newbie gun questions

[Baxter]

I had my first rig dives off the Texas coast a couple of weeks ago, and I've got the opportunity to go pretty regularly. To say that it was memorable is understated, kind of like saying getting laid the first time was memorable. I very quickly became overwhelmed by what a target-rich environment it was....

So I'm in the market for a speargun. I've read a lot lurking here, and I don't want to be repetitious, but I've got a few specific questions.

What length, as it relates to what I plan to do, where I plan to do it, and my total lack of any experience at this whatsoever? My spearfishing opportunities will overwhelmingly be at platforms off the Texas coast, with occasional additional chances in the Pensacola to Panama City area in Florida during family vacations to Destin. I have no current desire, nor do I anticipate developing one, to shoot the really monster fish. Is there anything about these facts that suggests what length, or range of length, of gun I should be considering? Will I have more difficulty loading and handling a longer gun? Is there a "don't think of getting one shorter than X" number? Any way to quantify the handling/range of shot tradeoff?

I'm confused by this Sea Hornet stuff. Biller's web site says they make a Sea Hornet. SS does some modification to a Sea Hornet. And I read they come from Australia, whereas Biller guns are made in the US. I'm betting there's a simple explanation to this that everybody knows but me.

The commercial stuff on the SS guns sounds like a real "Oooo, Ahhh" kind of neato thing. Of course, as a totally inexperienced guy, I'm completely clueless as to WTF any of this stuff really is, or, for that matter, how much extra it costs. If getting a SS gun, could you with a clean conscience recommend to a new guy with no experience that he shell out his hard earned $$ for this on a first gun?

I guess that's enough for now.

Bax

[joens]

I have a 52" SS Rhino with a commercial muzzle .I love it .the commercial muzzle allows the gun to be much more accurate especially if you power down [ use only one band or longer bands].The other parts of the SS commercial gun [quick load line ] is not that important in my opinion for rig diving as you will want to put a stainless steel cable on the gun instead of the usual nylon or mono line. Near as I can figure Sea Hornet makes the trigger assembly then biller or SS or anyone else buys them and makes a gun with it .Correct me if I am wrong on that one guys.as far as your concern about loading /handling a longer gun .as long as you can reach the band it should be no trouble .I am 6'4" and I have room to spare with a 52 " loading is no trouble at all. as far as handling there are a lot of texas guys that like shorter guns on the rigs . I don't . There was one time when there was a rip roaring current from the surface down to about 15' and If I got the gun crosswise in the current it was hard to hold onto. That would have been easier with a shorter gun but for me reduced power and range are not what I prefer especially if you plan to use the gun somewhere else .
Chris Joens

[Baxter]

Chris, did your gun come with the quick load line? Did you replace it with stainless cable or get it with stainless in the first instance? Will the quick load line work if the mono is simply replaced with stainless cable?

[JCACTION]

I personally dont like mono and use only coated cable. I dont know that this works on every gun but there are no tangle problems with the coated cable and it makes reloading a lot easier.

[RabiSpear]

JC,
Where do you get your cable? Only problem I have experienced there is that the coating comes off after a couple wrestling matches around the wreck. You need a good amount of it and some crimpers on the boat. I do like the ability to horse fish around with it.

[JCACTION]

hanaapahawaii spearfishing website is the place i buy it from by the foot. Yeah, i know what you mean I do change it more often than mono but it really is tangle free almost. Ill see if i can find the link or if you cant find it ill send you some ive got plenty