ono?

[holdown]

Ok here goes the vicious cycle for the umteenth time. My riffe island while reliable and solid has not given me the goods. What are the thoughts on stepping up to a Wong Ono? and how does this gun stand up to a comparable Kitto, Merlo, Alexander? I know this is a timeless debate. I like the quality and guarantee of the Wong and the fact that it is nicely weighted with no need for wings. So what do you think?

[Spinal Tap]

The Ono is probably comparable to the Kitto and Alexander but will score higher because of the lifetime warranty. Daryl is also very accessible and friendly. I've heard the Merlo guns are beautiful pieces of art but quite a bit more expensive. Mori also makes great guns from what I hear.

All the guns you mentioned are properly ballasted and shouldn't require wings or screw on stabilizers. Or if they do, those would be included. You won't need to downsize or lengthen bands. Nor will you need to downsize the shaft or otherwise heavily modify it like many have done with their Riffes.

[holdown]

thanks spinal tap, Pretty much backs up what I imagined. Just gotta save up the dosh now, but I think the ono is the go. On these tuna style cannons do you recommend using mono or cable for the spearline leading onto the floatline? Lastly, is it correct that my break away should connect directly to my float and then to the bungy? sorry, know these are pretty basic q's. Peace

[Bill McIntyre]

What sort of fish do you hunt? I have 5 Wongs including the ono, but I don't get much use of the ono in So Cal. It really is overkill here in my estimation.

Whatever the gun, here is a way to hook up what is known as a Hawaiian Breakaway. Its much more failsafe than the Riffe system in which the rubber thingie has to pull out of the hole in the butt.

Size your mono or cable shooting line so that the loop in the rear end is a few inches from the line release. Put a loop of bungee cord through the loop in the shooting line and stretch it over the line release, then clip your float line to the loop in the shooting line. When you pull the trigger, your gun is out of the chain.

My apologies to all who have seen this 69 times before.

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by holdown

On these tuna style cannons do you recommend using mono or cable for the spearline leading onto the floatline?

It depends on where you dive and what kind of fish you shoot. There is no need for cable in SoCal for instance, and you shouldn't use it unless you need to because its dangerous.

BTW, if you happen to be in SoCal within driving distance of San Clemente, I could show you 5 different Wongs and mention the pros and cons of each.

Its so much easier to answer questions when we have a clue where you live.

[Spinal Tap]

Originally Posted by holdown

On these tuna style cannons do you recommend using mono or cable for the spearline leading onto the floatline?

Unfortunately, I don't have enough dosh (or need for a big tuna gun) to answer with first hand experience. But among my friends who pursue big tuna with these guns, they prefer cable. You should send Daryl an email and he can give a much better perspective.

Originally Posted by holdown

Lastly, is it correct that my break away should connect directly to my float and then to the bungy? sorry, know these are pretty basic q's. Peace

Your shooting line should be connected to the bungie which is then connected to the float. If you have the float connected directly to your shooting line (I'm assumming that's what you're calling the breakaway), then you wouldn't be able to dive as the float is attached directly to your gun.

This leads me to ask, how did you rig your Riffe?

[holdown]

OOf, I come off as maybe a bit more clueless than i am. I have been using the O-ring style breakaway, definitely saves dramas with the auto release, no sticking as with the riffe. though that can help when missing. As to the floatline/bungy quandry-I shot a heavy GT (60-70lbs) and had my breakaway leading into my floatline (no stretch) then onto the bungy. I fought the fish from the float line vigourously as he was trying for a cave. After five minutes the slip tip and attaching cable ripped thru. Fish gone. If I'd had the bungy would the play in the line have prevented the line ripping out/thru? I should have explained all this from the outset. It was sickening to lose such a beauty. I don't want it to happen again. Finally, I am from Martha's Vineyard but, up to now, travel pretty extensively and am presently trying to hit dogtooth here in Bali with a Riffe Island, which while good and solid has been a bit frustrating. The fish have not been all that accomodating either. Thanks again for all the input. holdown

[Spinal Tap]

Ohm Swasti Astu (I'm sure I butchered the spelling)

I take it GT is Giant Trevally or Ulua in Hawaii? Those fish are just plain mean. You'll definitely want cable. I've heard of 30lb fish snapping floppers off shafts.

In the situation you described, while the bungy would have given you more play it could also allow the fish to make it into the cave. That alone isn't a bad thing unless the cave is very deep or the currents are ripping like they often do on Bali.

Good luck! I hope you can get a hold of Daryl and he'll be more help since he does hunt GT (Ulua) and tuna.

Nate

[miles]

Hiya

For GT's i'd stay away from bungees completely!! As you know, they're dirty fighters and would wrap your shooting line around the first peice of rock or coral they can find!! With normal floatline, you can exert more pressure on the fish and possible hold him away from the reef. A 60-70lb fish shot in shallow water, and you don't have a kill shot.............bye-bye fish and your spear!! They're simply unstoppable at that size in the shallows where there are plenty of reefs. Cable is a better option for GT's in rocky area's.

For tuna, there is no need for cable. Normal 2mm to 2.5mm mono is sufficient. Obviously, the 2.5mm offers better strength. The area and size of the fish will dictate whether you need a bungee. If the water is deep, then a bungee will work superbly. But if you're hunting in shallow water, where there is plenty of reef, a bungee works too your dis-advantage.

Hope that helps. Drop Daryl a email, pretty sure he'd be able to assist you!!!

Regards
miles

[seaman]

I never shot a Kitto or a Merlo, but i think those are real fine spearguns. I do have a Wong's Ono and is the sexiest, deadliest thing around here, but is so overkill for my regular weekends diving that i ordered a Magnum Hybrid, for that reason you could ask Daryl for the New Super Magnum Hybrid, that is same size as the ono but with the maneuverability of the Mag Hybrids i guess. Sheri Daye has taken a bunch of Tunas with that one, and Daryl ended up shooting a monster Tuna with the Mighty Ono, but he said that he has no doubts to have shooted and landed The 255 pounder with the new Mega Magnum .... I'm so tempted to order one, but i need advice of Bill Macyntire to convince my wife to do so ....





by the way The Ono is rigged stock with 30 ft of steel cable along with the shaft and breakaway...

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by seaman

I'm so tempted to order one, but i need advice of Bill Macyntire to convince my wife to do so ....

Permission granted. Tell her I said that she won't regret it.

I'd really like to have one of those super magnums too, but then I can't afford trips to places where I would need it as long as I persist in the madness of boat ownership where I live.

[seaman]

Originally Posted by Bill McIntyre

Permission granted. Tell her I said that she won't regret it.

I'd really like to have one of those super magnums too, but then I can't afford trips to places where I would need it as long as I persist in the madness of boat ownership where I live.

Hell, man is a non stop no way out thing with that guns!! and besides Daryl is such a nice person!!!

[Bill McIntyre]

PS: just to show her what you will get with the Super Magnum, here is a tuna taken in Costa Rica with one.

I don't even know the diver- Daryl just sent me the photo when he was first telling me about the new guns.

[seaman]

double wow!! so those things have the range and the punch! How much that beauty would be? guess... Over 220 pounds?

[seaman]

Hey Bill, i have just made a Deal with my wife, she said that as long as i give her a pair of Gucci lenses (maybe related to Cressi sub i guess) i can order whatever i want !!