Rod for the Spear

[Dino]

Hey guys . I am new to the freediving sport, have been training the lungs and lining up the correct gear this winter and hope to start freediving the jetties and piles I normally fish with rod and reel in early spring. I am a licensed captain and have been fishing NJ inshore and offshore obsessively for the last 10 years or so. I just cannot put off learning the hunt underwater any longer.

Would greatly appreciate any gear suggestions or other tips to get involved. Looking to shoot stripers fluke blackfish and the usual.

one piece I am interested in purchasing soon is a dive buoy / floating line set up. not quite sure how the entire thing works.


Thanks in Advance,

Mike Accordino

[Jspear57]

Where do you live and fish out of in Jersey?

[Haron]

Hey guys . I am new to the freediving sport, have been training the lungs and lining up the correct gear this winter and hope to start freediving the jetties and piles I normally fish with rod and reel in early spring. I am a licensed captain and have been fishing NJ inshore and offshore obsessively for the last 10 years or so. I just cannot put off learning the hunt underwater any longer.

Would greatly appreciate any gear suggestions or other tips to get involved. Looking to shoot stripers fluke blackfish and the usual.

one piece I am interested in purchasing soon is a dive buoy / floating line set up. not quite sure how the entire thing works.


Thanks in Advance,

Mike Accordino

Get any of the Omer inflatable floats, they are pretty cheap and well made. Basically, you would need to make yourself as much visible to the boats as possible, so good size dive flag is recommended. Also, you might need to attach some equipment to the float such as: Stringer, spare shaft, spare speargun, water, float line. If money and your carrying capacity is not an issue, I would recommend Omer Shardana board. It is virtually unsinkable and easily towed in any conditions.You may visit this site as well: http://www.foxfloats.com/. The guy's name on Spearboard : Sticknrelease, he makes good inflatable floats. Here is my personal setup:

[surf2live]

Haron
That is a NICE float!!
I wanna make my own boogie board float, but that one looks really professional.
Is that a Wong Nor'Easter?---beautiful gun.

Dino,
Im in Southern NJ- if you need anything, just send me a pm.

[Haron]

Haron
That is a NICE float!!
I wanna make my own boogie board float, but that one looks really professional.
Is that a Wong Nor'Easter?---beautiful gun.

Dino,
Im in Southern NJ- if you need anything, just send me a pm.

This is Omer "Shardana" board, pretty heavy but very light on the water. Kinda hard to carry it around, but worth it. The gun is Wong Noreaster, and the second gun is PoseidonSub EuroTi, recently sold it.

[33fish33]

I use the more basic inflatable omer float. I bought it from a member of the spear board used for 25 bucks. I use a float line from florida freedivers (its nylon with foam inside). I think the line is only about 25 dollars also. For extra buancy, I add a bumber float to the float line where it connects to the omer float (something to hang onto when you need a rest). Its worked great for me - very light for climbing over the jetties ;)
I used to fish in south jersey, but moved more north, so this season I think I will be hitting shark river to LBI, if your interested, send me a pm when the season gets closer and we could catch up (I try to get out in early April - not much around yet but still fun)

[Dino]

usually fishing out of the Pt. Pleasant area Jspear, but I roam all over the place. nice thresh by the way

Haron, thank you for the info! pictures, links, explanation... very solid bro !

Looking forward to sharing some info with everyone as the days get a little warmer here and things get rolling.

[TriggerNJ]

I've been using that nylon foam filled floatline 33fish mentioned too. Good buy. It's strong, lasts forever and the price is right. I got a large lifeguard can (30'' I think) from a lifeguard supply site a few years ago and I love it. On sale for $50 bucks. Real easy to rig up with everything and takes a beating. Good for around here where the float is mainly a marker and not a fish fighter. Those Omer inflatables are nice too though especially if space is a concern or if you have to carry it a long ways . Plus thier tougher then I would have ever imagined.

[njfisherman11]

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/float3.jpg


Here's a pic of the float i just bought off craigslist for $25. i have to get a new line for it and then its good to go.

