New to this hobbie..I need help from you!!thank you!!

[nmontesino]

:confused:Hi guys!!!My name is Nestor.I Live in Miami(Cutler Ridge),also have family in Marathon....Im going on thursday to Marathon,Im going to stay there for four days and I wanted to buy a gun to start learning spearfishing(freediving). I read most of the latest post on guns but I can't make up my mind on what to buy...I want something good and not expensive,so please if any of you can help me with this It will be very appreciated.....I hope to meet really good friends in this forum...Thanks to all of you!!!!!!! Att:Nestor Montesino:thumps:

[Kraken]

welcome nestor! im sure your going to find tons of help on here, anything youll ever need, you just gotta ask sometimes. as for a gun, spearfishing specialties makes a great gun, but for just getting into freediving why not look at omer or another euro style i think thats gonna be your best bet... and be sure to get up to date on all the rules and regs, and dive safe

[LauderdaleSpear]

Nestor-
I think that most people will ask you the basic question of "What type of shooting will you be doing?" You need to decide Blue Water, Reef, All Around Gun, Pneumatic, Mid-Handle, all of those variables. Personally I would look into an Euro Gun of decent length that is still small enough to use on the shallower reefs. The most important thing is to stay safe and legal. You can always get more guns and gear in the future when you find out what you like and where you want to go. Good Luck.

[nmontesino]

Nestor-
I think that most people will ask you the basic question of "What type of shooting will you be doing?" You need to decide Blue Water, Reef, All Around Gun, Pneumatic, Mid-Handle, all of those variables. Personally I would look into an Euro Gun of decent length that is still small enough to use on the shallower reefs. The most important thing is to stay safe and legal. You can always get more guns and gear in the future when you find out what you like and where you want to go. Good Luck.

definately not blue water...mostly I think it will be like in 20 ft of water and reefs...I Wouldn't go deeper than 30 Ft for now....Thank You.....

[nmontesino]

welcome nestor! im sure your going to find tons of help on here, anything youll ever need, you just gotta ask sometimes. as for a gun, spearfishing specialties makes a great gun, but for just getting into freediving why not look at omer or another euro style i think thats gonna be your best bet... and be sure to get up to date on all the rules and regs, and dive safe

Thanks a lot...

[LauderdaleSpear]

Nestor-

Cool, I love that shallow reef dives. A good gun to consider (although some might argue) is the Mares Cyrano 950 Pneumatic. I love this gun for reef diving because it is super fast to reload, easy to swing around, and has the half power switch for those holed up fish. I know that a lot of guys are apprehensive to use pneumatics, but I think they are a great entry level gun with good prices and reliable shooting results.

Later-

[IRONHEAD]

check out aimrite railguns they have some shorter guns for a good price and a lifetime warranty that would be perfect for freediving. 75cm would be a nice gun IMO
http://www.aimritehawaii.com/aluminum.php

[kitespearo]

Not to piss anyone off but do not go for a pneumatic. If I were you I would stick to a 110 or 120 Rob Allen.
Great for those depth, easy to move around, and great reach.

[LauderdaleSpear]

Not to piss anyone off but do not go for a pneumatic. If I were you I would stick to a 110 or 120 Rob Allen.
Great for those depth, easy to move around, and great reach.

Told you "some might argue". kitespearo is correct when he tells you that the Rob Allen is a great gun, especially about the good reach. I think that what most people will tell you is based upon experience and personal preference. I would also suggest the Rob Allen gun if it is your style (it will be more practical as an all around gun then the Cyrano). Most importantly make friends and test their gear, that way you don't have to drop the cash on something you "might" like ;)

[SpearMax]

Nester, since you live in Miami, why not go to Austins (ask for Dennis) or Scubasworld (ask for Ulises) and put your hands on some guns? Tell them I sent you. These guys are sponsors of the Spearboard Open tournament and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Listen to what people have to say here on the board, but also ask some retailers near where you live. Good luck and good hunting in the Keys!

[nmontesino]

Nester, since you live in Miami, why not go to Austins (ask for Dennis) or Scubasworld (ask for Ulises) and put your hands on some guns? Tell them I sent you. These guys are sponsors of the Spearboard Open tournament and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Listen to what people have to say here on the board, but also ask some retailers near where you live. Good luck and good hunting in the Keys!

thank you!!I just got back from Austins,I went before you left this comment,I talked to Victor about this...he recommended me to buy the cressi comanche 60"...I din't buy it because I want to be really sure of what I buy...so I want to hear more opinions on this....thank you.....

