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Does Anyone Own this Gun?

RMC

Active Member
Apr 13, 2016
12
1
38
z_0FE341035_01.jpg


Been Freediving for years, Just started spearfishing the other week with some friends and now I am addicted!

I am shopping for my first gun and so far I keep coming back to the Cressi Apache. Its cheap, and all the reviews I have read say its a great beginner/first gun.

Wondering if anybody owns this gun and if it is good for a first speargun. Or if they have any comments about it.

I will be hunting Greenlings and other Rockfish (10-20 inches in size) around 4-20m deep In the cold waters of Campbell River Canada. I would also like to start diving deeper (25+m) for larger fish (Halibut) once I get more comfortable with my dive partners. I understand this gun can fit most reels on it which I will need if i start going for halibut.


Please keep in mind my understanding of Speargun/s and how they work is very very little and consists only of what I have read of the internet. Right now I am using a 6' pole and not having much luck.

Thanks in advance for any advise/tips in regards to getting my first speargun. I also apologize in advance as I am sure this topic of newbie spearguns has probably been talked about many times before.

Cheers!

~Reeve MC
 
I'll be honest, you couldn't pay me enough to use that gun. It's a complete piece of junk - little more than a toy really. It's the classic "first gun", you get excited at spearing, buy the cheapest thing you can find, use it once, realise it's useless then buy a real speargun.

A few of it's bad points...

No loading butt.

No rail or spear guide.

Cheapo plastic trigger mech.

Just look at that wishbone...!! Far too long & combined with too long, tiny bands... What will you get out of that... 125% band stretch..? That will be terribly under-powered.

You can put halibut out of your mind - I doubt the spear would even pierce a halibut - even if it did, the fish would probably rip the gun apart.

If you're even half serious about spearing, avoid this. Cressi do make some decent guns but this is not one of them. Spend a bit more money, you won't regret it.

If you want a Cressi gun, the Geronimo Elite is good - get a gun with circular bands, not screw in ones. Other than that, I'd recommend anything buy Pathos or Rob Allen. I wouldn't buy anything by Mares - I used one once, it was terrible.
 
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I'll be honest, you couldn't pay me enough to use that gun. It's a complete piece of junk - little more than a toy really. It's the classic "first gun", you get excited at spearing, buy the cheapest thing you can find, use it once, realise it's useless then buy a real speargun.

A few of it's bad points...

No loading butt.

No rail or spear guide.

Cheapo plastic trigger mech.

Just look at that wishbone...!! Far too long & combined with too long, tiny bands... What will you get out of that... 125% band stretch..? That will be terribly under-powered.

You can put halibut out of your mind - I doubt the spear would even pierce a halibut - even if it did, the fish would probably rip the gun apart.

If you're even half serious about spearing, avoid this. Cressi do make some decent guns but this is not one of them. Spend a bit more money, you won't regret it.

If you want a Cressi gun, the Geronimo Elite is good - get a gun with circular bands, not screw in ones. Other than that, I'd recommend anything buy Pathos or Rob Allen. I wouldn't buy anything by Mares - I used one once, it was terrible.

Thanks for the tips broseidon, probably wont buy the gun after reading your comments. I guess you do get what you pay for. I was only looking to spend less that 150$ But now i am realizing that I should probably just wait and save up for a good gun that cost more. Ill check out that Geronimo Elite gun.

Cheers!
 
What about a pneumatic? good power in short package, something like a sporasub one air.
 
What about a pneumatic? good power in short package, something like a sporasub one air.

DuncM:

I have done some research on the different types of spearguns and I really like the idea of a band powered gun. Just seems more reliable/practical to me, as opposed to relying on pneumatic guns with compressed air tanks etc.


However I am extremely new to spearfishing and am very open to other peoples experienced opinions, If you have any arguments as to why pneumatic is better i would love to hear/learn about them?

Thanks,

Reeve MC
 
Hi Reeve, Im not the best to ask about pneumatics actually, I don't even own one. I have used a friends and I liked how quick and easy it was to load.
See what your friends and local spearo's are using and that should be a good guide.
 