[Haron]

http://www.myfishpix.com/gallery/data/500/float3.jpg


Here's a pic of the float i just bought off craigslist for $25. i have to get a new line for it and then its good to go.

It's a good float, the only thing I would change is a line, which tends to get tangled. I prefer Neptonic's heavy duty floatline.

[njfisherman11]

thanks for the suggestion, i'll have to look into it

[Dino]

I am leaning towards this gun as opposed to the JBL woody,

any thoughts ? advantage of a teak or mahog barrel versus metal ?

JBL Competition Magnum Triple Sling Speargun (4D45)


I understand triple sling may be overkill for inlet blackfish, but want to have the kill power for bass, etc.

[surf2live]

I am leaning towards this gun as opposed to the JBL woody,

any thoughts ? advantage of a teak or mahog barrel versus metal ?

JBL Competition Magnum Triple Sling Speargun (4D45)


I understand triple sling may be overkill for inlet blackfish, but want to have the kill power for bass, etc.

A question first:
1- do you plan to do mostly inshore diving like jettys, reefs and bridges....or do u plan to do open ocean diving from a boat?

My first gun was a JBL Sawed Off Magnum Woody 53" mahogany gun....I regret buying it. It is a great beginners gun, or a loaner, but if u know ur gonna be a dedicated spearo then its a waste of money. They are loud, cheaply built and have no resale value.
If u plan to dive jettys and other inshore structures ur better off owning a polespear and a gun at the least. The polespear is great around the jettys where fish get holed up in the rocks, and the gun is great for the better vis days.

Which gun is a matter of opinion, but the better brands are worth the effort and money: Riffe, Omer, Rob Allen and Rabitech etc.
Now, the size IS a function of VIS and location- if u do open ocean dives for pelagic fish, then a 100cm gun is a minimum; if u do jettys and inshore structures like me, a 100cm is a maximum.
Technology has made the composite materials desirable, durable and quiet. Teak is very quiet and naturally bouyant. I prefer the teak, but that's preference. The aluminum guns can be clanky and loud which is bad- the JBL is bad in my opinion.
For Jettys: 75-90cm or a good midhanle.
For the record, I own 2 Riffes, both teak: the MidHandle "M", and the rear handle Competitor #1, as well as a polespear. For inshore NJ diving these are great guns. The other guns I mentioned are also great- others love them.

The truth is that gun selection is based on your typical hunting conditions. I can't use a 110cm euro where I dive.

EDIT- a talented spearo could hunt with a sharpened stick and do well....but in adverse conditions it pays to have the appropriate equipment.

[FLETCHOSAURUS]

These guys go small. I'm all about my 100cm Rabitech.
The general rule of thumb is 75-90cm. Also, I encourage all divers to wear a plastic whistle around their neck bc. You never know when you may need it. Just incase they run into a trained dolphin or maybe a boat. Try to always dive w/abuddy esp. when your staring out. Dive with confidence and relax in the water. Your breath hold will get better through-out the day so don't get discouraged when you start. AND WHATCH OUT FOR THE WHITES SHARKS!!!! Let me know anytime this summer if you wanna go diving and I'll be glad to help you out. It's confusing learning alone but when tought to you it's peanuts....but not easy

[Dino]

Surf2live, Fletch. thanks again for the info.

I definitely plan on starting out around nearshore structure, and I am going to buy a good polespear.

but my first purchase i believe is going to be a midhandle that I can use around the jetties and open beach.

SURF2LIVE, what is your preference for WETSUIT thickness for an April to October NJ suit ?

