a reel or breakaway setup?

[irie 24]

whenever im freediving, i usually hookup my shaft straight to the gun muzzle. On occasion however, when stalking large stripers or on a trip somewhere warm to escape the great white north (baja in 2 weeks), ive used a breakaway float to rig for the occasional big boy. I've only been spearing for a few years but have picked it up relatively fast. However, i still cannot see the benefits of using a reel over a breakaway system.

The whole reel setup seems unnecessarily complicated and is indeed more expensive than a breakaway rig (mine anyways). Furthermore, the way my breakaway is setup, i do believe it could handle and wear down a much larger fish on a less than lethal body shot. Thirdly, all the extra line running close to the diver would seemingly make the reel setup more dangerous if one was to get caught in the bight. is this a correct assumption? someone please set me straight if im wrong about this

word

[Mattedhead]

Reels for shallow work, overhead environments, towers...etc. Fish of any size that hole-up, or any fish <30lbs. Floatline for most everything else, and breakaway in the BW. Whatever works.

And yes...more care must be taken when using a reel. Start small and have a floatline back-up for the first few attempts. Line management is key here.

[spaghetti]

I use reels (gun mounted or on the belt) because I'm european and nobody uses the breakaway system here. I don't even know for sure what it is.
Do I understand that it's a thing that ties your shaft directly to the float, leaving the gun free after the shot? Or am I misinformed?

[irie 24]

what about fish greater than appx 30lbs that hole up, are shallow, towers, etc?

i do admit i run into trouble diving points, reefs, etc, when the current is not behaving and the float doubles back but oh well, i dont have the $ for a reel right now. soon enough though

How big of a pelagic do you think my setup could handle as it is now anyways? ive got a 100' floatline with a 6' bungee buffer between the line and my float which is an omer master torpedo float.

[irie 24]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

I use reels (gun mounted or on the belt) because I'm european and nobody uses the breakaway system here. I don't even know for sure what it is.
Do I understand that it's a thing that ties your shaft directly to the float, leaving the gun free after the shot? Or am I misinformed?

ya man thats exactly it. i just disconnect my shooting line (spectra dyneema) from my muzzle and attach it directly to the floatline. about 6 inches up from where the shooting line would double back around the line release toggle beneath the trigger i attach a rubber band and actually put it over the toggle so the shooting line isnt draped everywhere and its basically the same except you're towing your float. when you shoot the toggle releases the rubber band and away she goes.

[orangekiwi]

spaghetti
check out this link, it's got some pictures on it as well. If you can get hold of a little book called Len jones Spearfishing guide it explains it as well./
i hope this link thing works.

[Bill McIntyre]

Here is a link showing one method.

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread...iian+breakaway

[kryzun]

It depends on how good of a diver you are. Certin species of fish are affected by underwtater noise and will not approach if you make a lot of noise. If your a clumsy diver and make a more noise and commotion than your floatline (which can get bounced by waves) a reel won't do you any good. If your a quiet diver that acts naturally and silent underwater a noisy floatline wont do you any good. BTW, this is all before the shot. Some people pride themselves on getting the best kill-shot possible, Some people pride themselves on having tons of expensive gear that helps them land fish after their (bad) shots.

[Southern Cross]

We typically use reels when diving for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. 3 divers swimming around a barnacle encrusted rig can be tough with a bunch of float lines on the surface.

A reel is basically just a line storage device. You don't actually reel the fish in, you fight them up just like on a float line.

My first shot with a reel I made an expensive mistake. I had the drag set loose, and a 10# snapper immediately took my shaft and $90 tip deep into the rig. Had to cut it off and leave it. I quickly learned to grab the line immediately after shooting the fish to stop him from taking off into the structure. Haven't lost any gear since.

Reel for reefs, breakaway for bluewater. There is certainly a time for each system.

Good Luck.

[irie 24]

that makes sense. im just hesitant to not have my gun in safer rigging scenario but i guess you cant compromise when in a situation like rig diviving, luckily ive never had heavy obstruction or stuff on the surface to have my float get wrapped up in. what would you recommend for a reel for a 100cm RA. not top of the line but def. reliable

[Mattedhead]

THe OMER Match 50 is $60ish w/ line. I have the 30's and 50's on several guns.

[Southern Cross]

irie,
I'd look at the Omer, Rob Allen, and Florida Freedivers reels. I have a Rob Allen and find it to be pretty easy to use. Do some serious shopping on line to fill the reel. If can be expensive.

Remember, losing a speargun is much better than drowning. So don't be afraid to let go, and always carry a sharp knife to cut the reel line or float line if you get tangled.

[nwagner91]

I've used both now, and they both suck. Someone needs to come up with a reel with a line guide, that would be the best. Currently I use a breakaway setup, and I have a small egg float in back. It gets hung up so often, and my buddy was watching me dive, and he says I drag a kelp paddie behind my. Reels are easier to manuver in my opion, but once you shoot a fish, it is a pain in the ass reeling the line back up.

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by nwagner91

Someone needs to come up with a reel with a line guide, that would be the best.

A lot of reels have a line guide- Omer, Rob Allen, and Aimrite among them. But maybe you have something else in mind?

[Scolinos]

Originally Posted by nwagner91

but once you shoot a fish, it is a pain in the ass reeling the line back up.

...that's because you're 16