Range, one vs two wraps of shooting line

    It's been discussed already but I wanted to give it it's own thread because it's something I want to refer to in the future. I'm considering changing from two wraps to one wrap of shooting line. I changed to a longer gun a while back and I've been missing a lot of shots, maybe removing some shooting line will help. Also I'm thinking I'll be able to control the fish better with a shorter shooting line. And reloading will be slightly faster. In the end I wonder how often I really aim past one wrap of line.


    So I rigged the gun, a 46.5" (118cm) from band hole to sharkfin tab, with one wrap of mono. I used a buoy of the size of a decent mutton, and stuffed the spear beside it with about 2ft of spear extending behind it. I then went back as far as I could with the gun in my outstretched arm. I was surprised to measure the distance from the tip of the gun to the buoy at 15ft and from my eye to the buoy at 22ft.



    Surprised I guess because I always thought of range as a measurement from the tip of the gun to the fish and I considered 15ft to be a really long shot. Yet here with one wrap of line the buoy looked to me like a reasonable shot. Unless in the water this distance appears greater then I think I may be able to shoot past one wrap of line. So now I'm undecided again.


    The thing that irks me is that I think 3-4ft more would be my max, but two wraps is about double that. If the gun could be accurate at 20ft from the muzzle I think two wraps of line is worth any added inconvenience.


    If I go to a 130cm gun I'd only gain 1ft if I stuck with one wrap of line.

    I have friends in French Poly the spearfish for the village every day. All their guns have 1 wrap and 2 bands max.
    Cheers, Don

    "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 use 1 wrap on my inside the rig gun. Definately helps with gaining control of the fish - getting it out of the rig. Since going to 1 wrap (I used 2 wraps for a long time) I have not had any shots come up short and I very rarely miss with this setup.


    For bluewater hunting with bigger guns I use 2 wraps.

    I use one wrap for ease of reloading and simplicity of the rig...I have never felt the need for an additional wrap.


    it seems to me to be a trade off ...a little extra range on long shots (short shots are not effected) vs a little extra work to reload and gather the fish.

    i like to spear fish

    you dont think shes a keeper?:rolleyes1:


    dan have you ever shot, using one wrap, and felt the spear come to the end of the line, and thought it would have been a hit if you had more line?

    Scupper Pro Gives You Wings!

    if my spear hits the end of my shooting line then I shouldn't have taken that shot


    at least with that gun...I don't know a damn thing, but.....i think the spear loses it's flat horizontal trajectory very quickly and if you are lobbing spears at fish, that seems like a shot I should not have taken because the likelihood of a shot that fails to penetrate well and wounded fish who gets away is a lot higher.


    just personal opinion.

    i like to spear fish

    I have shot fish so many times past 1 wrap. It's just too short when you have those big muttons not coming in close.

    i should have been more clear, I don't think my 120 RA with two 5/8 bands should be shooting out that far...there are many many guns that are bigger or more powerful that can and should have more shooting line.


    I have a 120 that Dan was kind enough to help me modify that I might have a 19mm band and a 5/8 band, so that would have some significant punch when fully powered up. I might need more reach with that, but idoubt I will want to shoot that far on the reefs I tend to dive....

    i like to spear fish

    Quote from Dan

    Which gun were you using Harry?


    110cm abellan. I guess if you are using a 130, you only need one wrap. But sometimes i shoot 5m from tip of gun at big snappers that dont want to come close.


    I would be super pissed if a 20lb mutton came within 5-6m of me and my line fell short.


    I usually wait till Muttons get as close as possible then fire but sometimes you never know and id like to have that option.

    Alan, yes I was talking to you, thanks for the answer



    Harry, that is a good point, the extra wrap does give you the option while you cannot add range to a shorter string...is that option worth the extra hassle? pretty much the meat and potatos of the issue

    i like to spear fish

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