[TriggerNJ]

I'm not as hard on JBL as these guys. I would be if the vis was better here and you really needed to make long shots. Most of the shooting here is pretty much point blank. I have an old alum. sawed-off magnum that takes three bands collecting dust in my garage. I used it for awhile and its got plenty of power but its heavy as all hell and shoots low compared to what I'm used to. The shaft that comes on it is about as thick as my finger. I don't even know the diameter of it but the shaft alone has to weigh three pounds. haha Of course this is just relative to what I'm used to and happens when switching guns. I shot bass, tog, triggers and even little kingfish so the accuracy difference didn't bother me to much once I adjusted. That said I wouldn't buy one. I not sure how much they are but I would think you could find something you'll like much better in the same ballpark. You could always pick up a used gun if not. I used a few different brands and styles but I've been using a Rob Allen 90cm for the last 3 years or so and it's been my favorite so far. I have it double banded with (15mm) and a 7mm shaft on it. I couldn't be happier with it. Damn porgies can dodge the 7mm shaft but kingfish and sea bass don't. (I like the little stuff)haha I wouldn't go to light on the shaft like some of the euros though because you'll bend them to easily in the rocks when shooting close fish.

Sorry, getting off subject. In my opinion I'd stay right around 90cm for an all purpose railgun style gun. In any of the top brands Aimrite, Rob Allen, Rabitech etc. They all seem very comparable in my opinion. I'll let someone else chime in on the mid-handles, hybrids and so on. I haven't had a chance to try the hybrids yet but I have a feeling I'd fall in love with them. Sort of a best of both worlds situation.

[TriggerNJ]

Oh, your more than welcome to try out the JBL I have if you want take it on some test runs before you decide to lay out the cash for one.

[zag]

if you plan on exclusively freediving and at times targeting big fish, don't even think about getting the jbl. use your money wisely and buy the right gun the first time. yeh sure "its ok", but if you are going to do it for real, i guarantee you will sell that gun in your first year. if you are sure you want a midhandle, do a little research and see what your options are. here are some, there are many more...

poseidonsub.com
***********.com
wongspearguns.com
speargun.com

[surf2live]

Surf2live, Fletch. thanks again for the info.

I definitely plan on starting out around nearshore structure, and I am going to buy a good polespear.

but my first purchase i believe is going to be a midhandle that I can use around the jetties and open beach.

SURF2LIVE, what is your preference for WETSUIT thickness for an April to October NJ suit ?

A 5mm is all you will need- but there are some details u will need to examine.
The first point is that a surfing wetsuit and a freediving wetsuit are very different. The latter is made of a neoprene that can endure pressure whereas the surf suit is not make for depth + pressure.
The second thing to consider is open vs. closed cell. The open cell looks like "naked" neoprene which seems to 'stick' to your skin, and because it sits so close to ur skin, your are much warmer. You may need to wet ur suit or skin to put the suit on or risk damage.
Other freediving suits are not open cell, but may have a titanium coating (like my Riffe) on the inside to allow one to slip in and out of the suit; others like the surf suits have a fabric layer on the inside.
The open cell suits are expensive but much warmer and built to endure pressure- I would recommend getting a good 5mm for the Spring and late fall/early winter. You can easily use a surf suit for the warmer water and save cash.
3mm socks are good for me when the water is in the low 50's, but that's me.

I own a Mares 5mm camo open cell suit, and a good Riffe green camo titanium open cell suit. Omer, Spetton and Yazbeck are other great names.

Hope that helps!

[njfreediver]

I'm gonna agree with surf2live....5 mm suit is the way to go. sometimes its over kill in the summer depending on how deep you go but in the spring and fall you'll be glad you have it. As far as guns, I have an AB Biller, a 100cm rob allen, and about to pic a wong northeaster. you are more than welcome to come out with me when the water warms up and try them out so you can see what you like. and just a recommendation....when you get ready to order gear, check out floridafreedivers.com. the people there are beyond helpful and nice and they have pretty good prices. the only problem is the website doesnt have all their inventory so give them a call. they will definitely help you out.

[33fish33]

Heads up on the JBL. It will kill tog, but they do not make a midhandle gun. The shaft always locks at the trigger mechanism in the handle. Some have a butt extension that makes them look like a midhandle. A true midhandle gun will have a lock mechanism behind the handle, so the shaft actually extends past your handle. What this allows is the bands to be pulled further back, while the shaft extends less in front of you. So, you get more power and don't bump your tip into rocks.
I use a midhandle from poseidonsub, but my brother uses a omer euro which I also really like.
I think there's a bunch of fun guns out there at good prices $200-300, but JBL do not make any of them.

