53" JBL Woody Sawed Off

[surf2live]

Sorry for the many posts...but a recent thread made me wonder- is this an okay speargun for a beginner in NJ who also travels??
I am new to spearfishing and had a very reputable spearo sell me the 53" JBL. I am a dedicated year round surfer, even in the NJ winters, and I also travel to C America and the Pacific, as well as the usual OBX, to surf. So it was recommended I purchase this particular gun which was in the dive shop he owned.
So- is this an okay gun for a rookie with ocean experience who would want to travel with his gun?
An unnamed on this forum suggested JBLs sucked- which I find hard to believe.
Please help. Thanks

[FLETCHOSAURUS]

JBL seems like a practical gun to start with....The length may seem to be a problem do to poor vis on the norm in NJ. T pacific and C.A waters will be better. If i were you I would start off with 75-90cm euro in NJ. I'm not sure about those other places you mentioned. I myself have never used a JBL so I'm not gonna knock on it. But a friend of my said he lost a few nice stripers when he started w/that gun..He said that it lacked the power he needed.

[spear kook]

I think your fine dude. I think you might be over gunned for the rocks and tog. But you are ahead of the game for striper. Let me put this in surf terms. Its possible to surf a crappy small day on a 6'6 pin. Not the best board for those conditions but aren't you gonna be happy when its double overhead and barrelling.

I have perfect stuff for small-mid sized fish. But Iam a bit undergunned for big striper.

[jmik90]

go ahead and name me,jbls suck,its my opinion,listen to what ever you want but if you didnt want to spend too much money you could have gotten a nice euro gun for around the same price.

[surf2live]

So I guess I'll be using only 2 bands for NJ, unless I'm out in open waters...
So much to learn....

[wounded duck]

i personally don't like JBL either. i have had a few. they are cheaply made, offer to much flex in most models, and offer little opportunity to fix. save your money and get something a little better (hint: RA guns are only a lil bit more than the gun you mention brand new:lol:)

[taimenz]

you should of called me i tried one of them a while ago and sold it quick. the tips come unscrewed and the handle will start to want to bend its made from plastic. i wouldn't sell it though it does the job. i shot a 36# bass with it. try to see if you can get a flopper shaft from leisurepro i think they supply them.

[IrieSpearo]

you should of called me i tried one of them a while ago and sold it quick. the tips come unscrewed and the handle will start to want to bend its made from plastic. i wouldn't sell it though it does the job. i shot a 36# bass with it. try to see if you can get a flopper shaft from leisurepro i think they supply them.

Only the Carbine series handle is made of plastic...i hate the carbine series but like the magnums...

For a thread discussing JBL see http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=64806&highlight=jbl+record for more info.

[surf2live]

IrieSpearo-
Thanks for attaching that thread!
OK- I'm gonna keep the JBL, maybe get another when I'm more experienced and know EXACTLY what I need.
I might get a pole spear for NJ so I can learn to be a better hunter....any suggestions??

[LeMonstier]

You can find pole spears rather easily since most shops have them.
I have a simple JBL one with a paralyzer tip. You can find them in the $ 50-$60 range. I think that dive shop on Columbus blvd in South Philly might have them Blue Horizons I think it's called, or you can buy one online.

I was thinking of buying that Omer three piece one, it's more expensive though.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/OSBMPPS.html

[TriggerNJ]

Your JBL will be fine. I've used the exact same gun before. It gets the job done. A polespears a great idea. It's a great way to learn and it never gets old no matter how long you've been at it. Look in the pole spear section for some good info on choices.

[surf2live]

Okay, so its striper season, and I'm seeing some good sized fish...I have been using my 53 woody, which is really 41 from handle to tip....anyway, I've been using only 2 bands and I wanna know if I should be loading 3 from now on. I don't wanna be undergunned.
I have been using the pole a lot cause of vis and because I'm usually near jettys...but I don't wanna blow a big fish opportunity.
Should I load 3 bands??
Should I load 2 and let the third stay unloaded? (Don't know if that would get in the way of firing)???

[apneadreams]

Only the Carbine series handle is made of plastic...i hate the carbine series but like the magnums...

For a thread discussing JBL see http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=64806&highlight=jbl+record for more info.

wrong. the woody guns have a plastic handle i dont know of the ones made in the past but the shop i work at sells jbl and all the wooden ones have plastic handles. i wouldnt use jbl if you paid me they are too heavy in the water and dont manuever for shit. the release is unpredictable and recoils too much.

[Southern Cross]

You will enjoy learning to hunt with the JBL, and you will kill fish with it. Use it until you get totally addicted, then do some more research on what the regulars in your area are using. I have killed lots of fish with JBLs. Most of my personal records were taken by Woody mag and Gulf Mag XHDs.

Good Luck.

[surf2live]

I have killed lots of fish with JBLs. Most of my personal records were taken by Woody mag and Gulf Mag XHDs.

Good Luck.
Thanks!
That's the most rational response to my thread so far- I already made the purchase, so I gotta stick to the JBL. Good to know u got some good fish too!
Do I need to use 3 bands now in NJ because of striper season??

[Southern Cross]

You'll get the feel for it. Sometimes you'll want 2 and sometimes you'll want 3. Just leave the last band unloaded. You'll get better accuracy with 2 bands loaded, but you'll want the 3rd there when it's time to lay down a big one.

On scuba dives, we usually just load one band and smack the triggerfish. Having the shaft inside the fish really keeps them from fighting and making a mess of your shooting line.