Spears

[maged_mmh]

Although I'm not into spearfishing, I was asked the following (while assisting with OW class...DMT...long story..) there is 2 types of spears: Gun mounted ones that I'm familiar with (banded/ pneumatic).

The other is just a stick with some sort of a trident at the end (obviously manually operated) - any idea about the difference in application? how is the latter used?

 

[Hank49]

The latter is often called a Hawaiian sling...at least in Hawaii. It has three prongs on one end (a 5-6 foot aluminum shaft) and a loop of surgical type rubber on the other. You loop the surgical tube between your thumb and index finger and pull it towards the prong end, stretching the rubber and holding the shaft in your grip. You then point it and release it from your hand to hit your intended target. These are for close in shooting and the fish can slip off the pronged tip. Most have a range of about the length of the spear shaft.

Gun types come in short and long form. The shaft locks into a trigger mechanism and is released by pulling the trigger, just like a rifle or pistol. They use rubber bands, or pneumatic pressure to propel the spear forward. Larger guns use multiple bands for more power and distance (up to 25 feet). The longer ones, having more range, are used in clear (open sea or reef) water for bigger fish. Shorter guns can be used on low vis, close shooting also, similar to conditions good for slings. Gun shafts usually have some type of flopper on the spear tip so after the shaft passes through the fish, it opens and the fish can't pull free. In my experience, guns are also more accurate. I never got very good with slings.

 

[pescador775]

Actually, the gun mounted "spear" is an arrow or bolt which is propelled by a weapon resembling a crossbow. The pole spear or hand spear is a true spear. It is hand propelled or assisted by a spear thrower which divers call a "sling". Many styles of points are used for both types of weapon.

The spear gun is almost universal in application from guppies to tuna. The power is controlled by length of the stock and number of rubber bands used for propulsion. Arrow points are various but the Tahitian single barb is becoming more common. This is just a sharpened steel shaft with hinged fluke.

The pole spear is a short range weapon. Due to the resistance posed by water it cannot be thrown, merely thrust at the target. Some fairly large fish have been landed by pole spears but the average is probably about 2 pounds. West coast divers use them to kill large halibut and fair sized sheephead. The typical spear point is a modified Micronesian three prong which divers call a "paralyzer'. As you may gather from this, some adaptations from very primitive weapons have been incorporated with modern materials and technology.

What was your question, again?

 

[pescador775]

For completeness I should describe the Hawaiian sling. This is a slingshot design consisting of a hollow tube with rubber band lashed to one end. An arrow with Tahitian tip is inserted through the tube to engage the rubber band or sling. The diver pulls the sling back according to his strength and looses the arrow which has a range of about 5 feet. These weapons are popular in areas where guns are restricted and where populations of certain types of fish are present such as hogfish and certain other reef species. The arrow is up to five feet long to increase impact and to ensure that the shaft will not pass completely through the fish as no tethers are used. The fish drags the arrow in circles until it succumbs.

 

[cldomson1]

here's a website I found with lots of pictures of pole spears and some hawaiian slings:



Hawaiian Slings and Pole Spears

 

[llqwyd]

i would put them into two other catagories as well...

one: damn hard to use (gun)
two: really damn hard to use (Hawaiian Sling)

while neither are very easy to use and both take time to learn, the "sling" is definetly the harder of the two to master (and may leave you hungry)!

 

[james croft]

Actually I prefer a sling and was able to connect with fish as soon as I started using it. I own about ten spear guns of all descriptions, big guns, small ones pneumatic and band guns. I prefer a pole spear for it's simplicity.

 

[LunkerBuster]

i have to say that the polespear is simply a completely different animal than a speargun

while they accomplish the same or similar end results, their use and methods vary drastically

the gun allows you a much larger range and significantly easier ability to keep the prey once shot (when line shafting) they also are a great advantage because once loaded, you are always ready to shoot with no finger fatigue

the polespear is a much faster weapon in that you can release it and be read y to shoot it again in less than two seconds. The dismished range results in a different approach taken that maximizes the pros of the polespear, namely the use of a paralyzer tip for a quick second shot to help kill or subdue the fish. and a hunting style that focuses more on hiding and waiting than persuing and chasing. Further the spear can be much better concealed against the spearo's body enabling a more stealthy approach

I love my polespear and regularly take it on shallow dives and as a backup for getting at holed up fish. I tend to have both (with the pole on my float) so if i need a second shot on a fish, I have the fish on my lineshaft and i can do the coup de grace with the pole spear.

I have seen folks who use the slip tips on polespears and that seems like a nice way to blend the two, I just have no experience with this and would refrain from commenting about something I have limited knowledge

 

[Into The Abyss We Go]

I just bought a Hawaiian sling the other day and I love it! I thought it was very easy to use and was able to get a fish on my first shot actually. It's not a pole spear though, it's the "slingshot" kind.