Speardiver composite speargun reel

  • I've been using the Speardiver Composite Speargun Reel on my railgun now for long enough to feel like I can post about it. The reason I say long enough is because the other reels I had worked well enough too, at first.
    Mainly what I am comparing it to (given my experience) are the omer match reel and more importantly the Spearmaster/Mako and Rob Allen Vecta composite reels.


    The Speardiver reel has the same capacity as the Spearmaster & Rob Allen @ 70m and 20 more meters than the Omer match at 50m


    Speardiver reel
    speardiver-composite-speargun-reel.jpg


    The only reel I have a problem with is the Mako. It was less than a month after having it (and yes I always thoroughly rinse my gear) before it started seizing up. The drag knob would move independently of the top screw and would become, at the most inconvenient times, unable to be adjusted. The Omer match reel had a similar inconsistency with its drag's function.


    Furthermore the Speardiver reel has a smoother spin as the spool rests on a stainless steel axle encased in a plastic sheath rather than loosely on a bare metal axle.


    You can see my gripe with the Spearmaster reel in this vid around 1:22 I often had to yank line out while ascending yet the drags wide open.


    Scupper Pro Gives You Wings!

  • "I've been using the Speardiver Composite Speargun Reel on my railgun now for long enough to feel like I can post about it. The reason I say long enough is because the other reels I had worked well enough too, at first."


    X2 and perfect evaluation of the Speardiver Reel sdeisen :thumbsup2:
    I've been using the Speardiver Reel for years now. I have NEVER had a moments problem with this reel ever. The Speardiver Composite Reel is everything I have ever needed from a speargun reel. The biggest liability with using ANY gun reel, IMO, is that the reel birdnests or locks up somehow as a big fish makes a fast/hard run and I lose my gun. This has never happened to me with the Speardiver Composite Reel
    I love this Speardiver Composite Reel because:
    1. dependability of this reel
    2. folding crank handle
    3. line feed out design
    4. light weight
    5. ruggedness
    6. great price
    7. perfect functioning drag
    Hope this helps


    ps--I love ur signature line sdeisen :toast2:

    SPEARFISHING and RECREATIONAL FISHING NEEDS THE NRA
    Spearfishing Store

    Edited 3 times, last by hau ().

  • The #1 characteristic of the Speardiver reel that makes it a good spearfishing reel, and should be pointed out when comparing to the Spearmaster - Mako - Daryl Wong - JBL (yes they're all the same Spearmaster reel), is that the Speardiver reel has a correctly functioning drag system. A problem with many reels advertised as spearfishing reels (including the Spearmaster reel) is that they don't function correctly; when line is pulled the reel immediately goes into free spool. This means the brake/drag that was set before the shot loosens completely allowing the reel to spin freely. At worst when line is pulled fast a free spinning reel has the potential to create a birds nest/tangle leading to the reel seizing and the speargun being pulled away. At least even a medium size fish will take too much line. The Speardiver composite reel has a correctly functioning drag system, the brake friction will remain at the level you set it before and after the shot, preventing a birds nest and maintaining the right amount of pressure on the fish.


    The Speardiver composite spearfishing reel features a robust and lightweight construction. One of its main advantages is the strength of the reel axle attachment point. With other composite reels the steel axle is anchored directly in the reel base, where the material is barely 1/4" thick. This can be a point of failure if strong sudden pressure is applied to the reel, such as when the drag is left locked by accident or the reel jams and a strong fish makes a run. The axle and spool may tear out of the reel base. By contrast the speardiver reel has a more robust axle, formed by a full length stainless steel shaft %80 of which is encased in the composite material which is part of the reel base.


    Speargun Reel Comparison


    Speardiver Composite Speargun Reel

  • So I'm still kinda on the fence about whether I would want a reel to automatically go into free spool after shooting a fish because that's what my abellan does. After talking to Harry (greekdiver), he was telling me that he wouldn't want a drag while ascending up from depth cuz that could lead to blackouts and the only real drag is the palm of your hand. At the same time it is kinda humbug that the reel does loosen up a little when trying to make the mono shooting line tight once rigged. Can anyone shed some additional insight into pros and cons between free spool vs set drag on a reel?

  • I've seen reels from Europe that would free spool one way, but if you were to wrap the line in the opposite direction, would lock up with a strong pull X(


    A reel that goes into free spool is made by people that don't know how to make a properly functioning drag system. The explanations as to why it should free spool are excuses.


    What's the point of having a drag system at all then. The line and reel should put some pressure on the fish. If a fishing rod reel would free spool do you think anyone would buy it?

  • here is my take on it.


    If I shoot a fish deep 85 to 100ft near the end of my dive, I do not want any tension on my swim back up. Would anyone truly want drag on a fish on a long swim back up? The fish will go where it wants on a deep dive if you are ready to come up. And trust me, the slightest drag is felt on your legs.


    The palm of your hand is the best drag out there. You can apply light pressure or a lot of pressure. You can switch tension on the line faster with this method than any other way.


