What guns are we using ?

[Danny D]

I am looking to get a new spear gun and was wondering what kind of guns you guys are using and how big they are. I have an old Voit that is in need of retirement. I like the AB Biller series , but who knows maybe you guys have found somehting more suited to our enviroment.

[Spear337]

I love my AB Biller, I have a 36" and am going to lengthen it to about 45" for more power and range. I dive down south in Florida, so I don't know what kind of environment you are diving in. The Biller is good for close range shots and is easy to carry in the water. Just my 2 cents.

[chasintail]

On NO,a gun thread :eek: .

Danny,
Need more info.Scuba?freedive?type of fish hunted?depth?

[Danny D]

Freedive, New England Fish...Cod ect. 30ft range

[chasintail]

Vis?Normally...

[Danny D]

2-25ft Vis

[chasintail]

A 48 biller will work great.I think a railgun will work really well there too.Check out RabiTech guns.I've been tempted to try them myself.Do you use a float line or a reel?

[Danny D]

Yes, I use a float . Yeah I like the construction of the Billers myself

[Spear337]

Go for it. Haven't heard anything bad about Billers yet. They're very good quality guns.

[Tooth]

i have a 36 ab biller, i wish i got a little bigger one. I am trying to find a used stock a little longer if any of you have one.... or do u know how much a new one costs?

[Rolo]

Danny D,

I think your question may be best answered by a Northeast diver. I remember reading something about several of the top Northeast divers (Hochman, Murphy) using Euro-type guns (Omer, Sporasub, Picasso, etc...). Although, I think some of the suggestions posted here will suffice as well. Probably not larger than 100cm or so. Hopefully, someone from your neck of the woods will chime in and help you out.

[chasintail]

Tooth I have a 42 with a new shaft and tip I'd be willing sell.I need more money for the Wong fund. ;)

[Wayward Son]

Nick, datamunk is looking for a gun. Might be interested in your 42, dunno.

[Danny D]

I know a Northeastern Diver would answere my question better...thats why I posted it in the Northeastern section hahahah....Anyways you guys are a big help though.

[CTFreeDiver]

Danny D,

You will not find a finer gun than a 90cm Picasso Century for New England. Use a 6.5 or 7mm single barb shaft. If need be it accepts a reel nicely. If you have had the opportunity to meet any of the commercial RI / MA FreeDivers or the competitive divers you will see Picasso's and older Sporasub guns. Rob Allens are also very nice and are an over-built Picasso yet, the Picasso just works.... and keeps on working. What you will not see used by the competitive New England freedivers, that dive up to 5 days a week to earn money, are AB Biller or JBL.

What makes the Picasso 90cm the gun of choice?
I've penetrated through 50 pound Bass with one as well as 1 pound scup.
It is the right size for the average visibility on the south shore.
Power and pinpoint accuracy to two full wraps of mono with insignificant recoil.
The new Century comes rigged to leave the dive shop and land quality fish.

This question will probably get beat to death but, In my opinion the 90cm Picasso Century is the best all around speargun for the entire Rhode Island coastline.

If you want to exclusively hunt 40+ pound bass or larger game than you will need more gun, ie: multiple bands with a heavier shaft.

If you want a gun to accurately shoot 30 feet than you will need a Riffe Island or Kitto 65inch Long Magnum. Each cost about $1000.

Good Luck,

CT

[bgbill]

I have 2 48" Sea Hornets I will sell, I am not going to use them, PM me if you are interested.

[Danny D]

Thank you that post is exactly what I was looking for !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate the imput. I will look into those guns the first thing in the morn !!!!! It's nice to have divers throughout the country respond , but I was really looking for one of us ! Thanks to all...

[Danny D]

Which Century.....the Century or the Century pacifica.....how about the 100cm is that too much?

[Chauggie]

Danny,
100 cm would be just a bit too much for our usual poor visibility. At the meets many divers carry a 90 and a 75 and use whichever the conditions call for.
I don't agree with CT on the quality of Picasso guns, I have two in my closet with broken muzzles.
My reccommendation, get a 90cm gun.
Sporasub would be a decent choice for short money.
RobAllens are more pricey but of higher quality.
I've mostly been using a Wong "Northeaster" for the last couple of years.
Divers are very opinionated about their guns, so it's a tough choice. When your ready for a second gun get a different brand and a 75.
Chauggie

[CTFreeDiver]

Danny D,

I was referring to the standard 90cm Picasso Century. The Pacific model was meant to compete with the Rob Allen as it has a full length track.

I have never seen the muzzle bust on a Picasso when using standard shafts. I have seen it happen when using pinned shafts. The muzzle on a Picasso Century is just as tough as a Sporasub muzzle.

