SS Rhino Band question

[GITMOLeviathan]

I'd like to start by thanking you guys for all of the advice you provide in this forum. I just started spearfishing about 4 months ago and I cannot imagine how pathetic my catches would be without the advice provided here.

Based on information gleened from your posts, I opted for a 48" Rhino Sport as my starter gun and I absolutely LOVE it. I would recommend that gun for anyone who wants to get into this sport. I have taken a lot of shots with that thing and have reached the point where I am reasonably accurate at long range. I nailed my first grouper a few weekends ago (what an incredible experience, I've seen the light) and another one since then and I'm quite impressed with the penetration power of this gun as these were long shots for me. Oddly though, I've noticed that the same shot at a smaller, faster fish, pompano for example, will bounce off at the same range. There is nothing more frustrating than nailing a fish with a difficult shot and watching him bounce off the spear and dart away minus a chunk of meat.

How would you guys recommend I power up the gun to make that shot? Thicker bands? Shorter bands? Extend the muzzle? I've looked at the Slinginsteel website and it looks like this is a very versatile gun that can grow with my skill level. I just need a shove in the right direction. Thanks for the help and thanks Spear One for a quality product.

[Wayward Son]

Might have to do with the fish more than power. I've found that our sheepshead have some really hard spots on the head, and have lost a couple bc I took head shots that would've been fine on other species. Spear bounced off the critters. As a result I've concluded that when shooting them I'm simply going to have to force myself to aim a bit further back.

I'm not familiar with the fish you mentioned. Maybe there is a similar problem with it?

[keezdiver]

i agree with WS...probably hitting them in a hard spot.

you could also be wearing out your bands. they lose elasticity after a while.

i would say shorten the bands.

either buy new bands or get a band tying kit.

just for referance. i shot a single 21" band on my 64" gun

[Skillz]

It also depends on the color of the bands. If you have yellow bands try getting amber or black. If already have amber or black bands get shorter ones

[Spear One]

You can go down one band size to 22" bands on a 48 Rhino. Also, the Black or Amber tubing is stronger than the yellow. We put slightly longer bands on the gun initially so the guns are a little easier to load for first time gun buyers. You can move down a band size after you develop the muscle memory and loading technique.

[Dale9016]

I would also sharpen your shaft. Needs to be really sharp for smaller fish. Smaller fish dont have the weight behind the fish. So this makes the spear harder to penatrate.