Need some help choosing first gun

I have been sawing on my Mako for a while to make it feel right with limited success. I literally cut the loading but off of it today as an experiment to try to improve it. If I were you I would buy a aluminum or carbon speargun from the free dive store right here on this site. You cannot beat the pathos handle it utilizes for the right feel. I have one gun I put together with similar components and it is my favorite above all others. Another option might be the salvimar voodoo series. I haven't held one but they have the right " look " and right price.

Or find a cheap used gun or two use them for a bit and educate yourself on what you personally like out of a gun.

The speargun needs to match the kind/ size of fish you´ll be targetting, and the tecnique of fishing to use.

For small fish with the speargun only is Ok otherwise a floatline with a buoy or reel in needed.

Regards.

I woud guess that the Marshall Islands has pretty good visibility.
The guns you mention are pretty short. A short gun is good in limited vis where you barely see 4 feet past the end of the gun, or shooting in holes but to make shots on wary, larger fish, you need a longer gun.
I would go for a gun at least 50-55 inches long. It's good around the shallow reefs but can also make longer shots on bigger fish. That is the shortest gun I use in Belize and the Philippines, which probably has similar conditions to the Marshalls.
A reel is a good investment and with line should only cost you another $120 or so. You are likely to eventually run across a 20 lb plus fish (as sadot alluded to) that could be hard to pull to the surface if you're deeper than 20 feet and could result in loss of gun and or fish.

Forget about the Cannon as it is a 30+ years old design.

Get a pipe gun with 2 x 16 mm (5/8") bands. Speardiver store here has nice options. For a first speargun with good visibility, I will go with a 110.

Good luck.

Quote from continentaldrifter

I checked out the guns at spearfishing.store as you suggested. very impressive rigs....also seems to be of very good quality.

Thanks Hank, i never thought of losing the gun/fish after a shot. I would think in this scenario, the reel would prove effective as the line would just unspool as i surfaced opposed to a set length stationary line that would keep gun underwater. Do you use a loose lanyard around the grip and wrist?

Do you carry extra shafts , if yes how many?

Mahi-Mahi, Yellow Tuna and Wahoo seem to be the fish in the general area. For this fish is the 110 still acceptable or larger? What type of shaft tips would you suggest?

Thanks

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WOW !! You're ambitious. There's a lot of guys on here with a lot more experience than I have with the fish you mentioned....not to mention a lot of other fish.
You realize that those species are pretty much blue water, pelagic fish?
I'll sit back on this one and let the more experienced guys advise you. Marco has shot wahoo. Don Paul is hard core....lots of good guys on here.

For the record though. I have a 63 inch Wong super magnum (that sits in my room most of the time) designated as my Wahoo and blue water gun. I have a 100 foot floatline and breakaway shaft setup with a slip tip. Designed for strong fish.

And yes I carry at least one extra shaft on my boat in case I bend one bad. And no, I don't use a lanyard. If I let go of the gun, I want to really let go.

Do not use a lanyard, that's a recipe for drowning.

I have some experience with blue water spearfishing (mostly mahi-mahi). It comes with its own set of rules, hazards, and gear recommendations. For instance, a reel can be dangerous while bluewater hunting because of the risk of entanglement combined with the strength of the fish you are hunting. Its better to use a "floatline" setup and let the fish fight itself. Another staple of blue water spearfishing is very large powerful spearguns. You need a big fast gun to shoot big fast fish. Much larger then the guns you are talking about.

Also, Remember that unlike so many activities (and like a few others) spearfishing can easily kill if you aren't cognizant and prepared for the various possible hazards involved. Id suggest reading all the forum posts you can here and try to absorb as much information as possible.

You cant beat the freedive store for gear purchases. Everything they carry is amazing and well priced. I have a 120 carbon railgun, suit, fins, etc etc.

One being i have no choice as to the terrain and fish type and i have high drive when its some thing i am interested in and i have been wanting to do this for a loooong time, but never had the opportunity. As i will be on an island for at least a month, i see this as a gift. Quote: continentalfrifter.

Words and personal drive can get you in deep trouble with out local experience and knowledge. Start re coning
with the locals when you get there. The places that have pelagic fish also have eaters and big currents.

What is your spearfishing experience level ? I truly admire and respect your land based shooting skills, but hunting the deep blue outside the reef is another skill set.

I will be here to offer any knowledge I have, once we know where to start.

Cheers, Don

Quote from continentaldrifter

Looking to contact free dive this week and ask a few questions.

Thanks Hank.....very excited.

You're welcome. You're getting some good pointers on here.
Not knowing how much ocean experience you have makes it hard to begin advising you, as Don mentioned.

A couple from Colorado just moved down to Belize. The woman is very athletic and is a nationally ranked slalom water skiier. She's badass and used to fresh water lakes... and has broken bones and internal organs from falls she's taken.
I've recently started taking her free diving and starting spearfishing. Despite her water experience with skiing, she's pretty much like most beginners in the ocean. We forget and take for granted how much we've learned in 35 years of surfing, body surfing, diving and free diving until we see someone new in the ocean. There is a lot to learn and get comfortable with.
Currents, waves, how much weight to wear, wetsuit...and then how to rig your gun while doing that swimming. Free diving....learning about fish, how to approach them.
If you're truly new to the ocean and diving, one month is just a taste. You could hook up with some really good diver/spearos who may drop you on some big fish out in the blue. It could be done. But that's not really learning. It'll take more than that. Watch out...you may sell your house, quit your job and move to the sea....a nice tropical sea. It' addicting. Good luck and be safe.

Didn't notice you were from Colorado. I am up in Fort Collins. We mostly fish in Wyoming and South Dakota. If you want some info on fishing up that way give me a shout.

You never told us you size. For me, that's important when choosing a gun. When I pointed you for a 110 is because it is a size with enough power to get decent fish (is what I use 99% of the time) and is not too long. A large gun could be difficult to handle. Especially for a novice.
As Don said, bluewater hunting requires different skills and can be dangerous. Try getting in the water with someone more experienced BEFORE your trip and watch him. Don't take a gun. Just enjoy the water and try to learn. Ask as many questions as possible and enjoy.

Quote from continentaldrifter

6"1" 242 lean....I wish i had the opportunity to go in and practice with someone, but its a bit chilly at 6000' and everything is frozen. Today it should be in the high teens...unfortunately this mission came to me in the beginning of November, so i didnt have alot of time.

Would it be wiser to start out with a polespear? I like the idea being simple and effective, it was the range of the speargun that intrigued me. Thanks

6'1"...242 lbs....lean?...I thought Denver was in the Playoffs....how is it that you can take off and go spearfishing?

Yes, a pole spear is a very good way to start. The true art of spearfishing is getting close to the fish. This takes knowledge of the fish's behavior and the skill to be able to adapt to that behavior and get within range. If you get good with a pole spear, you're well on your way.

You can start with a speargun. Dive inshore to practice, then you can go off shore with an experienced partner, if there's any.

I think you are in the right direction. A large shallow lagoon is a great place as there will be fish and they will be spooky but you can focus on your technique and behavior rather than the unfathomable blue below you.

Hunting small and medium fish to fill your belly is the essence of spearing in my mind. Sounds like you will have a great time.