Spearguns
Spearguns come in two basic designs. Band guns use elastic slings to propel the
spear. Oil-pneumatic or air guns use compressed air as the power source. Band
guns tend to be cheaper to buy and maintain and are preferred by many of the
world's top spearfishers. Air guns provide better power-to-length ratios and are
more streamlined. Air guns usually cost more than band guns.
For getting started in British waters, a mid-length gun of 70 to 80 centimetres
barrel length is considered a good choice. This provides enough range for most
commonly hunted fish, while remaining short enough for use around rocks and
kelp without getting in the way. Visibility in the UK often means that the
longer firing distace a more powerful gun would provide would be negated by the
fact the spear would simply disappear into the gloom...
Sporasub Aspic
Steve Warren trials the Sporasub Aspic on a stalk in
Gibraltar. Photo by Andrew Pugsley.
Inexpensive band gun. Supplied with single band which screws into the muzzle
head. A second band can be added. Enclosed spear guide. T-bar loading pad
helps spread the pressure as you reload and helps avoid slippage. Shaft has two
notches to help with loading (pull wishbone to first notch, rest, pull back to
second) and for power adjustment. Tahitian head. Automatic line release hook.
Sporasub Viper
Low cost band gun equipped with single band that screws into the enclosed
muzzle. A second band can be added. Tahitian shaft incoporates barb. Two-notch
shaft for power adjustment and easier, progressive loading. T-bar loading pad
helps distribute pressure over a wider area for comfort and helps prevent
slippage. Automatic line release hook. Foam flotation pad slips along barrel to
help you achieve a perfectly balanced gun for more accurate aiming.
Bandito Provider
Powerful but compact band gun. Supplied with two bands giving you plenty of
power/range options. Enclosed muzzle. Two-notch shaft for progressive loading
with interchangeable spear heads. Loading pad to better distribute pressure and
increase comfort while reducing the chance of slippage. Automatic line release
hook. 90 cm LOA.
JBL Magnum 38 Special Northwest (Open Muzzle)
The JBL Magnum 38 Special NW is 1.07 metres long overall. Manufactured
chiefly from aluminium, this is a gun designed for long service. The gun
has a stainless steel trigger and safety catch assembly. A loading pad is
fitted. The JBL Magnum 38 Special NW features an open muzzle. This speeds
loading as you don't have to thread the whole length of the shaft through
the front of the gun, but, instead, simply drop it in from above through
the muzzle slot. Tru Glide channel helps stabilize shaft for improved
accuracy.Three bands can be used in any combination giving you lots of
choices over power and range. You can select a "soft" shot for working
around rocks or full power for shooting in unrestricted open water.
Maximum range is around 4 metres. Bands, wishbones, shock line, shaft and
spear head are included.
JBL Magnum Sawed Off
The JBL Magnum Sawed Off has an overall length of 1.3 metres. It is
constructed mainly from aluminium and stainless steel to ensure it will
still be working perfectly many years from now. A loading pad is
standard. The JBL Magnum Sawed Off uses two slings, allowing you to alter
power to suit your fishing techniques of the moment. Tru Glide channel
guides spear shaft for improved accuracy. Maximum range is around 5
metres. Bands, wishbones, shockline, shaft and spearhead are included.
JBL Explorer 22
The JBL Explorer 22 is superb value. Aluminium body and stainless steel
trigger and safety catch mechanism for durability. loading pad is
standard. 1.07 metre length. Single band propels spear to distances of 5
metres. Band, wishbone, shockline, shaft and spearhead included.
JBL Carbine
Traditional and inexpensive band gun from a classic range. The carbine is
equipped with two bands. The shaft has two notches, so you have plenty of
power/range choices and can load progressively. Spear heads are interchangeable.
Enclosed muzzle. 97.5 cm LOA.
JBL Travel Magnum Combo
Two Guns In One
The JBL Travel Magnum Combo is an extremely attractive speargun for both
the travelling diver and the spearo who really needs two different guns
for working different types of fish and fishing grounds. The modular
design lets you assemble either a long gun for good
visibility open water hunting, or a medium length gun for spearfishing under lower
viz conditions or in and around rocks.
The JBL Travel Magnum Combo has as its hub a stainless steel breech and
trigger mechanism. This is needed for rugged reliability to ensure your
JBL is still shooting in the toughest conditions many years down the
line. The grip is aluminium for the same reasons. A loading pad makes
loading your JBL Travel Magnum Combo easier and more comfortable. The
muzzle is a closed type. In between the pistol grip and the muzzle go
the barrel, spear and bands assemblies you select on the day which make
this gun so very versatile.
