"Eurican's"

[shaneshac]

shoot the gill plate if the fish is huge

The flopper will get through and it is a really tough place. No chance of it ripping.

The fish will stay very alive so hang on

Have you seen the propeller line release on memo and my wooden guns?

[Spaniard]

Another obvious, but often overlooked, factor is to keep your speartips razor sharp. I find tri-cut tips are easier to maintain and the edges, if kept sharp enough, ease penetration......I can already see the replies to this one

[Alison]

Yeah Like on the daprian jedi guns? Do you like them? We didnt try because we thought the set up we had might be better but that one on memo's gun looks really easy to use, I'd be interested to know, do they push the shaft sideways or does the rail hold the spear enough to stop it?
My spears have floppers that stand proud of the shaft, I think that is half the problem, Ive got an old one Im going to try that has the flopper within a recess so there are no steps to get hung up. I'll try the gill plate next time Cheers
Spaniard, the spears are sharpened or at least checked every dive so they're OK

[Adrian]

Alison, we'se gonna call you "Mama Bass" from now on!

Adrian

[Spaniard]

Sr Shane,

If you're still lurking (and not shooting dentex) what does "aste con perne" mean in relation to spear shafts? Gracias.

[shaneshac]

It means pinned shafts as opposed to ones with notches

En español es varillas con tetones.

Great for using dyneema wishbones on open muzzled guns

[shaneshac]

Alison,

The line release works like a dream. Does not push the shaft sideways unless you really really tighten the line which is not adviseable.

The flopper should be as low profile on the shaft as possible. Careful of shooting rocks with the recessed shaft as they bend at the recess.

Also, with a sanding block, sand down the whole spear point and flopper. Pass teh block over the closed flopper and the flopper pin so when you pass your fingers over from point over the flopper, the skin does not catch anywhere. This is imperative and can increase penetration tremendously.

[Alison]

OK I see the point on the line release, ours gives a lot of leverage so the spear does get pushed even with low line tightness hence the stainless pin to stop it moving but the propeller type has even length both sides of the pivot point cool thats the way we will go on the next batch
Now these shafts, with the recessed one I have, its pretty smooth on the sides but the top of the flopper sits about 1.5mm above the shaft, we've had a look at it and decided that we can knock it down a bit at the front to close the gap without affecting its operation, are we on the right lines? Also on the bottom of the flopper the two sides stick out doen beyond the bottom of the shaft, should we file these bits away too?

[shaneshac]

ITS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE PENETRATION JUST RIGHT

Really, any bits sticking out from the shaft will affect the flight of the shaft (accuracy) and will also affect shaft speed after the first few meters.

You are shooting bass and not grouper so look for getting the spear all the way throught the fish. Grouper hunters who shoot close range tend to have a really protruding point on there floppers to make sure the shaft stays in even if it has not penetrated all the way through the fish.

also make sure the flopper is lose from closed to 45 degrees and then holds open from 45 degress onwards.

To test this works properly, i hold the shaft at mid-point, pointing upwards with the tail on floor. With other hand whack the shaft about 10cm underneath the flopper. The flopper should fly open and hold at the top.

[Alison]

Nice one mate, we're on it
Just out of interest, what make shafts are you using? I must admit Im pretty pee'd off with the ones Ive been getting of late, Coralign (?)

[Spaniard]

Originally Posted by shaneshac

It means pinned shafts as opposed to ones with notches

En español es varillas con tetones.

Great for using dyneema wishbones on open muzzled guns

Thank you. My Italian is very hit and miss. Do you rate the Jedi gun?

[shaneshac]

Ali,

On our band guns we are using shafts produced by Victor Abellan with really hard steel and pins. He only makes a few sizes so let me know what length shaft you are using?

Devoto and Totemsub are making really good shafts too.

Spaniard, the Dapiran guns are very good but lacks finish and as they are not laminated wood, can cuase problems. Also the line anchor at muzzle is a bit strange. For a jedi get the Abellan. Laminated wood, conventional line anchor, more mass.

If absolute power is not you number 1 concern, the Totemsub Tahiti is an AWESOME gun too!!!!!!!

[Spaniard]

Thx for info. I have seen the Totemsub range and was impressed by overall finish. I guess I'm bored of the conventional euro-style band guns which I have been using since year dot and since pneumatic guns do not appeal I want to buy a wooden gun to see how they compare to a sporasub or omer etc. I will look at the Abellan range, will be in Spain last week of July. Gracias

[Alison]

Im using a 130 and a 115 we weren't sure what size to use exactly with the rails but they seem to work fine at that length, well they hit the point I'm aiming at anyways. Ive read the bumf on the Abellan shafts, they sound the part are they available in these lengths?

[shaneshac]

The abellan shafts are available in 130cm 6.5mm single flopper (on bottom) and a 140cm 7mm shaft with single or double flopper.

I am geting confirmation from him as to whats currently available.

Totemsub is also selling pinned shafts 6.5mm ranging from 130cm to 160cm with single and double flopper.

He is also selling good quality notched shafts in 115cm.