The dreaded gun thread....

CT

[Defofthecrown]

I used to live on the East Coast and did a lot of spearing in Deleware and New Jeresey. There are a lot of popular guns along the coast from short pneumatics to Riffe MT 1's to Euro's. In your area CT and Chauggie are dead on. I shot the Picasso open last year and you could do a lot worse than to have a 90cm for your first gun. It's long enough to give good punch on big fish (just be careful trying to hit a big striper parrallel if you care about your shaft) and is short enough to handle very well for quick reloading and shooting into the rocks for 'tog and triggers or an low-vis days.

Personally I use an 80cm Rabitech stealth w/ two wraps of line and a single 20mm band. I'm very happy with it's accuracy and balance. I've heard some people have trouble w/ the Picasso or Simitol group mech (which Rob Allen used to use) firing randomly. There are a lot of gun inexpensive guns in this class and I think you'd be pleased with just about any of them.

-Chris

[Danny D]

Well I am going to check out a shop in Rhode Island called Lets Go Diving ...a friend has told me they have a nice selection so I now know that im looking for a 90cm gun which is good. As far as the brands go ill pick the one that is in my price range (yet to be determined) and go from there. Picasso, sporasub, Rob Allens are all good guns I think I might like the Picasso's but we won;t know till I see one again. Is a single band going to be enough though?

[Defofthecrown]

Yes, it really is. I had double shortened 16's on my 80cm rabi. I used them both, then started to just pull one band, and then just switched back to the single stock 20mm band. It's really easy to tie your own so pick up a couple feet of bulk rubber and try both to see which you like. One of the great things about euro guns is how easy they are to use and reload. If your shooting one fish a day any setup is fine, but in tourny's where you really start to pull the trigger the faster reloading time really feels like it makes a difference when you hit a fish and the school is still around.

While were on the subject of changing bands rob allens and rabitech accept bulk rubber while the 'true' eruo guns need the screw in varriety. So changing your bands on one of those two will be $4 instead of $25. Have fun shopping.

[clavinr]

I second Ct Freediver. He probably shoots more fish in a day than I do all season. Without a doubt best gun for the area.

I get lots of ribbing for this...I have two JBLs a 63" and a 54" both have three bands, but I usually noly use two. I like the trigger and the power, and having a stock on the longer gun makes it easier to turn fast, however it is like swinging a 2x4through the water, the euroguns probably turn faster. I'm told they are Florida guns...I'v taken some really nice fish with both. However the tip broke off the threads in a really big albie when it started to run...shot of a lifetime...lost eh fish.

When I grow up I want a Picasso Century...they were out on a table at one of the meets, I had my credit card out, but got cold feet. Maybe when my taxes come back.

I like the wishbone and the band setup on the muzzle, probably a snap to reload...I'm a little slow with the reload on mine.

PS I've bought a wetsuit, weights, belt, snoklel and a small fortune in little stuff at let's go Diving, Bo will give you lots of good advise and great deals. I've bought stuff for my friends because the deals were so good. Two thumbs up and a snap for BO

[Danny D]

Thanks for the info....I am very excited to get my hands on one of the Picassos now! I think it is going to be my gun of choice from the way you guys have been talking!!!
I grew up freediving/snorkeling/diving with my father (certified in 62) , but i never really spearfished without the tanks....I,ve swam alongside some really big Stripers up in Maine freediving in the summertime for years. The schools of fish come right up to you it's amazing. I think I am going to enjoy the spring and summer just using the fins and Mask. Once I get the money im going to get some of that new Omer camo suit setup.. I like the new ocean mimetic look and I think it will work really well,if not it will look cool atleast. I now have Mares avanti Quattro fins but will pic up some omer milleniums soon. If any of you guys want to go out ..I am game all the time , I might be new to doing it without the tanks , but I am proficiant in the water and freedived before I scuba dived. So anyone give me a haller if you need a buddy !!!

[FreediveNewport]

Danny-
CT is right. I have been freediving RI for almost 15 years and I shot every major brand of gun and many of the custom guns you can find on the market. My favorite is am OMER 90cm which is very similar to the Picasso. Euro guns are great for around here, as long as you can place your shot on the big fish. Billar guns are, ahh, in my opinion, entry level at best. Aside from being deceptive in there length to shaft differencial, they are seemingly slow and underpowered. I dont want to take up too much space here, but e-mail me if you want to get into it more. RobMarvelle@cox.net
good hunting

[FreediveNewport]

definatly go see Bo at Lets Go Diving. He'll help you out a lot.