    I usually pull the fish away from wreck by palming the reel and once i have moved the fish away, i will put less and less drag to even no drag, as I surface. Once fish gets away from wreck, it usually gives up.

  • If you have time to palm the reel then you have time to loosen the drag, if it becomes necessary.


    If someone really prefers the reel to free spool, remove the bushing from the Speardiver reel and it's done. Whereas you can't convert a free spooling reel to having a correctly functioning drag. That's why the Spearmaster/Mako/Daryl Wong/JBL reel has the stupid cleat on the reel frame.



  • It really comes down to your style of fishing. If you are diving shallow, you dont want the reel to go to freespool

  • ummmm I have had a few scotches ;) and have just recently started using reels while shooting... but if you want no fight coming up from a deep dive then should you just not set the drag tight? I set my drag full on for hard fighting fish and set the drag very very loose for deeper dives and certain soft fleshed species.

    A bad day at sea is better than a good day in the boatyard
    George Steele

  • ummmm I have had a few scotches ;) and have just recently started using reels while shooting... but if you want no fight coming up from a deep dive then should you just not set the drag tight? I set my drag full on for hard fighting fish and set the drag very very loose for deeper dives and certain soft fleshed species.


    hah. Nice up as they say here in Belize. I'll have one too.


    If I shoot snappers or groupers below 50 feet, I like to have the drag set tight just so I can pull them a bit and keep them from holing up if I can't grab them. As I ascend, if they're still fighting or just causing a lot of resistance because they're "swirling" from a mid body shot, I'll loosen the drag and let out line as I come up. It's that focus on getting the fish up and fighting that leads to shallow water blackout...I think anyway.

  • I have to say that I really believe a floatline IS safer. I think a reel is more convenient but the floatline is the only system that allows the diver to completely disengage from the entire circuit. I understand the arguments against them, they scare away fish, they are a pain in the ass at times, they can tangle, and I respect those who choose to use them. That said, the ability to let go and the presence of a float on the surface make the floatline safer. Not superior necessarily, but safer

    i like to spear fish

  • The only reason I never used reels is because I needed to reload quickly. Try reloading when you have 100ft of reel line in the water around you. Maybe I should have just reeled it in as I pulled in my fish? I am still a big fan of no reel or float and just shooting the fish and sliding my hand into its gill plate as it drags me around for 10 seconds.

  • I use reel just because there are places and occasions where I can not use float line.


    When I do use a reel I have the reel Speardiver.


    Good thread.

    Un Hombre tiene que creer en algo.......
    Creo que me iré de pesca!!!


  • Exactly! A reel is not there to fight the fish. It is there to retrieve your line once you get to the surface and keep you connected to your fish.

  • Exactly! A reel is not there to fight the fish. It is there to retrieve your line once you get to the surface and keep you connected to your fish.

    G.R. I agree with you in the general sense, a speargun reel is not used to bring in a fish, in the same way a fishing rod reel does. But specifically, do you believe that a reel should never put any pressure on the line? IMO pressure on the line at the least makes sure the flopper stays deployed.

  • Exactly! A reel is not there to fight the fish. It is there to retrieve your line once you get to the surface and keep you connected to your fish.


    Gr, clearly you and Harry are way elite tier divers, you both have skills and experience that enable you to both assess your condition and dive AND to get back to the surface from bad situations when the circumstances require. You both are better able to land amazing fish because you stay connected to them and can get them to the surface.
    In my mind, being connected to the fish is more dangerous over all. You and Harry and Steve as well, can very well assess when and if you need to bail and I trust all three of you would lose your gun to save your life, I just see that the seconds a lesser diver spends thinking about holding on to the gun could be costly and the ability to just let go of everything and ascend is safer


    I suppose it has a lot to do with comfort and what you are used to, but I think that there are two questions. Which is better an which is safer.

    i like to spear fish

  • Reels locking up and jamming are a divers worst nightmare. Especially when you are deep or have shot a big fish. I like a loose drag so that I can control the speed by cupping the reel.
    I basically use my reel the same as I do my floatline. When I shoot the fish I immediately start to head for the surface. I keep light to very light tension on the fish. If he wants to run I let him run. My main concern is getting back to the surface..Period. Once I am at the surface, I usually lock the reel and start retrieving the fish by pulling the reel line and letting the gun float away like you would in a floatline set up. Doing this I am always swimming towards the boat and retrieving the line at the same time.
    There are a lot of variables to consider but getting back to the surface and to the boat are all that really matter to me.
    Reels have come a long way over the years and have changed a lot since my original Riffe Reel. My favorite reel is an old Omer Pelagic that I won in a tournament. I had Tito Diaz modify it for me years ago so that I could mount it horizontal on my 55 Wong. That thing is 15 years old and on its 3rd gun. Still in great shape. Never jams and has never had a bad day. I still run the original 2.0 mm spectra on it. I just wish it was red.:laughing:

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