new line help

[relaxnliv34]

im putting new line on my JBL. i know there was some posts about whats a good test to use but, i am pretty new to guns so i figured i would ask. my gun has around 10-14ft range and i wanted to know if its better to run more line or less than the guns "max" range. i figured i would hate to come up short rather than have too much. and im thinking of putting on around 100-200lb test, is that overkill for shore diving? any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[Bill McIntyre]

Put on at least as much as the gun's max range.

I would use at least 200 pound test or more. Its not that you are going to shoot a 200 pound fish, but that you will lose maybe half the rated strength when you crimp the line. Also, line gets frayed on rocks and loses strength. I use 400 pound test.

Shore diving vs boat diving is almost irrelevant. After all, the new world record white sea bass, 93 pounds, was taken this summer by a shore diver.

I suppose the gun is relevant though. I don't know what JBL model you have, but its unlikely you will shoot a very large fish. But still use at least 200.

[relaxnliv34]

hey, thanks a ton for the help. as for the shore diving, i guess i always pictured being out in the open ocean i would see nothing but giant fish having never been i guess i can always humor myself

[bgill]

My newly aquired but used gun is awesome..Supposed to have a range of 12 feet I think...But when it hits the end of the shockline it really gives a pull. I think about 14 feet would be good for mine..I have a JBL 38 special NW...If for nothing else the longer cord will help keep the shock cord from wearing out prematurely...No thunk at the end of the line probably will mean you won't lose a spear on a missed shot either.

You will have to measure carefully as to not make it too long or too short so you have the Bungie part of the cord putting some tension on the line when it is ready to fire - But not so much tension that the bungie is stretched too far.

Hope this helped..I am kinda new to spearguns too. I got really good with a fiberglass polespear last summer. Someday I hope to have a Gat-Ku polespear. A polespear is suited well to the fish I like to hunt here in Wisconsin.

[Bill McIntyre]

Honestly, the biggest white sea bass taken every year are along the coast rather than out at the islands. Admittedly, some of the spots are hard to access without a boat, but there are a lot of kelp beds that you can swim to.

Here are some fish taken from my boat, this summer, along the mainland coast.

[relaxnliv34]

i grew up in iowa, im such a freshwater fisher that my friends had to force me to throw a line into the ocean! but, after living here for some years im gonna have a hard time leaving the ocean. i still miss fighting pike up in mississippi, hows the spearing there? never been, just hook and line

[relaxnliv34]

here around carlsbad kelp beds have some of the best for the shallows, my friends and i are planning a fishing/backpacking trip to channel islands for nov and ive never been. do u know the area/recommendations? ... and i only wish i was pulling fish like those pics, vERY nice!

[Bill McIntyre]

If you mean the northern channel islands, I don't know much about the diving available from shore. I've been to Santa Cruz Island a few times on the boats of friends, and it seems like the Yellow Banks area is a good bet, with huge kelp beds. I just don't know whether there are trails or camping areas hearby.

They have a bunch of new Marine Protected Areas around parts of those islands, so be sure you check where they are so you don't run afoul of the law.