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Old 08-01-2013, 12:29 PM   #1
Joeljj12
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Norcal speargun

Hey guys i was just wondering what your suggestions would be for a speargun for basically anywhere from gualala to mendocino would be. I would be hunting in 10-30 feet of water for mostly rockfish and lingcod. My price range would be 150-200 dollars. And was looking for something short that wont get tangled up in the weeds. I was about to buy a jbl 38 special northwest online but decided i would like to see the gun before i buy it. For your suggestions do you know any dice shops in bodega bay that i could hold that gun at and look at it.

Thanks.
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Old 08-01-2013, 01:32 PM   #2
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Re: Norcal speargun

Bump. I see a thread someone mention about RA Tuna 100cm.
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Old 08-01-2013, 01:33 PM   #3
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Re: Norcal speargun

i saw a short JBL woody looked awesome. cant find link right now
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Old 08-01-2013, 01:34 PM   #4
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Re: Norcal speargun

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Bump. I see a thread someone mention about RA Tuna 100cm.
100 too big.
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Old 08-01-2013, 02:14 PM   #5
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Re: Norcal speargun

75cm length is a good NorCal speargun for both hole hunting and mid-water hunting.
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Old 08-01-2013, 03:02 PM   #6
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Re: Norcal speargun

I would strongly recommend against a JBL. My experience with the brand is limited to one gun that I owned years ago, but it was the single worst piece of gear I've ever owned. Its definitely the indian, not the arrow that matters most, but a crappy arrow can make the indian's hunt a lot more frustrating than it has to be.

I would recommend a euro-style gun in the 70-85 cm range. I have been using a Rob Allen 80cm for the past 4 years. I treat it pretty rough (not always washing right away after dives, using it to pound on rocks to attract fish, tossing it around, etc) and it has handled it like a champ and remains a great, reliable tool. 80cm is great because it's short enough to serve you well in 8ft vis, but long enough for the occasional 40ft vis days.
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Old 08-01-2013, 03:08 PM   #7
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Re: Norcal speargun

I have been abusing my AB Biller 32 for the last 15 years and it is still going strong. I had to beef it up a little to get it to punch through big fish at close range.

The 36 seems to have the right punch, but who has the luxury of using a gun that big?
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Old 08-01-2013, 03:57 PM   #8
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Re: Norcal speargun

I used an AB Biller for years on the local reefs but since I started using the euro style guns I've never looked back! Durable, fast reloads, & simple design. Here's a thread I started back in April. Good luck. T
http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=159894
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Old 08-01-2013, 04:19 PM   #9
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Re: Norcal speargun

I have JBL's, AB Biller and Mako. My best gun is the Mako Predator 70cm. I do 99% of my diving north of Jenner on the Sonoma & Medacino Coast, and this gun works great IMO
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Old 08-01-2013, 04:23 PM   #10
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Re: Norcal speargun

I have not used Mako guns nearshore, but buddies have told me they get gummed up with debris easily in the soup we dive here. Anyone with some first hand experience with how well Makos perform in heavy debris filled water want to chime in?
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Old 08-01-2013, 04:37 PM   #11
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Re: Norcal speargun

Quote:
Originally Posted by Albondiga View Post
I have not used Mako guns nearshore, but buddies have told me they get gummed up with debris easily in the soup we dive here. Anyone with some first hand experience with how well Makos perform in heavy debris filled water want to chime in?
You are correct Harmer, the trigger mech gets stuck with just the slightest bit of sand. Rob Allen is a much better choice if going with a railgun.
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Old 08-01-2013, 05:40 PM   #12
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Re: Norcal speargun

What about the rob allen stainless steel. If so what size.

Does the RA tuna come in 75 cm their website doesnt have a lot of info.
And also how much are they

Which would you reccomend
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Old 08-01-2013, 05:48 PM   #13
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Re: Norcal speargun

Rob Allen guns are aluminum and they don't come in 75, it's either 70 or 80cm, both of which would serve you well.

They are available on the Neptonics website here: http://www.neptonicsystems.com/Rob%2...Spearguns.html
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Old 08-01-2013, 05:55 PM   #14
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Re: Norcal speargun

I have the JBL 38 Northwest. It's my first (and only) gun I've owned. Haven't had one problem with it at all. It's never even jammed up once.

I've had it for about 18 months now, bought it when I first started out, still has the original bands on it, and line. It has a thick shaft so when you miss your fish and it slams directly into rocks point blank, it won't bend.

Couldn't be happier for my first one.
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Old 08-01-2013, 05:55 PM   #15
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Re: Norcal speargun

Because of the price of the mako and the size im seriously considering the mako 60 cm. if i do this how should i build it.
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