It is important that you select the right size speargun for the conditions. It does little good to have a speargun that can shoot well past the visibility. In general, you will be happy with the shortest gun possible that will shoot to the range of visibility. Anything larger (longer) will make the gun slower to swing and the added length and power are not really beneficial.

What is the expected visibility range that you will see most often? Once we know that and understanding that you will be targeting small to moderately sized fish, then I can provide some recommendations for a gun.

Many times a new hunter will try to select a gun that can "do everything" and they may be disappointed in performance. You will be much better served with buying your first gun to match the conditions you normally encounter... Then once you are "hooked" we can sell you a few more guns (only half joking here) that you can use for offshore trips where the water might be cleared.

Most serious spearos own several guns - so they can select the right one for the conditions they are expecting.
 
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However I am extremely new to spearfishing and am very open to other peoples experienced opinions, If you have any arguments as to why pneumatic is better i would love to hear/learn about them.

I would avoid a pneumatic - there are reasons that hardly anyone uses them...

My personal experience, I nearly shot myself in the face with one when the safety failed - ironically, it was actually brand new Sporasub One Air... I've never met anyone that uses a pneumatic and I strongly advise anyone against buying one.

Band guns are cheaper, far safer and much easier to maintain.
 
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Most serious spearos own several guns - so they can select the right one for the conditions they are expecting.

This is exactly right - one gun can't do everything.

When you're starting out - buy the gun that will suit your general diving conditions. Then if you like spearing, buy more specific ones to suit varying conditions.

In the UK, I use a Pathos 82 for general diving, a Pathos 60 for really murky water and if there were ever any good viz, I've got a Pathos 90 ready. I've also got a closed muzzle Rob Allen 70 for night diving - which is easier to load than an open muzzle gun.

I'd advise getting a shorter gun over a longer one - around 80cm is nice. A gun with a reverse trigger mechanism, like Pathos or the Picasso Magnum, is brilliant, as you get a lot more band stretch (power) from a smaller gun.
 
I would avoid a pneumatic - there are reasons that hardly anyone uses them...

My personal experience, I nearly shot myself in the face with one when the safety failed - ironically, it was actually brand new Sporasub One Air... .

I personally wouldn't recommend pointing a pneumatic or band speargun towards yourself even with the safety on. Only time it's safe is when it's unloaded.
 
Reeve, ultimately a band gun is just a tube, with or without a rail, a handle and trigger, bands, wishbone and a head at the other end! The quality of the components will determine price and there is the trade off, price vs stainless steel triggers etc. Try not to get hung up on this is better that that etc, as a rule of thumb have a look about, compare specifications in the price range that your going in at and get the best that you can afford or are prepared to pay. Some people around the world use nails for triggers, rough wood for the gun and bike inner tubes for rubbers and they catch fish :D Seriously, I am as big a gear tart as the next person but I am constantly slapping myself around the face to bring me back to the reality that I am better off in the sea with the only speargun that I could afford, than sat in the house on the net looking at the latest tuna cannon or space age carbon and titanium euro gun. Good luck with your choice and keep safe out there! ;)
 
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I personally wouldn't recommend pointing a pneumatic or band speargun towards yourself even with the safety on. Only time it's safe is when it's unloaded.

It wasn't pointing at me, so much, it was during the loading phase - with a pneuamtic, you have the gun pointing vertically as you pull the spear into it - I'd loaded the gun when it suddenly fired - about 12" from my face.

There is a know problem with the Sporasun One Air but still, pneumatic's are dangerous. End of story.
 
It is important that you select the right size speargun for the conditions. It does little good to have a speargun that can shoot well past the visibility. In general, you will be happy with the shortest gun possible that will shoot to the range of visibility. Anything larger (longer) will make the gun slower to swing and the added length and power are not really beneficial.

What is the expected visibility range that you will see most often? Once we know that and understanding that you will be targeting small to moderately sized fish, then I can provide some recommendations for a gun.

