Tested out a 2-rubber configuration, results

[mnguy]

Title says it all.

I tried using 2 of the same rubber that I currently use on my 9' aluminum polespear. These rubbers are fairly thin but they are cut for a 6 foot pole(they are the regular rubbers that the company Trident sells) so I feel like I get greater power over a smoother bell curve of power distribution. I thought that maybe with 2 rubbers I could get much more power and still have the same bell curve distribution.

I couldn't even cock the MFers to my normal cocking position. I could get maybe halfway or a little bit more than that, but I needed to get at least 2/3, preferably 3/4, of the way up to reach my cocking point. Given that, I will say this. Shooting the 2 rubbers from the midpoint position had alot more speed than shooting one rubber from the 2/3 position or from the 1/2 position. My problem was that it had incredible speed but less punch compared to the 1 rubber at 3/4 up, because of the lack of stretch. With the 1 rubber at 3/4 up, the momentum of the pole keeps it going after the power distribution hits its high point on the bell curve. With the 2 rubbers at halfway, the power of both rubbers was shot off ultra fast but it lacked the momentum to carry through.

I think, if I could get each rubber cut for a 7' pole instead of a 6' pole I might be able to get the pair of them to where I need to grip the pole. If that is the case then, judging from my observations at 1/2 distance, I ought to get the power jump and keep the momentum that I have grown accustomed to as well as keep the loading point that I need to navigate the kelp with a 9' pole.

Has anyone else tried this and if so do your observations match mine?

[OceanEd]

I agree with you that you have to cut them longer to make it work. I have tried it and just kept recutting the bands to try to get a good ratio. I just never really felt that I achieved enough to make it worthwhile. If I had the discipline to squeeze a tennis ball in my right hand for 5 hours a day for a month or so then maybe I could make it work better with a stronger grip. I always cock on the surface, before descending (freediving) and it was had for me to hold two cocked for any length of time.

[Wahooooo!]

Could you feel anything with two rubbers on???????????

[mnguy]

I agree with you that you have to cut them longer to make it work. I have tried it and just kept recutting the bands to try to get a good ratio. I just never really felt that I achieved enough to make it worthwhile. If I had the discipline to squeeze a tennis ball in my right hand for 5 hours a day for a month or so then maybe I could make it work better with a stronger grip. I always cock on the surface, before descending (freediving) and it was had for me to hold two cocked for any length of time.

I think I'm going to have to get one of those squeeze grip things to work on, and some novocaine for my hand as well, because part of the problem is holding on for any period of time(I cock at the surface before diving as well) and part of the problem is just the pain caused by the rubbers digging into the web of my right hand. Maybe I'll try putting a small metal plate in my glove that covers the web and braces on the sides of the thumb and index finger and see if that helps distribute the pressure over a wider area and keep my hand from hurting so damn bad.

[azspearo]

I use a wrap on the spear to help with this problem. It's a simple set-up I’ve been using with good results for a long time.

I use tuna cord and wrap it around the pole in a spiral so the cord is 2" apart for as long as you want. I usually make the wrap 18"-24"
I take electrical tape to hold the ends from unraveling.

I use amalgamating tape (self-sealing) to make the wrap. I start at the tip end taking off the electrical tape, at the same time I hold the cord so it won't come unraveled. I wrap the tape to the end and back. Two wraps work well.
When your using amalgamating tape you need to keep the tape stretched in order for it to work properly. If your using 1” wide tape you need to keep it stretched to around ¾” while you wrap it.
This process works best with two people.
The tape is rubbery and works well with most gloves. I can load the spear before my dive and hold it for the entire dive.

The reason for the long length of the wrap is when I hunt in California there are a lot of bottom fish that don’t need a full power shot to take them. If you like to go full power all the time just make a shorter wrap.

[OceanEd]

Aaron:

I love self amalgamating tape! It works better than anything else for the grip on a pole spear.

MNGUY:

I have never had a problem with the web between my thumb and first finger hurting from pulling the pole band back and holding it. I am using 1/2" rubber. What are you using? What type of gloves? I usually am using Akona kevlar gloves or the woven kevlar gloves.

Here's another thought. If we want more power (2 bands) if is partially because we want more range. If we want more range why not a longer pole spear? It gives us the range without having to buy a Bowflex and work out each day to strengthen our arm.

[mnguy]

MNGUY:

I have never had a problem with the web between my thumb and first finger hurting from pulling the pole band back and holding it. I am using 1/2" rubber. What are you using? What type of gloves? I usually am using Akona kevlar gloves or the woven kevlar gloves.
I'm using 3/8" rubbers cut for a 6' pole. Normally, I can dive all day no issue but with 2 of the same 3/8" rubbers, I can barely keep it cocked.

Here's another thought. If we want more power (2 bands) if is partially because we want more range. If we want more range why not a longer pole spear? It gives us the range without having to buy a Bowflex and work out each day to strengthen our arm.

I agree, but I already use a 9' pole and thats pushing the line held at 2/3 distance like I do when in the kelp.

I wonder if maybe a 12' pole would be suitable for bluewater pelagics. It would probably have to be a hapa spear like a gat-ku to work, though, as I think an aluminum spear that long will experience flex and wobble, regardless of how rigid it is or how much you twist the bands first. That, and I think an aluminum spear of 12' might be too front heavy and cause low shots.

Of course the longer we get with our polespears the more we have to ask ourselves if we are maintaining the spirit of polespearing, IE when does it cease to be a polespear and when does it begin to be a really long gun without a trigger. I guess, as a community, we will have to make that up as we go along.

[OceanEd]

Mike:

On the 9' spear, go to a 1/2" rubber with a thick wall (and very small diameter hole). Size the band so you are pulling forward a little less than you are now, and see what happens. I find it gives me a lot of power.

I agree on the 12 ft. pole for blue water hunter and I am playing around with that now. My idea is that the pole is only the means to deliver a slip tip that is attached to a float lilne. Once the pole delivers the tip, it is out of the equation so it doesn't have to hold the fish. So you want enough rigidity to do its job and you want it to be just about neutrally buoyant while still retaining mass to punch into or through the fish.

Some guys in Bermuda took a Manny Puig back end and adapted a complete JBL spear on the front of that for a monster long pole. They then did a lot of chumming and managed to spear 3 Wahoo who came in to see what was going on.

[azspearo]

I guess I can put together two 6' spears and see how it works. It may be heavy but I know it won’t bend. A spear this long will have a greater trajectory so you would have to practice to figure out how it shoots.
The first time I used graphite spears I hated them because I was missing everything. I had to readjust my point of aim from the other spears I was using.
The tubing I use is 1/2" o.d. X 1/8" wall. I use the thicker rubber because the heavier spears I make need the extra punch.
My dad rigs his pole spears with 1/2" X 3/16" tubing that is typical used for spearguns but he likes it.

You’ll have to find out what you like buy trying out different lengths and sizes. The tandem sling setup you’re using are probable being over stretched, this is why it is so hard for you to use.

Try a larger diameter sling, I use Primeline tubing from McMaster-Carr http://tinyurl.com/yodrur. Primlin Also if the two slings are twisted together when you load you spear this will cause the spear to be slower because the friction between the two when you go to shoot it..

As far as the “spirit of polespearing” people for thousands of years have been using hand/pole spears albeit without rubber slings.

I once saw a program on TV back in 80’s on indigenous people from islands in the South Pacific. This group of hunters took the film crew out spearfishing, I remember one of the locals had a 7’ to 8’ speargun and the other one looked to have at least a 12’ pole spear.