Posts by Slingador

  • RIP Gil Gacula

    Im ashamed to say, I meant to do a review of this gun for a long time.


    All the drama on the Forums turned me off to posting much.


    In honor of Gil and so others can admire his work, I decided to post up these pics.


    Gil designed and built this gun for me, I wanted something to bridge the Gap between three guns I used and liked alot.
    The Riffe Comp series, the Rob Allen Rail gun, and the Wong Mgs.
    To me it was like an epiphany when I found him. I remember the giddy feeling, when We chated about my dream gun, and I realized he would make it possible and attainable, for a student at the time. He could have charged me double and I would have been happy to pay it.

    I wanted something Rear Handle like the Railgun, something that would shoot and american 5/16 shaft like the riffe, and something with an enclosed track and enough mass, to drive that shaft accurately and far enough to pack a serious punch at the end of the second wrap.

    The "Warrior" was the gun he delivered, and it did not disappoint. It could shoot a thicker shaft than the Rob Allen, had better balance, accuracy and range than the riffe, and was more maneuverable and affordable than the wong. The combination of styling, fit, finish and function, were second to none.


    Rigged with 3 5/8s bands at 350% and a 5/16s flopper shaft, it performs spectacularly, a deep reef gun, that isn't a cumbersome cannon.


    When I got the Gun, my hunting style and approach changed for the better. I found myself becoming more selective and firing alot less, I landed less numbers but the quality became worthy of such a piece.


    I spent several years seldomly photographing my catches, in favor of savoring the moment the old fashioned way, my mental album is packed with amazing days spent floating with the "warrior" in hand,


    That guns has landed many many fishes for my


    I hope you enjoy the pictures.
    It is not an understatement to say, my Gil gun is among my most prized possessions, not just because, it is everything he designed it to be, but also all the memories of a lifetime Gil helped me achive with his passion and vision.

  • RIP Gil Gacula

    Thank you Jon!


    I don't have have the building skills, but do have 3 beuchat marlin carbon handles and some teak blanks and boards, I would be honored to give to someone else to build out, I can rig, bands, provide shaft and shooting line, and donate them to this cause. Ideally local to S Fl.


    Anyone with the tools and time that would like to team up LMK.


    I read something Don posted about a gun he uses for Ceremonial Kills, for quite sometime I had treated my own Gil gun this way, now more than ever.


    Im sure all the Guns associated with this project will be equally magical, honoring a legend, helping his family, and getting a piece of diving lore for future ceremonial outings, will surely be something, we can all be proud of participating in.

  • RIP Gil Gacula

    What sad news, someday we will meet, and tell stories of the ones that didn't get away, and I will hear all about your new designs. Still remember when I first found your webpage and got your guns.
    They brought me alot of joy! First three times out, got my best Mangrove, mutton, and Gag. Three consecutive trips where I only shot at one fish each time, each time with amazing results.


    Those personal achievements still stand as my best an were thanks to having a Gil gun.

  • RIP Gil Gacula

    This Hoo was one of 3 to fall at the hands of my gill Glacula closed track euro 120 last week, he built it for me in 06. What an amazing Man. Stand up guy through and through.


    I Actually lent it to a buddy and he landed 2 40+lbs hoos on his first 2 trigger pulls. His spirit lives in that gun. I hope to some day be a fraction as talented as he was. What more can you say about a gun! His skills were second to none.


    Thoughts and prayers for his family.

  • RIP Gil Gacula

    He was one of the most honest and inspiring people, I ever dealt with, he took engineering to level of art form.


    I am shocked.


    Probably one of the first guys ever to build a fully enclosed euro.


    Once upon a time he built me 2 guns, many years later, I still find myself admiring it every time I see it.


    What other builder is selfless enough to freely teach others their secrets.



    I will cheerish my Gill gun, and pass it on to my children.


    So sad.
    Rest in peace and god speed

  • Happy Hoo year!

    Was sworn to secracy! East coast Florida, is all im allowed to say. Thank guys.
    Proper gear is the key to these fish. They very spooky in clear water but they out there! Dont even bother spooking them with improper set ups, Get geared up and out there after them.

  • GoPro hero3+ black edition advice please

    The function runs a continuous loop the length of your choosing, overwriting it untill you press the shutter.


    The idea would be to run say, a 20 min loop, and keep it constantly rolling, then after you shoot a fish you Press the shutter and start over.


    The Drift has a similar feature, that is supposed to make it a better alternative than the go pro.


    In the sense that you cam keep the total file size down and not miss the action.


    Still looking into it, will likely do some experementing.


    I debating how, I want to film, always recording in the water and generate massive amounts of footage that becomes a pain to deal with, but capture spontanous moments. Or. Just stop amd start when something fishy happens but miss many fish that creep up on you and potentialy forget to hit record.


    Not sure if any of that makes sense. Would love some feedback on anyone using the hero+
    Thanks!


    I just got the camera and am playing with

  • 3 atm float

    I agree, the more I think about it.
    I will deff spring for a 75ft riffe bungee and 2 atm float, the travel factor is a large issue. Thats gona set me back 600$+. Ouch. If a fish takes it all, never to bee seen again would really suck.


    Hard to justify, for fabric and latex, I could have a computer or a pistol that would certainly get much more use for that much.


    Im not one to sell my gear unless I find it useless. I also like to buy new, in the unlikely event, I get a lemon.


    Now if Speardiver made a pressurized float. It would be a much easier choice;).

  • 3 atm float

    Sums up my feelings exactly!
    I am sure some of the monsters that have been landed wouldn't have been, had it not been for discussions like this.


    Its all a compromise, a give and take.


    I for one am greatful for all the guys that share their experiences. Hearing what has an hasnt worked is at least a starting place for all of us less experienced divers.


    The gear seems to evolve, prices change, so it should be logical to periodically rehash topics that have been beaten to death.


    The biggest thing I have gleaned, when the fish of a lifetime shows up, make the shot count! A window pane out of excitement just to get a shaft in him, will likely result in heartbreak.


    Conjecture is so often flawed, but its fun to go through the possibilities amd what ifs, for me thats a big part of the fun.


    I always like when my fish stories end with the prize in the boat after an epic battle, and am not ashamed to take any and all the help i can get


    Im really courious to the Titanium reel you mentioned in you earlier post.

  • 3 atm float

    Quote from LunkerBuster

    Keeping it all neat and not a tangle on the surface also becomes a challenge.


    I really see that as a major priority.


    Totally cool man! Im mostly thinking out loud.
    The prices are up for the 60L and its 250$. More than I had hoped.


    The Chanllange is to find a setup, that Will hopefully stop a big boy, be airtravel friendly, streamlined, easy and fast to deploy.


    An idea Im toying with is a small marker jug style float, rigged to breakaway from back of terminal float. Inspired in the one pictured but made heavier duty.

    That way if the whole string goes down to say 150ft. The surface marker would remain visible long enough to clip a reel to the back of it.