[njfisherman11]

Heads up on the JBL. It will kill tog, but they do not make a midhandle gun. The shaft always locks at the trigger mechanism in the handle. Some have a butt extension that makes them look like a midhandle. A true midhandle gun will have a lock mechanism behind the handle, so the shaft actually extends past your handle. What this allows is the bands to be pulled further back, while the shaft extends less in front of you. So, you get more power and don't bump your tip into rocks.
I use a midhandle from poseidonsub, but my brother uses a omer euro which I also really like.
I think there's a bunch of fun guns out there at good prices $200-300, but JBL do not make any of them.

I agree with Gene, my first gun was the jbl sawed off magnum. It was perfect for togs, triggers, and flatties, but i shot at a striper one day from 6ft away and the tip barely penetrated and the fish swam away. I sold that gun within the first year of owning it and bought an aimrite off waterman.

[Dino]

Thanks everyone, lot of good info to digest here but I am starting to understand the concepts of this sport.

I walked into a dive shop the other day and because I didnt seem to know the lingo when asking about gear, some teenager in the shops asks me if I knew what a striped bass was, and if I have ever heard of tides. (sigh) everyone is a newbie at some point I guess! haha.

thanks again Guys

[greekspearo]

the omer caymen 90cm is a great gun that will shoot everything from 50lb striper to 3 lb tog in the rocks. its fairly inexpensive about 250.00 and with different band/shaft sizes you can shoot just about anything in our waters. in my opinion. best gun iv owned yet. its good enough to last and grow with you for the first few seasons and then you can shell out some big bucks on something more specific for you like a wong or other teak. imo. the gun is fairly balance, very fast, and the trigger is super sensitive.

[surf2live]

Greekspearo is right- for NJ if you're forced to own only one gun, owning an 85-90cm will allow you to have the maneuverability in low vis around the jettys and will have the power to kill a good sized striper.
The only other suggestion I can make first hand is the Riffe #M Midhandle which has a handle pushed very far forward, but is a 44" stock! From the handle to the tip of the gun is shorter than the 70cm I have- this will give u great dexterity in low vis with a lot of power. I own this gun so I can say first hand its great in low vis but has a lot of power too.

[Dino]

Looking into both Guns, thx guys. - dino

[Haron]

I have used for years Riffe MT#1, 38", with great success, the only drawback that with poli wings attached it is quite bulky, you can't move to fast up and down. Second gun was Riffe 44" Teak, midrange. midhandle. This gun is so quiet and powerful! I have two of those, one is brand new and for sale. Now I'm using Wong Noreaster, and pretty happy with current setup.

[waterman482]

Spetton and Yazbeck are other great names.

Hope that helps!

I hope your kidding! have you ever seen the workmanship on either of these suits! i've been borrowing a yazbeck over here while i've been in Hawaii and it is probably the worst made suit i have ever seen! very cheap and very poor workmanship! I still use a surfing wetsuit after all these years afterall their technology when it comes to warmth and quality materials is light years ahead of any spearfishing company.I think o'neill or rip curl might sell a few more wetsuits and be able to do a little bit more research that say spetton.

[JDC 92]

So would a JBL super carbine work for stripers and cobia and stuff? im doubtin it at this point

[surf2live]

So would a JBL super carbine work for stripers and cobia and stuff? im doubtin it at this point

Any talented spearo could kill any fish, I'm sure, because of his superior hunting skills.

I have never used a JBL super carbine, so I must be honest. However I used to hunt with my JBL 53" Sawed off Magnum which was powerful at close range, but I shot a striper from 10-12 ft and it did not penetrate. The additional complaints I have I outlined in prior posts, but I think there are much better guns.

My advice is: if youare absolutley committed to spearfishing, then commit to a quality gun that's suitable to your hunting environment. This is jus my 2 cents...and of course I love my Riffes, used an OMER and Rabitech recently and found them to be quality too...but I haven't killed anything significant with them to say how big a fish theykd kill...but did sense they were smoother and more powerful- depends on size too.

