tommyr904
07-24-2007, 09:08 PM
what's a good brand or make of spear gun?don't want to break the bank but also dont want to go and wound a bunch of fish.
Kayaking, Diving, Skiing, & Surfing Forum. - spear gun ?
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Los Mentirosos
07-24-2007, 11:43 PM
Ask on spearboard.com. You will get more answers than you can process. I started with an A.B. Biller 48 and shot it 2 dives and moved up the Biller 60. I am very happy with it so far. A lot of guys will tell you it's not that good a gun. It really depends on what and how you hunt plus personal preference plays a huge part in it also.Not to mention you bank balance!
Rolandt03
07-25-2007, 04:20 AM
sea hornet or ab biller
fightin fire
07-29-2007, 04:12 PM
Tommy,
The first thing is you need to know if you are going to spear in open water or are you going to be in rocks where you will be under ledges and such. Open water you need a long gun that has a effective kill range that is far...usually at least 12-15 feet. I use the AB Biller 48 and love it. It is really easy to use, shoot and load...and has a pretty good range. When I spear in bigger relief areas and am shooting under ledges I use a smaller gun because it is easier to maneuver and doesn't need to shoot as far. JBL 38 or 32...but usually the 38 for the power. I spear off of Crystal River and Homosassa in 6-42 feet of water and these guns work great for me.
Danny
The first thing is you need to know if you are going to spear in open water or are you going to be in rocks where you will be under ledges and such. Open water you need a long gun that has a effective kill range that is far...usually at least 12-15 feet. I use the AB Biller 48 and love it. It is really easy to use, shoot and load...and has a pretty good range. When I spear in bigger relief areas and am shooting under ledges I use a smaller gun because it is easier to maneuver and doesn't need to shoot as far. JBL 38 or 32...but usually the 38 for the power. I spear off of Crystal River and Homosassa in 6-42 feet of water and these guns work great for me.
Danny
bigtuna
10-09-2007, 04:03 PM
RIFFE...any model!!
TopCat
10-10-2007, 07:14 AM
I think the ABBiller 48 is a good all-around gun that is reasonably priced and versitile (good for reef hunting and limited open water). I used one for years for grouper and cobia up to 50 pounds with good sucess, but effective range is kinda short (4-6 feet for good penetration).
I recently bought a Riffe 44 mid handle that is awesome - excellent power and range in a compact package - but it's about 600 bucks.
I recently bought a Riffe 44 mid handle that is awesome - excellent power and range in a compact package - but it's about 600 bucks.
Spearo
10-18-2007, 11:12 AM
Best for the buck for in and around wreck and reef: ABBiller and JBL. Also...stay away from their "low-end" models
reel fishaholic
10-19-2007, 06:52 PM
http://www.spearboard.com
http://www.spearfishingplanet.com
Decide before you ask the question what kind of fish you are going to be going after, depth, if you are freediving or scuba diving, if you are going to be freeshafting (no line on the gun) or line and where you are going to be diving (open ocean, ocean bottom, lakes, etc). If you are in open water, you will want a bigger gun for range. If you are going to be hunting ledges and live bottom, you can get away with a smaller gun. I would recommend you start with a gun that you can hip load instead of chest load in the beginning. I would also recommend some kind of enclosed track. It will be much easier loading in the beginning when you see fish, are excited, and trying to reload again. My $.03 Here is one of the stringers from last week.***
http://www.thehulltruth.com/photos/getimage.aspx?width=150&photoid=30691
http://www.spearfishingplanet.com
Decide before you ask the question what kind of fish you are going to be going after, depth, if you are freediving or scuba diving, if you are going to be freeshafting (no line on the gun) or line and where you are going to be diving (open ocean, ocean bottom, lakes, etc). If you are in open water, you will want a bigger gun for range. If you are going to be hunting ledges and live bottom, you can get away with a smaller gun. I would recommend you start with a gun that you can hip load instead of chest load in the beginning. I would also recommend some kind of enclosed track. It will be much easier loading in the beginning when you see fish, are excited, and trying to reload again. My $.03 Here is one of the stringers from last week.***
http://www.thehulltruth.com/photos/getimage.aspx?width=150&photoid=30691
Dantilu
10-20-2007, 07:17 PM
I started with a 38 AB Biller.... Killer guns...!
bletort
10-22-2007, 11:19 AM
What kind of fish will you be hunting. Freediving or Scuba?