[LOMartin]

thank you!!I just got back from Austins,I went before you left this comment,I talked to Victor about this...he recommended me to buy the cressi comanche 60"...I din't buy it because I want to be really sure of what I buy...so I want to hear more opinions on this....thank you.....

Nice gun but I find it hard to load. Again as everyone else has said, it boils down to personal preference. But I would go for a mid-handle; something like an AB B. would be great and cheap. But then again I prefer wood guns and bands.
Good luck and dive safe.

[TheMackDaddy]

i would say a 90 or 100 cm rob allen or rabitech railgun.

[paul p fishking]

Get a rob allen 110... easy, not that expensive, i dive outa duck key a lot on some of those 20-40 reefs and its perfect....

[Hat-Nasty]

I agree with the guys telling you to go with a Euro gun for Freediving. I do both Free dive and Scuba. I just spent 2 weeks in Marathon doing a lot of spearing. The SS and A.B Biller type guns are not good for what you will be doing. I used a 75" Commanche the whole time I was down there it worked great, although I would have liked my 52" wong a couple of times for long shots but hey....that's hunting.

For you I would say go with a Euro gun in the 90" range. Rob Allen Vectra, Omer Cayman,....if you really want to save money a Cressi Commanche ($100 at FL Freedivers, just change out he line for mono, the stock stuff sucks and gets tangeled bad).

I say 90" because its a good all around gun size. Its easy to move and it has enough power to give you decent range.(8-10 feet off the end of the spear). Plus the 90" is a good size to learn with. Its will help you learn proper loading technique without killing you. Just get a pad or a flip-flop to put on chest when you start loading them. In time you won't need it but at first while you are learning save yourself the pain.

[Wet Zen]

Nestor, I agree with a 90 for a first gun, but that's 90 centimeters not inches. It's the perfect length for shallow free diving. Later, as your skill and depths increase, you'll want other, longer range guns. We all have a closet full of them.

[nmontesino]

Thanks to all of you for the help....Im not sure yet of what to buy in that price range(100-150)anyways im going to the key on thursday and I will see what they have there.....any other tips for me?????Thanks again friends....
Att:Nestor

[nmontesino]

hey friends....I have to decide today what I will buy tomorrow..I have 120 to spend....what should I buy....please...help me...Thanks....

[Wet Zen]

Nestor, everything is more expensive in the Keys. Most locals head to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale when we need something. I'd be surprised if you find a better deal in the Keys than on the mainland.

[DiveGal]

Personally, I'm partial to JBL. They come in both aluminum and wood. Mine hasn't failed me yet. They are inexpensive, easy to band and easy to manuver. Down size, I find it takes a while to restring.

You may want to borrow different guns from diving buddies and see which one you like the best.

[nmontesino]

thanks...im going to stop at Diver's supply at florida city on thursday in my way to marathon and probably will buy it there....thanks to everyone...

[Hat-Nasty]

Let us know what you pick up and how you like it.

[nmontesino]

hey friends...is the cressi comache 90 the same as the CRESSI SUB COMANCHE 90 GUN ????the have one in Austin's for 115 and at diver's supply for 100..??????

Diver's supply
http://www.divers-supply.com/CRESSI-SUB-COMANCHE-90-GUN-p/crs0013.htm


austin's diving center
http://www.austinsdiving.com/pages/store/skudetail.nhtml?profile=spearguns&uid=10533&returnURL=http%3A//www.austinsdiving.com/spearguns

[bayboy]

order online at dive bootie look for a cheap euro gun, spearfishing is'nt for everyone at first

[Kdiver]

You can find some cheap places in Marathon, you just have to search around.
Let us know what you got..

[FGCdiver]

hey friends...is the cressi comache 90 the same as the CRESSI SUB COMANCHE 90 GUN ????the have one in Austin's for 115 and at diver's supply for 100..??????

Diver's supply
http://www.divers-supply.com/CRESSI-SUB-COMANCHE-90-GUN-p/crs0013.htm


austin's diving center
http://www.austinsdiving.com/pages/store/skudetail.nhtml?profile=spearguns&uid=10533&returnURL=http%3A//www.austinsdiving.com/spearguns

Yes and I think Florida Freedivers sells them for around $90.