[JDC 92]

Whats your opinion on the Omer Excalibur 2000? and what size would you recommend?

[TriggerNJ]

So would a JBL super carbine work for stripers and cobia and stuff? im doubtin it at this point

When a friend of mine started spearing a few years ago he bought one for like $20 bucks at a garage sale or something and used it for two years. He shot quite a few nice fish with it including some bass. However, stay very far away from those guns. Complete garbage. He still swears it was the best $20 bucks he ever spent. haha Probably true because it got him out their for next to nothing but if they are anything like they once were then run from those guns. I know I wasn't as hard on the sawed-off as everyone else but the carbine forget it. Its good for nothing.

[JDC 92]

When a friend of mine started spearing a few years ago he bought one for like $20 bucks at a garage sale or something and used it for two years. He shot quite a few nice fish with it including some bass. However, stay very far away from those guns. Complete garbage. He still swears it was the best $20 bucks he ever spent. haha Probably true because it got him out their for next to nothing but if they are anything like they once were then run from those guns. I know I wasn't as hard on the sawed-off as everyone else but the carbine forget it. Its good for nothing.

what about the omer i asked about?

[TriggerNJ]

I have used a 75cm Excalibur and I liked it. Can't really say much though as the gun was so small but it had some punch for its size, was light, and accurate. I hate those metal wishbones but you can replace that very easy and they have adapters that fit the screw in bands so you can just tie your own. The one I used didn't have a full rail and I don't think any size Excalibur does so I don't know how accuracy is as they get bigger. I don't like the thin shafts because they bend to easy. Probably not much of a problem on a gun as small as the one I used but definitely something to think about on anything bigger. I've shot a 90cm of a different brand with 6.5 shaft and they bend fairly easy which can ruin your day. Then again I have a habit of shooting triggers point blank against the rocks. Check out what people you dive around are using but I would think you'll be looking for something pretty different and heavier duty than the Excalibur for what you want to do with it. Really depends on what you expect to do with it but this wouldn't be my choice of gun.

[Intaugnito]

Its good for nothing.

:(:(:(

[33fish33]

These are tog, which it must be said, are only slightly above nothing. And, it looks like you killed too many ;) Im just being a jerk...

[JDC 92]

well can i get a gun recomendation at a price my ass can afford? im not gunna be shootin huge fish but i want somthing that i know will kill stripers, cobia and kings but that i can use for flounder and sheepshead and stuff like that too...i dont know how well that would work. im not about to put $500 into my first gun though

[surf2live]

well can i get a gun recomendation at a price my ass can afford? im not gunna be shootin huge fish but i want somthing that i know will kill stripers, cobia and kings but that i can use for flounder and sheepshead and stuff like that too...i dont know how well that would work. im not about to put $500 into my first gun though




The Members Items section here always has some great deals on quality guns. For high quality new/used spearguns I go to www.onestopspearfishingshop.com. There aren't many spearos in my area, so there aren't any spearfishing shops at all.

[fishfan]

well can i get a gun recomendation at a price my ass can afford? im not gunna be shootin huge fish but i want somthing that i know will kill stripers, cobia and kings but that i can use for flounder and sheepshead and stuff like that too...i dont know how well that would work. im not about to put $500 into my first gun though



Best advice I got from another spearo/spear fishing store owner when I started was buying a Omer 75. You want to be comfortable with what you are doing and this gun is my favorite. I even used in on a commercial trip we did out of OC Md. Three guys using basically the same gun put over 500lbs of fish (Trigger, Togs, Jacks, etc) in the ice boxes. Just go with the Aluminum barrel and you won't go wrong.

[JDC 92]

thanks, hows everbody like the riffe competitor models?

[surf2live]

thanks, hows everbody like the riffe competitor models?

