The Original Red Tide Gun Pics

    O.K., you guys asked for some pics of my 1976 super high tech hand crafted speargun designed by a 16 year old mastermind. Enjoy:toast:
    Here is a profile of the gun that I used from 1976 to about 1995. I shot thousands of fish with this gun. Notice the high tech enclosed muzzel that I crafted out of a piece of sprinkler pvc (I worked on a golf course)

    The shaft was made from a 48 inch piece of spring stainless. I had to buy it in 12 foot legnths from the stainless supply house. I think I had to pay $12 for a 12 foot legnth which worked out to $4.00 per shaft. I hand drilled the hole for the barb and for my high tech trigger mechanisim. I cut the slot in the back of the shaft for the bands with a round hack saw blade. The trigger was made from left over lexan that I had laying around from a skateboard project that I lost interest in.

    Not bad engineering for a 16 year old. Where were your old hunting grounds? If you frequent the same places today, was there more fish then than there are now? Is that the original paint job? What came first, red gun or red tide? :)

    I hunted Tampa Bay and the Gulf waters from Saint Petersburg to Tarpon Springs inside of 60 ft. Mostly in the 25 to 35 foot stuff. We did not have float lines or reels. We would free shaft and then switch to the line shaft to finish of the bi ones. I lost alot of shafts back then:D
    As far as the fish go it is pretty much the same. Grouper, hogfish. mangrove, cobia are about the same. Goliath grouper are more plentiful now(we used to shoot a bunch).There are a whole lot more sharks. Strangely enough there are less sheephead in the bay nowadays. I think the invasion of the green mussles has a lot to do with it. Sheephead like barnacles and all of the barnacles have been block out from the green mussles. But what do I know. :toast:

    What a great post! Reminds me of some of the early go carts I made as a kid- ironing board, bunk bed frame. That gun belongs in a special place on the "Wall of Fame"! Do you still hunt with it?

    Quote from Wood Guy

    What a great post! Reminds me of some of the early go carts I made as a kid- ironing board, bunk bed frame. That gun belongs in a special place on the "Wall of Fame"! Do you still hunt with it?


    That picture was taken this past year. I brought out some old guns and went diving with some friends. We had a blast. Everybody marveled at how I could still hunt with that thing. I have a newer version that is even more high tech. I will take some pictures and post it when I get a chance.:toast:

    That's really nice gun for a 16 year old craftsmen, thanks for taking the time to post the cool pictures.
    All the best Don Paul

    "Great mother ocean brought forth all life, it is my eternal home'' Don Berry from Blue Water Hunters.


    Spearfishing Store the freediving and spearfishing equipment specialists.

    I agree, this is a great thread. I can't imagine all the fish and stories alinged with that gun. GR is the master story teller and could probably shoot fish with just about any contraption. Good stuff.:thumbsup2:

    Quote from Rolo

    I agree, this is a great thread. I can't imagine all the fish and stories alinged with that gun. GR is the master story teller and could probably shoot fish with just about any contraption. Good stuff.:thumbsup2:


    Rolo,
    Let me know when those big stupid East Coast greys start showing up. I will come over with my vintage arsenal and we can have some fun.


    Viejo

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