Many times a new hunter will try to select a gun that can "do everything" and they may be disappointed in performance. You will be much better served with buying your first gun to match the conditions you normally encounter... Then once you are "hooked" we can sell you a few more guns (only half joking here) that you can use for offshore trips where the water might be cleared.

Most serious spearos own several guns - so they can select the right one for the conditions they are expecting.
It is important that you select the right size speargun for the conditions. It does little good to have a speargun that can shoot well past the visibility. In general, you will be happy with the shortest gun possible that will shoot to the range of visibility. Anything larger (longer) will make the gun slower to swing and the added length and power are not really beneficial.

What is the expected visibility range that you will see most often? Once we know that and understanding that you will be targeting small to moderately sized fish, then I can provide some recommendations for a gun.

Many times a new hunter will try to select a gun that can "do everything" and they may be disappointed in performance. You will be much better served with buying your first gun to match the conditions you normally encounter... Then once you are "hooked" we can sell you a few more guns (only half joking here) that you can use for offshore trips where the water might be cleared.

Most serious spearos own several guns - so they can select the right one for the conditions they are expecting.


Mako1:

Visibility here in the cold B.C. waters usually hangs around 15ft. In the summer time it gets murkier and in the winter it is usually crisp n crystal clear and comparable to the tropics, of course it varies depending on which dive spot, what kind of algae the currents are bringing in etc.

We went to a nice spot yesterday in a place called browns bay, the visibility there was about 15ft. My friend let me try out his gun (rob allen tuna railgun 1000 i believe it is called)
Rob_Allen_Tuna_Rail_Gun_1_1024x1024.jpeg


I shot a couple greenlings with it, but i found the gun really long and hard to maneuver in the water, also 2 of the greenlings i shot ended up swimming away injured :( The shaft nearly sliced them in half, I was left with a fish flopping away and a bolt laying on the rocks with no fish attached to it. I was able to retrieve one of them though

We were only using one band, I am no expert but i think this means i should be looking for a smaller/less powerful gun?

Im mostly shooting greenlings (15" is the longest i have seen them) And larger Rock fish as well as halibut when they get in season. So I think this means that a medium sized gun is more appropriate? Not sure though.

Thanks for the help and coments guys!
Cheers,

Reeve MC
 
This is exactly right - one gun can't do everything.

When you're starting out - buy the gun that will suit your general diving conditions. Then if you like spearing, buy more specific ones to suit varying conditions.

In the UK, I use a Pathos 82 for general diving, a Pathos 60 for really murky water and if there were ever any good viz, I've got a Pathos 90 ready. I've also got a closed muzzle Rob Allen 70 for night diving - which is easier to load than an open muzzle gun.

I'd advise getting a shorter gun over a longer one - around 80cm is nice. A gun with a reverse trigger mechanism, like Pathos or the Picasso Magnum, is brilliant, as you get a lot more band stretch (power) from a smaller gun.


Thanks for the comment broseidon,

Im looking into the pathos guns, at your recomendation. They look good so far, I should probably be considering the shorer ones with the reels?

By the way whats the diving like in the UK? I imagine the wildlife would be similar to what we have in Canada? Here we have lots of rock beds with tons of sea anemones with the odd kelp forest, not nearly as colorful as the tropics. But still tons of wildlife and quite beautiful sometimes.
743f187b7739c81ea7fb1ad325bda83d.jpg
 
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That looks beautiful Reeve just beautiful.

Young Mr Broseidon -
It wasn't pointing at me, so much, it was during the loading phase - with a pneuamtic, you have the gun pointing vertically as you pull the spear into it - I'd loaded the gun when it suddenly fired - about 12" from my face.

There is a know problem with the Sporasun One Air but still, pneumatic's are dangerous. End of story.-

I have read with great amusement your journey into pneumatic guns and how quickly you have gone from no knowledge to being an expert in your own mind.
The only surprising thing to me is how you missed your head? It seems like a very big target. (joke)
Son, you've got to realise ALL spearguns are dangerous. Have you ever seen the damage when a band snaps with a metal wishbone? That's how I lost my index finger.
I dont blame the gun though.
Pneumatic guns are as good as band guns and many many people use them. In fact most people I know had them in the 80s.
Oh and while I think about it - do you really need a 60 cm gun and an 80 cm gun? I have 1 gun and it's all I need. It's good to keep it simple.