I own the Riffe Compeitor #1 which is a rear handle teak gun w/ 3 bands....its about 71cm from the mech to the bands. I love this gun- its small but very powerful. I use it in all conditions, but especially in the holes and jettys and on low vis days. I usually only load 1 or 2 bands- but it is very capable of taking striper and drum fish.

I also have a Riffe MidHandle #M- its very powerful, accurate and light- my favorite.

[JDC 92]

ok im lookin at the C#00 mostly cause its $40 cheaper than the #1 any major difference?

[surf2live]

ok im lookin at the C#00 mostly cause its $40 cheaper than the #1 any major difference?

The only difference is the length of the gun, and it prolly only has 2 bands- if your cool with that, AND its appropriate for your hunting grounds, then your good. Go to www.onestopspearfishingshop.com that dudes sells used guns too....I bought the Comp#1 from him.

[JDC 92]

I think i'll get the one you have. that way when i go fishin for big fish i can use all 3 bands. there was one used Competitor #1 for $290 and a new 1 for $290

[TriggerNJ]

Sorry Intaugnito, I know I overstated. It will kill plenty of fish in the right hands but thats all your getting out of me. hahaha Here I blurred his face because its my friend and I'm not sure if he wants his face on the internet.
In support of Intaugnito this was taken with a "good for nothing" super carbine. :beer:haha

[JDC 92]

Surf2live
it says the C #1 has 2 bands and you said yours has 3...did you just add one to yours?

[surf2live]

Surf2live
it says the C #1 has 2 bands and you said yours has 3...did you just add one to yours?

Hahaha....never knew that- I fit 3 9/16" bands on it, or 2 5/8" bands....more commonly I only use 1-2 bands when hunting tog, trigger, sheepshead, plate, flounder and kingfish.
If I'm looking for striper or other larger fish I use my Midhandle #M w 3bands.

Lemme check my Comp #1 when I get home to confirm if I have 3 bands on it.

[JDC 92]

it says 2 9/16"x18" bands but if 3 fit then what the hell, why not.

[TriggerNJ]

What type of vis to you get where you will be spearing?

More options:Railguns

https://www.flfreedivers.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_86&products_id=1086&osCsid=p4jh464v0ggmm90cbilatcp9v6

Here's some affordable railguns (rabitechs with mako name supposedly):

http://makospearguns.com/results.php?category=2

look at the price...damn..... if I had the money I'd get one

[JDC 92]

the vision will vary cause i will fish from shore at the OBX and from a yak and jetskis and i can go out to the gulf and stuff i have a lot of hook ups for boat rides...cousin is a big shot in Fountain Marine

[TriggerNJ]

Wow, your going to have a blast! One gun isn't going to handle all of that best. Your going to have to make some tradeoffs somewhere if you get one gun and it won't be "best" for either. Maybe look into used guns to see if you could get two. One for the blue and one for the inshore.

Post in the NC forum asking what is best for each situation and I'm sure people that dive in your area will really help you nail down what you need.

[33fish33]

Ok. Just get this gun in 75 or 90 cm. Guarantee you'll like it and kill stripers.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/OSBSCA.html?Search=op%3ddtSearch%26Term%3domer%2bc ayman%26SearchFlag%3dall%26AdvSrchSortField%3dRele vance%26DescSort%3d0%26Description%3don%26Hit%3d1

[surf2live]

Ok. Just get this gun in 75 or 90 cm. Guarantee you'll like it and kill stripers.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/OSBSCA.html?Search=op%3ddtSearch%26Term%3domer%2bc ayman%26SearchFlag%3dall%26AdvSrchSortField%3dRele vance%26DescSort%3d0%26Description%3don%26Hit%3d1

I CONCUR!!!!
33Fish33 is right!! Can't go wrong with that, and not expensive either.
Just buy some extra bands and your gold.

[fineout]

^less than i paid for my JBL, damn i wish i knew about this site when i first started out...

