Speargun shooting line Mono vs. Spectra or Dynema

Dyneema and Spectra are brand names, the technical name for this type cord is HMPE and sometimes UHMWPE. You'd have to use very stiff HMPE for shooting line otherwise it difficult to manage in the water, softer cord will coil and knot easily. The Arborist line even when it's made of HMPE is not a good choice for this application as it's quite soft/limp. The best HMPE shooting line is the stiffest, specifically the one we use for wishbone line. It's stiff because of it's core + jacket construction with the jacket having a very tight weave. It's very strong, stronger than the slipping weight of mono through a crimp. But any cord slows the shaft a little more than mono because mono is so smooth there's very little resistance as it's pulled through the water. You'll need to be proficient at tying a non-slip knot for attachment to the spear, but you don't need any additional items like crimps and a crimper like you do with mono. In an emergency situation Dyneema is harder to cut than mono.

Mono works very well for most situations. It's so stiff that it wants to stay straight all the time and tangles are non existent. Even good mono is cheap, and easy to rig with crimps. I prefer mono.

I personally don't like dyneema (or any cord) as a shooting line. Just mono.

i have been using q powerline as my shootingline for years and I loved it...I recently found that it can grab onto itself a little too well. I first experienced this when a shot failed to clear the bands because the line had grabbed the wishbones.

other than this possibility, I find it superior to mono in terms of vis, longevity, lack of stretch, and lack of line memory

Dyneema slows down your shot a lot but it's a lot stronger than mono. Dyneema also doesn't get affected by sun or saltwater. It is also more abrasive resistant. Mono is easier to handle because dyneema is prone to tangle easier. Dyneema is also easier to see in the water. Mono is the best choice is you are spearing fish that don't run to the wrecks. You get a faster shaft speed and longer range with mono as it glides through the water much better. The cost is probably the same since you don't have to change dyneema as often. Dyneema doesn't stretch like mono if that makes any difference to you.

Mono is way smoother than dyneema. No need for tests. You can clearly see it in the shot.

I use 1.4 mono vs 1.75 dyneema.

Quote from ladvr

Got it. So is the 1.4 mono 200lb test? I was thinking 400lb.

ya its 200lb test. It doesn't break unless it gets caught on something. Ive had big AJs pull it like crazy with me kicking as hard as i can with the line wrapped around my hand.

My preference is to use 4OOlb Mono for big guns with 4 Bands. Though it doesn't happen too often, Dyneema/Spectra will have a better chance of getting caught in your bands. All my other guns I use Dyneema/Spectra for my shooting line which is also, my reel line.

I now prefer mono, I used (yellow) spectra for a while, and its ok, but it has a tendency to make knots and loops by itself, and every once in a while it will catch up the bands an entangle the whole set up. This being a hassle with a float line, is a dangerous thing if using a reel as a regular set up. I am going to go back to Mono from now on.

i have been using 200lb mono on my lighter spears 7mm and 400 on my 7.5mm spears o nthe 120's...i like it better than the q powerline for the ease of reloading and the cheapness...i replace it a lot more often without any thought of the cost

400 # Jinkai on everything except Baja trips where I switch to 500# mono or wire rope handled with care and a sharp Speardiver Predator knife.

I lost a massive WSB 15 years when I got stupid with 250# mono....learned my lesson the had way, I was sick.:(
Ended my WSB season early so I never forget.
Cheers, Don