I can't give any advice about what gun to buy Reeve but whatever you buy just get to know it and it will be the only gun you need.

Peace out ✌
 
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Mako1:

Visibility here in the cold B.C. waters usually hangs around 15ft. In the summer time it gets murkier and in the winter it is usually crisp n crystal clear and comparable to the tropics, of course it varies depending on which dive spot, what kind of algae the currents are bringing in etc.

We went to a nice spot yesterday in a place called browns bay, the visibility there was about 15ft. My friend let me try out his gun (rob allen tuna railgun 1000 i believe it is called)
Rob_Allen_Tuna_Rail_Gun_1_1024x1024.jpeg


I shot a couple greenlings with it, but i found the gun really long and hard to maneuver in the water, also 2 of the greenlings i shot ended up swimming away injured :( The shaft nearly sliced them in half, I was left with a fish flopping away and a bolt laying on the rocks with no fish attached to it. I was able to retrieve one of them though

We were only using one band, I am no expert but i think this means i should be looking for a smaller/less powerful gun?

Im mostly shooting greenlings (15" is the longest i have seen them) And larger Rock fish as well as halibut when they get in season. So I think this means that a medium sized gun is more appropriate? Not sure though.

Thanks for the help and coments guys!
Cheers,

Reeve MC

For 15 ft visibility, a 90 cm gun would be a common recommendation. If it is less than 10 ft, then a 70 cm would be a better choice. You have indicated that you have considerable seasonal variations, and as mentioned initially, this is going to be handled best by two different guns.

Possibly a 80 cm gun would be a good starting point, if you continue on and are hunting in the winter with visibility over 20-25 ft, then a 110 cm would be more effective. There is a considerable difference in those two sizes, but once you are comfortable shooting one size, going to a very similar (but larger) gun should be a smooth transition.

A 100 cm gun (like the RA you were using) will feel longer and slower to swing in 15 ft visibility. A shorter gun would have been easier to swing and aim and would still have provided the necessary range. The fact that you reported that you ripped fish in half and lost them, is not the fault of the gun or the size.

If that is happening with any frequency, then you need to adjust your aim to the head, gill plate and the areas just behind the gill plate and along the lateral line. These are solid "holding" areas for a shaft and are more likely to kill or incapacitate the fish quickly or instantly. It is also possible that the spear tip (or flopper) was damaged or not functioning properly. Also, it is often beneficial to invest a few minutes in target practice when you are trying a new gun.

Shooting a water bottle (that is filled with water) can help get you dialed in and help you to make better placed shots.

Your original post was asking for some suggestions for an inexpensive speargun. I would encourage you to take a look at our Predator Pro 3 gun. I will post a link which should help you to compare the features of spearguns and help you make an informed decision.

You should also understand that MAKO sells DIRECT. We do NOT sell through any dive shops, so we eliminate the middle man mark up and pass on significant savings directly to you. Keep that in mind if our gun seems too inexpensive to be able to contain quality components. As an FYI, we hand tie all our speargun bands on the day that YOU order your gun. This means you get the freshest bands possible and we can make adjustments to accommodate any special requests - without incurring additional costs (or charging you extra).

http://www.makospearguns.com/Predator-Pro-3rd-Generation-Speargun-p/mpp3gr.htm

MPP3GR-2T.jpg

http://www.makospearguns.com/why-buy-a-mako-speargun-a/290.htm
 
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I have read with great amusement your journey into pneumatic guns and how quickly you have gone from no knowledge to being an expert in your own mind.

Indeed - it was rather an amusing series of events. I did a lot of research, I thought it was going to be a great thing but in the end, the practical, hands on experience was not at all what I'd hoped for. At least it gave a few people, myself included, a good laugh!

Son, you've got to realise ALL spearguns are dangerous.

Thanks for the breaking news but I'm under no illusions of the dangers of spearguns - they are lethal weapons - from my unfortunate experience though, I find pneumatics unacceptably and unnecessarily dangerous.

