

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

LowDrag

Contributor
Messages
1,052
Reaction score
174
Location
Portland, Oregon
# of dives
100 - 199
I have been reading thru the hunting/spearfishing threads and was wondering why I don't see anything on pole spears? A buddy of mine uses one exclusively and says he loves it. He feels he can hunt better with that than a spear gun because of having to pull back the rubber bands to reload. Any thoughts would be appreciated as I am going to be in the market for something to hunt with this up coming spring and summer. Thanks all.
 
Pole spears have maximum shooting range that is about the length of the shaft. It's generally required to get closer to the target fish in order to get a good kill shot. This is one of the reasons that triggered guns are illegal in places like the Bahamas.
It's good to start out with a pole spear because it teaches to to get close to the fish. This is the real skill in hunting fish. Even with a gun, you need to get close to get a kill shot on a large fish.
I've only used them on small fish when I lived in Hawaii. But people use them on pelagic fish by attaching a slip tip and using a float line. Look on YouTube. Cameron Kirkconnell is using one to shoot blackfin tuna. But, he's one of the best spearos on the planet.
I need to use a gun. I'm old. :D
 
Go for it and buy the gun. Once you get in the water just load it so you have it on hand for the dive. My first spearfishing trip, I unloaded my gun about 15 minutes in because we weren't seeing any fish! About 5 minutes later we came across a Halibut, and my friend went at it with his pole spear, needless to say it practically bounced off and the fish swam away - meaty fish. I haven't shot at a fish yet with my gun. That was last weekend and I haven't been since. lol

BTW first post! (besides my intro)
 

Back
Top Bottom