Try them out before purchasing. Put Wong & Aimrite on your list, too. You won't be sorry...
Try them out before purchasing. Put Wong & Aimrite on your list, too. You won't be sorry...
jsmith89
12-26-2007, 01:58 PM
Don't waste your money getting an AB Biller or especially JBL and what ever you do don't get a pneumatic. Go ahead and buy a Riffe it'll cost you a little more but it'll last you a lifetime.
BoatFull
12-27-2007, 10:20 AM
I've been using a pneumatic for years without any issues. I love the power for the size, especially around structure. I use a Cressi-Sub.
Spearo
12-27-2007, 11:14 PM
What is wrong with AB or JBL guns? Yes there are better but you also "pay" for them. My first gun was an Arbalet Champion bought it back in 1967 and have been using it every year to this day . I also own several JBLs and a AB for the last 13 years and they bring the fish home every year just as well if not better than my expensive Andre and Riffes. The problem some of us have is the idea that you need to spend 500, 800 or $1,200.00 on a gun to spear a fish maybe to impress the diving buddys. I treat them just like another tool in my tool box and an extension of my arms, I don't think you want to do that with an expensive gun.
sailcrazy
12-28-2007, 07:37 PM
there is no better gun for scuba than abb or seahornet for the money as far as freediving goes rob allen will get you the best bang for the buck
bigtuna
01-15-2008, 07:56 PM
jsmith89 - 12/26/2007 12:58 PM
Don't waste your money getting an AB Biller or especially JBL and what ever you do don't get a pneumatic. Go ahead and buy a Riffe it'll cost you a little more but it'll last you a lifetime.
RIFFE all the way tommy. Just do it right the first time around. We abuse the hell out of these guns all summer long diving in the rigs down here in Louisiana. You will not find a tougher gun than the riffes. They are also incredibly fast and powerful. Everyone who starts diving with us always buys a jbl first because they want to save a little money...everyone AlWAYS ends up with a riffe. Once you shoot one there is no turning back! You will lose half the amount of fish shooting a riffe than the others mentioned. If you are strictly scuba diving...then I would go with a metal tech 2. This is riffes strongest most veratile gun they make. If you are mainly gonna be doing free diving...I would get the midrange which is a wooden gun....a little bit lighter and easier to swing than the metal tech 2...but the exact same size...just wooden instead. Both guns are extremely powerful and have great range. We have shot snapper, ajs, ling, etc up to 80 lbs with these guns and they have been flawless. Everything is very heavy duty and built to last.
Check em out....www.speargun.com :thumbsup:
Don't waste your money getting an AB Biller or especially JBL and what ever you do don't get a pneumatic. Go ahead and buy a Riffe it'll cost you a little more but it'll last you a lifetime.
RIFFE all the way tommy. Just do it right the first time around. We abuse the hell out of these guns all summer long diving in the rigs down here in Louisiana. You will not find a tougher gun than the riffes. They are also incredibly fast and powerful. Everyone who starts diving with us always buys a jbl first because they want to save a little money...everyone AlWAYS ends up with a riffe. Once you shoot one there is no turning back! You will lose half the amount of fish shooting a riffe than the others mentioned. If you are strictly scuba diving...then I would go with a metal tech 2. This is riffes strongest most veratile gun they make. If you are mainly gonna be doing free diving...I would get the midrange which is a wooden gun....a little bit lighter and easier to swing than the metal tech 2...but the exact same size...just wooden instead. Both guns are extremely powerful and have great range. We have shot snapper, ajs, ling, etc up to 80 lbs with these guns and they have been flawless. Everything is very heavy duty and built to last.