Have you ever seen the damage when a band snaps with a metal wishbone? That's how I lost my index finger.

I skinned my finger with a metal wishbone a long time ago - never again. Like my immediate disposal of my pneumatic gun, I took immediate steps to make safe what I felt was a dangerous element of my dive kit by replacing all my wishbones with Dyneema. Maybe a touch a proactive thinking like that on your part may have saved your finger.

I dont blame the gun though.

To be fair, the gun I had was defective and was recalled by Sporasub immediately so I think I'm more than warranted in blaming the gun in this instance. Thanks for your insight though.

Pneumatic guns are as good as band guns and many many people use them. In fact most people I know had them in the 80s.

Performance wise, they are meant to be good but I've never met anyone who uses one. Out of interest - what do you use?

Oh and while I think about it - do you really need a 60 cm gun and an 80 cm gun? I have 1 gun and it's all I need. It's good to keep it simple.

Ummm... actually yes, I do need multiple guns. North Wales has extremely variable conditions. Chucking a few extra guns on the boat has no bearing on my dive so why not have the best tools for the job?

It's not uncommon for me to dive in shallow water with visibility of less that 1 meter - a 60cm gun allows me to catch fish in these conditions where I'd struggle with my 82. I might then motor into deeper water where the viz opens out to 4 meters plus. Why would I try fishing such completely different conditions with the same gun? That wouldn't be very clever, would it. Again, thanks for your invaluable insight though - you've been a great help.

Maybe if you had a few extra guns (and an index finder) you might bring a few extra fish home. Who knows.
 
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Thanks for the comment broseidon,

Im looking into the pathos guns, at your recomendation. They look good so far, I should probably be considering the shorer ones with the reels?

By the way whats the diving like in the UK? I imagine the wildlife would be similar to what we have in Canada? Here we have lots of rock beds with tons of sea anemones with the odd kelp forest, not nearly as colorful as the tropics. But still tons of wildlife and quite beautiful sometimes.

No worries Buddy, happy to help!

The Laser open Pro 82 is a great all rounder. The reverse trigger mech gives it the power of a 90 - 95cm gun, in a much shorter package. It's also got a slightly shorter spear than normal, which makes it a bit easier to move around in the water.

http://www.spearamerica.com/pathos-laser-open-pro-speargun-railgun.html

http://www.speardeals.com/Pathos_Laser_Open_Pro_82cm_Speargun_p/path82.htm

For anyone wondering, the reverse trigger mech & shark-fin tab placement gives around an extra 13cm band stretch compared to a identically sized Rob Allen.

I personally wouldn't bother with a reel, I like to attach the gun to my float so i can drop it if i ever need to - but it's personal preference.

The diving in the UK is pretty good generally although the fish are relatively small and sometimes hard to come by - the most common spearfishing catches are grey mullet, bass & pollock - we do get good lobster though. There's nothing really as beautiful as the picture you posted - our kelp beds are dull brown and hang maybe max 2m off the seabed, usually much less. We don't really get many anemones either.
 
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Wondering if anybody owns this gun

I do, 35cm one.

If you do not mind me asking - what amount of money you can spend on your first gun?
 
Mr Broseidon - I will answer some of your questions but I can't find the patience to use the fancy quoting that you have done because I really don't know how :)

You ask about my gun, well I don't really know what it is. It could be an omer I think and I guess it is 75 cm? I do know I have caught 2756 bass with it over the last 12 years according to my records. Perhaps with an 82 cm and a 60 cm gun of fashionable brand and marketing that convinced me a few cm extra band pull will make all the difference between success and failure I might have had more but that would be a little greedy I feel. So far this year I have caught nearly 30 fish - not bad for an old pensioner with an antique gun?
I can't load a pneuamtic due to a missing finger which happened when developing a porbeagle gun about 25 years or more ago. It's funny but I think I must be the only spearfisherman around with a missing finger, one working eye and a prosthetic testicle (true!) :)

Stay safe my friend.

Uncle John :)
 
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