Mako gun question

[tsutton]

A few months ago a thread was circulating here about which gun is best for freshwater and the low viz we experience. The Mako Predator Pro guns were common choices, and I know I'm not the only one who purchased one this spring.

I went with a 70cm with single 20mm band.

I've had about 10 dives with it so far and seem to have an issue, so thought I'd throw it out to you guys and see if anyone can offer some suggestions. We're in pretty low viz and at close range (like 5-7 feet) my shots always go high of target. At first I attributed this to a new gun and just getting used to it ... but since I became aware of the issue I've planted myself on the bottom, took great care in lining up stationary bass at about 4-5 feet ... and the shot is always going high... over the head.

I personally feel like the 20mm band is overkill for the fish we're shooting, so wondering if a 20mm band on a 70cm gun might overpower the shot and maybe launch the spear high? Also, the flopper is at the usual 45 degree angle below the spear, does this act like a fin / rudder and maybe affect the flight path?

Anyone have any insight?

Thanks
Tom

[Waiting2Exhale]

Originally Posted by tsutton

A few months ago a thread was circulating here about which gun is best for freshwater and the low viz we experience. The Mako Predator Pro guns were common choices, and I know I'm not the only one who purchased one this spring.

I went with a 70cm with single 20mm band.

I've had about 10 dives with it so far and seem to have an issue, so thought I'd throw it out to you guys and see if anyone can offer some suggestions. We're in pretty low viz and at close range (like 5-7 feet) my shots always go high of target. At first I attributed this to a new gun and just getting used to it ... but since I became aware of the issue I've planted myself on the bottom, took great care in lining up stationary bass at about 4-5 feet ... and the shot is always going high... over the head.

I personally feel like the 20mm band is overkill for the fish we're shooting, so wondering if a 20mm band on a 70cm gun might overpower the shot and maybe launch the spear high? Also, the flopper is at the usual 45 degree angle below the spear, does this act like a fin / rudder and maybe affect the flight path?

Anyone have any insight?

Thanks
Tom

Are you wrapping the shooting line over the spear? That may be the problem, not sure? My MAKO is a laserbeam, with the same flopper, even at 20'+ shots

[OutdoorCatholic]

My Mako is super short and super accurate with a pretty strong single band. I wrap over the spear.

[tsutton]

Originally Posted by Waiting2Exhale

Are you wrapping the shooting line over the spear? That may be the problem, not sure? My MAKO is a laserbeam, with the same flopper, even at 20'+ shots

Good point - but yes, shooting line is wrapped over the spear as per the Mako instructions.

[jfjf]

Originally Posted by tsutton

A few months ago a thread was circulating here about which gun is best for freshwater and the low viz we experience. The Mako Predator Pro guns were common choices, and I know I'm not the only one who purchased one this spring.

I went with a 70cm with single 20mm band.

I've had about 10 dives with it so far and seem to have an issue, so thought I'd throw it out to you guys and see if anyone can offer some suggestions. We're in pretty low viz and at close range (like 5-7 feet) my shots always go high of target. At first I attributed this to a new gun and just getting used to it ... but since I became aware of the issue I've planted myself on the bottom, took great care in lining up stationary bass at about 4-5 feet ... and the shot is always going high... over the head.

I personally feel like the 20mm band is overkill for the fish we're shooting, so wondering if a 20mm band on a 70cm gun might overpower the shot and maybe launch the spear high? Also, the flopper is at the usual 45 degree angle below the spear, does this act like a fin / rudder and maybe affect the flight path?

Anyone have any insight?

Thanks
Tom

Do you have a picture of the flopper? Is it flopping around loosely or is it staying at a 45 degree angle to the shaft?

Generally, most people feel that an overpowered gun will tend to have the muzzle kick up, which lifts the tail of the shaft, causing an over-powered gun to shoot low,, the exact opposite of what you would probably assume.

I've used that same gun with a 20 mm band and it was not over powered and shot where I aimed it.

[ARC]

Originally Posted by jfjf

Do you have a picture of the flopper? Is it flopping around loosely or is it staying at a 45 degree angle to the shaft?

Generally, most people feel that an overpowered gun will tend to have the muzzle kick up, which lifts the tail of the shaft, causing an over-powered gun to shoot low,, the exact opposite of what you would probably assume.

I've used that same gun with a 20 mm band and it was not over powered and shot where I aimed it.

I shoot a 100cm Predator Pro and it is dead accurate with the factory spec bands.

As stated above over powering the gun will cause the shaft to dive making your shots low not high.

Ensure you are using the same point to aim as in where your eye is when you are lining up your shot. If you are shooting high you may need raise your eye level a bit in relation to the butt of the gun thus lowering you point of impact on target.

Also be sure when you are loading your gun the the shooting line does not cross under the shaft, meaning between the shaft and the "rail' on the barrel. This could cause inconsistency.

The best way to end your frustration would be to target practice. Set up a floating target (an old flip flop, piece of foam/rubber, cheap boat buoy) tie it to a weight that will keep it suspended the desired level off the bottom. Find a calm body of water and see what you can learn by trying the same shot over and over. This way you don't get frustrated trying to dial in your aim on actual fish.

Hope this helps you out, I've never fresh water speared but I would like to start as I am in the process of moving to CO.

How does the length of your gun feel for this type of spearing? i am trying to figure out what gear I'll need to be successful.

[mishu1984]

make sure your arm is as stiff as possible. a lot of "guaranteed" shots are missed because we will often relax the arm/elbow/wrist and then allow recoil to ruin a perfectly good shot. i had the same problem when i first switched from Mako/Rabitech to my Rob Allen.

[2fishin2]

If the flopper is "stuck" at the angle its a problem. "Unstuck" it so it moves freely. What diameter shaft does it have? A gun of the short length only needs a single 5/8 or for that matter a single 9/16" band cut a little short. For the record I have had overpowered guns shoot high.

[Dino Spadoni]

I have a the Mako Predator Pro 70cm w/2 16mm bands and it shoots lazer straight. I love this gun. Maybe check your shaft, as it could be slightly bent. And that would make for bad shots.

[Mattedhead]

Probably a flopper issue, but I don't see the need for a 20mm band on a 70cm.

[tsutton]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Went in the river this morning to try and sort out this issue.
Seem to have made some progress. I think maybe bad viz and pretty shallow water has made it difficult to keep an outstretched arm, also shallow water usually means shooting from near surface down on the fish. Made an effort to get low and shoot directly at / up on the fish and outstretch the arm. Also ensured the flopper wasn't stuck at the 45 degree angle.

Took some practice shots on a couple of bass, then went in the current to go for rainbow trout. Got a couple of nice bass and a few small trout (man those things move fast).