For long distance shots, you assemble the longer barrel. This brings the
total length of your JBL Travel Magnum Combo to almost 1.6 metres. With
three slings fitted, you have an effective range approaching 8 metres.
The dedicated stainless steel shaft is equipped with a detachable spear
tip for maximum holding strength with larger and heavier catches.
In low visibility and for shooting around rocks, less power and range is
desirable---you don't want a spear flying out of sight to hit an unseen
object, like another diver, or to hit a rock so hard you bend the
shaft. A shorter gun achieves these goals and is also more maneuverable.
So the JBL from Mavericks Diving can be fitted with a shorter barrel
giving a total length of 77 cm. This mid length gun has a range of
around 3 metres. Two slings are used with the custom stainless spear
shaft and, of course, as with the longer version, you can adjust power
through using only one. A standard spear tip is provided.
The JBL Travel Magnum Combo is aimed at the serious enthusiast. JBL
features found on this gun include the Tru Track guidance slot which
better supports the spear as it travels along the gun for better
accuracy, automatic line release mechanism, line and shock absorber. A
travel case is also included to make it easy to transport your Combo.
Includes pistol grip assembly, loading pad, sections to make up two
barrel lengths, a selection of five slings with wishbones, muzzle, two
shafts, standard spear tip, detachable spear tip, line, shock absorber
and outfit case.
JBL Woody Magnum
This is unashamedly a pride of ownership speargun. The JBL Woody Magnum
is seductive---and an extremely efficient weapon for the
spearfisherman seeking large fish in blue water. The signature
Woody
barrel is crafted from solid African mahogany and specially treated to
assure you of a long and active working life. The buoyancy of the barrel
makes this a finely balanced and easy to maneuver speargun. The barrel
cannot leak as sealed metal barrels can. The overall length of the JBL
Woody Magnum is nearly 1.6 metres. Combined with three slings you have a
maximum shooting range of around 8 metres. You can adjust this by
varying the number of slings you use.
The breech and trigger mechanism are manufactured from stainless steel
for durability in the ocean environment and encased in an aluminium grip
for the same reasons. An automatic line release is provided. Aft, you'll
find the generously sized loading pad that makes loading your JBL Woody
Magnum much easier and much more comfortable. The stainless steel shaft
is equipped with a detachable head, providing maximum holding power for
large and heavy fish.
Includes three bands with wishbones, shaft, detachable spear tip, line
and shock absorber.
Aquacraft Pole Spear
Three-piece pole spear keeps spear short for transport but extends to 1.8 metres
for hunting. 6 mm tip accepts a choice of spear heads. Includes power sling and
carry case.
Mares Mini Sten
Ludovic Mares founded his company on the back of spearfishing and his air guns
enjoy an excellent reputation. The Mini Sten is a single power gun. The rear
grip is white, so it is easy to see your gun if you drop it. There is a swing
down safety catch and line release hook incoporated into the grip, plus a pocket
for a loader or spare spearhead.
Complete with pump, loader, shaft and single point head, line and muzzle cap.
Mares Medi Sten
The Medi Sten features a grip which is white to make it easier to locate if
you drop it. A swing down safety catch and automatic line release hook are built
in. There is also a niche in the grip for the loader or a spare spearhead.
The Medi Sten has a power adjustment switch, letting you halve the power. This
is a useful feature for softening the shot, for shooting at close range in
amongst rocks, for example.
The Mares Medi Sten is supplied with pump, loader, shaft and single point
spearhead, line and muzzle cap.
Fish Target
Mark finds that the fish target also provides for convenient
photo shooting practice in the pool.
This foam fish is designed for target practice. You can either anchor it to the
seabed or, for a greater and more realistic challenge, suspend it from the
surface using a small buoy and weight. Water movement will cause it to drift and
bounce.
Wire Fish Stringer
Slips through the gills and mouth of your catch and keeps them secure until you
return to shore.
Fish Ring
Slip your catch on to this ring, which has a locking mechanism. Sold in medium
and large sizes.
Book: Spearfishing For
Skin and Scuba Divers
A basic manual by Steven Barsky to help new divers get into spearfishing. Covers
equipment and techniques. Straightforward narrative, illustrated, 146
pages.