[goodvibrations]

Just to mix it up I will recomend a Mares Cyrano 700 or 800. For inshore big bass to blackfish, it has proven to be a geat gun. Very powerful and compact makes it ideal for low vis, strong current, big fish conditions. At $175 at leisurepro, no brainer for me. Have used many of the guns mentioned and aside from the riffe midhandle or the wong noreaster, this gun tops them all for what I do. I beat the hell out of em and have had some malfunctions but have also had bands snap on other guns. I know many will go balistic at the mention of a pnuematic but many of the top big bass hunters will only use these guns.

Good luck. I rarely pick up the rod anymore.

[JDC 92]

Wow, your going to have a blast! One gun isn't going to handle all of that best. Your going to have to make some tradeoffs somewhere if you get one gun and it won't be "best" for either. Maybe look into used guns to see if you could get two. One for the blue and one for the inshore.

Post in the NC forum asking what is best for each situation and I'm sure people that dive in your area will really help you nail down what you need.

Eventually i'll get 2 guns but most of my dives wont be in the blue. So everybody agrees on the Omersub Cayman Aluminum?

[njfisherman11]

At $175 at leisurepro, no brainer for me
They're selling for $325

[njfisherman11]

you can get an aimrite rail gun for under $300 with a lifetime warranty.....the quality and warranty is well worth spending a little more.

[JDC 92]

you can get an aimrite rail gun for under $300 with a lifetime warranty.....the quality and warranty is well worth spending a little more.

TOO MANY DAMN OPTIONS!!! haha i had almost made up my mind before yall brought 2 more guns into this

[njfisherman11]

I'm the same way....i bought 4 guns in 2 years....now i'm paying close attention to the "all about guns" section and reading all the building threads....probably going to attempt one next winter

[JDC 92]

I'm the same way....i bought 4 guns in 2 years....now i'm paying close attention to the "all about guns" section and reading all the building threads....probably going to attempt one next winter

I dont have that kinda money. I wanta get one gun that will get the job done for a while and then ill get another and another and so on and so forth

[njfisherman11]

go with the cayman then.....its a million times better than my first gun!

[JDC 92]

Is it $325 or $175?

[surf2live]

I'm gonna sum it up for you, then I'm no longer contributing to this dead horse of a thread. Here are your options:
Any 80-90cm euro: Rabitech, Omer (cause they're less expensive)....Riffe Midhandle #M, or euro, or Wong Northeaster if you can afford it.

That's it.
Buy one and let us know which.

[JDC 92]

Ok, will do. Im done with this 1 too

[waterman482]

Aimrite venom railgun!!! nuff said.

[Intaugnito]

Sorry Intaugnito, I know I overstated. It will kill plenty of fish in the right hands but thats all your getting out of me. hahaha Here I blurred his face because its my friend and I'm not sure if he wants his face on the internet.
In support of Intaugnito this was taken with a "good for nothing" super carbine. :beer:haha

No worries, I keep one as a back up, and have bounced the tip off the heads of fish I tried real hard for.

[fishfan]

I agree....enough is enough....
start with the Omer 75, it will give you the range you need and get you used to the gun. I think the 90 is too big to use in the murk.

[JDC 92]

I said I was done with this thread! Im gettin a Mako damnit!

[waterman482]

I said I was done with this thread! Im gettin a Mako damnit!


Have you seen the mako in person?

[JDC 92]

nope but from what i understand they are a good, reliable company and make a good gun thats within my price range

[waterman482]

nope but from what i understand they are a good, reliable company and make a good gun thats within my price range

I'm telling you from experience try to see a few different guns in person before making your decision! you'll be happy you did.

[JDC 92]

I'm telling you from experience try to see a few different guns in person before making your decision! you'll be happy you did.

jfjf said he liked 'em. nobody in town spearfishes and the closest person I know of is in a different county...I dont know what gun he has. I pm'd him but I didn't get any answer.

[JDC 92]

might wind up gettin a omer cayman

[FLETCHOSAURUS]

There are alot of good reputable guns out there. You have herd most of them by WOM. Honestly, a well made gun is a well made guns and and mostly it boils down to ergonomics. Your starting so dont put too much thought into it and dont buy an expensive gun b/c u could very well may end up loosing it. Go for the cayman...I think u can get a Rabi for cheaper than that if you talk to Erik @ sumoa..you will just have to assemble the gun yourself.

