bands

[Blood Vessel]

I bought a used 52" Sea Hornet mahogany classic.

What's your opinion on the best double band set up for shooting while tank diving. I hunt primarily on reefs/structure off southwest florida.

[one_lucky_shot]

free shaft or line?

IMHO: i would start with about 29' black. but that is a guess, would get better feed back from SPEAR ONE

[Reel Cracker]

If you really want it juiced up go with two 24" amber.

[Spear One]

52? 2 - 26's are the stock bands for the that gun if you use our bands.

[Blood Vessel]

lucky shot--I'm still a line shooter--haven't taken off the training wheels yet. All my dives here so far have been on stucture and I'm still working on that aim thing.

Single or double bander? I've met experienced guys who swear one band on a long shaft like mine is all you need. It only seems natural that loading both bands would give more power.

Do shorter bands give more power? Would anyone recommend variable length bands or should you stick with same length?

These questions are basic but helpful to newbies.

Thanks!

[one_lucky_shot]

well (and keep in mind this is just my 2 cents), most free shafters use one band that is just shorter than 'normal'. all line shooters i see and know use 2 bands. can' you pull shorter bands?? can you get close enough that you don't have to "over power" your gun to get a good kill shot??

sounds like i am dodging the question but it is simple, like this: to shoot a target (animal, beer can what ever gets you thinking about shoting a gun). you can get a good clean kill with a .22 cal rim fire IF you are close enough, if you can not get close you minght need to hit that kill shot with a 50 cal from half a mile away :D )

if you can pull them i would put 2- 26'' and see how that works. i like black bands. i have noticed that a black band shoots faster and harder than the same size amber. but harder to load

[JustAddWater]

About a year ago, just prior to a hunting trip, I needed to change the bands on my JBL 38- Special. The shop didn't have the stock 14" amber double bands in supply so I put on a single black band that was a a bit longer and thicker. I found that though it was easier to load, and sufficient in spearing game, it lacked the "bang" effect of the doubles. I'm opting to go back to the stock bands.

[Big Pig]

I'm shooting 2 25" black 5/8" bands on mine. I tried 24" bands, but the recoil was bad.

[Blood Vessel]

Thanks for the detailed replies.

Big Pig--I assume we have the same gun. Do you notice a big difference in power or accuracy with 1 vs 2 bands?

[Big Pig]

Blood

Yes the 52" is one of the guns I shoot. I recently got a MG Special that I will be using as my primary gun in the future.

I usually hunt deep water for bigger fish, and yes I use 2 bands. The exception is when I'm surrounded by hogs and I just load one to save time. If you run into a big grouper or AJ you are going to need the power of 2 bands. For smaller fish, one will work. Overpowering the gun is what will make it less accurate. See some of the threads in the gun section by AIMRITE.

Good Luck

[from the sea]

i have a 42,48",54",60" sea hornets i shoot:
42: 2 20" black bands
48: 3 20" black bands (for cudda's and sharks)
54: 1 24" amber and 1 28" black
60: 1 26" amber and 1 30" black
hope it helps

[Blood Vessel]

from the sea-- what's your rationale for your band configuration on the 54"?

[keezdiver]

two different size bands gives three options on power

single long band for close shots on small fish like hogs or mangos in close

single short for longer shots or for moderately large fish like grouper

load both bands for extra power on big fish or when line shafting

i've been told the difference between the "color"...but i forgot which is which when it comes to more power.

i know i have a 60" hornet and i shoot a single 26 and love it. nice and accruate and got good penetration on a 35" grouper throught the head last month.

[from the sea]

the amber is about half as strong as the black