Check em out....www.speargun.com :thumbsup:
bigtuna
01-15-2008, 08:06 PM
Spearo - 12/27/2007 10:14 PM
What is wrong with AB or JBL guns? Yes there are better but you also "pay" for them. My first gun was an Arbalet Champion bought it back in 1967 and have been using it every year to this day . I also own several JBLs and a AB for the last 13 years and they bring the fish home every year just as well if not better than my expensive Andre and Riffes. The problem some of us have is the idea that you need to spend 500, 800 or $1,200.00 on a gun to spear a fish maybe to impress the diving buddys. I treat them just like another tool in my tool box and an extension of my arms, I don't think you want to do that with an expensive gun.
WHat is wrong with AB or JBLs??? I will tell you...they kill fish but don't hold on to them. We have tried every jbl they make...every tip...etc. We lost so many fish shooting those guns it was rediculous. They are not nearly as fast or powerful as the better ones like riffe either...nor do they have the range. It is a fact...when shooting a jbl you lose a lot more fish due to their lack of power and inferior tip systems.
Can you kill a fish and land it with a jbl...obviously yes...but they will break your heart time after time when you keep losing fish....I have seen it oh too many times.
What is wrong with spending 500 on a riffe that will be stone cold killer for the rest of your life. What is an extra 200 bucks really gonna mean a year from now when you are still losing fish shooting the cheaper jbl or Ab?
What is wrong with AB or JBL guns? Yes there are better but you also "pay" for them. My first gun was an Arbalet Champion bought it back in 1967 and have been using it every year to this day . I also own several JBLs and a AB for the last 13 years and they bring the fish home every year just as well if not better than my expensive Andre and Riffes. The problem some of us have is the idea that you need to spend 500, 800 or $1,200.00 on a gun to spear a fish maybe to impress the diving buddys. I treat them just like another tool in my tool box and an extension of my arms, I don't think you want to do that with an expensive gun.
WHat is wrong with AB or JBLs??? I will tell you...they kill fish but don't hold on to them. We have tried every jbl they make...every tip...etc. We lost so many fish shooting those guns it was rediculous. They are not nearly as fast or powerful as the better ones like riffe either...nor do they have the range. It is a fact...when shooting a jbl you lose a lot more fish due to their lack of power and inferior tip systems.
Can you kill a fish and land it with a jbl...obviously yes...but they will break your heart time after time when you keep losing fish....I have seen it oh too many times.
What is wrong with spending 500 on a riffe that will be stone cold killer for the rest of your life. What is an extra 200 bucks really gonna mean a year from now when you are still losing fish shooting the cheaper jbl or Ab?
Spearo
01-16-2008, 09:35 AM
I also own a few of the "expensive" toys too and had fish get away or bend shafts many times, so much for the expensive!.
May be you need to check the size gun, shaff diameter or sling size/diameter with the size fish you're hunting for or maybe is not the gun at all but the hunter!
I've been using JBLs for wrecks and around reef for many years and never had a problem, always get the job done and put the meat on the deck.
Maybe there are some in this world that do not have the $500.00 to spend on a gun, and who says you need an expensive gun to kill fish anyway?
Expensive guns are for open water in my book but there are many other enviroments for less expensive toys and they work just fine.
"My truck can handle the mod but my BMW stays indoors most of time" they bouth can take me from point A to B but I know their limitations and how much cost.
May be you need to check the size gun, shaff diameter or sling size/diameter with the size fish you're hunting for or maybe is not the gun at all but the hunter!
I've been using JBLs for wrecks and around reef for many years and never had a problem, always get the job done and put the meat on the deck.
Maybe there are some in this world that do not have the $500.00 to spend on a gun, and who says you need an expensive gun to kill fish anyway?
Expensive guns are for open water in my book but there are many other enviroments for less expensive toys and they work just fine.