[surf2live]

This has turned into a thread of gun paranoia and nothing else.

Listen up kiddo:
You'll never have a frame of reference without making that first purchase. It's baptism by fire, so you're just gonna make a decision based on your best guess given feedback and your hunting grounds.

Make a damn purchase and learn from it. You'll know after your first season with your first gun what improvements to look for in a new gun.

[JDC 92]

yeah i got that, geez and dont ****in call me kiddo. i was done and people kept giving advice (not a bad thing) ill get a gun and let yall know how it goes

[Dino]

PURCHASED: Omer Cayman 75 has a single circular power band on it. thanks for everyones input. this is my first speargun.

Dino

[Dino]

:(:(:(

Ha just noticed there is a silver eel in this photo. do you smoke them ?

[surf2live]

PURCHASED: Omer Cayman 75 has a single circular power band on it. thanks for everyones input. this is my first speargun.

Dino

Good job!!!
I think that's a fine start- you'll end up keeping that gun forever for sure!!!!
That is a very durable gun and great around the jettys/bridges/rocks; also very good for poor vis. You should have no problem taking almost anything you can sneak up on- and Im glad it has a circular band too.

Congrats....you will learn a lot from this gun, and from here you figure out where to go next....which will be a bigger gun for striper.

Have fun!! You need anything lemme know, I'd be more than happy to help!

[Dino]

im sitting here dying to shoot this thing. whats the coldest water I can hunt w a 5 MM wetsuit and what do people usually begin hunting ? flounder ? :confused:

[TriggerNJ]

Haha….….The addiction begins. Nice gun congratulations.

I would say most people wait for the Tog to move back in but if you’re crazy enough to brave the cold flounder is probably the earliest option within reach. I dove in late March with a 5mil in roughly 48-50 degree water. Its cold but not unbearable in short doses with some warmth nearby. Flounder are not the most exciting things to look for but I usually jump in for a few each season just to break the cabin fever. Usually one or two outings cure me and I’m back waiting for it to warm up a bit though. Just think of the early options you take advantage of with the rod and substitute in the gun where you can and you’ll be a step ahead of most people. Your fishing experience is going to put you head and shoulders above most people starting. The diving to reach them will come quickly too but the first dip in the cold can be daunting. At least it is for me each season. Man do I need to get out there too. I’m spending way too much time in front of the computer looking at fish and reading about people diving.

[bluewatermafia]

dino- i hate to derail your thread, but is that an avet in your avatar? i have never seen one with a black finish, that thing is sick!

[Jspear57]

bluewatermafia- They make avets in all kinds of crazy colors now (red, green, purple, pink...). Check them out on one of the major online avet dealers and you'll see what I mean.

I cant wait to go for some flounder even though im not looking forward to getting in the water. Im so sick of reading about spearing and not being able to go, that over spring break me and a few friends may drive down to Florida to spear for a few days.

[Intaugnito]

Ha just noticed there is a silver eel in this photo. do you smoke them ?

Congrats on the gun, you will like it for around here. That scurvy eel poped his head out while I was looking into hole full of tog, I mistook him for one of them because I was looking down into a small hole, I was down for a while and ready for a shot. Anyways I pop him square on top of the head and 10 tog blow out of the hole, he dragged my shaft inside with him so I reached for the line but it was a snagged, I reached in the hole and feel this monster fish on the shaft, I pull it out and see this ass-monkey wrapping around my arm. I surfaced like posiodon - shaft over my head - and my buddies are like WTF - I reply - come get this F***ING thing off my arm, they wont. So I swam over to boat and had to wrestle him while lying across the stern. I tried to skin him, but he smelled horrible, I gutted him and found a juvinal tog in his belly. I assume he is a predator. That will be the last time I make that mistake.

[Dino]

sounds terrible. i hate the feeling of the 8 inch eels you use for striper fishing wrapping around your arm, dont want to experience a pis sed off 3 foot silver ha .