"My truck can handle the mod but my BMW stays indoors most of time" they bouth can take me from point A to B but I know their limitations and how much cost.
bigtuna
01-16-2008, 08:46 PM
Spearo - 1/16/2008 8:35 AM
I also own a few of the "expensive" toys too and had fish get away or bend shafts many times, so much for the expensive!.
May be you need to check the size gun, shaff diameter or sling size/diameter with the size fish you're hunting for or maybe is not the gun at all but the hunter!
I've been using JBLs for wrecks and around reef for many years and never had a problem, always get the job done and put the meat on the deck.
Maybe there are some in this world that do not have the $500.00 to spend on a gun, and who says you need an expensive gun to kill fish anyway?
Expensive guns are for open water in my book but there are many other enviroments for less expensive toys and they work just fine.
"My truck can handle the mod but my BMW stays indoors most of time" they bouth can take me from point A to B but I know their limitations and how much cost.
Either you can't read or you just chose not to pay attention to a sing thing I wrote. Did I not say cheap guns can kill fish? They can...but it is a fact that you will lose more fish shooting JBLs...PERIOD. It is also a fact that you will stick fish that are further away shooting riffe instead of a jbl due to more strength, speed, and range...too me this is pretty important because a lot of the big boys won't let you get close. We have shot these guns side by side over and over again...there is no comparison and not enough of a price differencet to not just get the riffe if you are getting serious about spearfishing
Maybe there are some in this world who can't afford 500 on a gun???? No sh!t? Really? Obviously. But I have been seeing Tommy around this site for a while now and am pretty confident he can throw up a few extra bucks to get himself a good lifetime gun that he will be satisfied with....shoot he has got over a hundred dollars worth of captains club wheels!
Go shoot a riffe and then come back and talk to me...you will have no argument...they are worth every single extra penny you pay for them. This is a lifetime investment...why not just do it right the first time around so you don't have to waste even more money down the road having to buy another gun because you aren't satisfied
I also own a few of the "expensive" toys too and had fish get away or bend shafts many times, so much for the expensive!.
May be you need to check the size gun, shaff diameter or sling size/diameter with the size fish you're hunting for or maybe is not the gun at all but the hunter!
I've been using JBLs for wrecks and around reef for many years and never had a problem, always get the job done and put the meat on the deck.
Maybe there are some in this world that do not have the $500.00 to spend on a gun, and who says you need an expensive gun to kill fish anyway?
Expensive guns are for open water in my book but there are many other enviroments for less expensive toys and they work just fine.
"My truck can handle the mod but my BMW stays indoors most of time" they bouth can take me from point A to B but I know their limitations and how much cost.
Either you can't read or you just chose not to pay attention to a sing thing I wrote. Did I not say cheap guns can kill fish? They can...but it is a fact that you will lose more fish shooting JBLs...PERIOD. It is also a fact that you will stick fish that are further away shooting riffe instead of a jbl due to more strength, speed, and range...too me this is pretty important because a lot of the big boys won't let you get close. We have shot these guns side by side over and over again...there is no comparison and not enough of a price differencet to not just get the riffe if you are getting serious about spearfishing
Maybe there are some in this world who can't afford 500 on a gun???? No sh!t? Really? Obviously. But I have been seeing Tommy around this site for a while now and am pretty confident he can throw up a few extra bucks to get himself a good lifetime gun that he will be satisfied with....shoot he has got over a hundred dollars worth of captains club wheels!
Go shoot a riffe and then come back and talk to me...you will have no argument...they are worth every single extra penny you pay for them. This is a lifetime investment...why not just do it right the first time around so you don't have to waste even more money down the road having to buy another gun because you aren't satisfied
tango2echo
05-10-2008, 08:41 PM
i started out shooting a biller 48 about 20 years ago. i still use that gun today, but i think the riffe is a superior product. go with the riffe, take care of it, and it will last a lifetime. if money is not an issue, get a darryl wong custom gun built. i shoot his mahi special and its deadly on mid-sized fish out to 20-25 feet. come to think of it, the d.w. is not that much more than a riffe. just my .02 cents.